Picture Gallery: 2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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The Ford Flex is the third new crossover in Ford’s line-up, the Ford Edge and Taurus X being the other two. As I discussed this with CanadianDriver’s Chris Chase, we contemplated why Ford would have three crossovers powered by the same drive train in the same price range… odd.
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The more expensive additions to my tester are items most people could live without, such as: the panoramic roof for $1,700, the navigation system with rear backup camera for $2,500, and the family DVD entertainment system for $1,200.
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The remaining add-ons include: a class III trailer tow package which allows for towing up to 4500lbs, a white roof (similar to that on the Mini Cooper and Toyota FJ Cruiser), a block heater and rubber floor mats.
There is no denying the Ford Flex brings a bold design flavour to the Ford family of vehicles. I am sure some will just love this bold design while others — like my other half — will refuse to to be seen in it.
2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD
MSRP as tested (including destination): $50,979
For more information on Ford and the Flex visit Ford Canada
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More important than the fancy toys, though, are the comfortable seats, although the lack of telescopic steering made it a little difficult to find a comfortable seating position at first. The Flex does have power adjustable pedals, but I like to sit further back to stretch my legs while still having full control of the steering wheel; the Flex does not offer me the perfect seating position that I so easily find in vehicles with telescopic steering.
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The soft-touch plastics all around make for a pleasing environment for your elbows, and the controls are all within easy reach. The centrepiece ,as mentioned before, is an absolute joy to use: the bright eight-inch LCD screen is so easy to read and with Microsoft’s Sync system you can control most of the functions via voice commands if you wish.
The back-up camera integrated into the entertainment system has to be the clearest camera I have ever used, and the spacial lines to aid in placing the vehicle in a parking spot makes reversing into or out of a tight space a snap. The Flex’s interior shows that Ford is capable of designing a world-class interior — although I still dislike the interior door panels and door handles, which are too flat for me.
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Today was a work outing, and with six people in the Flex there was ample room — everyone was pleased, even the most rearward passengers. On the highway, the the 262hp, 3.5-litre V6 engine had no trouble, turning only 1,500rpm even when loaded up and accelerating.
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NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) in the Flex is ultra-low. Through extensively wind tunnel tunnel testing, Ford has taken steps to ensure some of the typical sources of wind noise have been worked over for a smooth and quiet highway ride, and they have succeeded.
As previously mentioned, the lower ride height as compared to other CUVs gives the Flex more of a car-like handling feel. It could be compared to a minivan, as the Flex hugs the road in corners and never gives you that rolling or sloppy feeling typical in crossover or sport utility vehicles.
Unfortunately, I can’t comment on the all-wheel drive system as it has been sunny most of the week (for once), but it is the same system as used in the Taurus X and Edge, both of which perform excellently in the winter. Interesting to note is the Flex’s towing capacity: with the towing package, it is rated at 4,500lbs, while the Taurus X is rated at a very meager 2,000lbs. This opens up yet another market for the Flex: the buyer looking for something with greater than the typical 3,500lbs towing capacity, with tons of interior space for luggage and kids.
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That is the conclusion I have finally came to after a week behind the wheel of the Flex. It is much better than I had ever anticipated: it rides great, it is comfortable, it handles like a car and it can carry a ton of passengers or cargo if need be.
The gas mileage over the week wasn’t stellar, but for such a large vehicle, it wasn’t bad. I averaged 13.4 L/100km for the week, including carrying a full load of passengers on a few trips, and with six people in the car, that is a lot of extra weight to carry around.
Don’t overlook the Flex if you are in the market for a CUV or minivan. I will admit minivan doors make loading passengers or cargo a whole lot easier, but the Flex stands out and may still provide the flexibility you are looking for.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD
MSRP as tested (including destination): $50,979
For more information on Ford and the Flex visit Ford Canada
August 14, 2008, 11:11:50 pm I saw on of these in Quesnel last week, it did not look too big at all, at least next to all the redneck pickups we get in the interior of BC
Could be a winner for Ford if priced and optioned right.
August 14, 2008, 11:14:03 pm Congrats on the Taurus X.. A truly underappreciated vehicle imo.
To answer your question, the future is the Edge and Flex. Taurus X is end of life.
August 14, 2008, 11:46:15 pm I think a snow plow would suit it.
August 15, 2008, 12:07:40 am Just Americans can build such stupid looking car (SUV)
August 15, 2008, 12:12:42 am
August 15, 2008, 06:46:50 am oo The Tragically Hip
Could never get into them, always sound so depressing , like Nirvana
August 15, 2008, 07:39:36 am The Flex just "looks" big IMO it's not that big, but it is extremely roomy.
August 15, 2008, 09:41:27 am
Ohh, he gets so cranky without his mid-morning crackers and juice.
August 15, 2008, 11:32:56 am wot Killer CEREALS come in thos BOXES.....
WETMYBOX?.....
PORRIGE!!
COUNT DRACULA OUT!
SHREDDED WIT!......... Guantanimo BOXES ALL>.............
August 15, 2008, 12:18:33 pm
I agree Wing - and I figured out why when looking again. The windows are all upright with the square roofline and so it looks and space wise, is bigger than say the Acadia.
August 15, 2008, 12:33:05 pm I honestly can't see anyone wanting to pay $50K for a Ford Flex. Come on. With so much competition out there, this thing should be about 30K, and I still wouldn't buy one.
August 15, 2008, 03:38:48 pm I just checked the specs.
Flex is 201.9 inches long and 75.9 inches wide
Acadia is 201.1 inches long and 78.9 inches wide.
Ford doesn't mention weight figures on their site but the AWD Acadia is 4925 lbs.
At $50 grand, although it would be fully loaded, there are others out there that might be considered, but the one that might be worth waiting for in the price range will be thew new GLK, especially if they bring the diesel!
August 15, 2008, 03:56:04 pm inco: The weight varies from just under 4500lbs to just over 4800lbs. Heavy metal.
For those going on about the price, the Honda Odyssey (fwd only) ranges from $31490 for the very basic DX, to $48890 for the Touring. The Sienna ranges from $29,400 for the very basic CE to $49270 for the XLE AWD Limited. The Chysler Town and Country Starts at $28995 and tops out in the high $40k region. The GMC Acadia SLE starts at $36495 and tops out at $49880 for the SLT AWD.
What else is there?
You want toys yer gonna hafta pony up.
August 15, 2008, 04:08:46 pm PONY_UP.....c'mon quit HORSIN' around Basil.........Meat me inna refrectory..........
August 15, 2008, 04:59:24 pm Yeah I'm a gangster. As for the Flex one damn good car and by the way built in Canada. The people at the Oakville plant are building a great car! Question for you Levi, why be such a hater? I hear why you don't like it. What do you drive? What makes you such a authority on the Flex. Hell I bet you aren't even old enough to drive!
August 15, 2008, 09:51:05 pm
August 15, 2008, 09:56:52 pm Could you two please try and get along.
August 16, 2008, 06:48:22 pm Big Thumbs hovercraft is full of eels......wots the Cd on that .....
August 18, 2008, 05:48:15 pm Earned a lot of steering wheels from you James.
August 18, 2008, 06:10:42 pm It was that good!
August 21, 2008, 12:25:12 pm
A replacement for the Nissan pick-up for Towing perhaps.
August 21, 2008, 12:29:27 pm I saw one up close in white. Looked fabulous. Stately!
There was an Odyssey behind it, looked ordinary.
August 25, 2008, 12:51:12 pm
There was an Odyssey behind it, looked ordinary.
I saw one on the road, all white. My first thoughts were, hey who took my refrigirator, flipped it and put wheels on it? Or maybe I am offending my refrigirator.
August 25, 2008, 02:01:41 pm I saw a Flex in the flesh at Costco. I didn't care for it at all, it seemed lacking.
August 25, 2008, 02:57:27 pm ..saw a Burgundy bodied one..white roofed...at the dealership Sunday..it woz a Fully FLEXED UNIT