2009 Ford Flex Road Test Ratings

Surprisingly good ride and handling considering size and class; good usable space and excellent folding second- and third-row seats. The available Travel Link is appealing and entertaining.

Engine is underpowered, relatively smooth. Six-speed auto transmission is very smooth, with little shift shock. Brake pedal is slightly soft at the bottom of travel, but easy to modulate during hard stops. Steering has slightly dead off-center feel, but otherwise very good and direct, but there is lack of assist: it's too heavy. Not a lot of body roll, good yaw response, but there is understeer. Surprisingly good handling and steering considering its size.

Well-controlled ride and not floaty as expected. A small amount of wind noise, but relatively quiet. Ingress is easy, but step-out height is a bit high. Front seat bottom is very flat with little support or side bolster, and so soft that you sink into it. Both second-row seats slide and have an adjustable seatback angle; huge amount of legroom. One of the easiest vehicles to access third row: one button press to flip second row forward. Raising and lowering third row is extremely easy: the well-written instructions are right there.

Forward hood length is very short, but the hood is very flat -- not sloped. Windshield pillars are very slim. Beltline is relatively high, but there are no visibility problems. Thick rear pillars, smallish rear window appears far. Easy-to-read meters, but cheap-looking dot matrix odometer. Very simple HVAC controls.There is usable storage, but nothing innovative.

Love it or Leave it exterior styling: different than other CUVs, not an SUV, not a van, not really a station wagon. The interior is simple and clean, but a bit plain. Very good interior materials, but the materials do not impart a luxury feeling. Excellent switch quality feeling. Surprisingly good build quality.