AZCentral.com's view

Not too often does an automaker try something daring with a big family hauler. Sports cars, off-road trucks, little crossovers, sure. But not a huge wagon.

Yet here we have the new Ford Flex, the best-looking box in the business. Flex celebrates its functionality with style, a seven-passenger people mover that manages to be both hip and square.

The look is enabled somewhat by such trendy little boxes as Scion xB and Honda Element, with retro touches similar to Toyota FT Cruiser, but rendered on a grander scale.

Certainly, the look is polarizing, as forward-looking designs usually are. Onlooker reactions ranged from gotta-have-it awesome to oh-my-gawd ugly, with no apparent middle ground.

No one can dispute the impressive usability. With roomy seating for seven adults in a wide-open interior, an exceptionally comfortable ride and even decent fuel mileage for a heavyweight hauler, Flex seems to open a new frontier for cool-looking full-size crossovers.

The base Flex, starting at just more than $28,000, is fairly affordable for regular families who find a full-size SUV too wasteful and a minivan too dorky. Flex is a new-age station wagon without all the baggage that implies.

In its higher trim levels, Flex offers an interesting array of optional features, including full-length panoramic sunroof and a small refrigerator built into the back center console. You can get Ford SYNC, a voice-activated communications and entertainment system, and Sirius Travel Link, a voice-activated navigation system providing a world of data, including real-time traffic and weather conditions.

Of course, even with all that this mighty wagon has going for it, gas-price and credit upheavals could hamper sales. Embattled Ford needs a winner to help pull it out of the ditch.

Ford Flex Limited

Vehicle type: Seven-passenger four-door SUV, all-wheel drive.

Engine: 3.5-liter V-6, 262 horsepower at 6,250 rpm, 248 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm.

Transmission: Six-speed automatic.

Wheelbase: 117.9 inches.

Overall length: 201.8 inches.

Curb weight: 4,640 pounds.

EPA rating: 16 city, 22 highway.

HIGHS: Passenger space, smooth ride, unique styling.

LOWS: Unique styling, soft handling, pricey with options.

PERFORMANCE: With 262 horsepower, the 3.5-liter V-6 has just enough pull for this hefty box, although towing capacity is only 2,000 pounds. Flex runs quietly, with a minimum of engine harshness.

The six-speed automatic is competent and unobtrusive. Fuel mileage is not great but not horrible.

DRIVABILITY: The soft suspension emphasizes comfortable ride rather than handling. Wallow and sway are kept to a minimum, but the driving experience is more chauffeur than pilot.

Traction on the test Flex was enhanced with optional all-wheel drive, traction control and roll-stability control. Front-wheel drive is standard on this crossover wagon.

STYLING: The look is certainly distinctive. Flex is a long, low wagon with grooved sides, black roof pillars and dark glass, white or silver roof, sporty wheels and a bold stance.

It has a lot of presence and, to my eye, a lot of appeal. Others will disagree.

INTERIOR: Roomy and pleasant inside, more conservative than the exterior and nicely trimmed. The optional leather seats were comfortable and beautifully tailored.

The fully optioned top-drawer Flex Limited came loaded with features, including a small refrigerator, voice-activated navigation and real-time data systems and lighting that changes to suit your mood.

BOTTOM LINE: Ford already has a full stable of SUVs and vans, but Flex adds a much-needed infusion of style and flexibility to the mix. Prices for the base front-wheel-drive model start at about $28,000.

Base price: $36,555.

Price as tested: $43,820.

OPTIONS

Navigation, $2,375.

Panoramic sunroof, $1,495.

Auto-fold backseats, $870.

Rear-console refrigerator, $760.

Trailer package, $570.

Two-tone roof, $395.

Second-row console, $100.

Shipping, $700.