2009 Ford Flex
Ford Flexing its design muscle with new crossover
Sat, Nov 15th 2008
| VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| type | 5 door, suv - mid, awd |
| msrp | $42,390 |
| trans | automatic |
| gas mi. | 17mpg/24mpg |
| rating |  |
I started to get used to the question that folks asked when they saw me pull up in the 2009 Ford Flex. After asking what it was I was driving, the next questions were predictable:
"Is it a flexible fuel vehicle?" "Does it drive on corn oil?" or more simple: "What mileage does it get?"
The answers to those questions: "No." "No," and "About 24 miles per gallon."
In a time when volatile gas prices have everyone interested in a vehicle's fuel economy, Ford has attached a rather unfortunate name to its latest gas-gulping crossover SUV. It's not a "flex-fuel" vehicle, meaning one that can run on ethanol as well as gasoline -- but rather, a "flexible" vehicle.
Fortunately, it's a flexibility that will please DogCar shoppers.
With a design that seems to mimic the boxy look of the Honda Element (2008 DogCar of the Year). the Ford Flex has a wide open interior and seats that fold either flat or flip forward to reveal a hard, carpeted surface providing plenty of room for crates, barriers and dog training equipment.
It's high, above the ground stance and all-wheel-drive option makes the Ford Flex a good four-wheeled fun ride for field training.
A big selling point of the Flex is the available multi-panel Vista roof, a moon roof that covers most of the rear portion of the vehicle. These dark-tinted windows to the sky won't allow too much sunlight in, but could cause the canine cabin to get a bit warmer than usual in the summer months.
Another cool (literally) option is the refrigerated console between the two front seats. Utilizing a compressor-driven cooling unit, the storage box acts as a refrigerator to keep drinks and food cool. A warmed up bottle of water that had been sitting in the warm car all day, was rapidly rendered chilly in a matter of five minutes. Now that's cool!
The Ford Flex may not be as green as we'd hoped, and it's mileage may be nothing to wag our tails -- but for a good, utility-driven DogCar, the Flex is a formidable contender.
-- Keith Turner
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Carguy Comments: The Ford Flex is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers 262 horsepower. The optional all-wheel -drive system monitors traction conditions and automatically delivers torque to whatever wheel needs it. Safety-wise, the Flex earned five stars in both the frontal and side crash ratings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The height of the vehicle's squared rear end is 32 inches and the width is 45 inches at the narrowest part. Length of the cargo area is 80 inches and total cargo space is 83.2 cubic feet behind the first row of seats.
Ford Flex: Set aside the name confusion for a moment and you'll find that the versatility and canine carrying capability of the Flex makes it a potential DogCar.
Comments
The problem with the Flex and with many other vehicles is that the cargo area is not big enough for two large crates. Some of us prefer to have our dogs ride in crates; it is safer for one thing. Some of us also have large dogs, which means large crates. When the Flex was first announced I was ready to buy one, but then I found out it is only 41” wide between the rear wheel wells. 48” is necessary for two large crates. 41” is too narrow for even the special 21” wide SUV wire crates. That killed it for me. Not much engine and the gas mileage is not so good, either. The only vehicles that will hold two large crates side by side in the rear are minivans, like the Sienna, Odyssey, the Honda Pilot, and the Honda Element. The trick with the Element is to build a platform that raises the crates above the wheel wells. The Element is tall enough that you can do that. And of course huge SUVs and full size pickups, but who wants a 5,000lb vehicle to carry two 90lb dogs. The Volvo V70 is 46” between the wheel wells. I’m seriously thinking about custom crates although it weighs 4300lbs. Why do I have to buy a 4000lb plus vehicle to carry two 90lb dogs?
2008-11-24 19:39:25
As soon as I saw the Flex, I was sure it would be mine. I sat in it and envisioned it in my driveway. Then I drove it. And bought a Jeep Liberty. The Flex drives like a tank, has very poor responsiveness both in the pedal the the steering wheel. Additionally, the cargo space at the back wouldn’t hold my Ex Pens nor two crates side by side. For the sticker price, I expected better and was sorely disappointed.
2009-04-27 13:14:48