2009 Ford Flex SEL AWD Review
To a certain extent, the new Ford Flex embodies today’s Western society, personifying excess in one of its most pleasing forms. How has Ford managed this? Simply by offering a fundamentally useful and practical car wrapped in a cutting edge package. The Flex’s aesthetical calling is clearly to inflame our passion. No one is left indifferent by it: either you love it or you hate it, but you definitely react to it.
I think its interesting and bold. When the Fairlane Concept, the Flex’s predecessor, was launched, I was intrigued by the overall spirit of the car, and this standard version conveys it well. Looking at the Flex, you’re struck by the unusual simplicity and utter boldness of the design. Its like a child took pen to paper.
It’s all angles, up and down, left and right, with pretty much nothing else in between. Just as surprising is the actual size of the Flex, which is smaller than it appears in pictures. The dimensions are well balanced while maximizing vehicle length.
The engineers paid attention to detail, giving the Flex just enough ingredients to strengthen its personality. Most striking are the grooves running across the doors and tailgate, the oversized fenders and the contrasting colour of the roof and outside mirrors. You can’t help but think of a King Size Mini Clubman!
The cabin is much more sedate, but very well done. The mock-wood trim is maybe a little too present. The materials are unquestionably of good quality, and despite the smattering of hard plastic surfaces, it’s very well done on the whole. The controls are ergonomic and the instruments are very easy to read, although the dials could be a tad larger. The dashboard is massive and conveys a nice feeling of magnitude.
The other two rows also feature generous space, especially in the six-seat configuration. Access to the third row is risky but comfortable once seated. The cargo space is simply phenomenal, and it gets even better when the rows of seats are folded down, offering a maximum capacity of 2,355 L. The driving position is a little perplexing, as the comfortable seat suggests a sedan but the atmosphere is clearly that of a much larger vehicle.
Sensible engine
Obviously, the point of the Flex isn’t to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h as quickly as possible, but Ford’s choice of engine here does a very good job. The 3.5-litre Duratec V6, available in several other of the brand’s vehicles, is almost a veteran. Its 262 ponies are more than enough for the day-to-day use of the Flex, even allowing for a decent towing capacity, as I discovered myself during my testing.
Acceleration isn’t lighting-quick, but still manages to easily get the vehicle going. Another strong point is the fuel consumption, which is generally quite reasonable considering the size of the Flex.
On the winding roads leading to Saint-Michel-des-Saints, the almost-empty Flex limited itself to an average of 10.5 litres. On the same road and loaded down with two water scooters, I logged 14.7 litres per 100 kilometres. The all-wheel drive is reassuring, but don’t think you can go off-roading for as much. It’s perfect for the cottage, but for the hunting camp, we’ll pass.
The 6-speed automatic transmission is adequate, even if shifting is sometimes a little too obvious. The steering system is predictable, leaving a vague feeling of constant impreciseness. Braking is on the good side of average.
One of its strong suits is the way it compares to others in terms of handling. Without being extremely dynamic, handling is better than that of a minivan or many an SUV. The suspension remains flexible in spite of it all and absorbs the vagaries of the road, turning the Flex into a true cruiser. Visibility is ensured by very large windows and good-size mirrors.
Comparison
The Flex SEL AWD ($36,999) doesn’t have any real competition in terms of configuration apart from the Mercedes-Benz R-Class ($63,500), which is almost double the price. Other than that, minivans compare space-wise, especially the Honda Odyssey EX ($36,990) the Chrysler Town & Country Touring ($35,995) and the Toyota Sienna LE AWD ($37,420).
Conclusion
The Ford Flex is a daring vehicle that stands out from the crowd. Its practical advantages are many and come in a comfortable, six-passenger package. Its cargo and storage space make it a truly worthwhile alternative to minivans and SUVs, and its powered by a strong, reasonably fuel-efficient engine. The Flex will definitely have people talking.
