This is what you see when you look over your shoulder in the 2009 Ford Flex. With the third row lowered, you have an amazing amount of glass space (it's not that different with the seat raised). As such, there's really no excuse for errantly backing into things -- especially with the rearview camera. The Flex's boxy shape might provide its trademark look, but its subsequent interior space and visibility advantages add to this family vehicle's overall practicality.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor
wobbly_ears says:
02:27 PM, 03/20/09
What do you expect? Flex is shaped exactly like a your local city bus. (Probably rides like it too)
desmolicious says:
03:52 PM, 03/20/09
This morning I saw a metallic light blue with white roof. I was surprised. I thought it looked really good.
arumage says:
04:27 PM, 03/20/09
Actually, the Flex is a wonderful ride. Much tighter than my Freestyle without sacrificing any comfort. The polarizing styling isn't for everyone (especially in all white... not good), but this blacked out model looks great. If the Ecoboost model can get or exceed 25mpg on the highway, I can't see much wrong with it at all.
adavis2493 says:
05:09 PM, 03/20/09
I was just on a vacation in Colorado and I got one of these as a rental car. It was brand new and in red. Since it was the base model, it was not very attractive, and has that whole rental car looks, but visibility was amazing. I just wonder why they don't sell more of them.
DCuerpoJr says:
05:16 PM, 03/20/09
I think the Flex is a great cross-over SUV. However, I don't need a vehicle that large since. I'm interested in the Ford Edge but the rear visibility is a problem along with the weak brakes. If I end up buying the Edge I'll definitely upgrade the brakes though I'll probably have to take out the middle head rest on the second row to improve visibility.
Also wish the Edge SEL Limited had the fit and finish of the Flex.
stovt001 says:
04:22 PM, 03/21/09
In my opinion, this highlights one of the few faults of the GM Lamba (what are they up to, Octuplets by now?) vehicles: limited visibility out the back. That's certainly something you want in a family vehicle, especially since you're likely to be backing out of spaces at home, schools, parks, etc, where there are bound to be tons of kids running around and other soccer moms in gargantuan SUVs back up.
perrin75 says:
09:23 AM, 03/23/09
My wife and I were trying to decide between the edge and the flex. After test driving them, we actually thought the Flex felt like the smaller of the two. If you put them side by side, there really isn't that much difference in their length, and the Flex just seems to have more car like qualities. We purchased ours about three weeks ago and we have been very happy with it. We might even look at getting a second one in a couple of years if the ecoboost provides the fuel savings that are expected.
Also, on a side note, this is the first Ford I have ever owned, and I'm not certain if I would have even considered it if it wasn't for all of the positive reviews I read on edmunds.