2009 Ford Flex: First Look and Crawl Around
I just got my first close-up look a the 2009 Ford Flex. One of Ford's able-bodied reprsentatives brought it by the office, showed us all the major features and then let us crawl in, through and around it. We didn't get to actually drive it, but we do have a First Drive coming in a few weeks.
I'm impressed with this car for several reasons. First, I like the square profile. We all know that everything comes in cycles, and I'm more than over the "SUV-with-curves" style dominating the current crossover segment. Have I mentioned how many times I've had the keys to our long-term Enclave or CX-9 or Veracruz and walked up to the wrong car in the parking garage? I'm not trying to make a joke -- this has really happened, several times. Between the similar colors and shapes it's genuinely hard to tell them apart from more than 20 feet. If nothing else, the Ford Flex will not look like every other $30K crossover.
Second, it's got impressive interior packaging. The second-row seats literally flip and fold forward at the touch of a button (not sure that feature will be on base models...) and the third-row seat is fully functional for full-sized adults. This car also had the latest version of SYNC combined with a voice-activated navigation system. It was easy to do everything from order up a song-list on an iPod to input a street address using only my voice (and the "voice" button on the steering wheel).
The overall look and feel of the interior was impressive as well. There were also soft-touch inserts along the door panels where your hand or arm is likey to contact them, and while much of the dash (and the bulk of the door panels) were hard plastic, the plastic had a rich texture that at least made it look premium. The seat leather looked and felt good, and the multiple clear roof panels had a Nissan "skyview" effect on the cabin.
Many of the other editors, after seeing the Flex in person, felt it looked better than it did in pictures. I would concur, and suggest people who aren't sure about the styliing hold judgement until they see it in the steel. It will have the Edge's drivetrain, so power shouldn't be an issue (let's hope it loses the slow-to-downshift six-speed tranny).
My only complaint thus far? No telescoping steering wheel. That seems like an oversight in a segment this competitive.
We'll know more in the next month between our upcoming Ford Flex First Drive and getting seat time in a test car. But Ford needs new product like Lindsay needs an image makeover, and it's nice to see it finally showing up.
- Posted by
- Karl Brauer May 16, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Permalink
- Categories:
- Ford, Future Vehicles
Flex has the same tranny as Flex and Lambdas. The Escape and 2010 Fusion will have it as well.
This is a truly different and flexible vehicle. The styling is just OK to me but its not going to be mistaken for any run of the mill Honda or Toyota which is a good thing. I give Ford credit for not doing a cookie cutter crossover/SUV.
The 6-speed automatic was a joint development project, but the transmissions are not the same. The final designs for each are different, and of-course programming and ratios are very flexible.
I can't quite make up my mind about this thing. The white roof is perplexing. A mini on steroids? I will take your advice and reserve judgement until I've seen one in person.
As a Nissan driving, life time Ford guy.......I'm very glad to read a favorable first impression. I like that they have come up with something truly useful and unique and that they aren't still trying to put the Duratec/4spd into everything including this....past time to move on. The only thing I wasn't sure about styling wise when I saw one at the NYAS last year was the length of the hood/front overhang.....coupled with the overall length of the vehicle. It seemed odd or a bit awkward. Maybe it's me and the recent trend of shorter hoods - I like the shorter hood of the Edge (and my Frontier).
Looking forward to the First Drive and subsequent Full Test - I really hope they've hit the mark on everything.
I think this will be a hit for Ford. It looks different but not at the expense of practicality. Come to think of it, I'm sure the boxy look actually yields a lot of useful interior volume. The white roof might be a bit of a Mini rip-off, but I think it works. Hopefully it'll post some good sales numbers.
its a gaint mini cooper, esspically from the back view.
"I like that they have come up with something truly useful and unique and that they aren't still trying to put the Duratec/4spd into everything including this....past time to move on. "
Ford has been moving away from 4 speeds for a long time now. They have more 6 speed equipped models than Toyota or Honda and are far less reliant on 4 speeds than GM. If you took the F150 out of the picture Ford's usage of 4 speeds wouldnt even be that notable. The Escape dumps it for 2009 even though the RAV4 still uses a 4 speed.
I'm not crazy about the looks (a candidate car for funeral homes to replace the old caddy) but congratulations to Ford for doing something different.
1487,
Agreed.....I guess I'm just relieved that the days of the Duratec/4spd combo being the default drivetrain choice for so many transverse models has passed. We had an 01 Escape and that combo worked well then.....but it's 2008/9 and the market is that much more competitive.
Funny about the RAV.....didn't know that. Is that the case with both I4 and the V6?
rav 4 uses a 4sp with the I4, and a 5spd with the v6
Not crazy about the white roof. It reminds me of a friend whose first car was his dad's old 1970s brown conversion van, complete with white aftermarket fiberglass roof. We used to call it, "The Whitetop".
I'm assuming the white is an option on the Flex, though. It might look ok on a light blue or something (for a women's car), but on darker colors it looks hideous!
The white roof is an option for those who want to avoid the "Mini-Max" look -- which noticed when they first showed this vehicle as the "Fairlane" concept a couple years ago in Detroit. I'd probably go with a body-colored roof myself, but I don't hate it by any means.
Ford: if you or any of your representatives read this blog, listen up please. Do not, I repeat, do not call this lovely machine the Flex. That has all of the charm and urbane wittiness of a wet gym sock. I mean really...for your demographic you're targeting, do they really understand the wrapper reference? And even if they did, how is that a selling point. Read: "Flex" is not edgy. It's so uncreative and bland, by comparison it makes a bowl of unsweetened puffed rice look like a cornucopia of taste.
Fairmont.
Classy, simple, has value. A winner of a name. I hope to God that somewhere out there, there is NOT a big box of chrome badges that says "Flex" ready to be put on these cars. If I had the money and the need, I would not buy this car simply because of the name.
Or at least I'd figure out if ripping off that badge would void my warranty somehow.
Service Rep: "I'm sorry sir, despite what your "VIN" says, that can't be a Flex. There's no badge that indicates it."
Me: "But, but...they should've called it the Flex. C'mon..."
Otherwise, it's a beautiful, unique car with a hideous name.
That white roof is a pretty neat feature, and for those who say it was ripped of a Mini, well all car companies steal features and ideas and styling so get over it.
I dont think Flex is such a bad name, although Fairlane or Fairmont would be better. Flex is supposed to refer to how flexible the vehicle is in adapting to people's lives or something. At least the name Flex is better than Freestar.
I'm really liking this car, it stands out in the best way possible.
How could anyone suggest they call this ( or anything) the Fairmont?
The fairmont has the reputation of being the worst of the worst. It represents everything that was bad about cars of the 70's.
It should have been named the Country Squire, and be had with available fake wood paneling.
rick8365: I'm a Toyota driving, lifetime Ford guy!
I'm glad you can get a body colored top. The only FJ that I like is the solid color one. You can pull it off on a mini but not on the FJ or Flex. I truly hope the Flex does well for Ford. If they can keep the price reasonable it will increase its chance for success.
The upcoming Fuse looks promising too. If the production model keeps that great body most people won't care whats underneath. Sex sells.
Have to see to believe it, but I am glad to hear that Ford finally figured out how to make good interiors. I got impression from description above that it is actually stylish minivan than crossover.
To my eyes it just looks like a Station Wagon. Nothing original there, and the packaging and utility of a wagon have been known for a heck of a long time before I was born.
"To my eyes it just looks like a Station Wagon."
Well, duh!!
All the SUV's, 5 door hatches and cross overs on the market are just wagons. They just don't call them that to protect the fragile egos of buyers.
Yes, I agree, "duh".
And yet, crossover is the "new SUV" and stationwagon and hatchback are are about as loved as $4.00 gas.
This is what the xB should have been.
I love sharp lines. This looks far better than any blob CUV on the road.
I like it, it's not a 'homerun' in the looks dept but certainly interesting and stands out amongs the eggshaped clones.
I like the white roof and historically, domestic trucks & suv's had them. Practically, it was to keep heat away from the passengers. Although it is so rare nowadays, one can't help but compare it to the MINI.
I don't like the huge chrome grille. It's the only thing that mars the appearance of the Edge & Flex, imo.
Glad to read positive comments about the domestic products. Maybe Ford & GM are finally taking carmaking seriously and competing with the entire market and not just each other.
Estreka,
Right on, Scion messed up the xB by "Toyota-izinig" it. They need to really see what made the style so good- meaning styled by steak knife not butter knife!
lvranger - that's funny.......maybe we'll come to the day where we can both say "I am Ford driving, lifetime Ford guy (who strayed for just a little while).
I like this Flex, except that long, wide, flat hood. It carries the same line that runs the entire length of the car. It can kinda be seen in the top photo......is anyone else bothered by this? Nice body but....sorry....I just can't get passed her nose etc.
Alt. name just came to me: Ford Platypus !!
"Glad to read positive comments about the domestic products. Maybe Ford & GM are finally taking carmaking seriously and competing with the entire market and not just each other. "
I think its obvious that both of them are taking the competition seriously. There was a time when Detroit brands were considered laggards when it comes to design, engineering and technologly. In 2008 its Ford and GM who have the lead in 6 speed trannies and exterior design. Technology like Sync is coming from Ford (with Microsoft) and not Toyota or Honda. same for Ford's new Ecoboost engines coming out next year. The 2009 Aura will come with a 6 speed tranny and bluetooth standard while the same cant be said for Camry or Accord.
The interior looks fantastic! The exterior is just plain ugly. Such designs are good for small cars like the Mini (and just the two door models) only.
I think the Flex is pretty cool looking in real life. I still don't like the Ford theme'd chrome grill though. That must be a chore to keep clean.