Comparison Test: Ford Flex vs Buick Enclave vs Honda Odyssey
Once upon a time, family vehicle choices were limited to humungous station wagons with fake wood panels. Today, you can get a wagon, a minivan, a Suburban-like truck-based SUV, a crossover SUV, or something that bridges the gap between them all.
With fears of rising gas prices and growing environmental concerns, traditional SUVs -- like the Toyota Sequoia, which lost to the Honda Odyssey and GMC Acadia in Inside Line's Crossover vs Minivan vs SUV comparison test last year -- are falling out of favor. Meanwhile, the new 2009 Ford Flex has redefined "crossover" by being more like those station wagons of old -- only cool. So we decided to run the comparison test again, this time replacing the Sequoia with the Flex for a proper battle of leading family haulers.
Which is the best choice for the majority of American car buyers? And which is best for more specific family types? Not to spoil the surprise, but in the end, first and third place were separated by fewer than 2 points on the final scoring sheet, and even the "last" place finisher will appeal to many. Each had its specific high points and low points. Sorry, but there are no losers here.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor
The 2009 Ford Flex in this test came from our long-term fleet. It's a fully loaded front-wheel-drive Limited model with captain's chairs, refrigerator and DVD entertainment. The 2009 Honda Odyssey was a fully-loaded top-of-the-line Touring model, including navigation and DVD entertainment. An Acadia wasn't available in the GM press fleet, but a pair of 2009 Buick Enclaves were (now including a 3.6-liter V6 more powerful than our departed long-termer's and the original test's Acadia). Unfortunately, the available front-wheel-drive CX base version was $7,000 less expensive than our Flex, while the available all-wheel-drive CXL was a mind-numbing $50,000. We opted for the sane choice and relied on our scoring system's ability to balance out the Enclave's price advantage and its consequent features deficit.
3rd Place: 2009 Buick Enclave CX FWD
As-tested Price: $35,415
For more information, please read the 2009 Buick Enclave model review or the 2008 Buick Enclave long-term test.
Where it Follows:
When behind the wheel, the 2009 Buick Enclave CX feels like the biggest vehicle by far, yet its interior space doesn't show it. Sure, it's pretty huge, but the Odyssey is more spacious and the Flex's boxy shape provides almost as much useful cargo space. For folks sitting in the Enclave's third-row (pictured below), the canted roofline chews into headroom, creating a more claustrophobic feel than in the other two. The third row also has the hardest cushion and the least amount of cargo space behind it. Moreover, it's the most difficult to access for passengers and to fold down or flip up from the tailgate. The Enclave also proved most challenging for child-seat installation because of its higher load height and non-adjustable second-row headrests.
Visibility is another issue in the Enclave. The small mirror-mounted backup camera helps, but the view out the rear is compromised by a rising beltline and a mid-window hump. "The front feels huge," Senior Editor Bryn MacKinnon noted, adding that it's hard to tell where the Enclave's front corners are. Not surprisingly, the Buick was voted the most difficult to park. Other troublesome areas included a poorly placed manual seatback adjuster (power seats are optional), small climate/audio controls and a ride that some deemed to be floaty. In track testing, the Enclave had the worst 60-0 mph braking distance by 8 feet.
Where it Leads:
On our multi-point evaluation score sheet, the Enclave led in only three categories: wind noise, road noise and front seat comfort. However, the point spread between the Enclave and the winner was only 1.9 points. In other words, the Enclave trailed in most areas, but not by a lot. It's still worth a test drive.
The Enclave's strongest attributes reside in the comfort category, where its quiet cabin and softly sprung ride were heralded for road trips. Our tallest driver found its driving position to be the most accommodating. Its 3.6-liter V6, which gained some grunt for 2009, feels the most robust and edged out the Flex for best 0-60-mph time (8.6 seconds versus 8.7). The six-speed automatic transmission, which was also modified for '09, is much quicker to downshift than both the Flex's and our old long-term '08 Enclave's, and its manual override is a welcome feature on highway grades. The Enclave CX was also the cheapest in this test, though it was predictably missing much of the others' luxury equipment, a shortcoming rectified in the up-level CXL trim.
The Enclave also earned its stripes in our cargo-carrying test. We brought along a 6-foot-5-inch box for an Ikea "Billy" bookshelf to test cargo space (pictured at right), figuring it would make for a more realistic test than the age-old giant plywood sheet. The "Billy" fit in all three without compromising drivability, but the Enclave was the only one that still technically had room for six people.
Best for: People who won't buy a minivan and think the Flex is ugly, highway travel, taller drivers
2nd Place: 2009 Honda Odyssey Touring
As-tested Price: $41,175
For more information, please read the 2009 Honda Odyssey test drive and model review.
Where it Follows:
Wait, doesn't the 2009 Honda Odyssey win every comparison test? Isn't its blend of practicality and drivability unparalleled? What's behind its 0.6-point loss to the Flex?
While the Odyssey has clear practicality advantages, we readily admit that a minivan is not for everyone. Two editors agreed that "they just couldn't drive a minivan" and a decade of declining minivans sales shows they aren't alone. This isn't only because of the image, but because of the typical van driving position and dash layout. You sit upright, almost perched above the broad dash with its distant, low-mounted center-stack controls. The Flex and Enclave feel more normal and car-like when sitting behind the wheel; the Odyssey makes it impossible to forget you're driving something different.
But those aren't objective scoring areas. The Odyssey had the most wind and road noise, as well as the firmest ride. It was slowest from zero to 60 mph, even though its engine felt eager enough. The Odyssey also had the worst interior quality -- although the switchgear was rated tops, the cabin's plastic surfaces were hard and felt cheap, and several pieces fit together poorly. The gray leather upholstery also didn't seem very high-class, especially compared to the diamond-quilted Flex and even the cloth-lined Enclave (the zebra-print accents notwithstanding). While the Ford and Buick could easily pass as luxury vehicles, the Honda definitely could not.
Finally, although the Odyssey has far and away the most total cargo capacity, accessing it requires physically removing the second row, whereas all you have to do in the Flex and Enclave is fold down the seats.
Where it Leads:
The Honda Odyssey is a minivan, and nothing makes life with kids easier than this most practical of vehicles. For one thing, the Odyssey's power-sliding side doors are infinitely better than the huge swinging portals in the other two -- especially in tight parking spots with children and/or groceries in hand or when children are old enough to open the doors themselves. The relatively low load height also makes life easier. The Odyssey's second row features a removable center seat that transforms the standard bench configuration into captain's chairs -- no need to choose one or the other at the dealership. You can also squeeze the captain's chairs together to make a smaller bench. Although leg room is no better in the Odyssey than in the others, third-row head, hip and shoulder room is better than in the Enclave with three across (the Flex's third row seats only two).
In addition to its superior maximum cargo capacity, the Odyssey has the most cargo space behind the third row. It was also the only one that didn't require moving the front seats to accommodate the "Billy," which fit with the 60-portion of the 60/40 third row folded and the second-row middle seat removed.
Aside from practicality, the Odyssey was deemed most enjoyable to drive. It has the most responsive steering, throttle, transmission and brakes. It also enjoyed a 1 mpg fuel economy advantage, and its tall seating position, huge front window and short downward slanted hood made it the easiest to park frontward (the boxy Flex was easiest rearward).
Best for: Families with babies or small children, large families, part-time contractors, shorter drivers
1st Place: 2009 Ford Flex Limited
Price: $42,080
For more information, please read the 2009 Ford Flex test drive, model review and long-term test.
Where it Follows:
The 2009 Ford Flex wins here, but its victory (and its appeal) should be greater. Guilty party No. 1 is the lack of a telescoping steering wheel. The Flex offers a wealth of seating adjustments, allowing average-to-taller drivers to get comfortable -- but it's a futile offering since the wheel is so far away. You also sit rather low in the Flex, which at once makes the greenhouse seem gigantic and obstructs the driver's view of the vehicle's front corners while maneuvering. Our shortest tester thought the seat bottom too long, and several editors commented that the head restraints pushed uncomfortably against their noggins. The fact that it has fewer seats is obviously another "follow" point and as the photo shows below, means we had to leave an editor at the office when we all went to lunch (Sorry Sadlier).
The Flex received additional demerits for a six-speed transmission that is frustratingly stubborn to downshift. The engine's got enough grunt, but you end up second-guessing freeway merges since you can't be sure the transmission will respond unless you put your foot all the way to the floor. There is no manual override, only a hill-descent button (which locks out top gear) and an "L" low-gearing gate that doesn't do anything useful. The Flex hits the nail on the head in many respects, but it's these fundamental flaws that kept this comparison test such a nail-biter.
Where it Leads:
Ford has created a brilliant new type of family vehicle with the Flex, one that doesn't require you to sacrifice style at the hands of practicality. Styling is of course subjective, but the Flex's boxy hipness is impossible to ignore. While the Odyssey and Enclave could be described as attractively anonymous, the Flex garners thumbs-up from 12-year-old boys. A practical car for mom and dad that little Johnny thinks is cool counts for something. The Flex was also deemed to have the nicest interior, both in terms of style and overall quality. It had the highest price, but also the highest features score. For those who value high-tech gadgetry, the Flex's state-of-the-art navigation system, entertainment system, Sync electronics interface and test-favorite Sony stereo are worth every penny. The Flex also had the highest evaluation and performance scores, albeit by a slim margin.
Although the Flex had only room for six (seven is standard with a second-row bench), it was the most comfortable with six people aboard thanks to loads of space and comfy seats. Unless you're going to be routinely hauling around seven or eight people, the Flex should be all the vehicle you need. For those in the very back, the big side windows and large skylight made it seem less oppressive than in the other two vehicles. With its power flip-fold second-row and easy-to-fold third-row, the Flex was voted easiest to transform from passenger hauler to cargo carrier. The Ikea "Billy" fit easily over two lowered seat backs, and while it touched the driver seat, our tallest tester was able to maintain a far-back seating position.
The beauty of the Flex is that it tricks you into thinking you're not driving a family hauler. It does 85 percent of what the Odyssey can do, while being able to masquerade as a snazzy luxury vehicle you can take out to dinner without suffering a mid-life crisis. It's this lifestyle flexibility that'll make the Flex more appealing to more people.
Best for: Families with older kids, people without kids, tech junkies, audiophiles, morticians
The manufacturers provided Edmunds with the Enclave and Odyssey for the purposes of evaluation. Edmunds purchased the Flex for the purposes of evaluation.
- Posted by
- James Riswick June 28, 2009, 10:00 PM
- Permalink
- Categories:
- Comparison Road Tests
Odyssey is the best all around for people with kids.
The Odyssey also had the worst interior quality -- although the switchgear was rated tops, the cabin's plastic surfaces were hard and felt cheap, and several pieces fit together poorly.
ALL LIES!!!!!!!!
We leased a Ford Flex LTD AWD back in December. We could not be happier. It brings a much needed breath of fresh air to the segment....everything else looks like week old bread.
I actually like all 3 vehicles. Styling wise I like the Flex and as a passenger in one, it felt really quiet and comfortable.
Sure then, Ford Flex? hahahaha. If you think it is so great go buy it then. No one is stopping you. Just count how many new odysseys and flex on the road and you will know which is better. Consumers don't lie. Only critics do.
people haulers. women. feminine.
Which one looks softer, more gentle, like a feminine product?
Compare the front dash pictures.
Flex or Odyssey?
Sharp squares or gentle sleek curves?
Well we've just chosen our minivan.
The Flex is designed to be hip. I guess there's more boring people.
And for how far away the Flex's steering wheel is, can women actually reach the Flex's steering wheel? It ain't telescoping.
I don't think the Flex was designed with women and family in mind.
You misogynistic Ford.
While some may argue that the Odyssey is best, it -- and every other Honda -- is NOT an option for families of tall people. My 6'4" husband could barely get into the front seat of the Ody; when he did, he couldn't adjust the seat to accomodate his height. My 13 y/o son is 5'11" and broke his knees getting into the 3rd row of the Honda. He couldn't even squeeze himself into the toddler-sized 3d row of the Enclave. GM should go out of business for designing inadequate 3d rows.
Finally, despite my femininity, I don't want another curvy, stupid minivan. I hate my Chrysler T&C! I want to drive something that's reasonably fuel-efficient, cool-looking and able to accommodate a family of growing boys. So far, the Flex fits the bill.
If the Flex wasn't so ugly, I would say ya sure. But I can't drive that thing. The Odyssey is a van and like a couple of others have said, the dash is awful. Personally I would only buy the Enclave of these three. Maybe I will when our lease is up.
I agree with the comment that the Enclave feels big. I've driven one and it reminds me of a Tahoe. The Flex -- nearly the same size -- feels one "size" smaller and drives very similar to my wife's Edge Limited.