2013 Ford Flex User Reviews

Fabulous Family Car, Road Tripper, Or Around-town Cruiser. — Performance: The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 is a masterpiece in engineering. Very smooth power delivery through a well-executed 6-speed, paddle-shifting automatic, but the car will lay down a sport-sedan-threatening 0-60 run in 5.7 seconds. Though the Flex is essentially a 2.5-ton brick, it handles like a smaller vehicle and corners very flat. Despite its 20" wheels, the ride is very comfortable. Braking performance is excellent, as the 2013 Flex receives brakes lifted from the Taurus SHO. Build Quality: This has never been Ford's strong suit, but I was pleasantly surprised when I first sat down in the new Flex. Panel gaps are a non-issue, and the doors close with a solid "thunk." Most interior surfaces are pleasing to the eyes, with soft-touch finishes and attractive patterning. Yes, there are some hard interior plastics to be found, though Ford had the sense to keep all of these away from key touch points. It is worth noting that interior quality doesn't necessarily carry over to the rear passenger compartment, where a number of the materials used feel more downmarket than those in the front. I'm particularly not fond of the middle row's central cupholder drawer, which looks and feels like a children's toy. This is, though, the only aspect of the vehicle's interior design I would describe as offensive. Appearance: Since the vehicle's original introduction for the 2009 model year, styling has been a key selling point for the Flex. It's also been a key deterrent, as the boxy appearance is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of thing. On the outside, the shapes Flex owners are accustomed to seeing have been modernized, with the front exterior styling on all variants now closely mimicking the "Titanium" trim level of the previous model year. On the inside, a few details leave me scratching my head in confusion, for example, why hasn't Ford updated the window switches and door panel controls to their newer styles, such as those in the Explorer and Focus? Why is the door panel so incredibly thick? Finally, why are automatic up/down windows absent on a $40K-plus crossover? Sure, I'm being picky, but these are notable concerns nonetheless. These minor gripes all pale in comparison to this car's biggest flaw: MyFord Touch. Let me start by saying that I am a fan of in-car technology, the system is a very good idea, and that it has enormous potential to challenge and beat every infotainment system in the industry. Its user experience, though, feels like that of a early-stage beta software. It crashes constantly, takes a very long time to process simple tasks, and follows no recognizable pattern in regards to what will trip the system up. There's a different problem every time you start the vehicle. That being said, this isn't a deal-breaker. Despite the hair-tearing agony that can result from prolonged exposure to MyFord Touch, I absolutely love the Ford Flex. It is versatile, comfortable, powerful, and practical, and I highly recommend it. Ownership: Despite the car having similar aerodynamic properties to the moon, the Flex achieved a remarkable 25 MPG on a long highway trip, loaded with four people, a small dog, and lots of luggage. This surpasses the indicated 23 MPG on the vehicle's sticker, and I've found that it routinely beats the sticker's 16 MPG city number by 1 or 2 MPG. Impressive. Fun Factor: Cars like this aren't supposed to be fun, but, neither are they supposed to be fast, fuel-efficient, or good-looking, and the Ford Flex is all of these things. I applaud the Ford engineer who managed to convince his boss that installing paddle shifters on a family crossover was a good idea. Though the overwhelming majority of Flex customers will likely never notice their existence, the paddles are responsive, and are a hoot to use. The Flex steers and corners very well, and, despite its heft, is very fun to drive.

Primary Use: Family transportation