Vehicle Overview The Flex is the latest entry in the growing three-row crossover SUV segment, which includes models like the Mazda CX-9 and Hyundai Veracruz. The Flex comes standard with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and can have either front- or all-wheel drive. Base SE, midlevel SEL and upscale Limited trim levels are offered.
Exterior In contrast to many crossovers, which are moving away from the boxy designs that have defined truck-based SUVs for years, the Flex’s styling embraces the box, just like Scion did with its xB.
The Flex rides relatively low to the ground and has an upright three-bar grille. Its pillars are finished in piano black, which gives the roof a floating appearance, like some of Land Rover’s SUVs. Buyers can choose a white or silver roof if they don’t want a body-colored one.
Standard aluminum wheels measure 18 inches in diameter, but 19-inch rims are available. Limited trim levels have LED taillights and a white band across the liftgate.
Interior Depending on whether the Flex has a second-row bench or captain’s chairs, it can seat seven or six, respectively. The SE has tweed fabric seats, while the Limited gets leather-trimmed seats. Footrests are available for the second row, which folds and tumbles to make room to get into the third row. A mini refrigerator designed to cool up to seven cans of soda is available.
There’s a well behind the third row that gives the Flex more cargo room. The third-row seat folds backward into the well when it isn’t in use, revealing a flat load floor.
Available entertainment features include Ford’s Sync system that works with portable music players, and a navigation system that can hold hours of music. The navigation system has an 8-inch touch-screen display; the available DVD entertainment system’s flip-down screen also measures 8 inches. A rearview camera is available.
Under the Hood The Flex’s 3.5-liter V-6 engine makes 262 horsepower and 248 pounds-feet of torque. The V-6 teams with a six-speed automatic transmission, and front- and all-wheel-drive models are offered. The Flex uses a capless fueling system designed to reduce emissions from evaporating gas during fill-ups.
Safety Available safety features include all-disc antilock brakes, side-impact airbags for the front seats, three-row side curtain airbags and Ford’s AdvanceTrac electronic stability system with Roll Stability Control. RSC uses a sensor to detect how much the Flex is leaning over and will intervene if it determines a rollover could occur.
