Best sport wagon 2009 Subaru Outback *Est. $22295
Best premium station wagon 2009 BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon *Est. $36025
Budget seven-seat wagon 2009 Kia Rondo *Est. $17495
Compact, fuel-sipping wagon 2009 Pontiac Vibe *Est. $16735

See All Station Wagons

2009 Ford Flex

*Est. $28,550 to $34,960

Top safety ratings
Seats seven
Comfortable and roomy
Retro, boxy shape
All-wheel drive available
Versatile fold-down seats
Lots of optional gadgets
Sync voice-command system for phone/MP3

Less cargo room than a minivan
Middling fuel economy
Mixed reviews for performance
Engine labors with AWD drivetrain

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Our Analysis

March 2009. The new, boxy 2009 Ford Flex crossover/wagon seats seven without looking like a minivan -- but it skimps on fuel economy and cargo space, reviewers say. Most critics like the Flex's tall, square shape, reminiscent of a 1940s woody station wagon (reviewers say it was inspired by vintage vacuum cleaners), although Michael Karesh at The Truth About Cars predicts consumers will "simply see a Family Truckster."

Inside, testers say the Ford Flex is filled with quality materials and à la carte options. They find the Sync voice-command system for MP3 players and Bluetooth phones easy to use; it's a $395 option on the Ford Flex SE (*est. $28,550) and Flex SEL (*est. $32,325) and standard on the top Flex Limited trim (*est. $34,960). You can also get a ceiling-mounted backseat DVD player (*est. $1,020) or dual headrest DVD players (*est. $1,995) on the Flex SEL or Flex Limited.

Ordinarily, the Ford Flex seats seven via bucket seats in the first row (they fold, which reviewers say is very convenient for cargo hauling), a folding, three-seat bench in the second row, and a removable, folding, split third-row bench for two. You can skip the extra seat in the second row and instead opt for a pair of buckets in the upper-level Ford Flex SEL and Limited; for another $760, you can add a six-pack refrigerator/freezer in the console between the second-row seats.

However, "While these easy-to-market features are undeniably neat-o in a SkyMall sort of way, I'm afraid they still don't make up for the inherent shortcomings of the core product," concludes The Wall Street Journal's Jeff Sabatini. He points out that the Ford Flex offers less cargo space than a minivan, but -- unlike the small, seven-passenger Kia Rondo wagon (*est. $17,495 to $22,295) -- the Flex doesn't make up for it with a low sticker price or good fuel economy. The EPA estimates you'll get 17 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in combined driving with the front-wheel-drive Flex (16/22/18 mpg for the AWD version).

The Flex wagon gets mixed reviews for its performance. Although testers at CanadianDriver find it handles "surprisingly well," considering its tall, boxy shape, others note that the 262-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission aren't a punchy combination -- especially if the vehicle is loaded down with AWD. Reviewers say the steering isn't as precise as several other wagons, either. The Ford Flex is covered by a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Edmunds.com has conducted the most comprehensive test of the Ford Flex so far, although editors there don't compare it with any other vehicles. ConsumerReports.org provides a road test review, but does not have reliability data on the Flex yet. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have both crash-tested the 2009 Ford Flex, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rates its fuel economy and pollution. ConsumerGuide.com and The Truth About Cars both compare the Flex with midsize crossover SUVs. The Wall Street Journal and CanadianDriver both test the Flex and provide more details than Automobile Magazine does.

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2009 Ford Flex

Our Sources

1. Edmunds.com

For families who can't stand minivans, Edmunds.com says the Ford Flex is a stylish and comfortable seven-seat alternative. This thorough, test-based review includes a list of pros and cons. Edmunds.com names the Flex one of its Top Recommended Wagons under $30,000, and the Lowest True Cost to Own wagon under $40,000.

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Editors at ConsumerReports.org provide their usual, informative road-test review, but do not yet have reliability data because the Ford Flex is a new model. This article is accessible only to subscribers.

Review: 2009 Ford Flex, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

3. SaferCars.gov

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash-tests 2009 vehicles and posts the results here. The Ford Flex is as safe as most minivans, according to the tests, with perfect five-star ratings in front and side crashes and a four-star rollover rating.

Review: 2009 Ford Flex, Editors of SaferCar.gov

4. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducts front, side and rear crash tests on most cars. IIHS classifies the Ford Flex as a midsize SUV, and it earns a Top Safety Pick rating in that category.

Review: Ford Flex, Editors of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

5. FuelEconomy.gov

The Environmental Protection Agency classifies the Ford Flex as an SUV. This chart includes federal fuel-economy estimates for the Flex and other 2009 SUVs, plus estimated fuel costs, greenhouse gas emissions and pollution scores for each vehicle. You can click on either the Flex front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive model to get more in-depth information.

Review: 2009 Sport Utility Vehicle, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov

6. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com classifies the Ford Flex as a midsize SUV, and so when editors compare the Flex with the "class average," they're comparing it to vehicles like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Testers give the Flex especially high marks for its quiet, comfortable ride and generous third row. It is one of this site's top recommended vehicles.

Review: 2009 Ford Flex: Road Test, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

7. The Truth About Cars

Karesh compares the Ford Flex wagon to the more SUV-like Chevy Traverse. After analyzing their handling, styling and performance, he finds both vehicles uninspiring. He says the Ford Flex has a lovely, versatile interior, but its transmission and steering can't handle even minimally enthusiastic driving.

Review: 2009 Chevy Traverse vs. 2009 Ford Flex, Michael Karesh, Oct. 3, 2008

8. The Wall Street Journal

Optional gadgets like a six-pack refrigerator and giant sunroof can't make up for the "inherent shortcomings" of the Ford Flex, Sabatini says after testing it. He recommends getting a minivan instead, for better gas mileage and more cargo room.

Review: Ford's New Take on the Old People-Mover, Jeff Sabatini, Sept. 12, 2008

9. Canadian Driver

Chase tests the seven-passenger Ford Flex wagon and finds it comfortable, spacious and sporty. However, he notes that the Flex is expensive, and the engine labors under the optional all-wheel drive. This page links to a second-opinion review from another CanadianDriver expert, who tests a six-seat version.

Review: Test Drive: 2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD, Chris Chase, Oct. 17, 2008

10. Automobile Magazine Details/Subscribe

Automobile Magazine names the Ford Flex one of its 2009 Automobile All-Stars. While other manufacturers are working on tiny gas-misers, Ford offers something that can carry seven in style, editors say. This five-paragraph review quickly judges the Flex's comfort and performance.

Review: The Class Act Among People Movers: Ford Flex, Editors of Automobile Magazine