The 2009 Ford Flex is cool

ATLANTA — Who would have guessed a station wagon could be so cool? The car company calls the 2009 Ford Flex a crossover utility vehicle, but, come on, look at it. It's a station wagon. A station wagon packed with comfort and gee-whiz gadgets. A station wagon with distinctive styling that could even be called "edgy." A station wagon? Who knew?

What's special: A lot of vehicles can carry seven people; few can carry them as comfortably as the Ford Flex. Stadium-style seating gives even third-row passengers a look at the road ahead. The second row has limousinelike legroom with 7 inches of knee room. The glass-paneled roof makes the space feel airy and open.

What we like: The interior is thoughtfully designed with the modern traveler in mind. There are 10 cup and bottle holders. There are four 12-volt power plugs and a back-seat AC/110-volt plug so that everyone can keep their gizmos juiced. And all the seats are quite comfy.

You oughta know: The optional navigation system in the Limited trim level features the Sirius Travel Link that provides real-time traffic updates, weather conditions and forecasts. The package also includes a rear-view camera.

What isn't there: Dullness. The boxy exterior, white roof and side panel grooves (which recall the old woodie station wagons) make this car anything but dull. People may love it, people may hate it, but everyone will notice when you drive up in the Flex.

Extras: Why bother with a cooler when you have a center console refrigerator? This system doesn't just divert the air-conditioner flow to keep cans cold, it uses a compressor like your refrig at home. The system can chill seven 12-ounce cans down to 41 degrees. You can crank it down to 23 degrees and haul ice cream cross-country. The Flex also has Ford SYNC, which allows you to control the sound system with voice commands.

And another thing: The optional Vista Roof has four glass panels to let the sunshine in on all three rows. Only the forward panel opens to let in fresh air.

Ford Flex

Body styles: Crossover utility vehicle

Trim lines: SE, SEL, Limited

Price: Starting MSRP $28,295-$34,705

Drive: Front wheel, all-wheel

Seating: Two in front, two or three in second row, two in back row

Engine: 262-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Miles per gallon of fuel: EPA estimate 17 city/24 highway with front-wheel drive; 16 city/22 highway with all-wheel drive

Clint Williams writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.