2013 Ford Flex proves flexible
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When the Flex first broke on to the scene in 2008, I recall sitting at the press junket in Santa Monica and thinking to myself that although the vehicle may have made all the sense in the world, I just couldn't come to terms with the name. Billed (at least to me) at the time as a tip of the hat to the Flex's masculine, boxy proportions, it seemed a tenuous link at best, and always seemed a little awkward. And by a little awkward, I mean stupid. But, after just four years, it's finally hit home: it's called the Flex because that's what it is, flexible!
Not that it isn't still masculine and boxy. On the contrary; having been treated to a fresh restyling of its cubic proportions, the Flex has emerged looking even more aggressive than it already did. With the era of Ford's line-wide three row grill edict having officially come to an end, the Flex now bears a single faux aluminium strip across its grille that's been artfully worked into the headlights, and looks far better for it. Additionally, the bumper cover has been filled in completely and now stretches uninterrupted from grille to lower valance, which itself has been restyled for a lower-key, but more luxurious look. With the incredibly well designed headlight elements and the overall toning down of the front end's finishes, the overall product looks dramatically more upmarket than it ever has before, and exudes a bit more class than the surf-wagon styling of its predecessor ever allowed.
Inside, the revisions continue to consist of small changes that dramatically alter the overall attitude of the vehicle. While the dashboard retains the same simple profile as it had previously, the centre stack has been replaced with the same slick capacitive touch interface that one would find in the Taurus. Likewise, the gauge package, still housed in the same binnacle as before, now consists of the familiar Ford standard-issue central speedometer flanked by interactive LCD screens... just as in the Taurus. And finally, sitting front and centre for the driver's enjoyment sits, you guessed it, the steering wheel from the Taurus.
Of course, all that makes sense, as beneath the Flex's angular and slab-sided bodywork you will actually find the same underpinnings as found beneath the Taurus' flowing lines. However, by trading the Taurus' graceful lines for the Flex's vertical ones, the Flex finds itself making much better use of the same footprint. While the platform's unique rear suspension setup merely ensures the Taurus remains sure-footed and possesses a wide trunk, the Flex gets to exploit the outboard shock mounts by plopping in a wonderfully spacious third row between them. Add in the stadium style seating that gets higher as you progress rearward, and the interesting sunroof layout, and you end up with the most comfortable cabin that six people are going to find this side of a limousine. And should you need to replace one of those bodies with some lumber or home appliances, the power folding third and second rows ensure there's plenty of cargo space too.
And although its ability to haul appliances may not be without equal, its ability to do so without feeling like one is. Thanks to a low centre of gravity and that aforementioned unique suspension layout, the Flex is actually capable of obtaining lateral acceleration figures in line with BMW's 335i; an impressive feat to say the least. Equipped with the EcoBoost V6 and the optional all-wheel drive system, it's a properly sporting ride that, although not benefitting from its Lincoln sibling's active suspension, still does an excellent job of engaging the driver and providing some excitement. Carting around just over 100 pounds less than its upscale cousin, the Flex feels sportier and more lithe, responding to inputs just a hair faster than the Lincoln product. And it's not like it's a whole lot less luxurious, either. In fact, if you ignore the Lincoln's richer interior textures and materials, it really comes down to an argument of six of one or half a dozen of the other: the Lincoln might ride slightly smoother in Comfort mode and slightly harder in Sport, but the Flex manages to split the difference in a near perfect compromise between the two.
But if I'm honest, although every journalist (myself included) would love to portray themselves as brash, red-blooded driving enthusiasts, the Flex's on-road manners have not been what's catalyzed me to suggest it to more than a few folks looking for their next car. Sure, they've certainly entered into the conversation as yet another upshot of Flex ownership, but it has really been the big crossover's ridiculously practical nature that's earned it a spot on my own personal list of recommended vehicles. Be it for a quick kayaking trip with friends, the weekly trip to the soccer field, or a run to the hardware store, it's capable of handling pretty much anything you would ever want to throw at it, and it does it all without compromising even an inch in the faculties of style, pace, or fuel consumption. Just consider this: are there any other vehicles on the market that can claim capable of accomplishing so much, but that you wouldn't feel like a knob picking up your boss from the airport in? No. And that's what makes this one so damned flexible.
