2009 Ford Flex Road Trip: Wrap-Up & Clean-Up

Dan,

All children are wonderful...even SPECIAL ones like yours!

How do we go about getting Kissel banned? I'll start the petition.

empowah - minivans are just as expensive as crossovers......I paid $32k for ours a few years ago and my brother just laid down $37k for the latest VW (aka rebadged Chrysler) minivan.....

Great overall review of the Flex. I can't imagine how the BMW would have worked for you on this trip. Good call on the vehicle selection.

The most expensive jap.suv.rovers.land.yahcts.esclades can't bet this vehicle from FORD!

+1 carguy. Most of the posts have been awful, but this is WAY below the belt.

Dan - thanks for taking us along on your trip. It is write-ups like these that got me interested in this site to begin with. Thanks again!

You can thank NHTSA for the new "farther forward" headrest design. All vehicles will be getting new headrests to prevent whiplash and most customers will not happy that their headrest will be so far forward. All in the name of safety. Soon we will be wearing helmets while driving.

tdzro,

That's not exactly true. The "farther forward" headrest is only necessary for those vehicles without active headrests. Here's a demo video from Nissan. Hyundai offers it on a few vehicles as well.

http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/TECHNOLOGY/INTRODUCTION/DETAILS/ACTIVE-HEADREST/

The Flex is so much more fully realized than the underwhelming Edge. If I had kids, this would be on my short list, for sure. In fact, it might be the only thing on the list.

That see flips pretty violently....

^^Seat***

Ford owns Volvo (as of now) they should just pluck some Volvo headrests off the assembly line.

@empowah: The rear suspension of our '03 Odyssey has always bugged me, too. The rear squats too easily and it gets all out of synch with the front when there's any real weight in the back, such as passengers in the third row. Who knew a minivan would be asked to do THAT?

Oh, and I'm about to install a third set of front brake pads (I'm including the ones that came on it when new in this total) at just under 60,000 miles. Weak.

kissel1 is a jerk. Go to hell.

Inside Line Editors, please ban kissel1.

The end of a vacation and the end of another great string of posts regarding the Flex.

This blog has been very helpful in showing how such a new model of vehicle works in the real world. Right now my wife and I are trying to find a replacement for our '03 Taurus that drowned in a flash flood event. Originally only Odyssey and Sienna were being considered. However after addressing my wife's concerns regarding ride comfort and storage capacity with this blog, the Flex is the forerunner. In fact I go by the dealer today to pick up the one I like for a test drive, and luggage test similar to the earlier luggage test posted.

I am curious about how much the staff will miss the Flex when it leaves the long term fleet.

I'm seeing more and more Flexi on the road here in the Atlanta area. They seem like a very good compromise vehicle for those who need the room.

Dan I've looked at a Flex (albeit for much less time than you) and agree with all of your comments. Interior design is the most objectionable to me. Why did Ford have to use fake wood and that horrible steering wheel? An Audi-ish or VW-ish interior would definitely make the Flex a complete package. Not surprising I had the same feeling about the new Tuarus interior. Though materials quality appears to be very good the overall design is decidedly "uncool", especially given the existence of the very cool class-leading SYNC.

I like the interior features of the Flex, but the exterior styling was enough to keep us from buying one. If we could get the interior of the the Flex, with a shell more like the Edge, we may have had a winner. Instead, we bought a Kia Sedona. (Not much better, I know, but far more 'normal' looking.)

Interesting comment and reader follow ups on the headrest issue. My wife, who likes to drive with the seatback nearly vertical has a terrible time with the front headrest in our Subaru. They hit the back of her head in such a way that it is forced forward and down. Terrible design compromise is the name of "safety".

The Fords in the IL fleet have been some of the most trouble free in recent memory.....in any price range. I really hope this translates into changing the "perception" that all cars made overseas are good and American cars are not. Ford is clearly the American leader....Mopar and GM are trailing but catching up......(lets hope the Ram performs well)

I agree with Dan & others comments about the interior design. The design is too retro for me, what with all the fake wood & chrome & the green gauges. It should have been modern & futuristic like European designs. The interior design looks too much like the 80s station wagon.

Posting from my phone, just finished a four-day rental of a Flex @ Alamo. I have been considering a purchase based on posts here. I loved the ride, handling, brakes, and of course the passenger space. Unfortunately, I've decided that it's just a tad too big for my family of three. Can anyone recommend something with similar characteristics, but smaller? I might have to get the big guy just to get that sweet Sync system though. Too bad the rental didn't have it.

@felonious

You might want to take a look at a Kia Rondo, Mazda 5 or a Hyundai Elantra Touring.

My co-worker just got a 5 and has been pushing me in that direction. Talk about ugly! :) We take lots of road trips, how is it for that?

I don't like the Edge nearly as much as the Flex. It should not be viewed as a smaller version of it, I think.

@ felonious: I'm mixed on the Mazda 5, but I can't say I've taken a long road trip in one. I do like the idea of sliding side doors when kids are small and need help getting into car seats, though. But the car seat stays in the middle row, so any extra adult passengers (grandparents, etc) end up in the third row. I don't remember the Mazda 5's third row as being adult sized, even for short trips. And I can't remember if the folding seat third-row access is blocked when a single car seat is bolted firmly in place. If applicable, look at your friend's 5 with these things in mind. Also, families of three tend to turn into families of four. (All of this assumes you have a budding family of three. Forget it if this is not the case.)

Dan,

I'd suggest buying this particular one when it's LT duties are done, but I'm guessing your love letters to the Flex has compromised your negotiating position :-)

Oh well. You were probably holding out for the telescoping wheel anyway.

@felonious:

You might take a look at the Hyundai Santa Fe. At 184" long, it's 18" shorter than a Flex, but it has a 3rd row that's good enough for short rides with adults, although it has nearly no cargo space with the 3rd row up.

I hope Ford brings over the S-Max. That would be ideal for me. It seems to bridge the gap between a full size minivan and a Mazda5, which is a little smallish for me.

If I had a family or needed a people hauler the Ford Flex would be among the top of my list.

So far I love the Flex but if there one thing I don't like beside the fake wood its the fact I can't get cloth seats in the limited. Beyond that it might make a decent alternative to the F350 diesel in the same price range.

Dan: Awesome wrap-up, thank you for the details. And I apologize for the thread-hijacking...

Felonious: I'm in exactly the same boat as you, I would like the Flex if I had a bigger family. But I don't, and so I'm considering the cars that Wobbly_ears mentioned, plus a few more:

* Mazda 5 -- most practical interior, but worst EPA mileage of cars I'm considering
* Kia Rondo -- eliminated from contention due to worse mileage than the Mazda
* Hyundai Elantra Touring -- Best mileage (non-diesel or hybrid), lowest price = best value, but weakest engine of cars I'm considering
* Chevy Equinox I4 (2010) -- 2nd best mileage (non-diesel or hybrid), best interior (IMO), but most expensive when equipped as I want it
* Chevy HHR -- Better mileage than Mazda, comfy ride over L.A.'s destroyed streets, but overpriced without incentives
* VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI -- 2nd best overall mileage, but small passenger volume & 2nd most expensive after tax credit...plus, that VW reliability "question mark"
* 2010 Toyota Prius II -- The dark horse. I really want the space of a wagon/crossover, but the 2010 Prius has the best mileage of all contenders, with fewer compromises than the previous model. And it's priced more reasonably than I thought (I'm looking at you, Escape Hybrid!).

Don't forget the Scion xB. The new one was large enough for our family for a 4-day road trip to Arizona. Decent power and room. It would work well if I had one small child.

http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2008/03/2008-scion-xb-arizona-rocks.html

Go to the "Past Vehicles" navi on the right to isolate the Scion, then you can scroll to the other blogs from this road trip.

@misterfusion & @Felonious

How about the Kia Soul? I haven't seen one in person but it seems large enough. Moreover, if I remember it correct, it has ESC, EBD & Traction Control standard. If I'm hauling kids, I would go for the safest one.

"How about the Kia Soul? I haven't seen one in person but it seems large enough. Moreover, if I remember it correct, it has ESC, EBD & Traction Control standard. If I'm hauling kids, I would go for the safest one."

I have a Kia Soul even though there is only one of me (ie no kids). IMO, the 'trunk' or 'hatch' space behind the rear seats is pretty small. I think you'd be hard pressed to get gear for a family of 4 in there, though it may be possible if everyone packs reasonably. The Soul has a lot of rear passenger space, and the compromise is the hatch area.

@Dougtheeng & Dan:

That is also my problem with the xB. Dan, I remember your posts about that trip, but I still can't figure out how you packed all that stuff into that car. The hatch area just seems too small for my needs -- or at least not worth the sacrifice in mileage, which is pretty bad for a car that size. (Also, I just don't think I could live with that dash design long-term.)

OTOH, the Soul is not quite as small as it seems. I saw one next to a BMW X3, and the Soul looked to be about the same size! Not that that's a major accomplishment, but I had assumed that the Soul would be closer to the xD in size -- but it's not at all.

Thanks everyone for the feedback! Keep it coming. :)

Misterfusion, the Jetta TDI wagon is also high on my list. The thing I don't like about it is that it's not much of a space improvement over my current S4 Avant. However, MPG improvement would be ginormous, and the payments would be a lot smaller. I'm not sure if I can live with the VW instrument cluster though, it REALLY bugs me. Shame, huh?

ur awesome - thanks for the video it really answered my question about the third row seat if a 6'3 guy can fit in here than thats allright

We had two Odysseys... a 99' and an '06... The 99 was a little rough around the edges... but it was still a fine car... we sold it to a landscaping company a couple years ago upon acquiring the 2006 car which we still have. I must say that is probably the best car we have ever owned. Im in Myrtle beach right now we drove down with it from NJ, the car was loaded down with lots of suitcases, my family and a bike rack with 3 bikes... and the car felt like it was just putzing around town. Plus the car's comfort factor all the way around is just great... and the car drives INCREDIBLY WELL... you guys with 2003 Odysseys would do well to trade up to a 2009.. its a great car.

I hear you Hondapilot2004, the current-generation Odyssey is nicer than mine, for sure.

But I'm a little turned-off by how much bigger it has become and my girls have grown to the point where they can open and close hinged doors by themselves with no trouble.

Now comes the Flex with it's minivan-style disappearing third seat (and the deep storage well that comes along with it), shorter height (and the better body roll feeling that comes with it), better-intergrated infotainment and a much cooler look. Advantage Flex, in my book.

Argh! Decisions, decisions... To add to my indecision, I get home to my Audi and am reminded of all it's good qualities - a true sport + utility vehicle. If the ride quality was my only issue, I'd get some good coilovers and be done. I'll have to think about that. My wife really wants to get rid of the big payment, though.

Hmm.. i do see your points for the flex as well actualsize... and yes i must admit the new Odyssey is huge compared to the 2004 Pilot we also have.. our car doesnt have the navi system so i cnt defend it against your infotainment comment. However i can say that the Odyssey does not roll very much and its very sure of its moves.. its a very well planted car... and i have read elsewhere that the Odyssey drives a lot better than the Flex.

felonious- what kind of Audi do you have?

Im 17... and the 2004 Pilot is my car... between the two cars i prefer the Pilot over the Odyssey... but i must give the Odyssey credit where it is due.. theyre both fine cars

Hondapilot2004, I have a 2005 S4 Avant. I figured everyone knew that by now, I feel like I mention it too often. :/

ooo nice... you should keep the car. im sorry Felonious im a new user forgive me for not knowing

I probably will keep it, at least until I'm not underwater anymore. The Flex keeps calling to me, though...

The Flex is the first (and so far only) box-on-wheels design that I have actually liked. I don't see the hearse comparison (Flex is so much better looking than those ugly Cadillacs), and I really like the styling of this vehicle.

Why does anybody have any doubt that this is a CUV?

Sliding doors have too negative a connotation to them (despite the obvious practical advantages) and would have been a total sales killer.

I LOVE the utility and convenience of sliding doors, especially when parked in a tight spot.

I just can't understand why a $40K vehicle would not have tilt-AND-telescoping steering wheel standard. Only sub-$10K vehicles have a legitimate excuse.

Manual control should be offered with all automatic transmissions, at least as an extra-cost option (if need be, to give it that premium vibe). It shouldn't cost more than $300 extra (if that!).

The only non-American automatics I have driven have been: a one or two generations old Mitsubishi Lancer (rental), a previous gen Accord V6 (test drive) and Volvo S40 (test drive). The Accord and Volvo automatics were never in the wrong gear. Accord's 5-speed auto had automatic grade logic control: didn't have to push any button. Didn't get to test this feature on the Volvo's 6-speed auto, but it was good too (the turbo engine spins at only 1900 rpm in 6th gear!).

The Lancer's unassuming auto was pretty decent.

All other auto-equipped cars I've driven have been rental cars and futhermore have been American models. All these automatics uniformly sucked (perhaps all of them were the older 4-speed ones).

I've never owned an automatic-equipped vehicle.