- crossover 92,033
- 387 below average
- 9,888 fair
- Marlin, TX
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- autoshopper.com
- 387 below average crossover 92,033 gasoline red automatic
2009 ford flex review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Under the skin, and in all functional aspects, flex is identical to taurus x. This makes it a passenger car, as opposed to body-on-frame truck, and gives it the basic stance and driving characteristics of a conventional car. three-row seating makes flex larger and roomier than escape or edge. Its passenger-car platform makes it lower and more carlike than explorer or expedition. Those choosing flex do so for a variety of reasons: they need something roomier than escape or edge. They don't either want or need the higher seating positions and trailer towing capabilities of explorer or expedition. They want something more distinctive and stylish than taurus x. The tradeoffs are flex being larger and thirstier than escape or edge, less rugged than explorer or expedition, and marginally more expensive than taurus x. a generation or two ago, flex would have been called a station wagon. Those with longer memories might think of it as a modern version of ford's venerable wood-sided country squire, with taurus x being a slightly lower-level country sedan. In official releases, ford is careful to refer to flex as a crossover, which at this stage could mean just about anything. In an interesting attempt to set things straight, ford design chief j mays recently went ahead and called flex a station wagon, which surely sent pr personnel scurrying but went a long way toward clearing the air. Call it a station wagon, for that's physically and functionally what it is. the most direct competitors for the flex are the chevy traverse, saturn outlook, gmc arcadia, and buick enclave (all built on gm's lambda platform), plus the honda pilot and toyota highlander. These competitors are quite different from the flex in a variety of ways, so it's a good idea to shop them all to understand what each has to offer. projecting ahead, it's reasonable to assume flex's ultimate success in the marketplace will depend less on the vehicle and its merits than the future price of fuel. Flex is a large and spacious vehicle that most would casually look at and assume to be pretty thirsty. Appearances aside, let's review at the numbers. on recommended 87-octane regular unleaded gasoline, official epa city/highway ratings for a front-wheel drive flex are 17/24 mpg. An all-wheel-drive flex comes in at 16/22 mpg. In a combination of city and highway driving, and driven as a station wagon might normally be driven, we observed averages in the 20-23 mpg range. All this suggests that due to an advanced engine management system, sophisticated six-speed automatic transmission and comparatively tall gearing, flex is more fuel-efficient than its size and mass might suggest. If yes, flex represents a stylish, elegant, comfortable and versatile choice. the 2009 ford flex comes in three trim levels. All come with a 262-horsepower, 3. 5-liter v6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Flex sel awd 33,920) adds all-wheel drive. The sel convenience package 985) adds 110-volt power inverter, power adjustable pedals with memory, power liftgate, memory driver seat and side mirrors, door-mirror mount puddle lamps. flex limited 34,705) adds hid headlamps, power multi-function door mirrors with puddle illumination, power-opening liftgate, p235/55r19 bsw tires, 19-inch polished alloy wheels, 110-volt power outlet, power-adjustable pedals with memory, ambient lighting, second-row footrests, perforated leather seating surfaces (for first and second rows), first-row memory seats and microsoft sync system. Flex limited awd 36,555) adds all-wheel drive. A wiper-activated automatic headlamp on-off switch and a tire pressure monitoring system come standard. Active safety features include anti-lock brakes (abs), advance trac electronic traction control, rsc roll stability control, yaw control, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution (ebd). Adjustable pedals come on the limited model to help short and tall drivers achieve the ideal driving position. All-wheel drive is available for the sel and limited for improved safety in adverse weather. The rearview camera that comes with the limited navigation system greatly enhances safety for its ability to help the driver spot children and adults behind the vehicle when backing up. walkaroundthe ford flex looks boxy. Make that boxy in an attention-getting and stylish sort of way, but boxy nonetheless. The hood is long and flat. The windshield stands tall and proud. Corners are squared-off. Side body panels are vertical; side glass is nearly vertical. The tailgate could be plotted with a t-square. The overall box shape suggests interior room and maximum space utilization. Many would also find the shape honest, simple and elegant. in industry terms, flex is called a two-box vehicle, which is to say one box (the body and greenhouse of the vehicle) grafted onto another box (the hood, front fenders and grille). Think the basic proportions of a shoebox with a notch cut out for the windshield and hood. This notch makes flex look like an upscale station wagon or suv, as opposed to what the market considers a less desirable and lower-image one-box minivan. people seeing flex for the first time generally agree it has presence and a variety of upscale cues. Those who find it attractive are reminded of mini clubman and toyota fj cruiser, both sharing basic flex proportions and even color-contrasting roofs. Think of flex as a big mini clubman. Make that a really big mini clubman! There's design everywhere, both in the overall look of the vehicle and in the details. A fair amount of brightwort, just short of bling, sets flex apart and communicates upscale intentions. A signature three-bar ford grille in a muted silver finish extends across the front. Front bumper foglights are encased in highly reflective jeweled surrounds. Door mirror housings are not only chromed, but the caps have little tab-like crenellations that sparkle in sunlight. These not only visually lengthen the vehicle and break up mass along the sides, but likely also strengthen the panels and reduce oilcanning noise within the doors. Sure, such detailing is a little finicky and over the top, but flex would look a lot heavier if the indents weren't there. Another flex signature is the optional two-tone roof in either warm white or silver. height is an important design element. Flex is taller than most station wagons, but significantly lower than such traditional suvs as explorer and expedition. Unlike traditional suvs, t.
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