Road Test: 2009 Ford Flex
I know why Autotropolis writers and editors picked the Ford Flex as the 2009 Truck of the Year – even though the Flex is considered more of a CUV than a truck. Why has the Ford Flex won so many distinguished auto awards lately? The 2009 Ford Flex has it all: superior and trendy design, performance, comfort and technology.
In my recent road test of a 2009 Ford Flex, I found this vehicle brings a high level of versatility and perhaps that’s why auto journalists and new car buyers are excited about this truly unique crossover.
2009 Ford Flex Interior
First off, the 2009 Ford Flex provides roomy accommodations for seven passengers. I’ve driven lots of CUVs and SUVs over the past few years. Unfortunately, most seven-seat CUVs do not provide enough room in the third row seating for either adults or children.
With the 2009 Ford Flex, however, I found even the third row seating is comfortable. In fact, the Flex’s interior does have a limo-like feel with super generous leg room, a wide stance and lots of room to hop up into the third row. So, if you are seeking a truly roomy vehicle, the 2009 Ford Flex may be a good fit, especially for growing families. Also, I found the Flex’s cargo area and flat-fold third row seats to be super easy to configure.
Plus, the interior of the 2009 Ford Flex is pleasing to diverse groups. As a 40-something soccer mom with two daughters, I’m impressed by the interior’s minimalism as well as the creature comforts (like heated seats, lots of nooks for mobile devices and a second-row refrigeration unit). But I can also see how the Flex’s interior can appeal to gangsta-rap-loving hipsters, 30-something active families and single guys who like to drive around their entire crew in a kind of “mobile lounge.”
My only big beef with the 2009 Ford Flex is the non-telescoping steering wheel. For some reason, my long legs don’t match my short arms and I am always in need of a steering wheel that can pull out rather far from the dashboard. When telescoping is unavailable on a vehicle, I then find my legs cramped because I have to move the seat up far enough to compensate for my arm length. If you are truly thinking about purchasing the 2009 Ford Flex, make sure your arms and legs are comfortable when driving as the steering wheel cannot be adjusted.
However, you may want to reconsider leg comfort when you start fooling around with Ford’s latest SYNC connectivity and multimedia system. Powered my Microsoft, the second-generation SYNC technology is increasingly interconnected to provide super handy voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, audio and SiriusLink, which provides satellite radio, weather forecasting and nearby fuel pricing.
The huge Vista sunroofs are also a big plus, opening up the Flex’s interior, making second and third row passengers feel almost like they are outside. In addition, the Flex’s front and side windows are a bit squat, but are still huge and compensate well what could be some bad blind spots. Suspension is also nice and tight and makes you feel more like you are driving a car rather than a bumpy SUV or truck.
2009 Ford Flex Exterior
What is really intriguing about the 2009 Ford Flex, however, is the exterior. Somehow, the Flex’s boxy shape has strong appeal. The overall design was taken from the vintage Ford Fairlane with a huge nod towards today’s trendiest vehicles like MINI’s Cooper, Scion's xB and Honda’s Element.
2009 Ford Flex Performance
And now for performance. The first time I jumped into the Ford Flex, I thought the vehicle might be all about the trendy interior and not about the engine. Not so. Even though this vehicle is rather heavy, I found the 3.5-liter V6 engine to accelerate super quick from a dead stop or when needing power to change lanes on the highway or freeway. I also found handling and braking to be superior in this fun-to-drive CUV-SUV-minivan-truck combo.
As for fuel economy, the 2009 Ford Flex provides rather average economy for a CUV at 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. On my road test, I average 16.8 mpg while driving mostly on city streets.
2009 Ford Flex Trims
The 2009 Ford Flex is offered in three trim levels. The base SE comes standard with front wheel drive, rear climate controls, power driver seat, six-speaker CD sound system with auxiliary audio jack, rear park assist, 60/40 split second row seating and 50/50 flat-fold third row seating. The mid-priced SEL comes with optional all-wheel-drive and also features 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, upgraded exterior trim, leather upholstery and 10-speaker CD audio system with satellite radio. The fully-loaded Flex Limited comes with all of the options above, plus xenon headlights, 19-inch wheels, memory driver seat, perforated leather upholstery, power adjustable pedals, power liftgate, a white-painted roof and SYNC’s powerful connectivity interface.
Optional features on the 2009 Ford Flex include four-panel Vista sunroof, keyless ignition and entry, rear seat DVD entertainment system, second-row captain’s chairs and towing package.
Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif.
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