2010 Ford Flex
2010 Ford Flex - A Unique and Stylish Crossover
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The 2010 Ford Flex is a unique looking vehicle that features three-rows of seating, bold styling and high functionality – a perfect family transporter. The Flex is considered to be in the ever growing crossover segment and competes with others in its class. Most crossovers of today are rounded and smooth, more sedan shaped than SUV. But the Ford Flex has taken its own path, and more upright and crisp in the angles.The front-wheel or all-wheel drive Flex is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine. New and only offered on the all-wheel drive is the 3.7-liter twin turbo V6 engine featuring EcoBoost. Class leading seven-passenger seating is standard on all trim levels. Available features include the SYNC communication and entertainment system, a Multi-Panel Vista Roof, interior refrigerator, and capless fueling. For 2010, the Ford Flex receives MyKey as standard equipment on all models, and trailer sway control is now included with the trailer tow package. It also gets better mileage with the 3.7 V6, due to Ford’s new EcoBoost engine.
Powering the Flex
There are two powertrains available for the 2010 Flex, and both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Flex comes with the standard 3.5-liter V-6 paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The V-6 gets an estimated 17/24 mpg city/highway. The Flex can also be equipped with a 3.7-liter EcoBoost V-6. The EcoBoost gets approximately 18 mpg in combined city/highway driving, according to Ford, but makes significantly more power than the regular V-6. The EcoBoost is available in SEL and Limited models with all-wheel drive. The Flex uses a capless fueling system designed to reduce emissions from evaporating gas during fill-ups.
2010 Flex Design
The ford flex embraces the box design that has defined SUVs for years. This alone makes it unique from other crossovers. Ford’s signature grille carries the front end; front bumper foglights are encased in highly reflective jeweled surrounds. The exterior design has a lot of small details that one may not notice individually, but overall Flex would look a lot heavier without them. Another Flex signature is the optional two-tone roof in either warm white or silver. Flex is taller than most station wagons, but significantly lower than such traditional SUVs as Explorer and Expedition. Unlike traditional SUVs, the Flex roof is about at your eyeline, not above your eyeline. When you look at Flex from up-close, you're looking across to it, not up at it. Not everyone is keen on the Flex design, but no one can deny that the 2010 Ford Flex has presence. Big, bright, bold, in- 19-inch polished alloy wheels suggest Lincoln more than Ford, as do large chrome door handles, bright window surrounds, and a shiny band running across the tailgate that repeats the front grille theme.
Driving a Ford Flex
A lot of effort was put into the Ford Flex design, cabin features, and comfort. The actual driving experience was certainly not a top priority; still, the Flex is composed on the road and competent. The overall feel of the Flex is simply solid and safe. Noise and vibration control is exceptional. This results from a well reinforced body structure (both visible and notable in the way the various pillars and door openings are constructed) that eliminates the usual creaks and groans. Its 3.5-liter V6 with double overhead-cams has more than adequate power for normal driving conditions, plus sufficient torque to either tow a 2000 pound load in standard form or a 4500-pound load with optional trailer towing package. Ride quality is controlled to the point of neither being noticeable nor a real factor in the driving experience. Cornering is level and quiet. Four-wheel disc brakes with every conceivable electronic interface are equally quiet and composed.
Inside the 2010 Flex
The middle row of the Flex has the option of two captain’s chairs, making it a more comfortable ride, but reducing the number of passengers to six. The SE has tweed fabric seats, while the Limited gets leather-trimmed seats. Color-adjustable cabin mood lighting and an optional refrigerator that installs between individual second-row seats on 2-2-2 vehicles are features that make this cabin interesting. Another feature is the optional deep-tint Vista Roof. From the inside, the front-row pane is a conventional glass moonroof with normal slide and tilt features. In the second row, glass is visible over the right and left sides, with a solid headliner trim panel up the middle. In the third row, a single glass pane extends across the seat from left to right. Second and third-row overhead glass is fixed, with retractable sliding shades to reduce interior heat and glare. However, you must choose either the Vista Roof, or roof racks, you cannot get both. There is a smallish cargo area in the back and it is accessed through a swing-up one-piece tailgate. The load floor is carved into a recessed well, which makes it more difficult to load than with a flat load floor. Cargo capacity is 15.0 cubic feet with all three rows of seats in place, 43.2 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded down, 83.2 cubic feet with the second- and third-row seats down. Footrests are available for the second row, which folds and tumbles to make room to get into the third row.
Flex Lineup
Flex SE ($28,295) comes standard with single-zone air conditioning, six-way power driver seat, manual tilt steering wheel with hub-mount audio and cruise controls, fog lights, power door locks with autolock, power mirrors with manual-folding bezels, remote keyless entry, retained power, AM/FM/CD six-speaker audio with MP3 compatibility, center-stack screen display (for audio, compass, temperature), message center with trip computer, front-row center console, 10 cup holders/bottle holders, power windows, carpeted floor mats, rear privacy glass, three 12-volt power outlets, 235/60R18 BSW tires, and 18-inch painted alloy wheels.
Flex SEL ($32,070) adds bright exterior trim, 18-inch machined alloy wheels, dual-zone A/C, Sony AM/FM/6-CD/MP3/satellite radio, leather seating surfaces, heated first-row seats, 10-way power driver seat, six-way power passenger seat, universal garage door opener and interior woodgrain trim.
Flex Limited ($34,705) adds HID headlamps, power multi-function door mirrors with puddle illumination, power-opening liftgate, P235/55R19 BSW tires, 19-inch polished alloy wheels, 110-volt power outlet, power-adjustable pedals with memory, ambient lighting, second-row footrests, perforated leather seating surfaces (for first and second rows), first-row memory seats and Microsoft SYNC system.
Summary
For 2010, the Ford Flex comes standard with MyKey. MyKey allows owners to limit top speed, add extra seat belt warnings and limit the volume of the car stereo for drivers using a specific key. Standard safety features include four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, stability and roll control, six airbags, and a tire pressure monitor. There are many packages and stand alone options available to suit consumer’s individual needs. Overall, the 2010 Ford Flex offers a smooth drive, unique look, and well accommodated cabin space. Visit the official site of the 2010 Flex for more details. It handles a family well, and is perfect for those looking for something a little different than the many rounded look-a-like crossovers in the market.
