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2010 Ford Flex

Base MSRP: $28,950 to $42,465
Reviewed
June 2010
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2010 Ford Flex

Pros
  • Powerful, efficient new turbo V6 engine
  • Top safety ratings
  • Seats seven adults comfortably
  • Retro, boxy shape
  • All-wheel drive available
  • Versatile fold-down seats
  • Lots of optional gadgets
  • Sync voice-command system for phone/MP3
Cons
  • Less cargo room than a minivan
  • Middling fuel economy
  • Less powerful base V6
 
 
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The boxy 2010 Ford Flex crossover/station wagon seats seven adults in genuine comfort without lumbering like an SUV or looking like a minivan, reviews say. Critics like the Flex's tall, square shape, reminiscent of "the wagons synonymous with East Coast gentry for nearly half a century (Ralph Lauren has one)," notes Jack Baruth at TheTruthAboutCars.com, who owns a 2009 Flex himself.

But the original Ford Flex engine (a 262-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6) is merely adequate at best, most testers say. Baruth says it's downright slow: "Under a full load of passengers, cargo, towing a trailer, the Flex makes continental drift seem like a sprint to the supermarket." Enter the new Ford Flex EcoBoost, which adds a pair of turbochargers to the V6 to achieve 355 horsepower, supposedly without sacrificing fuel economy. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates indicate that fuel economy drops only 1 mpg, and ConsumerGuide.com tests confirm that fuel economy is comparable, but in a test at The Wall Street Journal the Flex EcoBoost gets 4 mpg less than the regular, base-engined Flex.

The EcoBoost V6 "makes the Flex far more satisfying -- even fun -- to drive," The Wall Street Journal's Jonathan Welsh says, concurring with other critics. Whether it's worth the higher sticker price (EcoBoost models start at nearly $8,000 more than the base Flex) depends on how quick you want your wagon to be. Welsh and CNET's Wayne Cunningham say the regular Flex has all the power anyone really needs unless they plan to make use of the Flex's 4,500-pound maximum towing capacity.

Whichever Ford Flex model you choose, experts agree that -- in Edmunds.com's words -- "the 2010 Ford Flex is a vehicle with few faults." Adults fit comfortably in all three rows of the upscale cabin, and testers say the Flex swallows plenty of cargo (although not quite as much as a minivan). Crash-test scores are good, and the Flex includes a full complement of safety equipment: front, front-side and curtain airbags, antilock brakes, traction and stability control and rear parking sensors. A backup camera is optional.

Fuel economy is the Flex's main flaw in reviews. Even though it's good for a full-size, seven-passenger vehicle, its 19 mpg combined (17 mpg city/24 mpg highway) still falls behind most station wagons. Fuel economy drops 1 mpg overall with all-wheel drive or EcoBoost (16 mpg city/22 mpg highway/18 mpg combined). All use a six-speed automatic transmission. A smaller, more fuel-efficient and less costly seven-seat option is the 2009 Kia Rondo (Base MSRP: $17,495 to $22,295), at 22 mpg combined. If you only need room for five, the highly-rated 2010 Subaru Outback (Base MSRP: $22,995 to $30,995) gets 24 mpg combined with standard all-wheel drive.

Testers say the interior of 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 optional on the Ford Flex SE (Base MSRP: $28,950) and standard on the Flex SEL (Base MSRP: $31,750 to $36,595) and top Flex Limited trim (Base MSRP: $37,620 to $42,465). You can also get 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 $795, you can add a six-pack refrigerator/freezer in the console between the second-row seats.

The Ford Flex is covered by a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Both the regular and EcoBoost versions of the Ford Flex are tested by several reliable sources, including Edmunds.com, The Wall Street Journal, ConsumerGuide.com, TheTruthAboutCars.com, CNET, CanadianDriver.com and Autoblog.com. ConsumerReports.org and Edmunds Inside Line's long-term testers have so far tested only the regular Flex. For the second straight year, the Flex wins awards at both Cars.com and Automobile Magazine. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have both crash tested the 2010 Ford Flex, and the EPA rates its fuel economy and pollution.

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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. Editors test both the regular and EcoBoost versions and name the Flex one of their Top Recommended Wagons.

Review: 2010 Ford Flex Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

2. ConsumerReports.org

ConsumerReports.org ranks the Ford Flex in the SUV category. Expert testers here provide clear ratings for reliability, safety, fuel economy, owner costs, comfort and performance, but they have tested only the regular version, not the more powerful and fuel-efficient new EcoBoost model.

Review: Ford Flex, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

3. InsideLine.com

Edmunds Inside Line editors post tons of interesting details here from their long-term test of the 2009 Ford Flex. After hauling editors' families 100,000 miles and surviving a cross-continent road trip, three editors pick it as their very favorite long-term vehicle.

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Limited Long-Term Road Tests Archives, Editors of InsideLine.com

4. 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, Jeff Sabatini says after testing the 2009 model. 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

5. The Wall Street Journal

Jonathan Welsh likes the regular Ford Flex much better than his colleague (above), but -- although he finds the new turbocharged EcoBoost version more fun to drive -- he doesn't think it's worth the extra money and gas. On a 1,000-mile family trip, Welsh says the EcoBoost guzzled more fuel than the regular Flex, despite their similar official fuel economy estimates.

Review: Ford Flex's EcoBoost: More Power, More Fuel, Jonathan Welsh, Oct. 16, 2009

6. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com tests both the regular and EcoBoost versions of the Ford Flex and -- unlike The Wall Street Journal's tester (above) -- finds that the EcoBoost engine does indeed accelerate better without sacrificing fuel economy. Editors classify the 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: 2010 Ford Flex: Road Test, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

7. TheTruthAboutCars.com

The new turbocharged EcoBoost engine improves the Ford Flex's acceleration, which is the only real problem Jack Baruth has found with the 2009 Flex he personally owns. Unfortunately, he says the brakes aren't boosted to match the extra power. Still, Baruth says the feature-rich, seven-seat Flex EcoBoost is "one of the most complete cars for sale anywhere." TheTruthAboutCars.com has also reviewed the regular Ford Flex.

Review: Review: 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost, Jack Baruth, July 22, 2009

8. CNET

The Ford Flex EcoBoost earns an Editors' Choice award at CNET, thanks to its powerful, efficient turbocharged engine and top-notch cabin tech. However, the regular Flex earns the same rating -- 4 stars out of 5 -- and reviewer Wayne Cunningham says it's powerful enough unless you plan to tow.

Review: 2010 Ford Flex SEL with EcoBoost, Wayne Cunningham, Sept. 2, 2009

9. Canadian Driver

In its Bring It On! Series, CanadianDriver.com tests vehicles' winter driving capabilities. Ottawa gets less snow than usual during Chris Chase's week with the all-wheel-drive Ford Flex, but the Flex does handle a couple of inches of slippery, slushy snow well. You can search by make and model to find several other CanadianDriver.com takes on various Flex models, including the new EcoBoost.

Review: Bring It On! 2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD, Part One, Chris Chase, Feb. 25, 2009

10. Autoblog.com

Dan Roth calls the Ford Flex EcoBoost "the ideal car" for hauling a family and all the accompanying stuff. He likes the clean, comfortable cabin, the muscular-but-smooth powertrain and the fact that the Flex maneuvers like a car, rather than like a truck-based SUV. Autoblog.com has also reviewed the regular Ford Flex.

Review: Review: 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost Turns It Up to 11, Dan Roth, Oct. 12, 2009

11. Cars.com

For the second straight year, the Ford Flex is Cars.com's pick for 2010 Family Car of the Year. As at Edmunds Inside Line, editors here have also hauled their own families cross country in the Flex.

Review: Family Car of the Year, Editors of Cars.com

12. Automobile Magazine

Another repeat victory here; Automobile Magazine names the Ford Flex one of its Automobile All-Stars for the second straight year. Editors say the new EcoBoost engine adds power to an already roomy, stylish wagon.

Review: 2010 Automobile All-Stars, Editors of Automobile Magazine

13. SaferCar.gov

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests 2010 vehicles and posts the results here. The Ford Flex earns perfect 5-star ratings in front and side crashes and a 4-star rollover rating.

Review: 2010 Ford Flex, Editors of SaferCar.gov

14. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety classifies the Ford Flex as a midsize SUV and ranks it against other vehicles in that category based on crash tests. The Flex earns the highest rating of Good in front, side and rear crashes, but its rollover roof strength has not been tested.

Review: Midsize SUVs, Editors of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

15. 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 2010 SUVs, plus estimated fuel costs, greenhouse gas emissions and pollution scores for each vehicle. You can click on the Flex front-wheel-drive, all-wheel-drive or EcoBoost models to get more in-depth information.

Review: 2010 Sport Utility Vehicles, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov

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