2009 Ford Flex: Maybe In Khaki

ford should get rid of the expedition, give the Flex some extra towing power, higher ground clearance, and low range gearing and make the Flex their fullsized SUV

It looks like a hearse? Because it's a station wagon? Because it certainly doesn't look like a Cadillac, past or present. Maybe it looks like an ambulance, too.

Yeah I think it is the design that fails it, which is a shame because I think it looks great...but the sorts of people who are looking for a utility/family vehicle like this are likely to get shocked by how it looks and run for the nearest beige box they can find, leaving this as a niche product.

Perhaps replacing the standard V6 with the 2.0T Ecoboost will help somewhat though, as you are correct that the fuel economy isn't exactly amazing.

I bet if the Edge was chopped sales of the Flex would pick up.

Maybe add an option for 2 20" sub-woofers would help reach the younger generations?

I blame the design, and the price somewhat too. I think its a little on the expensive side but my fingers remain crossed because I would really love a used one with low miles when I have a family :)

I think it's mainly the price ($52k+ for the one you'd want!) but it also reminds me of the 1st gen SRX so much. Amazing vehicle that just didn't sell. The SRX did everything right it's design was just a bit odd, many say ugly, and the price was probably just too high for the market. If I was in the used market for a 3 row CUV it would have to be between the SRX and a Flex, it just would depend on how well the SRXs have held up over the years.

The Flex is pretty much the only vehicle in Ford's lineup that I'm interested in. The new Explorer looks promising, though.

Still, I think the hearse-look of the Flex is cool.

Sad that the Flex hasn't been more successful as I do think it looks great and really stands out in an auto market that is filled with generic looking vehicles especially in the family hauler class. Totally agree that that new Explorer is very promising and looks great!

The Wife and I have been shopping the Flex and Edge for her new car. For much cheaper than the Flex, you can get a nicely equipped Edge. It may not be as big, but for a family of four it's plenty; and it doesn't come with the polarizing appearance of the Flex.

The "poor selling" Flex blows away the entire Suzuki line in sales!....crazy how we see things.

BC1960, to be fair, it does look like a hearse, especially in black.

Personally I think it's a great looking vehicle and I would take an ecoboost+AWD Flex over an Expedition any day of the week.

2,204 per month is over 25,000 per year. Not bad, considering that the tooling is probably paid for by now. The only downside is the Flex is taking up prodution line space that could be used for a more popular vehicle.

To put things in a bit of perspective, the Subaru Tribeca is selling, in the US, at a rate of just over 100 per month-- and declining.

There is no question in my mind that the new Explorer will replace the Flex. Ford has too many similar SUVs. (This has been mentioned before.)

Bring in the new Ranger, including a crewcab.
Redesign the Escape from the ground up.
Get rid of the Flex.
Or, get rid of the Escape and offer a base, base model Edge.
Eliminate overlap, since all the above will be car-based.

I don't know what to say about the Expedition, except that it is a dinosaur that can hold a lot and tow a lot. It is in a diminishing market, but still appropriate for some buyers.

I'm okay with the death of the Flex. I got mine, and that'll only increase my resale value. :) (At least, that's what I think.)

I would buy a Flex. I think I'd buy a Flex over a GM Lamda thingy. I've spent about a week in a rental Flex (a Limited) and have absolutely loved it. Aside from a couple ergonomic issues (cruise control interface sucks as does the keyfob), I have enjoyed it. The power delivery, the fuel economy has been decent and the ride comfort, control have been better than I expected. I haven't spent any time in any of the GM's Traverses or Acadias but the Flex's utility is excellent. I even like the looks of it over the any of the bland same-o same-o that everyone else offers.

We've got about a week or so left before we have to turn the Flex back in, but I know I won't want to when the time comes. It'll be hard to go back to a sedan after having this thing around for a couple weeks.

@lowmileagedude: It's interesting that you were cross-shopping the Edge and Flex since I was just about to say (in reply to Hybris) that I didn't think that anyone did that.

My question would be, if you only have 2 kids and know that you don't need a huge amount of cargo capacity, why would you even bother to look at the Flex?

Conversely, if you know you will need to carry around lots of people and/or stuff regularly, why would you look at the Edge?

They seem to serve two very different markets with minimal overlap.

My mom is pissed!! I showed her this post shes half way to tears. "I love my Flex."

First, my research says that the max cargo volume is 83 versus 147 cu ft (Flex vs Ody), so why would you compare what a Flex can do with 1 row of seats up versus what a Ody can do with 2 rows of seats up?

Second, the Mazda CX-9 is more widely accepted (I am partial to Mazdas) as one of the best-handling SUV/Crossover things, with 17 cu ft more of max cargo volume, but is 1.6 inches shorter overall. This translates into less hiproom throughout (we Americans are not getting thinner!) as well. Its ridiculous length does not make parking any easier. Like bankerdanny said, we are Goldilocks and it sure aint just-the-right-size.

Finally, its styling will turn off a few more people. You can't sell cars if your polarizing styling may turn away potential buyers from even trying out your product, without an obvious price advantage.

I am not surprised that it's not selling well.