Turns out our 2009 Ford Flex is well suited to those who aren't so flexible. Dad still gets around pretty well, but he appreciates the Flex on two counts:
The seat height is neither too low nor too high. No gymnastics are required on the mount or the dismount.
The door sill is much narrower than it looks when the door is closed, thanks to a very narrow rocker. He can get into position to sit down while keeping his outside foot planted firmly on the ground.
All of the above applies equally to the front and rear seats.
His one complaint? The grab handle is over the top of the door, where it doesn't do him much good for ingress or egress. He'd prefer the A-pillar location to help him hoist himself in or out. Most Ford trucks and SUVs have A-pillar assist handles, but not the Flex.
Overall, however, Dad finds the 2009 Ford Flex easy to get in and out of.
Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing @ 14,067 miles
firstwagon says:
05:56 PM, 12/30/08
"The seat height is neither too low nor too high. No gymnastics are required on the mount or the dismount.
"
That's why my folks continued to drive minivans for 20 years after the 4 kids left home.
They get the same mileage as large sedans, have vastly more room for dogs, gardening supplies and grandkids and are easy to get in and out of. No climbing up from a low car and no climbing down from a tall truck.
Perfect vehicle.
The Flex is just a minivan without the handy sliding doors.
ahightower says:
06:33 PM, 12/30/08
The (Osteo Bi-)Flex?
Agree with firstwagon. This seems like a pretty nifty CUV, but I still don't see why I would choose something less rugged than an SUV and yet less practical than a minivan. It compromises on both ends, all in the name of what, style? As if anybody else on the road cares what I drive. Tint the windows and accept your fate, parents.
billt9 says:
06:41 PM, 12/30/08
The Ford Taurus/MKS also are exceptionally high "sedans". Good tall seating position.
More brands should make "sedans" of the Taurus/MKS's proportion to provide the same benefit.
billt9 says:
06:45 PM, 12/30/08
ahightower,
well why do people decorate their house, or choose their clothes? You are the archnemesis of coupe buyers.
You want something pretty to look at for yourself.
I don't want to stare at an Uplander when I wake up in the morning. That's depressing.
lime679 says:
07:41 PM, 12/30/08
Am I the only one bothered by the fact that the Flex's passenger seat is only partially power?
I mean I don't have to have power seats but if some of the seat is power, I would like all of it to be. If it's manual, fine have it all manual.
firstwagon says:
07:56 PM, 12/30/08
"You want something pretty to look at for yourself."
A Flex? Pretty?
"I don't want to stare at an Uplander when I wake up in the morning. That's depressing."
Looking out a hearse in the driveway is more depressing.
I agree the Uplander is ugly but you had to go to the uglyest (sp?) of the minivans to try to make your point.
The Odyssey, Quest and even the Sienna and Caravan are better looking then the Flex (IMHO).... and more practical.
billt9 says:
08:06 PM, 12/30/08
I agree the Odyssey is a much better choice than the Flex, especially with the Odyssey's luxuriously scrumptious leather interior.
The Quest is also better looking, if only its rear windows would roll down.
But these would be more anti-domestic comments, and we're trying to cut down on those. =D
roadburner says:
08:33 PM, 12/30/08
In my opinion Ford is the only domestic manufacturer that deserves to survive. With the exception of the putrid Focus every one of their products is competitive in its segment. They are attractive, well designed, and appear to be reliable as well.
actualsize says:
09:31 PM, 12/30/08
I should point out that Dad currently owns a 2002 Odyssey, and he finds the Flex easier to get in and out of. Said rocker width is wider in his Honda, and I can't imagine that the new one is any better in this regard.
His also prefers the way that the Flex rides (less coarse) and handles (less apparent body roll) on the tortured asphalt found around here. And there is a marked decrease in road noise with the Flex, too.
Despite looking longer, the Flex fits better in his garage. It is one inch shorter (less long) and about two inches shorter (less high) than his Odyssey.
He very much likes the fact the the Flex can be had with AWD--a huge plus around here. Among minivans, only the Sienna offers AWD, and to get it you have to be willing to accept run-flat tires. Dad's opposed to RFT's becuase his other car is a Mini Cooper S. He's about to ditch the RFT's on that car because the ultra-stiff ride they produce is nearly unbearable on Carpenterville Road.
While he's very interested in the Flex, he is hesitant to fully endorse it because of first-year reliability doubts. He figures his Honda has another year or two left in it, by which time the reliability question will have sorted itself out.
ahightower says:
06:23 AM, 12/31/08
I get it, different strokes for different folks. Every car is perfect for someone, somewhere. I'm all about more choice for the consumers. But this thing is targeted primarily at families, and for them (me), it seems like too much of a compromise.
ahightower says:
06:29 AM, 12/31/08
I will say that the sills being both very narrow and kept clean by the doors is cool. I've been ticked about getting my pants dirty lately, and I live in Texas. I feel sorry for y'all that have actual winter weather and crud all over your cars for four straight months and it's too cold to wash it off.
Throw some power sliding doors on this Flex and it would be really neat. ;)
felonious says:
08:35 AM, 12/31/08
The Flex is looking better and better with every post. But that 20 mpg highway...! :(
brn says:
08:59 AM, 12/31/08
"The Flex is looking better and better with every post. But that 20 mpg highway...! :("
I'm not sure where you're getting 20. 24 for FWD, 22 for AWD.
felonious says:
11:09 AM, 12/31/08
Hmm you're right, thanks for clearing that up for me! Maybe I misread a combined figure?
bimmerdriver41 says:
01:56 PM, 12/31/08
Does the flex limited really only hasve a half-power passenger seat, thats what it looks like too me
billt9 says:
02:08 PM, 12/31/08
Nonluxury brands get more power for the driver and less power for the passenger. They're all like that.
Top trims:
The Odyssey is 8-way driver, 4-way passenger.
The Sienna is 8-way driver, 4-way passenger.
The Traverse is 8-way driver, 4-way passenger.
The Enclave is 8-way driver, 4-way passenger.
The CX-9 is 10-way driver, 4-way passenger.
The Sequoia is 10-way driver, 4-way passenger.
The Flex is 10-way driver, 6-way passenger.
The X5 is 10-way driver and 10-way passenger.
So there the Flex is top of the pack in the nonluxury market. 10-way driver! OMG!
bimmerdriver41 says:
02:11 PM, 12/31/08
oh thanks for the info, i had no idea really
firstwagon says:
02:41 PM, 12/31/08
"Hmm you're right, thanks for clearing that up for me! Maybe I misread a combined figure?
"
In the last update I saw for the flex, the average was 20 mpg. Maybe that was what you saw.
MS3lvr92 says:
03:53 PM, 01/ 1/09
Nonluxury brands get more power for the driver and less power for the passenger. They're all like that.
Top trims:
The Odyssey is 8-way driver, 4-way passenger.
The Sienna is 8-way driver, 4-way passenger.
The Traverse is 8-way driver, 4-way passenger.
The Enclave is 8-way driver, 4-way passenger.
The CX-9 is 10-way driver, 4-way passenger.
The Sequoia is 10-way driver, 4-way passenger.
The Flex is 10-way driver, 6-way passenger.
The X5 is 10-way driver and 10-way passenger.
-That must have taken a while to come up with. Did you research that on Edmunds? Or just knew it in your head.
MS3lvr92 says:
03:54 PM, 01/ 1/09
Also, in nonluxo brands the driver's seat is usually height adjustable wheras the passengers is not.
billt9 says:
08:14 PM, 01/ 1/09
MS3lvr92,
curiousity will kill the blog reader.
It's really fast once you do it a couple times.
Go:
www.hondacars.com->odyssey->spec->interior->seating
www.toyota.com->Sienna->spec->interior->seating
www.chevrolet.com->Traverse->spec
www.buick.com->Enclave->spec->interior->seating
www.mazdausa.com->CX-9->spec->interior->seating
www.fordvehicles.com->Flex->spec->interior->seating
www.bmwusa.com->X5->spec->interior->seating
Like that. No more than 3 minutes. Try it. Really. I'm not a freak.
MS3lvr92 says:
05:39 PM, 01/ 3/09
Haha I'm not calling you a freat billt9. Well, if you are, I am because I research all types of random crap on car sites when I'm bored.