By Rich Truesdell

Automotive Traveler

Since its introduction as the Fairlane concept at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, I've been in love with the Ford Flex. And my impressions were reinforced this past January when I got some quality, stationary seat time at the Consumer Electronics Show auditioning its Sony 7.1 Surround Sound 7.1 audio system. I came away impressed by the quality of materials in the cabin and how big it felt. I felt that Ford, once known as the "Wagonmaster"—because after all, that's what the Flex is, a traditional station wagon updated for duty in the 21st Century—had an absolute home run on their hands.

Fast forward five months and it's a whole new ball game. The Flex is arriving just as the market place is going through convulsions as consumers adjust to the reality of the coming of $5.00/gallon gasoline. That said, I would like to give kudos to the Flex's outstanding navigation interface, with Sirius Travel Link. A voice-activated system fully integrating audio, navigation, and SYNC capabilities, the system can direct you to the closest, lowest price fill-up. Unfortunately, it seems prices now change by the hour in Southern California, so the system was unable to keep up, but it does work superbly when providing real-time traffic data.

The audio capabilities are top-tier. As my opportunity to drive the Flex came at virtually the last minute, I neglected to bring any audio CDs with me—I won't evaluate systems with compressed audio from iPod or iPod-like devices—and I used the nav system to find the nearest Borders. They had just text messaged me a 40%-off coupon, so I drove over and picked up a copy of Morrissey's Greatest Hits. Track 1, "First of the Gang to Die" is one of my favorites, and the huge cabin of the Flex made me feel as if I was front row at Wembley Stadium. Once I brought the bass slider back to the middle position (the previous journalist had cranked it and the treble slider all the way to the max) the sound was crisp and clean with a tremendous sense of space. I envision quite a few Flex demo vehicles at next January's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

On the road, the Flex drives big, very big. I will admit that in my favorite seating position, high up, SUV-like, I seemed to have blind spots on both sides, no matter how I adjusted the mirrors. I'm sure that had I not been so rushed I could have found the proper settings, but no matter how you slice it, at 201.8 inches long and a truck-like 88.8 inches wide, the Flex is a big vehicle. I actually didn't realize just how wide it is until I pulled into the parking space at the aforementioned Borders, and had to squeeze out the barely opened door. When I returned, I got some dirty looks from the self-righteous Toyota Yaris owner parked next to me, whose stare basically said; "why are you driving such a big tank?"

The Flex is powered by Ford's 3.5-liter V6 with 262-horsepower. It provided satisfactory acceleration, enough to motivate the 4,500-pound front-wheel-drive (all-wheel-drive is available) up to freeway speeds safely , as well as attack the steep hills surrounding the Getty Museum. More power is coming next year when Ford's 3.7-liter, 273-horsepower EcoBoost V6, soon to be available on the Lincoln MKS, will be added to the option list. The Flex also features Ford's "Easy Fuel" cap-less fueling system, first previewed five years ago on the Ford GT.

Speaking of fuel, mileage on my 100-mile abbreviated test loop clocked in at 17.1 miles per gallon, about comparable to what I feel are its closest competitors, the current GM front-wheel-drive-based crossovers, the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and the Saturn Outlook. My test vehicle was equipped with the 2+2+2 seating package and sitting in the second row seats made me feel as if I was flying business class on British Airways. Unfortunately, the third row was more like open seating on Southwest, but still above average when compared to competitive vehicles in its class. In speaking with one of my colleagues at Automotive Traveler, Managing Editor Brandy Schaffels, I noted that with the 2+2+2 seating package, the Flex's most direct competitor was the rumored to be discontinued Chrysler Pacifica, another station wagon-like vehicle I really like.

It's impossible to come to a meaningful verdict on a vehicle based on a two-and-a-half hour test drive, so I won't try to give you one here. I'll reserve that for when my Ford PR reps can get me in a Flex for a week-long loan, where I can really put it through its paces, maybe on a trip up to Death Valley later this summer to stalk pre-production prototypes during hot weather testing. But my first impressions are universally positive. It's big, quiet, and with its infinitely configurable interior, it's a welcome addition to the crossover category, especially for those families who need six- or seven-passenger capabilities.

So even after acknowledging the Flex's dilemma in the current fuel-conscious marketplace, Brandy and I  agreed that Blue Oval owners right-sizing from the Explorer or Expedition will love it, especially with all the cool features like the second-row refrigerated compartment. Unfortunately, I don't see it selling in anywhere near the volumes that were the traditional norm for either truck-based SUV. And of course, being based on a font-wheel-drive platform—in this case a 5-inch stretched version of the Ford D3 large-car platform—it won't have the trailer-towing capability of a full-frame, truck-based SUV. (The Flex is rated to tow 4,500 pounds.)

And I know I will catch flack from the Ford people for saying this, but where's the Squire option? Do they realize how cool the Flex will look with tastefully applied wood accents? Don't the designers and engineers, who in the Ford press materials all look like they are about 40 years old, know how "kids" like me, now in our fifties, went to school or Little League practice in a 10-passenger Country Squire? Based on their ages, rather than the industry-standard full-size Ford station wagon—the "mom mobile" of sixties suburbs—I bet they all made the same rounds in a minivan. They don't know what they missed.

Comments

JimJim
Jul 1, 2008 3:00:15 PM

No passenger car, light truck, or SUV manufactured or imported into the USA should weigh over 3,800 lbs or get less than 24 MPG city and 30 MPG HWY. Special commercial vehicle permits and driver licenses should be required to get heavier, less efficient work vehicles.

I would be redesign the Flex and all Ford vehicles to meet these targets. The Flex would need improved aerodynamics(looks like a brick), lighter materials, and either a turbo diesel or direct-inject gas engine...small engines with big transmissions. The Flex functionality looks great for a family, but it is old tech cast at $2/gal gas.

Ben in NJ
Jun 12, 2008 9:15:59 PM

Also, if Ford keeps putting chrome and sparkle on their new designs they way they are doing, I think we are headed for a chrome shortage in 2010, you might not see any chrome on any other cars/trucks because there won't be enough. I guess the best way to disguise an ugly hooker is with makeup, right? Forget quality, just baffle them with looks, some chrome, keep the ugly-ass blue oval with the Model T logo from 100 years ago while your at it, makes for a wonderful combination. Do these design guys at Ford have a pulse???

Ben in NJ
Jun 12, 2008 9:08:54 PM

Definitely aimed at the xB.... maybe a little too directly. Ford arrives to the party, late as usual.

VWInformant
Jun 12, 2008 4:05:05 PM

I really don't think you can call the Flex a crossover. It's simply too big. Crossovers tend to be based on car platforms. Take the new VW Tiguan for example, it's bred from a GTI and performs more like a car than an SUV.

Dhillaz
Jun 12, 2008 2:51:15 PM

Eric, focus on the grille and front lights...you WILL see a Range Rover Sport, not surprising since Ford owned Land Rover until recently.

Eric
Jun 12, 2008 1:52:47 PM

How the hell would that remind you of a RANGE ROVER SPORT! it looks nothing like it, that has to be the most retarded comment on here! thats why you dont evaluate cars for a living. That thing doesnt look like any other vehicle at all, especially an XB are you guys sure were looking at the same vehicle. It looks like its own GOOFY design!

Dhillaz
Jun 12, 2008 9:30:55 AM

Did someone say BMW Mini Clubman?

Adam
Jun 12, 2008 8:21:14 AM

08 xB (toyota rumion) and land rover had a kid! I think this odd offspring is also my xB's bigger cousin. To top it all off (literally) the white roof is very FJ'ish.

Josh
Jun 12, 2008 7:50:57 AM

that thing sucks
ford needs to get a life

unknown2u
Jun 12, 2008 7:32:45 AM

looks like a funeral car to me

i_luv_dusty
Jun 12, 2008 6:30:27 AM

Personally, I think that thing is hideous. And why is the roof white? Did they get the idea from the color scheme from a port-a-potty?

Jeremy
Jun 12, 2008 4:34:54 AM

to me it looks like a cheaper crossover version of a range rover sport (without the slanted back window)

Danny
Jun 12, 2008 2:19:46 AM

Well let me start by saying it's a very nice looking car, also I saw you (or another Flex) on the highway the other day but it didn't look all that great because 5-10 minutes before I saw a BMW X6 that wasn't covered at all zoom by but I think this is a step in the right direction for Ford.

cgherr@bellsouth.net
Jun 12, 2008 12:52:26 AM

The automotive equivalent of obesity

kori
Jun 11, 2008 11:52:55 PM

fords rip off of Toyota Corolla Rumion...w/e..we wont be seeing it on our shores anyway since we have the US xB which came out before the rumion..so OH WELL..nice job ford, stealing designs lol

7urtle
Jun 11, 2008 11:47:46 PM

nice