Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
We really like our long-term 2008 Ford Flex, but it has never had much going on in the acceleration department. For 2010, the long-awaited Ford EcoBoost V6 is an option for the Flex. And it's no understatement to say it makes a world of difference.
With this twin-turbocharged and direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 under its hood, the Flex shaves 2 full seconds off its quarter-mile time and has a 9-mph quicker trap speed. That's nothing short of amazing for a big, heavy, six-passenger crossover.
Full track test results for the 2010 Ford Flex SEL with EcoBoost after the jump, followed by track numbers for our long-term Flex, so you can compare the two.
Vehicle: 2010 Ford Flex SEL AWD w/ EcoBoost V6
Date: 9/15/09
Driver: Josh Jacquot
Price: $40,335
Specifications:
Drive Type: All-wheel-drive
Transmission Type: 6-speed automatic
Engine Type: Twin-turbocharged, direct-injected, 60-degree V6
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 3,496/213
Redline (rpm): 6,250
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 355 @ 5,700 rpm
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 350 ft.-lb. @1,500 to 5,250 rpm
Brake Type (front): Ventilated disc with 2-piston sliding caliper
Brake Type (rear): Solid disc with single-piston sliding caliper
Steering System: Electric-assist power rack-and-pinion
Suspension Type (front): Independent MacPherson strut, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Suspension Type (rear): Independent multilink, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Tire Size (front): P255/45R20 101V
Tire Size (rear): P255/45R20 101V
Tire Brand: Goodyear
Tire Model: Eagle RS-A
Tire Type: All-season
Wheel Size: 20-by-8.5-inches
Wheel Material (front/rear): Aluminum
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 4,819
Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.4 (2.6 traction control on)
0 - 45 (sec): 4.1 (4.2 traction control on)
0 - 60 (sec): 6.4 (6.6 traction control on)
0 - 75 (sec): 9.4 (9.6 traction control on)
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 14.6 @ 95.0 (14.7 @ 95.1 traction control on)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 6.1 (6.2 traction control on)
30 - 0 (ft): 31
60 - 0 (ft): 128
Braking Rating: Average
Slalom (mph): 60.6 (traction control off; stability control not defeatable)
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.76 (traction control off; stability control not defeatable)
Handling Rating: Average
Db @ Idle: 40.0
Db @ Full Throttle: 73.1
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 62.5 (engine rpm: 1,900)
Acceleration Comments: Interestingly, the Flex's brakes don't have the power to hold back all of the engine's yank. Forget about a really good brake torque launch. Also, the paddle shifters don't bring any speed or accuracy to shifts; best run was in "D."
Braking Comments: Pedal went from soft to squishy in only a few runs. Overall, not a good sign for a long mountain-road descent in a Flex.
Handling Comments: Skidpad: Aggressive stability control means skidpad is a matter of wooding the throttle and steering -- nothing more. Slalom: Non-defeatable stability control forces smooth transitions or punishes severely. Maintain a consistent throttle position and go easily on the wheel, and it intervenes only rarely.
Now let's compare those numbers to Inside Line's long-term, front-wheel-drive 2008 Ford Flex Limited with its 262-hp, normally-aspirated, 3.5-liter V6. Our long-termer weighs 4,681 pounds and wears P235/55R19 101H Hankook Optimo H725 all-season tires. This test was conducted on August 20, 2008, with 1,381 miles on the odometer. Chief Road Test Editor Chris Walton was the driver.
Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 3.3
0 - 45 (sec): 5.6
0 - 60 (sec): 8.9
0 - 75 (sec): 13.0
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 16.5 @ 85.9
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 8.5
30 - 0 (ft): 33
60 - 0 (ft): 129
Braking Rating: Average
Slalom (mph): 57.1
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.74
Handling Rating: Average
Db @ Idle: 43.8
Db @ Full Throttle: 72.8
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 65.8
Acceleration Comments: Not much technique involved here: mash 'n go. Engine has little personality to judge good/bad. Upshifts occur at 6,000 rpm, which we'll assume is redline (none is painted on the tach).
Braking Comments: Long-travel pedal doesn't inspire confidence, but the stopping distances do. Solid stops are all in the 130-foot range. Fade only crept in after 4 quarter-mile runs.
Handling Comments: Skidpad: Non-defeatable stability control sets the skidpad limit. Steering effort and build-up are appropriate and intuitive. With traction control turned off, however, I managed to spin the inside front tire a few times. Slalom: Again, ESP is the limiting factor, so a "less is more" technique worked best.
notabigdeal says:
08:30 PM, 09/22/09
Well, it is the fastest SUV in its price range. What you said about the brakes will deterr me from ever getting one though.I've had my brakes give out once and I can tell you I heard Jesus coming for me.
brn says:
08:50 PM, 09/22/09
That thing has some scoot.
slickersdrip says:
08:59 PM, 09/22/09
Compared to the Taurus SHO and G8, I'm a little disappointed. I figured it'd be slower than the SHO, but not by that much. My mom's Trailblazer SS for less money would blow that thing's doors off.
inlinesix says:
09:51 PM, 09/22/09
I like the way Ford is headed with its engines. Not a fan of a $40,000 utility vehicle even with some punch.
cz75 says:
10:23 PM, 09/22/09
I'm sure better pads and fluid would do a world of good for the brakes. I wonder if these are the same dimensions as on the Taurus and if Ford equips the Flex with their heavy-duty pads such as are available for the SHO?
cumadogg says:
10:35 PM, 09/22/09
slickersdrip....did you really just compare the time of a 6 (or 7) passenger Flex to a G8 and SHO? You realize there are vehicle classes, right? I'm sure my neighbors modded WRX will blow the doors off your moms SS and it cost less too, but they're DIFFERENT cars!
cz75 says:
10:37 PM, 09/22/09
I checked and the Flex has the exact same brake dimensions has the Taurus SHO, assuming the EcoBoost version gets no upgrade in rotor size. There will have to be better pads out there or coming out soon.
empowah says:
11:06 PM, 09/22/09
Other cool things about the EcoBoost Flex - the engine rev-matches on downshifts, and the EPS gradually increases assist level for road crowns .
greenpony says:
11:43 PM, 09/22/09
I'm not sure brake fade after three or four repeated stops from 60 mph (or 90-ish for the 1/4 mile runs) is a deal breaker. That just tells me it's not a vehicle for overly aggressive drivers, which is apparent by the TYPE of vehicle it is. I've never encountered a real world situation that required me to brake like so.
wrinklebump says:
06:34 AM, 09/23/09
I'd say for shuttling the angle biters to scout camp it's a pretty sufficient vehicle. Remind yourselves that even with the upgraded engine the Flex's core mission is comfort
ptcdawg says:
06:48 AM, 09/23/09
Any milage figures?
slickersdrip says:
07:09 AM, 09/23/09
Whoops, I accidentally read the times for the regular Flex, not the Ecoboost one. Apologies.
cumadog, I'd bet my mom's supercharged, tuned SS with a full true dual exhaust would wipe the floor with your neighbor's WRX.
flnchm5 says:
07:37 AM, 09/23/09
14.6's isn't bad for an almost 5000 pound tank. Even the standard 3.5's numbers aren't bad for what it is.
All this thing needs is some wood siding and a Country Squire badge and I'm SOLD!! lol!
fuhteng says:
07:54 AM, 09/23/09
It is faster than my brother-in-law's 2006 Civic Si! I love it. Sweet.
actualsize says:
08:11 AM, 09/23/09
I wouldn't worry about the brakes in a long descent, because you shouldn't be riding your brakes on such downgrades, anyway.
Besides, the Grade Assist (GA) feature that I finally learned to love on my last road trip in our 2009 Flex is still here, even though the button is not.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2009/08/2009-ford-flex-road-trip-stage-6-reno-to-mammoth-lakes.html#more
In the Ecoboost Flex you get to GA by sliding the gearshift from "D" to "M", taking care to keep your fingers away from the shift paddles. At this point GA is active an the ECU steps in as described in the above link to regulate the throttle and transmission to maintain downhill speed.
GA is disabled and you have full manual control as soon as you begin fiddling with the shift paddles.
golfer38 says:
08:49 AM, 09/23/09
Very impressive numbers indeed. Obviously, if slickersdrip is talking about his mom's ss, he's probably to young to know, but the standard WRX would be quicker than the SS (look it up online while you're doing your homework), but cumadog did say modded...Furthermore, if its an sti forgetaboutit...
charlesb says:
10:01 AM, 09/23/09
I agree with slickersdrip, because I compared the Ecoboost Flex's times with the acceleration times of the Murcielago and Tesla and it wasn't even close. Clearly Ford failed here.
slickersdrip says:
10:48 AM, 09/23/09
charles, learn to read a whole thread before acting like an ass. I already admitted my error in reading the article.
firstwagon says:
12:30 PM, 09/23/09
My big concerns is price and mileage. It's really getting up there in price and while I know the Ecoboost is supposed to be efficent, boost is boost.
More power comes from adding more air and matching it with more fuel. Not much you can do about that. It takes a lot of energy to move a boxy, heavy, powerful AWD truck/van/ wagon/ whatever around.
What's the real world mileage going to be if you don't have a really light foot?
bodyblue says:
12:57 PM, 09/23/09
I love the Flex...it looks cool, rides nice, is super dependable (hear that Nissan?)...it is just a great vehicle. But does anyone really need a 355hp crossover? I guess if you tow a trailer but I never have really needed to run a 14.6 1/4 mile on my way to the grocery store or while pulling a trailer on vacation......the standard engine seems fine to me.
jedienigma says:
01:51 PM, 09/23/09
You say refer to the model year of the long term vehicle as 2008 twice. Don't you mean 2009? There was no MY 2008 Flex. The long-term blog references the vehicle as 2009.
dyzio says:
03:52 PM, 09/23/09
I consider Flex Eco-Boost as a Cool car !
It looks good , is fast, and not such a gass-guzzler..!
Look at timesonline.co.uk how ignorant
Clarkson writes about this car....
dyzio says:
03:54 PM, 09/23/09
I consider Flex Eco-Boost as a Cool car !
It looks good , is fast, and not such a gass-guzzler..!
Look at timesonline.co.uk how ignorant
Clarkson writes about this car....,
firstwagon says:
04:20 PM, 09/23/09
Ignorant?
He had both good and bad things to say about the Flex and I think he was right on the mark on most of his comments.
BTW: How do you know it's not such a gas guzzler?
actualsize says:
06:15 PM, 09/23/09
We didn't have enough time in this car to come up with a true read on the actual fuel consumption.
But we do know that the 3.5L Duratec and 3.5L Ecoboost have identical EPA fuel economy ratings if you compare AWD Flex to AWD Flex EcoBoost: 16 city/22 highway/18 combined.
mj85 says:
11:11 PM, 09/24/09
Not bad for a bus. If I had an army of children to haul around I would definitely be taking a good hard look at buying one.
But the thing just can't stand up to a Veyron. I mean, really? 6.4 seconds to 60? My grandma's bored, stroked, balanced, super-turbo-ultra-charged Ariel Atom is so much faster. (Sorry slickersdrip, but this game is fun)
DLu says:
08:47 AM, 09/25/09
$40k? seriously?
gdmstrb says:
09:46 AM, 09/26/09
$40k? seriously?
What are you expecting something this large with this much feature content to go for?
erniesdad says:
10:09 AM, 09/28/09
Love the car, except for the name. "Ecoboost"? Another weenie greenie name, takes all the fun out of one killer 355 hp powerplant. Ford should have named it the "strip-mining-baby-harp-seal-killer-boost," or "We-make-gaia-cry-boost." Ecoboost makes me upchuck a little in the back of my throat--kind of like reading car-reviewers that juxtapose "fun" with "prius".