Good job Ford. I’d rather see a Flex on the road then it’s ubiquitous competitors (the SUV’s).

I drove it for a day and loved it too. I’d say that 7 sec to 60 is the manufacturer’s conservative estimate. Most of these EB engines are about a half second faster thatn rated by Ford so look for about a 6.5 0-60 time on this. It definitely feels quick and nimble for such a big vehicle.

This article begs the question of why Ford didn’t get it right the first time. Answer? Because Ford sucks, and they always try to get away with giving you as little performance as the market will let them. With Flex, Ford aimed too low the first time around.

The reality is that Flex is built on a mediocre, originally FWD (and yes, Volvo) platform. Even the name of this vehicle is a marketing mistake. Nor is Flex an especially good value. The only thing that Ford got right (IMO) is the styling.

This cube is out for almost 9 months and I saw 3 of them (optimistic count, perhaps ii was the same one twice). Buying public purchases based on looks and perception of value for your money. I like the looks, but since I saw 2 or 3 of them the rest of the public is not enamored with it. You can put Porsche mill in it at this point it is officially a boob. Either new engine or lipstick will not change the fact that it aint selling and probably will not be.

I like it’s styling – looks like a huge MINI and it’s utility. Also, compressor driven fridge is great for camping or for road trips. Good job, Ford!

If you think ford is letting everyone down, what exactly if gm doing with their engines? Because I know it’s not it’s not making people happy with a performance engine having only 300 horspower! You just don’t know what you are talking about. It’s not like they have had this engine forever! They just got it and are putting it on their vehicles now!

We got to drive the previous version of the limited, and it was a great car. The interior was a homerun. Way more comfortable than a suburban, with even more horsepower and torque than it too!! I would not mind owning this at all!

Borat,
did you even read past the first paragraph in this article?

Nah, too much to read. I saw the price however.

—– Consumer reaction to the new-for-2009 Flex was tepid at first, but sales have ramped up to the point that, even with its limited fleet sales, it will almost certainly unseat the Explorer this year —–

They make it sound like the Flex is selling like gangbusters, but if you look at the monthly sales figures it really is selling at almost a niche vehicle rate. It probably looks somewhat good because Explorer sales have sank faster than most stock portfolios.

haahaaahaa

Great job Ford! The only thing I dont like is the silver Rectangle on the tailgate, and the fact that Ford call it a crossover, not a station wagon, or Grand Tourer, or Estate.

IMO, the interior and performance make this car.

I don’t really like the exterior design – it’s too boxy-looking (but that DOES make it space-efficient). I wonder what a “kinetic design” Flex would look like…

Borat-

I think the Cube went on sale in N.A. in May . . . as in May 2009 . . . that might account for what you’re seeing on the street. I just had to rent a car (stupid Helga needed her 180,000 mile servicing) and while I asked for a Fusion they insisted I’d “LOVE” the Cube. The only aesthetic part I liked was the “cube” written in italics on the rear. The center dash has a circular section of shag rug (I checked . . . apparently it’s changeable to express your mood . . . along with some rubber bands on the doors . . . sigh . . .). The ride was decent, but it was sloppy in turns and it’s even more of a sail than my Volvo. Oh and EVERYONE was staring at me. Every time my girlfriend and I parked we stood back and watched as 1 in 10 examined the car up-close. It was awful. I felt like a “yo boy” or a some new-fangled form of yuppie. Oh and the sticker said it was 100% made-in-Japan, which made me feel awful when a late-model Mustang came flying up in my rearview and sat there for a few minutes before the driver decided to rip by and, literally, turn and laugh at me while pointing.

From what I can tell, I STILL want to drive a Ford Flex. If Ford sells Volvo then, while I will be quite angry, I will probably try and find a way to get into a Flex in a couple years (assuming they’re still around).

Borat is right my friends, the main reason (and there are many) the Flex will never achieve any substantial sales volume is because of the price. For about half of that 42k you can put your family into something like a Dodge Journey that can do almost everything the Flex can while still leaving enough money in the budget for the little things like food and clothing. Sorry Ford, but you’ve painted yourself into a corner with this one.

@idrinorbarsaku

Borat is just another troll account created by the (probably) the same jokers behind NMOFGM. I’ve given up trying to reason with this fool and have decided I’ve just been troll bait for a long time.

I can say that in all honesty that the Traverse and Flex are far superior to their competition. My wife LOVES the Flex, but we couldn’t get the one we wanted at the price we needed. Anyone saying that the Flex isn’t selling doesn’t know what they are talking about. Dealers are moving these things and it’s hard to find a dealer willing to give up a unit with AWD to another dealer as they are in HIGH demand. If you special order a Flex you’ll be waiting a while for delivery.

Although we finally got a Kia Sedona, it wasn’t because we wanted that vehicle, it was because we got a brand new minivan with 100K mile warranty for $20,000 — nearly half the price of the Flex we wanted, and it was still a very tough choice to make.

johnny,
if you think the sh!tty dodge journey is a better vehicle than this, no matter how much money you are saving, you should go have your head examined! The dodge can’t even come close to touching this Flex as you stated, especially with its lame lineup of engines and unbelievably crappy interior fit and finish!

johnny you rarely miss, but you whiffed on this one!!! Trust me, the folks considering the Flex have ZERO interest in the Dodge Journey. You can prove a lot of things to be empirically stupid, but that doesn’t mean you’ll override the normative decisions we all make. For my money, I’d “waste” it on the Flex.

ecoboost…is it just a fancy title?

idrin & Lion, OK you win. And speaking of Lions my football team of that namesake spanked the Eskimos last night and, yes, many many beer were involved. So in regards to that post, I blame the booze.

you can always blame everything on booze!!!!!

They need to restyle this thing. Smoother and less dated looking. Do work to this level more often. Other than that, Mas Kudos Ford.

I hope dat da ecoboost engine works well for da Ford company, they seem to have put all da chickens in da one basket. I hope dat dey did not make da mistake doin dat. On da udder hand everything dat I have read has been very positive about da engines. Dem guys at da Ford company are doin a great job with da cars! Now if only da Red Robin restaurants had da gravy for da fries all would be great!

Jesus this thing has everything… I cant think of a single “crossover” offering better than this. Trailer sway control, twin turbo thrust, and a fridge to boot.

As an alternative to minivans and Tahoes, I would give Ford a good nod for the Flex. However, compared to proper sport wagons, I would look else where.

Uncle Butch,
please go back to school, or take the time to look each word in the dictionary to learn how to SPELL!!!!

Ever since this vehicle hit the streets, I fell in love with it. It may not be a Lexus or a Mercedes, but it is a beginning for Ford in the States and in international markets. The only thing thats holding this thing back is the Ford name. The price may seem steep but what you have to realize is that if you want a nice competitive vehicle, its going to cost. Although it would look better on the sub-mediocre Mercury line. They really need something to revamp their line and to let us all know that they still exist.

The Flex “in person” is very impressive and when you add the EcoBoost performance and efficiencey (vs. V8) its a big win for Ford. Plus, most of these are going out the door “LOADED” which adds more profit for Ford. Don’t need real big sales volume for the Flex to be a big success and it just keeps gettin better! Go Ford!

Ford keeps preaching how efficent the new eco boost engines are on fuel, but in reality they can’t roughly the same econmy that a cheaper V8 would

Damn. All we’ve heard about Ford for the past two or so months is good news- smaller than expected losses, the Fiesta, MKT, ecoboost engines for the MKS and Flex, the new Fusion and hybrid Fusion, Milan, an updated MKZ, new F-series and E-series trucks, the Transit Connect and improved sales for two lackluster selling family vehicles- the Flex and Mazda5.
They are pulling out all the guns at the right time, when GM and Chrysler are crippled by public perspective, Toyota having some quality problems, and everyone else is cutting everything back.

For “half” the listed price of this Flex, $20k, you can get the very basic Dodge Journey, with an anemic four cylinder, budget conscientious interior and basic amenities. I could list 50 things that this Flex offers that the basic Dodge Journey doesn’t. Not to say the Journeys bad, for the price it’s pretty good and the better equipped models with the V-6 are VERY good, but the basic model is another stereotypical “base” American car- total junk and super cheap.

There’s an old saying in “old” Detroit- “good, fast or cheap”. The Journey fits into that category as cheap. This Flex doesn’t even fit that statement in any way.

@Fromes

Perhaps you missed the part of the story that noted that the EcoBoost Flex gets the same mileage rating as the standard V6, which itself gets pretty impressive mileage. The Mustang GT with less power and a LOT less weight and drag gets about the same mileage as the EcoBoost Flex.

I can’t wait for the EBV6 (ha! I just coined an acronym) to make it into the Mustang. That 4.9s run to 60 recently ran off by Car and Driver will get crushed, to the point that the Mustang will be faster than the Camaro SS.

I hate the boxy style of this car, but the interior is gorgeous and very comfortable.

I like these, but they are pricey in my opinion. However, my wife hates them, so I won’t even be looking. Darn it.

Oh, and Mark, you shot some nice photos in that mix. Good job.

I’d get an Enclave
Or Sequioa
DrFill

^ For the price, maybe. I don’t personally like the Sequoia, though. But I’m willing to give it a shot. ^

beatusmongous & DrFill:

My wife is in the market for a new car. We had been leaning toward the Enclave – primarily because she really doesn’t like the Flex styling, which is understandable b/c it is arguably polarizing (I happen to like it). We test drove both today…hands down the Flex steamrolled the Enclave on price, features, technology, comfort, space, etc. Features such as voice-controlled Sync technology, weather, news, traffic, fuel prices, high-res screen, huge skylights, REFRIGERATOR…on and on…features not available on the Enclave.

My wife could not believe how much she liked the Flex, even though she had expected to hate it. I was very impressed. And now, with a 360HP engine option for 2010? It may be too much to resist.

If the styling of the Flex proves too avant garde, we may look at the Lincoln.

p.s. The Enclave’s only advantage to us was its very elegant styling, which is compelling.
p.s.s. Between these two great domestic offerings, we have NO inclination to consider the boring Asian offerings, though the Acura might come close.

Arch
Ford will sell you frills
They do it with the F-150, best example
No power, very medocre styling
So sell the sizzle
When the stake isn’t very good

$40k for a Flex with decent power seems like a lot to me
You can have a new Highlander Hybrid that is lighter, as fast, and gets 25MPG combined!

If the Flex weighed…………. 500 lbs less, or stickered under $30k, alright, but…….
It looks like a lunch box outside
Like a black lunch box inside

The Edge is the same cat in a different suit
Every Ford truck/SUV should lose 250-500 lbs
Would get better gas, be faster, and handle better
DrFill

Americans just dont get it!!!! You guys are on your knees and you come up with this!!! God…the interior…you guys just dont get it!!! why bother…just close up shop and import european…its the only way.

Americans…on our knees?? Sounds like something only a stupid foreign hater would say! Earopians aren’t that much better! In fact, I don’t know of another “European” car that directly rivals this for its features and price point! RETARD!!!!

wtf…european…oops

I hav ben doin da hooked on fonix so I am gettin a lot better. I am still a little weak in da spellin part of things. If you can’t understand what I am sayin just let me know and I will try to explain it to ya better.

I call BS on that…LOL

This is the closest Detroit has come to resurrecting the Jeep Grand Wagoneer.
It is the perfect subject for a Woody treatment!

Price Price Price…I keep hearing that…Have any of you priced out what a new Suburban, Sequioa’s, Tahoe’s, or for that matter any of the ML benz’s, Acura MDX, BMW X3 or X5’s??? Those things are outrageously priced if you think the Flex is high. Most of the Flex’s are usually Mid 30’s. I sell them, I know. =) A loaded Escalade is well over $60k now. Everything is more expensive. But If I got a fully loaded, AWD Flex with 350hp, TT, DI, the best nav on the market, SYNC, power everything, 4 moonroofs, airbags aplenty (and 5 star safety), seats 7, tows 4500lbs, averages better gas mpg than anything in its class, most 2nd and 3rd row leg room, a fridge, etc etc for mid-40’s??? That actually sounds like a very very good value.

A lexus IS350 (different car, I know), those are well into the 40s as are 3 series bmw’s. Lexus RX350’s are in the same spot and don’t seat 7 or have as much room or power or features and are well into the 40’s decked out. I don’t hear complaints there???

Maybe you all should re-evaluate what exactly you’re getting for you money by actually going down and test driving one. Everyone that does is surprised.

I.sanchez

I agree completely . . . now if you can find a deal on one for a poor-as-hell law student . . . I’ll sing your praises even higher!!!

I.sanchez

i agree too although the MDX does give you an amazing amount of stuff for your money. A comparably equipped ML to a Base MDX is $59,010. An X5 is $56,675. Buying an MDX will save you 20k. The sad part is that people still buy them.

http://www.acura.com/CompetitiveComparisons.aspx?model=MDX#/MDX_Decide_Comparisons.e.trims.c.24921-24838-26130

DrFill,

The Highlander sucks (and you know it).

DrFill,

One more thing:

How in the WORLD does $40K sound high for a Flex? It’s HUGE and is price competitive with everything in it’s class. It has more features than anything in its class. It’s reviews have been quite positive. The typical target customer (i.e. my wife) happened to be very impressed.

Quite a snow-job for you to refer to features and technology as “frills” – what’s the matter with you?

You’re losing my respect.

Fast.

I.sanchez:

I agree completely.

Thanks for correcting everyone’s erroneous comments about cost. Apparently they are stuck in the mid-90’s.

@Dirty Sanchez,

The “Suburban, Sequioa’s, Tahoe’s… …Acura MDX, BMW X3 or X5’s” are all off-road capable. The Flex is not.

Quite honestly, as cool as the Flex is, it’s really not much more than a minivan without the minivan stigma. It’s not all that big, either. It’s lower, shorter, and narrower than my current minivan, and both seat 7 comfortably. The $40k Flex has options I don’t really need or care for, and my minivan was only $24k.

Now, there is a base Flex for $28k, which is a decent price, but it just doesn’t offer anything at all. It has the same size of engine as my minivan, lower fuel mileage, and it still only seats 7, just like my minivan. But I would sacrifice trunk space and pay a lot more in order to avoid the “minivan stigma”. I’ll just suck it up and deal with the stigma.

I will say that the Flex is a very nice looking vehicle in my opinion, and I really like the interior. If I had the dough, I would definitely consider purchasing one. I will test drive one just for fun, too. But if I buy a Flex, it will have to be a used one in a few years.

@Architect, the Flex looks bigger than it really is. My minivan is larger in all dimensions than the Flex is. But then, my minivan is “HUGE”.

We own an ‘09 Flex SEL AWD and we love it, though I wish the EcoBoost had been available back in April. The downside to the Flex is the lack of real pulling power, but as far as utility, practicality, and out right style, you have to look long and hard to better the Flex.

For you all who are crying about the price, our SEL AWD with Sync and Panoramic roof was out the door at $32k and it feels like a lot of vehicle for the money.

After owning a Jeep Commander, which we also had great luck with and loved (though we outgrew it), and dealing with it’s average of 13-14 mpg, we are very happy with our average of 17-18 mpg with the Flex and it’s greater interior and cargo room.

Just this past weekend we loaded up the Flex with 5 adults and 2 children and hit the highway in upper New Hampshire. The Flex performed well, though I wouldn’t drag race with it, and our in-laws are now big Flex fans.

While my wife doesn’t complain about the lack of power, I’m SURE she would appreciate the added oomph.

The 2 areas where I would like to see an improvement, other than by adding the EcoBoost, is the addition of a telescoping steering wheel and the ability to add roof rails along with the panoramic roof.

OMG ECO BOOST IN A SHIP CONTAINER. IM FRIGHTENED