SAFETY | 10 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
Not yet rated
NHTSA
Not yet rated
IIHS
Ford's rear-seat inflatable seatbelts also join the options list. They are designed to reduce the risk of injuries to smaller passengers, and have proven a very popular option on the Explorer.
Automobile Magazine
Based on its reputation for top-notch crash-test ratings, as well as its excellent roster of safety features--plus some new additions for 2013--the Ford Flex is one of the safest vehicles you can buy.
Last year the Ford Flex was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, although neither the agency nor the federal government have renewed their ratings for the 2013 model. The 2013 Flex hasn't however changed structurally (or significantly otherwise), so it's likely that it will fare as well.
Dual front, side and curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes; and traction and stability control with anti-roll control all remain standard. Parking sensors and a rearview camera are on the options list, and so are a blind-spot alert system and adaptive cruise control.
Inflatable seat belts are new to the Flex this year, and adaptive cruise control (with forward collision alert) and a blind-spot monitoring system are now available. All Flexes also include Curve Control and torque vectoring—both fancy terms to note improvements to the stability control system. Also Ford has also found a way to replace the old headrests, that pitched your head uncomfortably forward, with a new four-position design that still protects well against whiplash.Ford's MyKey system remains available in the Flex; it lets parents or other owners set limits on the Flex’s stereo volume, vehicle speed, and other entertainment features, effectively keeping secondary drivers within the owner's comfort limits.
Conclusion
With the 2013 Ford Flex, you're likely choosing one of the safest vehicles on the market.
