While the quirkily boxy and retro look of the Ford Flex seems to present a car that the Cleaver family might well pile into, the 2012 full-size crossover will continue to be filled with safety features and technology that would no doubt mystify Ward and June. With the introduction of the high-end Titanium trim in 2011, the 2012 Flex returns as essentially the same vehicle. However, for a car that has been praised for its spaciousness, its style and the power of its optional turbocharged EcoBoost engine, little change is not a bad thing.

The 2012 Flex will continue to offer 4 trims: the base SE, followed by the SEL, the Limited and the top-tier Titanium. Regardless of trim, the Flex begins with a standard 3.5-liter Duratec V6 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Although sometimes met with a tepid reception in 2011, the standard engine should meet most drivers’ acceleration needs, and the 262-hp, 248-lb-ft V6 is expected to make fuel economy numbers similar to last year’s: 17 mpg city/24 highway for the standard front-wheel drive.

For a more exciting and powerful driving experience, a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 (available this year only in the Limited and Titanium trims) is matched with a 6-speed SelectShift automatic with paddle shifters for greater driver control. Although it virtually matches the fuel economy of the standard V6 (16/21), the EcoBoost increases power dramatically with 355 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque generated by the direct-injection turbocharged engine paired with intelligent all-wheel drive. Unfortunately, the EcoBoost has a more refined fuel palate, preferring premium gasoline (although Ford does allow for regular gasoline).

Outside, Flex trims are distinguished not only by their wheel style and size (ranging from 17 to 20 inches) but also by their grille color (black chrome for the Titanium and silver for the others). Other distinguishing features include the Flex’s foglamps (black bezel for the Titanium and chrome for the others), LED taillights for the Limited and Titanium trims, HID headlights for the upper trims and a blackout effect on the headlights and taillights of the Titanium trim. The Titanium continues its color scheme with a black painted roof, while the other trims provide a standard monotone roof or optional two-tone. The upper trims also provide standard power heated side mirrors with a memory feature and puddle lamps for extra security, as well as a power liftgate in the rear. Options for the SEL, Limited and Titanium trims include a park assist feature and a vista roof (with four separate skylights over the Flex's three rows of seating). A Class III trailer towing package is also available for any trim and can tow up to 4,500 pounds.

Inside, the SE and SEL cover the first and second rows of seating with cloth (although leather trim is available for the SEL), while the Limited provides standard perforated leather, and the Titanium upgrades the first two rows with Charcoal Black leather-trimmed seats with suede inserts. The SE adjusts the drivers’ seat with 6-way power and the front passenger seat with a 2-way manual control. The three higher trims upgrade to a 10-way power-adjustable, heated driver’s seat, and a 6-way power adjustable, heated front passenger seat. All trims offer an optional second-row bucket seat configuration, which includes a reclining feature and a 60/40 split, as well as available heat for the bucket seats in the Limited and Titanium trims. The Flex accommodates 7 (or 6, with second-row bucket seats), and reviews note that the crossover’s interior spaciousness in all three rows is clearly one of its strong suits.

Cargo space in all the Flex trims is adequate, with 20 cubic feet of storage behind the third-row bench seat. Cargo space can be expanded to 43.2 cubic feet behind the second row and 83.2 behind the first when the seats are folded flat (each trim comes with a 60/40-split second row and 50/50-split-folding third row).

The base SE provides standard manual climate control, but the other trims upgrade to dual-zone automatic climate control. The SEL, Limited and Titanium also include a woodgrain look on the instrument panel and door panels and memory for one driver’s seat, outside mirror and power-adjustable foot-pedal settings, as well as a universal garage door opener. Options include a refrigerated second-row console for the Limited and Titanium trims when outfitted with the available second-row bucket seats. According to Ford, the refrigerated console can cool beverages to 41 degrees Fahrenheit and hold up to seven 12-oz. cans, four half-liter bottles or two 20-oz. bottles. There is even a freeze mode that can drop the temp to 23°F. Higher-end trims (Limited and Titanium) include a standard rear-view camera feature (although narrow roof pillars keep visibility good in this large vehicle). The camera activates when the Limited and Titanium are shifted into reverse, showing colored guidelines on the center dash panel display to help guide a driver parking. All trims offer an optional remote start system.

The standard entertainment system for the entry-level SE and SEL includes an AM/FM stereo with a single CD/MP3 player and 6 speakers. The Limited and Titanium upgrade the stereo to a 390-watt Sony Audio System with 12 speakers (an option for the SEL) and add a voice-activated navigation system with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link (with a 6-month trial subscription) and a 10GB hard drive for storing music. SiriusXM satellite radio (with a 6-month trial) and the Ford SYNC system (for voice control of MP3 players and Bluetooth-compatible phones, among other features) is an option for the SE, but comes standard in the SEL, Limited and Titanium. A dual-headrest DVD system is also an available option for the SEL, Limited and Titanium.

Safety in the 2012 Flex remains uniform across all trims, featuring Advance Trac with roll stability control, four-wheel antilock disc brakes and tire pressure monitoring. In addition to dual-stage front airbags and seat-mounted front-row side airbags, the Flex also includes Ford’s Safety Canopy system. With a rollover sensor, the Safety Canopy is designed to protect all three rows of outboard passengers with a side-curtain airbag to keep occupants’ heads from striking the side windows.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has rated the 2011 Ford Flex only based on its rollover crash test, awarding it 4 out of 5 stars with a 15.1% chance of a rollover for the AWD and 16.4% for the FWD. The 2011 Ford Flex made the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s list of Top Safety Picks for the year, with ratings of Good (its highest possible rating) for its performance in front, side, rollover and rear crash tests, combined with its standard stability control. Given the minimal changes for 2012, there should be no reason to expect the 2012 Ford Flex to score any differently.

With good standard safety features, a spacious and well-built interior, and an available turbocharged engine to boost power, the 2012 Ford Flex should continue to offer a way to haul the family in style and comfort. Since little has changed for the model year, the Flex should continue to rest comfortably on last year’s laurels.