2009 FORD FLEX LIMITED AWD Test Drive

  

ALL NEW 2009 FORD FLEX LIMITED AWD – ‘FLEXIBILITY IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS’

The all-new 2009 Ford Flex is a vehicle that dares to be different. Its contemporary design provokes strong opinions, mostly positive, from the people I met during my seven-day test drive. The Ford Flex is like no other vehicle on the road, and that may mean it is not for everyone. Ford new this going in but the Flex combines the best of every four-door vehicle for styling, interior comfort, spaciousness and high-tech conveniences.

All of the seatbacks, except the driver’s, fold flat to open up the interior for all cargo loading situations, and to easily seat up to seven passengers. With a powerful V6 engine mated to a smooth shifting 6-speed automatic transmission and a fully independent suspension, the Flex drives and rides like an entry-level luxury sedan.

 

From its planted stance and broad shoulders-flanked by signature side grooves-to its
All- black greenhouse, and distinctive multi-panel Vista Roof, Ford designers have crated a provocative vehicle. In a world of automobiles that are easily categorized, Flex is difficult to define, and in some instances, polarizing. Flex’s prominent stance is a key design element setting it apart from all other vehicles. Just park the Flex next to a SUV or Crossover. The proportions are immediately surprising.

 

Capping the horizontal design cues in bold contrast is the unique, flat roof of the new Flex. Available in just two colors-White Suede or Brilliant Silver, the roof contrasts stylishly with the Flex exterior paint palette.

“The all-black greenhouse allowed us to do the complementing color roof,” said Flex designer Rich Gressens. “If we had body colored pillars and clear glass, it would have been difficult to do, but it all ties in together.”

 

The Flex’s multi-panel Vista Roof adds even more distinction and is available only on the Flex SEL and Limited models as an option. The Vista Roof features four glass panels to provide abundant natural light to occupants of all three rows. The forward panel is a power moonroof that opens to let in fresh air. All four glass panels have easy-to-use shades when you want no extra light inside.

The exterior design of the Flex creates strong interest, but it’s the clean, new interior with surprising space and comfort that will really wet the interest of consumers. The interior is an environment that is radically different than other people/cargo haulers. You will notice the improvement in the quality of materials used throughout, the unique chrome accents, and the general appearance inside. Even the way you interact with the Flex is different because of all the new technology packed inside. Even before you enter the Flex is the newly designed keypad entry that remains invisible until you touch one of the numbers that when pushed turn on all numbers lit with red LEDs.

The front seats are wider and more comfortable than ever, the T-shaped dashboard features a higher quality, soft-to-the-touch material, the faux wood trim works beautifully, the instrument cluster is easy to see and understand, all buttons, dials and switches are reached easily and fully illuminated for safe nighttime driving. The new steering wheel feels great in your hands but only features tilt and I would have felt more comfortable behind the wheel if it also featured a telescoping column.

 

Up front there is plenty of storage in each door, deep glove box, center console cubby bin, dual cupholders and deep center storage bin with armrest. The rear side doors have a storage pocket and bottle holder, and there is a grab handle above each passenger door for easy entry and exit.

 

Flex is loaded with innovative, class-leading technology solutions that seek to empower, not overpower, the driver. These features include Ford SYNC, a Ford exclusive, voice-activated, hands-free, in-vehicle communications and entertainment system offering even more functionality for the 2009 model year with 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Reports;
SIRIUS Travel Link that when combined with voice-activated navigation will provide uses with a suite of data services including real-time traffic, coast-to-coast weather conditions and fuel price information for over 120,000 gas stations; voice-activated navigation integrates several functions, including destination entry, climate control and SIRIUS satellite radio into one easy-to-use system with information displayed on the 8in. color touch-screen display; a new Sony audio system that features 700 watts of power, 5.1 surround sound and 10-speakers is certified by Sony to deliver a unique, rich listening experience, and it does with ease; EasyFuel capless fuel filler is exclusive to Ford and saves time by replacing a fuel-filler cap and provides a better seal, reducing the release of smog-forming vapors; when you order 2nd. row captains chairs instead of the 2nd row bench seat you can option for Ford’s class-exclusive refrigerated console that mounts between 2nd row captain’s chairs and is a compressor-driven refrigerator that can cool up to seven 12oz. can, four half-liter bottles, or two 20oz. bottles, from room temperature to 41 degrees in a little more than two-and-a-half hours-40% faster than a standard home refrigerator; new ambient lighting is available in seven colors to fit your mood and can change the lighting on two LEDs mounted on the front console, footwells and around the two front cupholders; an optional reverse camera system displays the area behind the Flex on the navigation screen when the Flex is shifted into reverse; the power liftgate makes loading and unloading easier and safer.

 

Standard equipment found inside the Flex Limited, not mentioned above, includes HID headlights, dual rear exhaust tips, fog lamps, leather trimmed front heated seats with 10-way power driver-seat and 6-way powered front-passenger seat, leather/wood trimmed steering wheel with cruise and audio control buttons, two-driver memory for seat and side mirrors, adjustable foot pedals with memory, dual-zone climate control, thick pile carpeting with front, 2nd. row and rear floor mats, cargo net, 2nd row split 60/40 fold flat, 3rd. row split 50/50 fold flat, four-12-volt power plugs/one 110-volt plug, intermittent wipers/washers/rear wiper/washer, power windows/door locks with driver-side express up/down, dual map lamps, sun-glass storage above, self-dimming rearview mirror and power-remote/heated side mirrors.

 

Flex is powered by Ford’s award-winning 3.5 liter V6 engine that generates a healthy 262hp at 6,250rpm and 248lb.ft. of torque at 4,500rpm. This high-output engine is mated to a fuel-efficient, advanced 6-speed automatic transmission that uses a wide 6.04:1 gear ratio to deliver good fuel economy and performance. EPA specs are better than expected 24mpg/highway and 18mpg/city. You can do even better by closely monitoring your tires pressure, and the way you drive.

 

The all-new Flex’s ride and drive is very comfortable and impressive. Coming with a standard front-wheel-drive setup, you can also option for Flex’s intelligent all-wheel-drive system that is tuned to provide confident driving all in weather conditions.

 

By constantly monitoring and predicting traction, the system can deliver torque to all four wheels even before the wheels begin to slip. An active, on-demand electronic center coupler can allocate precise amounts of torque from front to rear-up to 100% to either axle. Paired with standard Advance Trac with RSC (roll stability control), intelligent AWD can transfer torque front to rear and side to side.

Giving you a comfortable and precisely controlled ride is Ford fully independent suspension system. This is virtually no noise, vibration or harshness, (NVH), during your ride because the front and rear suspensions are attached to subframes that inhibit any NVH from entering the cabin. Up front is a gas-pressurized MacPherson strut setup with rear-facing L-shaped lower control arms with hydro-bushings, coil springs, and a 32mm stabilizer bar. The rear features a multi-link setup with upper and lower control arms, coil springs, gas-charged shocks and a 22mm stabilizer bar.

The power-assisted rack & pinion steering system gives good feedback from the road and has good weight during turns, whether at slow or high speeds. The front and rear stabilizer bars work together to keep the Flex flat while cornering. Standard traction control and stability control helps to keep you on your chosen path during hard cornering.

Bringing the Flex to a short and safe stop are large, power-assisted steel disc brakes.
Up front are 12.2in vented disc brakes clamped with dual-piston calipers, and 11.9in. solid discs clamped with single-piston calipers, in the rear. Braking control is enhanced with standard ABS.

The Flex SE and SEL come with 18X8in. wheels and all-season radial tires while the Limited comes standard with 19X9in. polished aluminum wheels, or optional 20X9in. painted aluminum wheels, wrapped with all-season radial tires.

 

Standard safety features include driver/front-passenger airbags, side airbags, 3-point safety belts for all seats, front/rear crush zones, steel beams in each door, safety canopy over the first and second row, LATCH child seat anchors, and securlock passive anti-theft system.

 

The all-new 2009 Ford Flex has to be driven to really appreciate its finer points. Just judging by the outside styling of the Flex isn’t fair to the vehicle or to the consumer.

 

The more you dislike it the more you come to appreciate it. It’s not for everyone, but is there enough consumers out there in need of another large flexible and versatile vehicle? Only time will tell but the Flex has got a lot going for it.

This might be the new direction in people and cargo hauling vehicles.

COPYRIGHT:2008:HARVEY SCHWARTZ

SPECIFICATIONS

Price: MSRP $36,555 Invoice $33,840

Type: Large Wagon
Where Built: Canada
EPA Class: Midsize Station Wagons

Dimensions

Exterior
Length: 201.8 in.
Width: 75.9 in.
Height: 68 in.
Wheel Base: 117.9 in.
Curb Weight: 4640 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 41.8 in.
Front Hip Room: 55.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 58.4 in.
Rear Head Room: 40.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room: 55 in.
Front Leg Room: 40.8 in.
Rear Leg Room: 44.3 in.
Luggage Capacity: 15 cu. ft.
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 83 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 7

Performance Data

0-60mph: 8.8 seconds
Base Number of Cylinders: 6 Base Engine Size: 3.5 liters
Base Engine Type: V6
Horsepower: 262 hp
Max Horsepower: 6250 rpm
Torque: 248 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4500 rpm
Maximum Towing Capacity: 4500 lbs.
Drive Type: AWD
Turning Circle: 40.7 ft.

Fuel Data

Fuel Tank Capacity: 19.2 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Automatic: : 16 mpg / 22 mpg
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
Automatic: 307.2 mi. / 422.4 mi.