There’s no mistaking a Ford Flex when you see it on the road.
The longer back end and the box-like design draw the eye and make people
wonder what the interior is like.
First off, there’s plenty of space inside for seven people, and they don’t
have to cram in like sardines.
And the passengers won’t be trapped in the dark, either. A Vista sunroof with
four fixed glass panels brighten up the second-and third-row seats.
Optional TV and DVD systems can be added to the back of each headrest to
increase entertainment options. Long trips or fussy passengers seem to be a
major consideration in the design of the Ford Flex.
The available compressor-driven refrigerator can cool up to seven 12-ounce
drink cans, four half-liter bottles or two 20-ounce bottles.
Ford says it takes about two hours for drinks to go from room temperature to
41 degrees. A freezer option can drop the temperature to 23 degrees. The
unit can continue working after the vehicle is turned off, and a safety
feature will shut the refrigerator down before the Flex’s battery can be
drained.
Obviously, the driver can feel the vehicle’s extra length on the road, and
there is some play in the steering wheel because of that. But the overall
handling, especially when it comes to bumps, is better than expected.
The 3.5-liter V-6 engine is tied to a six-speed automatic transmission that
gives plenty of get-up-and-go on the highway.
As far as high-tech options go, the Ford SYNC technology allows most phone and
entertainment options to be voice activated.
The navigation system also can respond to voice commands. The Sony sound
system provides 700 watts of power, 5.1 surround sound and 10 speakers to
cover the Flex’s expansive interior.
The most interesting feature is the EasyFuel capless fuel filler. When someone
pulls up to the pump, there is no gas cap to remove. Instead, the tank
remains sealed until someone puts the gas pump nozzle into the filler neck.
Not only do drivers not have to worry about losing the gas cap, but the
system also greatly reduces the escape of fumes.
Speaking of gasoline, the fuel economy of the 2009 Ford Flex varies. All-wheel
drive models can expect 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.
Front-wheel drive models can expect 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the
highway.
Ford’s hard work pays off by making the Flex a vehicle for the entire family
to enjoy.
