2010 Ford Flex

How many of you remember the van craze of the Seventies? Or how about the Microbus craze from the Sixties? Or the station wagon craze of the Fifties? You might recognize a pattern here. It might not really be a craze after all. Maybe folks really have a need for a highly utilitarian mode of transportation—something that is based more upon function than form. The dawn of the minivan pretty much proved that but, over time, the minivan has morphed into something it wasn’t. People noticed and sales went away.

Generation Flex

What was (and is) really needed is a vehicle design that pays as much attention to the people it hauls as it does to looks and styling gimmicks. Enter the Ford Flex. For all intents and purposes, the outside looks like a couple of boxes somehow fastened together. Ugly? Not really. Cute? Maybe in the way a Pug or British Bulldog is adorable. Endearing? Absolutely. Crack open a back door and you’ll discover why:


The first thing you’ll notice is, this is no minivan; it's a 7-passenger, 3-row crossover vehicle. The door doesn’t slide, it opens, just like a sedan. And the door is large, just like those of a big luxury car. And unlike a van, the step-in height is low. Our top-of-the-line 6-passenger Limited test model was equipped with a 40-40 (bucket) second row seat arrangement (optional on all models). The Limited model’s first and second row has perforated leather-trimmed seats. And in our test vehicle, the first and second row seats had both heat and recline features. Legroom is more than ample (over 40 inches worth). Essentially, that means plunking yourself into the sliding second row of seats is much like climbing into the back of a limo—you’re coddled. Further back, the third row seating consists of a split-folding, vinyl-covered bench with perforated inserts. No big deal here, but the seat folds absolutely flat into the floor. That means the cargo capacity goes from 20 cubic feet of cargo aft of the third seat (including the storage well beneath the load floor) to 43+ cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and a whopping 83+ cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row. Even the front passenger seat folds flat for carrying extra long items.

Impressive Interior

But one thing you won’t find inside is the bare bones steel panels found in a microbus or the wide array of plastic gizmos seen in any number of minivans. Instead, the interior is laid out and trimmed like a well equipped, well thought-out high-end passenger car. Case-in-point: The steering wheel (Limited only), instrument panel, and interior door panels are trimmed in woodgrain appearance applique (SEL and Limited; SE has a hammered metal appearance). The center stack of the instrument panel houses the climate controls, the optional Sony sound system and Ford’s SYNC system (more on this later). The center console houses Ford’s signature offset (to the driver) pistol grip shifter along with a pair of cup holders. The armrest folds up to reveal a healthy storage bin. The instrument panel takes cues from the Mustang. To the left is a 7,000 rpm tach. To the right is the speedometer. Above and between both are the fuel level and temperature gauges. Below the auxiliary instruments is a comprehensive series of warning lamps for everything from oil pressure to tire pressure.


Window area is large, and becomes even more abundant with the optional multi-panel Vista Roof over all three rows of seating. Our Limited came equipped with the Convenience Package standard that included power-adjustable pedals, driver's seat and exterior mirrors, all with memory feature, as well as power lift-gate, 110V inverter and security approach lamps. Second row seat A/C controls are located in the back portion of the front console (standard on all Flex models). Also included is an auxiliary power port, as well as a 110-volt outlet. There’s even an available between-the-seats refrigerator in the second row console to keep food and drinks cold.


As far as electronic equipment is concerned, the Flex bristles. A rear seat DVD system is available and, as mentioned above, you can check off a comprehensive Sony surround system on the option box. Ford’s Sync information system returns (it includes the capability to offer hands-free telephone operation, operation of media players, an integrated GPS system, etc.), and it’s upgraded, providing real time traffic reports, sports scores and other useful information.