The Flex was based on the Taurus X.
When Ford introduced the Flex in 2008 (as an '09 model), the company was in turmoil.
Plant closings, massive layoffs, plunging sales and large-scale recalls were an almost weekly occurrence. Management was told to do whatever it could to turn things around. More to the point, the company had to reverse the overwhelming public perception that cars made by the Detroit Three were inferior to those of their offshore competitors. Ford was hoping the Flex would get the ball rolling in this direction.
Based on the Taurus X with bits of the Volvo XC90 thrown in for good measure, the Flex was initially unveiled at the Detroit auto show in 2005. It was about 127 millimetres longer than the Taurus X and could accommodate up to seven adults.
The centre bucket seats cantilevered forward for third-row seat access and all the back seats tilted and folded to make a completely flat rear section. With all the seats down, there was 2,355 litres of space back there. By way of comparison, a Toyota Highlander of this vintage - a direct competitor - boasted about 2,700 litres, while the Nissan Pathfinder was good for 2,242 litres.
But what really stood out about the Flex was its styling. This was, and is, an eye-catcher and during the launch in 2008, Ford printed up business cards specifically to hand out to people who wanted to know more about it, making it the first car ever built that had its own business card.
The unusual-yet-traditional design featured what Ford stylists described as a "horizontal motif." It had a well-planted, wide road stance and an optional white roof, which has become kind of a trademark. It also looked lot like a grown-up Mini Clubman.
Power for the made-in-Oakville, Ont., Flex was delivered via a 3.5-litre V-6 that, in 2008, developed 262 horsepower. Transmission was a six-speed automatic only and Ford made front- and all-wheel-drive versions.
One of the highlights of this drivetrain was a special mode that reprogrammed the transmission to keep it in lower gears while climbing steep inclines. It also worked while descending. Trailer towing capacity was 2,177 kilograms and, all things considered, the Flex's drivetrain couldn't be described as lively. It offered reasonable but not outstanding fuel economy: 13.8 litres/100 km in town and 9.8 litres/100 km on the highway.
Standard equipment, meanwhile, included the usual convenience features such as dual zone climate control, one-touch up/down drivers' side window, power door locks, four 12-volt power-points, tilt (but no telescoping) steering, heated front seats and 18-inch wheels.
Options included leather interior, 19- and 20-inch wheels, a funky little refrigerator squeezed in between the second-row seats, ambient lighting throughout and a raft of high-tech electronic goodies, such as voice-activated navigation, a 390-watt Sony sound system (the first dedicated automotive system for the Japanese company), back-up video camera and, of course, Ford/Microsoft's Sync technology, which can be used with Bluetooth, Sirius satellite radio and MP3.
Neither Transport Canada or the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have any safety recalls on file for the Flex, and NHTSA has but one technical service bulletin. It's a relatively minor one, concerning the second-row power seat option, which may not work as advertised, and refuse to fold and tumble forward when the switch is depressed. I remember encountering this glitch at the launch, in Santa Monica. Prospective buyers should also keep in mind that Ford's Sync electronic interface can be confusing.
Consumer Reports, despite giving the Flex high marks in just about every department, can only muster a worse-than-average used-car prediction. The magazine likes the interior elbow room of the Flex, describing it as "vast," but has misgivings about the braking and audio systems, and rates the 4WD version lower than the regular front-drive models. Some comments from owners: "front-row headrests are vision blockers," "no telescoping steering wheel" and "hard to park". A comfortable, stable ride is a common praise, and inferior fuel economy and an inordinately wide turning circle are oft-heard complaints.
Market research company J.D. Power loves the comfort level and overall design of the Flex, but doesn't care for the powertrain or overall mechanical quality. It gives the Flex an "average" grade for predicted reliability, but also gave it its Most Appealing Mid-size MAV (Multi-Activity Vehicle) award.
From a base price of just less than $35,000 in 2008-2009, the Flex has dropped by about $10,000 to $15,000, depending upon options level. The AWD model is about $2,000 pricier than the FWD, and the Limited fetches about $3,000 more than the base SEL.
Tech specs
2009 Ford Flex
Original Base Price: $34,999; Black Book: $25,850-$27,125; Red Book: $21,850-$27,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V-6
Horsepower/Torque: 262 hp / 248 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel Economy (litres/100 km): 13.8 city/9.8 highway; regular gas
Drive: Front-wheel/all-wheel
Alternatives: Toyota Highlander, Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, Hyundai Veracruz, Mazda CX-9, Ford Edge, Cadillac SRX, Buick Enclave, Kia Borrego
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