The
2012 Ford Flex is a rare breed. This crossover vehicle offers the space of a large SUV, but the style of a huge Mini Cooper. The Flex has three rows, with available seating for seven passengers. Not only is the Flex practical in terms of the size, but it also receives relatively good fuel economy at 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Ford says that no other three- row crossover offers the same combination of fuel economy, power and conveniences.
Powering the 2012 Ford Flex is a 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 262 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. If you're looking to "Flex" some muscle, Ford offers the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 that produces 355 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. The EcoBoost engine will be offered for the Limited and Titanium trims only.
The Flex received minor changes for 2012. These include roof rack side rails and the rear windshield wiper is now center-mounted. The Ford Flex is also the only vehicle in its class to offer a refrigerated console mounted between the second row's captain's chairs. The base price of the 2012 Flex is listed at $30,180. This crossover features numerous consumer friendly features that continue to make it competitive in the crossover market.
The Range
Body Style: Crossover
Engines: 3.5-liter, V-6; 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6
Transmissions: six-speed automatic
Models: SE, SEL, Limited, Titanium
What's New
The 2012 Ford Flex received minor changes. New for 2012 are roof rack side rails, EcoBoost engine available for the Limited and Titanium models, the rear windshield wiper is now center-mounted, and the second row bench on the Limited and Titanium now includes a center armrest with two cupholders. Also, Ford now offers five new colors for the 2012 Flex: Ginger Ale Metallic, Cinnamon Metallic, Black, Mineral Gray Metallic, and Dark Blue Pearl Metallic.
Exterior
The Ford Flex is a very versatile vehicle, a fact made clear just by looking at the exterior. This crossover is quite long at 201.8 inches, and also sits very low. The marquee vehicle in the Flex line is the Titanium model. Included with this model is a black, chrome finish grille, black roof, fog lamp bezels, and to top it all off, 20-inch polished aluminum wheels.
Interior
The interior of the 2012 Ford Flex is quite large, with a total interior volume of 175.8 cubic feet. The Flex features a third row of seating, with enough seats for seven passengers. Legroom in the third row is better than most of its seven-passenger competitors, but still tight at only 33.3 inches. Also offered is Ford's Sync technology, which offers Bluetooth connectivity as well as traffic information and directions.
Performance & Handling
The 2012 Ford Flex comes standard with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 262 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. This doesn't give the Flex much power, but fortunately for those looking for more, Ford has arrived with an answer; a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine that produces a whopping 355 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. This car may be a crossover, but it handles like a car.
Safety
Last year, the Ford Flex received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control is now standard on every Flex. It also comes equipped with dual front and side-impact airbags as well as dual-stage front seat-mounted side airbags. A tire pressure monitoring system is also included.
EPA Fuel Economy
Flex: 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway
You'll Like
- SUV Size
- Car handling
- EcoBoost engine
- Relatively good Gas Mileage
You Won't Like
- Tight third row
- Base engine
Sum Up
A boldly styled seven-passenger crossover
If You Like This Vehicle
- Honda Pilot
- Chevrolet Traverse
- Toyota Highlander