"Andrew was the perfect Salesman for me to work with, he was polite, courteous, kept me informed as to what was going on during the financing. Answered all my questions and did not pressure me into buying at all. "  12/3//2011

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2012 Ford Flex Des Moines

For the 2012 Ford Flex, the "EcoBoost" turbocharged V6 is no longer available on the SEL trim. The rear windscreen wiper has been relocated for better coverage, while a flip-out armrest with cupholders has been added to the second-row bench seat in the Limited and Titanium trims. You can also now get the roof side rails with the optional Vista Roof.  The Ford Flex is a full-size crossover utility vehicle that can seat up to seven adults and carry luggage or groceries at the same time. It's the modern-day equivalent of what used to be thefamily station wagon, but no station wagon can match the comfort, utility, capabilities or driving enjoyment of the Flex.   The Flex offers a choice of V6 engines: the relatively conventional 3.5-liter Duratec, and the more powerful 3.5-liter EcoBoost. EcoBoost utilizes advanced turbocharging technology to deliver the fuel efficiency of a smaller engine with the power and performance of a larger engine. EcoBoost includes two turbochargers and direct fuel injection. The 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine in the Flex is rated at 355 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. 

Driving Impressions of the '12 Ford Flex

The prevailing feeling on the road is less of power and speed than overall safety and solidity. The Flex feels like a vault. NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) 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.  The Flex is one composed and quiet car.   Ride quality is controlled to the point of neither being noticeable nor a real factor in the driving experience. Cornering is level and quiet. Turns taken at enthusiastic speeds elicit no audible reply from the tires. Four-wheel disc brakes with every conceivable electronic interface are equally quiet and composed, and provide peace of mind.

Interior Features of the '12 Ford Flex

The Flex on the inside looks full, complete, spacious, roomy and luxurious. All the basics and most of the details are well covered.  On opening a door and seeing the Flex interior for the first time, the impression is rich and inviting. Color coordination is carefully managed. Materials, plastics, fabrics, leathers and carpets are well matched with textures and sheen is nicely controlled. The visual impression is definitely upscale. Titanium models feature unique charcoal leather with grey Alcantara suede inserts.  The impression of comfort and luxury is reinforced by large door openings and excellent entry and egress for all three seat rows. Seats are chair height, which means you slide across as opposed to jumping up or squatting down to sit, making it easy for even the less limber among us.  Audio quality through the system developed by Sony is excellent.  The in-dash screen functions and display look spectacular. The colors, the graphics, the sheer range of capabilities never fail to impress.  The deep-tint Vista Roof appears to be a single moonroof over the front-row seats combined with a huge glass panel over the second and third-row seats. 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.

Exterior Features of the '12 Ford Flex

The hood and roof are long and flat, the windshield stands tall and proud, corners are squared-off, side body panels are vertical, side glass is nearly vertical, and the tailgate could be plotted with a T-square. The overall box shape suggests interior room and maximum space utilization. Many would also find the shape honest, simple and elegant.  Front bumper foglights are encased in highly reflective jeweled surrounds. Big, bright 19-inch polished alloy wheels on the Limited,  large chrome door handles, bright window surrounds, and a shiny band running across the tailgate that repeats the front grille theme. 

Model Lineup

Ford Flex SE comes standard with cloth seating surfaces, single-zone air conditioning, seven-passenger capacity (2-3-2 seating), six-way power driver seat, manual tilt steering wheel with 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, 235/60R17 BSW tires, and alloy wheels.

Flex SEL adds bright exterior trim, 18-inch machined alloy wheels, dual-zone A/C, Sony AM/FM/six-CD/MP3, heated first-row seats, 10-way power driver seat, six-way power passenger seat, universal garage door opener and interior woodgrain trim. The Flex SEL AWD  adds all-wheel drive. The SEL Convenience Package 201A adds 110-volt power inverter, power adjustable pedals with memory, power liftgate, memory driver's seat and side mirrors, door-mirror mount puddle lamps, and heated mirrors. Convenience Package 202A includes everything in package 201A, plus leather seating in the first and second rows and a Sony premium 12-speaker sound system.  It offers Convenience Package 203A which bundles the contents of 202A with 20-inch wheels.

Flex Limited 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, Microsoft SYNC system, Sony AM/FM/6CD audio with 12 speakers, Sirius satellite radio with six-month subscription, DVD entertainment system, and navigation. The Flex Limited AWD adds all-wheel drive. The Limited AWD with the EcoBoost engine adds, along with the twin-turbocharged engine, dual exhaust, SelectShift automatic transmission with paddle-shifting, and electronic power steering.

The Flex Titanium adds a distinctive beltline molding; black chrome grille and liftgate trim; darkened headlight bezels; black roof, mirror caps, and foglight nacelles; charcoal-colored leather-and-suede seating, and 20-inch wheels with P255/45R20 tires. The Titanium AWD adds all-wheel drive. And again, the Titanium EcoBoost AWD adds, along with the twin-turbocharged engine, dual exhaust, SelectShift automatic transmission with paddle-shifting, and electronic power steering.

Conclusions

The Ford Flex is a large, stylish and capable crossover vehicle that can carry six or seven passengers and a fair amount of cargo in luxury and comfort. It is easy to access, easy to use, easy to drive over short and long distances, and comfortable for everyone. The exterior design is distinctive and memorable. The interior is filled with clever details and surprise-and-delight features. High-tech touches abound. For families who need a large vehicle, the Ford Flex offers everything you would want in the way of a satisfying and rewarding vehicle to own and drive.  If you want a new car, click here to learn about the new 2012 Ford Flex.

Some of the information for this review was obtained through newcartestdrive.com