By: Jeffrey Ross
Autotropolis.com
Despite the extreme usefulness of minivans and SUVs, both vehicles are associated with huge stigmas. To some, the SUV represents a gas-guzzling, over-sized glutton of a vehicle, and to others, just the mere mention of the word “minivan” can garner a response similar to that of mentioning an infectious disease.
With the 2009 Flex, Ford looks to bridge the gap between vans and SUVs while eliminating any ill will. The Flex represents an important vehicle for Ford as its sales numbers continue to decline, and this is just the vehicle they needed to come up with.
Since the Flex debuted at the New York Auto Show in early April, many comparisons and conclusions have been drawn for this segment-busting people mover. A direct replacement for the defunct Ford Freestar minivan, the 2009 Ford Flex will be more van-like compared to SUVs and more SUV-like compared to other vans – a brilliant recipe for success. Originally shown as the Ford Fairlane concept in 2005, the production-ready Flex, as promised by Ford, looks almost identical to the concept.
The primary target for the Flex is the minivan market. This of course includes the king of the minivans, the Dodge Grand Caravan. With similar drivetrains, dimensions and interior layouts, the biggest difference between these two people movers 
seems to be in the rear doors. The Grand Caravan continues the use of minivan-essential sliding doors, while the Flex switches to a conventional, front hinged door.
Both vehicles offer front-wheel drive, V6 engines, six-speed automatic transmissions and seven-passenger seating, but the Flex comes standard with the six-speed transmission (optional on the 240-horsepower, 4.0-liter V6-equipped Grand Caravan) and has the option of an all-wheel drive drivetrain (no longer an option on the Dodge minivan). The standard 260-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 has a distinct power advantage over the Caravan and suffers only slightly in the low-end grunt (Flex - 245 lb-ft; Caravan - 253 lb-ft).
Riding on a similar platform as the 2008 Ford Taurus and the Volvo XC90, the Flex had its wheelbase stretched about five inches which should add improved interior space to an already safe chassis. The biggest gain in comfort comes for the second row passengers when compared to the similarly sized Taurus X. For both vehicles, front and third-row passengers get essentially the same amount of legroom while the second-row passengers reap the benefits of the extended wheelbase with more legroom (Taurus X - 39.8 inches; 2009 Flex - 44.3 inches). Footrests and the rear entertainment system should have more passengers yelling “second row!” than “shotgun!”
Despite being shorter in overall height compared to the Grand Caravan, the Flex manages to offer superior headroom for all three rows thanks to the steeper angle of the windshield, the boxy roofline and the almost vertical D-pillar. When equipped with the optional sunroof, Caravan front passengers will relinquish over four inches of headroom. The Flex suffers, however, in hip room for all passengers even though it is three inches wider than the Caravan
Rear independent suspension and four wheel ABS disc brakes should offer safe and confident handling, while the standard 18-inch and optional 19-inch wheels add to the distinct look of this full-size crossover.
The Dodge Grand Caravan (and sister Chrysler Town & Country) will be available the third quarter of this year, while those anticipating the Ford Flex must wait until the summer of 2008. A year after the Flex’s release, a Flex-based, uniquely designed Lincoln crossover will debut - most likely as a 2010 model.
