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2009 Ford Flex Bottom Line

March 5, 2009

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

The car experts at TheCarConnection.com researched online reviews from respected Web resources to produce this comprehensive review of the 2009 Ford Flex. TheCarConnection.com's editors also drove the Ford Flex so that we can deliver you the best information on Ford’s new crossover and its competition, as well as help you figure out which reviews to believe when road testers have different opinions.

Likes:

  • Against-the-grain styling
  • Wealth of features
  • First- and second-row seating comfort

Dislikes:

  • Tight headroom in third-row seat
  • Uncomfortable headrests
  • No telescoping steering wheel

Buying Tips:


The 2009 Ford Flex’s optional satellite radio has Sirius Travel Link, which offers local weather, movies listings, and rerouting of destinations to the navigation system. It’s easy to spend more than $40,000 on a Flex, so take a careful look at the options list before you sign.

The 2009 Ford Flex, with its slab-sided styling, is unlike any crossover vehicle on the market, not to mention any Ford of recent vintage. Its heritage is part American station wagon, part MINI Cooper, and even part Land Rover Range Rover, from its ribbed sides to its wide nose to its white- or silver-painted roof. Inside, the Flex sports a low instrument panel with blue-lit gauges, a red-lit pair of cup holders in the center console, and a choice of fabric seats with tweedy trim or leather.

The 2009 Ford Flex relies on a 262-horsepower V-6 engine for its power. The engine is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is the norm, while the Flex also offers all-wheel drive as an option. This powertrain means the Flex is competitive at 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The fuel economy isn't due to blistering acceleration, as the Flex runs from 0 to 60 in about 9 seconds. Handling is surprisingly adept for such a large vehicle, and the Flex's ride quality shows what a well-tuned conventional set of shocks and control arms can do, instead of an expensive, fancy air suspension.

In its vast, airy cabin, the 2009 Ford Flex offers seating for seven. The front two seats have the comfort of Volvo chairs, with equally intrusive headrests. The second-row chairs are seats of honor, with high seating positions and lots of adjustable legroom. The third-row seat has enough legroom for adults, but tall passengers will want for headroom. The second-row seats tumble with the push of a lever—or a button—to ease access to the third row.

The Flex’s safety hasn’t been tested by the insurance industry, but a comprehensive set of safety features includes six airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control with anti-rollover technology. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Flex five stars for front- and side-impact crashworthiness, and four stars for rollover resistance.

The features offered as standard equipment and as options on the 2009 Ford Flex are pretty astounding. It’s gone far beyond power windows; the Flex will have third-row seats and a CD player standard, with options including Ford’s SYNC system, navigation, a second-row refrigerator and footrests, a Sony audio system with Sirius Travel Link, and a glorious four-panel Vista Roof that opens up the Flex’s cabin to the sky.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2009 Ford Flex, also consider:

Reason Why:

The Honda Pilot is the Flex’s most daunting competitor. Redesigned for 2009, it has a large, controversial grille to go with much thicker styling and, to TheCarConnection.com’s taste, too much interior plastic. The Buick Enclave is considerably sexier than either the Flex or the Pilot, but there’s not quite as much vertical space as in the Flex, and its transmission hunts for gears on twisty roads. The Hyundai Veracruz offers a softer-looking alternative to the Flex; it has good V-6 power, third-row seating, and a plush, quiet interior.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 Ford Flex is one of the most stylish new crossovers, with great passenger room and more features than some minivans.

The car experts at TheCarConnection.com researched online reviews from respected Web resources to produce this comprehensive review of the 2009 Ford Flex. TheCarConnection.com's editors also drove the Ford Flex so that we can deliver you the best information on Ford’s new crossover and its competition, as well as help you figure out which reviews to believe when road testers have different opinions. Likes:Against-the-grain stylingWealth of featuresFirst- and second-row seating comfortDislikes:Tight headroom in third-row seatUncomfortable headrestsNo telescoping steering wheelBuying Tips: The 2009 Ford Flex’s optional satellite radio has Sirius Travel Link, which offers local weather, movies listings, and rerouting of destinations to the navigation system. It’s easy to spend more than $40,000 on a Flex, so take a careful look at the options list before you sign. The 2009 Ford Flex, with its slab-sided styling, is unlike any crossover vehicle on the market, not to mention any Ford of recent vintage. Its heritage is part American station wagon, part MINI Cooper, and even part Land Rover Range Rover, from its ribbed sides to its wide nose to its white- or silver-painted roof. Inside, the Flex sports a low instrument panel with blue-lit gauges, a red-lit pair of cup holders in the center console, and a choice of fabric seats with tweedy trim or leather. The 2009 Ford Flex relies on a 262-horsepower V-6 engine for its power. The engine is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is the norm, while the Flex also offers all-wheel drive as an option. This powertrain means the Flex is competitive at 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The fuel economy isn't due to blistering acceleration, as the Flex runs from 0 to 60 in about 9 seconds. Handling is surprisingly adept for such a large vehicle, and the Flex's ride quality shows what a well-tuned conventional set of shocks and control arms can do, instead of an expensive, fancy air suspension. In its vast, airy cabin, the 2009 Ford Flex offers seating for seven. The front two seats have the comfort of Volvo chairs, with equally intrusive headrests. The second-row chairs are seats of honor, with high seating positions and lots of adjustable legroom. The third-row seat has enough legroom for adults, but tall passengers will want for headroom. The second-row seats tumble with the push of a lever—or a button—to ease access to the third row. The Flex’s safety hasn’t been tested by the insurance industry, but a comprehensive set of safety features includes six airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control with anti-rollover technology. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Flex five stars for front- and side-impact crashworthiness, and four stars for rollover resistance. The features offered as standard equipment and as options on the 2009 Ford Flex are pretty astounding. It’s gone far beyond power windows; the Flex will have third-row seats and a CD player standard, with options including Ford’s SYNC system, navigation, a second-row refrigerator and footrests, a Sony audio system with Sirius Travel Link, and a glorious four-panel Vista Roof that opens up the Flex’s cabin to the sky. Other Choices:If you like the 2009 Ford Flex, also consider:Buick EnclaveHonda PilotHyundai VeracruzReason Why:The Honda Pilot is the Flex’s most daunting competitor. Redesigned for 2009, it has a large, controversial grille to go with much thicker styling and, to TheCarConnection.com’s taste, too much interior plastic. The Buick Enclave is considerably sexier than either the Flex or the Pilot, but there’s not quite as much vertical space as in the Flex, and its transmission hunts for gears on twisty roads. The Hyundai Veracruz offers a softer-looking alternative to the Flex; it has good V-6 power, third-row seating, and a plush, quiet interior. The Bottom Line:The 2009 Ford Flex is one of the most stylish new crossovers, with great passenger room and more features than some minivans. The car experts at TheCarConnection.com researched online reviews from respected Web resources to produce this comprehensive review of the 2009 Ford Flex. TheCarConnection.com's editors also drove the Ford Flex so that we can deliver you the best information on Ford’s new crossover and ...

Other Choices:

The Honda Pilot is the Flex’s most daunting competitor. Redesigned for 2009, it has a large, controversial grille to go with much thicker styling and, to TheCarConnection.com’s taste, too much interior plastic. The Buick Enclave is considerably sexier than either the Flex or the Pilot, but there’s not quite as much vertical space as in the Flex, and its transmission hunts for gears on twisty roads. The Hyundai Veracruz offers a softer-looking alternative to the Flex; it has good V-6 power, third-row seating, and a plush, quiet interior.

Next Steps:

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See the Ford Flex in Other Years:

2010 | 2009

Comments (4 total)

  1. By Mary #1, Posted: 8/17/2008

    Mary

    I want to order the Ford Flex Limited with every single option available. The problem is I want the 20" wheels and the dealers say I have do them after market with them, therefore, i am not getting a credit for Ford. The sales people sure dont know much about this vehicle. Its hurry up and wait

  2. By tink #2, Posted: 12/2/2008

    Nice ride

    LOVE the flex. We have a big family with dogs, surf boards, skis...we did our time with a station wagon, van...Our uber cool 18 year old begs to take this car out. The stereo is incredible and the ride is very comfortable and quiet. The is nothing out there like this, we looked high and low.

  3. By Simon #3, Posted: 6/1/2009

    Ford flex is stylish? Go show yourself to a doctor. It is the ugliest car of the decade!

  4. By  2010 Flex #5, Posted: 9/17/2009

    Oh and by the way those who feel the Ford Flex is ugly - i don't totally disagree, but looks and style are completely different. Some people prefer sedans, while some like hatchback, and some hate SUVs.
    So, looks-wise it may be a bit different, but it has nothing to do with its utlity power and style. :) -- that's again my personal opinion -- no offense meant :)

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