The One You Want : Ford Flex

"Stephen Rivers" (stephenrivers)
11/06/2019 at 08:15 • Filed to: The One You Want, Ford, Flex, SUV, crossover, turbo, ecoboost

With Ford’s announcement that they’re ending production of the Flex I thought it might be a good time for the next chapter in my series !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . I have long lusted after the Flex. As a guy with no kids and not enough disposable income, I’ve never had the justification for picking one up. I however, am the outlier. Clearly thousands of people shop vehicles like the Flex each day. There’s a great reason to go with the Flex though. It is in many ways a unicorn. It has the people and cargo hauling capability of a taller SUV but is low and wide so you don’t sacrifice handling as much as you will in something like an Explorer. It’s also got a ton a great little features, back up camera, optional sub woofers, heated and ventilated seats and more depending on trim. So let’s get to it and find out which is the one you want.

The Flex came to us in 2009 and has always been sold in 3 trim levels. SE, SEL and Limited. In 2011/2012 Ford released a Titanium version that offered some physical differences in trim like darkened lights, mirror caps and fog lamp bezels. Really though that’s not why you’re here. It might seem obvious but let me explain why you want the Limited over the other options.

3rd. SE

The SE only came with front wheel drive as it was the base model. The 3.5 V6 under the hood is reasonable enough to get around with 262 horsepower but not particularly noteworthy. The interior is cloth and plastic. The wheels are 17’s and really the car screams boring. They can be had for $5500 or less with reasonable used car mileage on them and that can be enticing to the buyer looking for only the utility mentioned above.

2nd. SEL

The SEL did come with available all-wheel-drive so that’s a plus but still lacked any real umph under the bonnet. Don’t get me wrong, there is still a lot to love for the right buyer here. Most SEL models have push button start, remote start, satellite radio, auto front and rear dual climate control and a better sound system. It’s easy to find these under $7000 with 100k miles or less.

Honorable Mentions - Vehicles you might also consider

Subaru Outback

The outback is America’s most loved wagon. They’re pretty reliable, they look fairly handsome and they are capable of going most anywhere you might ever need. What they do not have, is much power or handling capability.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The Rangey is a great SUV and truly a joy to operate so long as you don’t actually have to maintain it. We all know the stories of Doug and the famous Carmax Range Rover. There’s a reason for those concerns and the best thing about the Flex is that the maintenance is pretty simple.

1st. Limited AWD w Ecoboost

Ecoboost is a game changer in this vehicle. You go from a slow crossover with decent handling to a monster with nearly 360 horsepower tugging at all four corners. It can send power completely to the back as well. You can even boost the power with just a tune. Add in all the features and amenities mentioned above and you have a combination no other car on the market can match. If you opt for the class 3 hitch you can tow up to 4500 lbs as well adding to that list of excellent qualities. As of this writing most are trading around $11000 for a model with less than 100k miles on the clock. Values will likely hold steady as the Flex has just been discontinued. Maybe the new Mach-E will fill it’s sporty yet utilitarian shoes. If you’re a family of 4 or more and want something you can really enjoy driving without the maintenance costs of a Land Rover or Porsche this is absolutely the one you want.

DISCUSSION (23)

Grindintosecond > Stephen Rivers
11/06/2019 at 08:30

I have an AWD sel noboost. It is no slouch. Yeah it’s lacking low end trailer pulling grunt, but once you get to 3k it’ll move any way you want it to and effortly propel you. We pack it full of family and camp s tuff and was just fine in the moun tains.

We have leather and front heated seals. Oh man those seats! Now, it is 5,000 pounds but handles very well for that, corners quite flat and gets about 22 mpg in terstate, 24 mixed old h ighway , maybe 18 in town if you granny it....the wife sees 16.5.

It is what you want. Get one 2 years old like i did a nd pay 25k. Problem solved. Avoid early models, and 2013. Should be fine after that so look at 17s and up for a great value.

Stephen Rivers > Grindintosecond
11/06/2019 at 08:34

This is great info! Of the two I’ve driven the ecoboost was a major game changer but perhaps the N/A version I drove was down on power or something. I would love to quote you on some of that if I rewrite this sometime in the future.

Nibby > Stephen Rivers
11/06/2019 at 08:44

Grindintosecond > Stephen Rivers
11/06/2019 at 08:46

Its only down on power of your under 3k. Just pin it sometime and see what it does. It’s faster than my v6 Tacoma. Ecoboost is a massive wall of thrust, but you pay huge at the pump.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Stephen Rivers
11/06/2019 at 09:13

some friends of the wife and I have a Limited with AWD and the ecoboost and it goes like stink in stock form. theyve already added a tune from steeda though and its faster than it has any right to be

Stephen Rivers > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/06/2019 at 09:26

See, that’s my point. Stupid performance for a vehicle that is sized and shaped like it is. While anything with a turbo isn’t always going to be cheap to fix, it’s still just a Ford at heart so it’ll never be as wild to maintain as the other things that could directly do everything it can.

CobraJoe > Stephen Rivers
11/06/2019 at 09:49

Subaru Outback

We have a 2012, and I’m going to disagree a little bit here. I’ll grant that our 170 hp 2.5i isn’t that powerful, though I rarely feel like it needs more power.

But the handling, it’s amazing for a family vehicle, let alone a high riding off road capable crossover. I pushed ours pretty hard through the twisty roads in the black hills, and I was shocked with how predictable and settled it was. It was downright fun .

I haven’t driven a F lex, so I wouldn’t know how it handles in comparison, but I really doubt that something 1000-1500 pounds heavier will be as fun. Our ‘08 Ford Edge certainly wasn’t as capable, but it also tries for the “off road look” more than the Flex.

Discerning > Stephen Rivers
11/06/2019 at 09:59

I was a little disappointed with the flex when I drove it. I was expecting more performance, but that sounded me. It still has plenty of heft to push around. It’s a mid 14 car that traps 95 mph or so. Which is more than anyone needs.

Fun fact, current Honda Passport is about the same level of acceleration. It’s insane how quick common cars are becoming.

I hope they put the 2.7 EcoBoost in the Bronco. That will be a fun car. Current 2.7 and 3.5 are deally st out engines

Regulator > Stephen Rivers
11/06/2019 at 10:07

Came here to agree with all of this. Picked up a ‘14 Limited with the appearance package for the wife a few years back and I will be taking it soon for daily duties. Already researching a Brew City Boost tune with 3 bar map sensor which will be more than enough for most unsuspecting drivers on the morning commute.

Stephen Rivers > CobraJoe
11/06/2019 at 10:11

Thanks for the perspective. I don’t think I’ve ever pushed an outback hard on a curvy road. I have always felt that they were under powered though. I do really appreciate their ability to go onto rougher surfaces.

Stephen Rivers > Discerning
11/06/2019 at 10:13

This is the exact point I make in a new series I’m working on about how you can get all the performance of a supercar from just a couple decades ago with normal cars today.

Stephen Rivers > Regulator
11/06/2019 at 10:15

Thank you thank you thank you

CobraJoe > Stephen Rivers
11/06/2019 at 10:24

It certainly isn’t a powerful car, but I never really felt like it was underpowered. It moves out of the way quickly enough, though I guess I rarely get a chance to drive it without the family, so I don’t push it as hard as I would when driving alone. (Well, except for driving in the black hills, but power certainly was not an issue there ).

And I know it gets hate for the CVT, and it is weird, but it is also extremely responsive to the “shift paddles” behind the steering wheel. That was a huge help for driving quickly in the hills.

All together, even though I’m a lover o f big V8s and manual transmissions and RWD, I still rather like our outback . I’m even a little sad that we’re going to sell it soon to get a 3 row SUV. (The Flex is not on the possibles list though, my wife is completely unintere sted in it’s looks, and we had too many problems with our ‘08 Edge to be comfortable considering a similar platform Ford so soon.)

Regulator > Stephen Rivers
11/06/2019 at 10:35

If you want to get crazy with one though you have to start worrying about the transfer case, they don’t like a ton of power and launching 5k lbs faster than it has any right to be can be problematic.

While it is a Ford and parts are cheap, the timing chain/water pump service is a bit of a bear unless you have a lift and specialty tools. We ended up just over 3k parts and labor for cam phasers, timing chains/guides/tensioners, and water pump. Again, one of those issues to check out when dealing with the transverse EB engines.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > Stephen Rivers
11/06/2019 at 11:05

I’ve always liked the Flex, as it is really, don’t tell anyone, a nice looking station wagon. However, if you’re going that route, might as well up the game, and go with something a bit more unique. Go Lincoln.

Kinja'd!!!

The MK-T, I think, is a very nice looking wagon, and you don’t see them everyday. Color choice is a bit limited, but that’s not a big issue.

Stephen Rivers > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
11/06/2019 at 11:38

Winner winner. Great idea

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > CobraJoe
11/06/2019 at 12:39

Feel the same with our ’16 Outback. While the CVT is a bit of a bore I’ve never felt that the 2.5 is lacking in power (for what this car is). And driving dynamics, especially for something with almost 9” of ground clearance, is insane. It is entirely car-like with how it handles with none of the top-heavy/tippy feel of any CUV/SUV competitor I’ve been in. Gas mileage is pretty damn decent too for a vehicle this size.

i86hotdogs > Discerning
11/06/2019 at 12:47

Can confirm the 2.3 Ecoboost will be in the B ronco

i86hotdogs > Stephen Rivers
11/06/2019 at 12:53

Earlier in the year, I wrote about my experience with a fully loaded Flex SEL I rented in California. I agree with all your points on it. Fit 6 adults and our bags, pulled enough for us on the PCH, sound system rocked, safety goodies helped, looked great.

I have an odd future plan involving an ecoboost Flex, the missus loves em as much as I do, so when our 200 is paid off, that will be her next car. We will opt for the tow package as well, because the EcoFlex will double as a tow vehicle when I convert the RallyVan into a M odified F ront class Rallycross vehicle.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Stephen Rivers
11/06/2019 at 13:13

YES. In AWD Ecoboost trim, it’s essentially a SHO wagon.

Stephen Rivers > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
11/06/2019 at 13:34

This is a great description

Stephen Rivers > i86hotdogs
11/06/2019 at 13:35

What a great plan. Can’t wait to read about it!

i86hotdogs > Stephen Rivers
11/06/2019 at 14:11

This plan probably won’t kick off for another 4 years or so. IF we’re still around I’ll definite ly write about it.