2009 Ford Flex Review

Driving a brand new car for a week, I usually get a few queries about the vehicles from casual observers or co-workers at the office. Getting nothing, while it doesn't happen often, often tells me something about the outward appearance of that vehicle -- one that apparently elicits no emotional reaction. As far as my time with the Ford Flex, put it in the category of "everyone has an opinion." While it is always great to get a reaction, rarely has a vehicle been so polarizing in its effect on people. Given the alternatives, I'd say Ford Flex has a great problem on its hands.

The Ford Flex is an interesting vehicle that combines outward appearances that evoke great emotional response. Some are good. Some are not so good. Clearly, the Flex is one of those special vehicles that people either love ... or hate.

I happened to love it.

One person in the office said it looked like a hearse. Funny story: I had a friend who owned a hearse back in the day and that monstrosity drove wonderfully and turned lots of heads. Sure, it was painted bright royal blue (because he wanted to stay below the local cops' radar), but inside it was a palace with big spaces and a heavy-duty suspension that was like butter. So, hearse comment, not necessarily a bad thing in my book.

The other aspect that so many people seemed to like, while so many others seemed to dislike, was the two-tone white roof. It has the same effect as a Mini's top and at twice the size, if you don't like the Mini's white top, you'll not like the Flex top -- times two.

I still defend any manufacturer who goes out on a limb and creates bold, daring style like the Flex. To start out, I appreciate a raised wagon that can deliver the interior spaces of a minivan while remaining something, anything, other than a minivan. Flex offers just that - flexibility. While the interior is huge, seating seven passengers in three rows, the cabin is a comfortable setting that feels incredibly wide open and roomy.

Helping to open up that cabin is lots of surrounding glass that is outlined by Flex's signature boxy framework. There are no extreme angular pillars or sloping rooflines to cut down on visibility, everything is pretty squared off and that makes the interior big and bright.

Adding to the feeling of a giant interior space was an optional Panoramic Vista Roof ($1,495). This option essentially puts a huge glass panel over each of the three rows. Once passengers got into the cozy leather seats of my Flex Limited tester, the first thing out of their mouths was "look at the roof" (read: or lack thereof).

A variation of the now defunct Taurus X raised-wagon platform, the Ford Flex is actually on the current wheelbase of Volvo's flagship S80 sedan. Not a bad start for a vehicle that would never be mistaken for a Volvo (few things ever could be). The two vehicles could swap war stories regarding the American consumers' opinion on the merits of a 'boxy' design scheme.

My top trim line Flex actually deviated from the seven-passenger format and had a six-passenger layout. The second row bench is dropped in favor of two captains chairs with a 40/40 auto-fold ($870) split. My tester also had a really convenient second-row console ($100). Speaking of consoles, the rear console is a refrigerator ($760) worth every penny for the upgrade. This ultra road convenience actually holds up to seven 12-ounce cans and cools 40 percent faster than a typical refrigerator. It is great for long road trips and weekend baseball tournaments.

Getting comfortable in any seat of the Flex is easy. While there is a third row, adults will want to try to stay in the first two rows. My tester had wonderful leather appointments and wood accents around the dash and steering wheel. Ambient lighting around the cup holders and in the foot wells changes colors at the flip of a switch. Consider it a mood ring with real function.

Sightlines for the driver are about as good as it gets for a non-SUV vehicle. The driver's seat had 10-way power adjustments while the front passenger had 6-way power; both seats were heated. The navigation system is worth mentioning. As a $2,375 option, it offers live updates on traffic situations and offers potential routes to avoid "traffic events."

One of the coolest gadget systems out there is the Ford SYNC, a Ford-exclusive technology developed with Microsoft for hands-free communication. SYNC allows you to access your personal iPod library, find directions to a restaurant or retail outlet or access your cell phone address book.

The Flex is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 delivering 262 horsepower. Driving the large-sized Flex around town is a treat. It is big, but it feels smaller with all the glass surrounding the driver and I found it to be quite nimble to maneuver. The all-wheel-drive Flex's fuel economy is estimated at 16 city mpg and 22 highway mpg while the front-wheel-drive model is rated at 17 city mpg and 24 highway mpg .

The Flex has earned a five-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Essentially taking over the place once filled by the Ford Freestar minivan, the Flex has some hefty shoes to fill. I think it matches the interior spaces with improvements and big style points.

The Flex is priced from $28,995 to $43,175 fully loaded. While that brings several SUVs into play that offer comparable room and horsepower, none of them has the distinction and exterior styling Flex brings to the show. If quality interior space and a real head-turner is what you want, Flex is selling.