Product Review: 2011 Ford Flex

While on vacation in Southern California, we were excited to rent a shiny, spanking new, bright red Chevrolet Traverse. It would be an adventure and an important test for this happy Ford Motor Company family. After all, the Ford Taurus and Ford Windstar would need to be replaced soon. We weren't sure what direction we should take. Ford is always our top choice. We also like the new Hybrids coming off the assembly line in Detroit. But, before taking the new car plunge, it might be good to scout new vehicles like the Traverse. Even if it meant looking at other manufacturers.

As luck would have it, our Chevy barely made it out of San Diego. As a result, we had to limp it back to Hertz Rental Car. So much for the grand experiment. While we had our pick of vehicles at that point, few were American made so we ended up driving a 2011 Ford Flex crossover to Hermosa Beach. It really came down to the last vehicle on the lot that matched our preferred vehicle size and class.

Nothing could have prepared us for the 2011 Ford Flex that pulled up. It seemed like such an odd-looking car, a weird combination of styling, like a cross between a tricked-out hearse and a classic Woody Station Wagon you would find in some Frankie Avalon movie. I wasn't sure if this was the car for us. How on earth could we pull up to this cool beach town in this questionable rig? Reluctantly, we accepted the keys and off we went.

Turns out the 2011 Ford Flex was an awesome vehicle. It was everything we wanted in a cruising machine for our California vacation. I particularly liked its roomy cabin and elegant leather interior. It was comfortable beyond belief. And, this new car had all the bells and whistles you look for these days, like adjustable seats and headrests, Sirius Satellite Radio, mood lighting, and so much more. It had a smooth ride and a powerful engine that could handle anything, including the winding coastal roads and super charged freeways you only find in California.

My Ford Windstar is not going to last forever. So, I've already decided that the Ford Flex is at the top of my new car buying list. I'm still not crazy about the exterior. And, it's a little big, but so is my Windstar. But, its superb performance and elegant interior styling definitely captured my imagination. I really, really like this car. Plus, what else could I drive given the assorted driving demands of my teenager and growing teen posse? In the end, I believe that the Ford Flex may just be the thing that gets us through adolescence in grand style and comfort.

Details on 2011 Ford Flex
Vehicle Price: From $29,000
Fuel Economy: 17 City/24 Highway
Vehicle Class: Full sized, crossover
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Engine: 3.5 L Duratec V6 or 3.5 L EcoBoost V6
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 117.9 in (299 cm)
Length: 201.8 in (513 cm)*
Width: 80.1 in (203 cm)
Height: 68 in (170 cm)
*According to my dealer, only 3 inches longer than the Ford Windstar Van

RESOURCES

Official Ford Site
www.ford.com

Ford Flex Net
www.fordflex.net