Ford Flex: the Perfect Road Trip Car
Updated for 2024 with latest info!
The worst thing about the Ford Flex we were loaned last week was having to give it back to Ford; my family and I loved this car. Whether we were tooling around town or taking a road trip over the holidays, the Ford Flex was a comfortable, luxurious ride with all the power we needed.
And plenty of space for all our gear!
What I Love About the Ford Flex
I have had a crush on the Ford Flex since it was first introduced and am appropriately jealous of my friends who own one. So when I knew that my family would be taking a little trip to Coronado Island at the Holidays, I started requesting to borrow a Flex for the trip. And graciously, Ford said yes.
My family and I were thrilled with all the luxury amenities in the Flex, including the Ford SYNC system with entertainment, navigation and roadside assistance. Of course the first thing my kids did was change all the radio station presets and connect our phones and iPods. Good kids I have.
The Flex is connected, with multiple places to charge your devices and usb ports to connect them.
Related: Baby Road Trip Essentials
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Customize the Ford Flex
Then we configured all the seats the way we like them, loving the pinpoint accuracy, and more importantly, setting the temperature the way each of us likes it. The Flex allows both the passenger and the driver to have their own personal temperature, and the riders in the back seats can customize theirs as well. Just what we needed.
My impish son, who loves a practical joke, delighted in setting my seats and steering wheel heaters and coolers when I wasn’t paying attention. He managed to do it to me several times while I was driving, which I credit to the fact that I was focused solely on the road – and that he is very impish.
Tons of Storage Room in the Ford Flex
The storage area in the Flex is massive, and we were able to pack the opposite of lightly for our trip, with plenty of room to spare.
We had the pleasure of traveling with my Aunt and Uncle on this vacation, so once we reached Coronado Island, we were able to unfold the third row of seats and all ride around together, which was really a nice bonus. Plus, everyone felt comfortable, on all of the seats.
We drove south along the coast, which is truly spectacular and not to be missed if you have the chance, by the way. And the Flex was a great car to do it in, because there’s so much visibility.
Lest you think this is some sort of mini-van in disguise, made for short trips to daycare and the store only, I want you to know I gave the car a good run for its money on Highway 5 heading home from our trip. There were several times when the merging was tricky, but the Flex is really peppy and I was impressed with its performance and speed.
It looks like it might be like trying to park a limo, given the length of the Flex, but it moves so smoothly, even parallel parking was a breeze, of course helped by the rear-view camera.
I loved driving the Flex and my whole family loved riding in it.
Related: Road trip to Tucson in a Ford Edge
Ford Flex Available Used
Sadly, the Ford Flex is no longer is production, and we all wish it were! But you may be able to find a used one on the Carvana marketplace. Use our affiliate link to search. OR if you own a Flex and want to sell it, use the Carvana appraisal link to get an offer right away!
Sarah Auerswald is the co-Founder of MomsLA.com. She was loaned a Ford Flex for the purpose of this review. This is not a sponsored post.
31 Comments
I loved my Ford flex . Unfortunately I was tboned and it was totalled. No one was hurt but every time my kids and I see one . We say we miss my old car. Can’t wait to get a new one.
Oh my gosh, Sandy! So sorry to hear about that, but so glad everyone was OK!! Hope you get a new one soon. Stay safe!
@Sarah Auerswald, I just bought one and very excited to put it on the highway
So happy for you! Enjoy it!
I just got one mine is not a new one but 2012 🙂
Do you love it? I really enjoyed driving one!
I bought a Flex Limited in 2012 and we love it. I have owned many cars in my lifetime but this is my favorite of all. A very versatile vehicle from the grocery store, to big box lumber yard, and the best road trip vehicle out there.
We lived it so much we bought another!
A 2019 SEL and it is fantastic!
Glad to hear it!
Unfortunately, you will now only find the Ford Flex in the used car market. Ford stopped making them in 2020. Still LOVE my 2009 even with her 175,000 miles. Best car I’ve ever owned. Looking for a 2019 for the future.
@Lori Hello Lori you guys are sooooo right I have a 2010 ford flex OMG I love it
We love our flex. Bought a 2010 in 2015 and still have 2022. We used to tow our 19′ travel trailer back and forth from Florida to NH every year. Before we bought the trailer, My wife became disabled in 2009. I pulled down the seats. Had 3 cats with 3 carriers along the back & a litter box and a Corgi. Made a full bed up for my wife with 27″ TV and blue ray to watch her favorite movies. Then we had our carry in to hotels each night. Remember we had all the animals.
This flex will hold a 10′ long 2×4’s without keeping back open. Can’t do that with a pick up truck. The most comfortable seats. Feel like you’re in a Lincoln.
Yeah! It took a while for the public to know the quality, etc you were getting out of the flex and now do not make it.
I’d buy a new one if it came back, but keep the flex without size, comfort, etc changes.
How many agree.
Wow! That’s true love for the Flex. Thank you for sharing your story!
@Cheryl, I completely agree. Ford made a bad move by getting rid of it. But the public didn’t know its qualities because there was very little advertising for it. I would like to maybe have a V8 for an option. Other than that, don’t change a thing! I am lowering mine 2 inches and threw new rims on it. Its the light green “Ginger Ale” color with AWD. Would love to make it a dark green. Now has underglow and lights inside. 2013 with 200k miles and still in love. Drives so nice!
I love the Flex! I know a guy who is 6’6″ and he has mounds of headroom. I’m getting one for my first car. It’s insane how such a small car can have so much people storage and stuff storage! And be quick at the same time! Did you get an Ecoboost model? The Ecoboost makes it many times better.
We have a 2015 with captains seats and consoles in the 2nd row. We love that because our adult son has Down Syndrome and is always with us. We live in Meridian Idaho and have made a game out of how many Flexes we see every time we leave the house. Our record is 4 at an intersection at the same time. That has happened twice. They are so popular I just can’t understand why they stopped making them. I am babying mine, I want it to last!
Wow 4 at once in an intersection is pretty impressive! Thanks for sharing your story.
Sorry it not the best car….. It likes to blow head gaskets… Alot.. have a 2009 … Third head gaskets since I bought
Head gaskets are no joke. So sorry to hear it! That wasn’t my experience.
@Daryle, Waterpump was an issue from factory, but I’ve given mine some extreme power and no head gasket issues. Perhaps there is another issue causing that with yours? I’m part of the Ford Flex forum on social media. Maybe get on there and see who else has had this issue and find the underlying cause.
I love my Flex. Mine is a 2016 with just 24455 original miles, very comfortable and seats 6 Adults easily. But draw back is the idiots at Ford decided to discontinue production 2 years ago. I would buy another one in a heart beat.
It’s a bummer they don’t make them anymore. It makes all the ones still on the road (like yours) that much more valuable! Enjoy it.
@Don Dustman, I just got one and haven’t had the opportunity to drive it yet. If you ever sell yours I’d buy!!!
2012 ford flex owner – love my baby – after 8 years NEVER any repairs – only basic maintenance / SUV style and comfortable and spacious 100% – over 160,000 miles and still purrs like a kitten
That’s so great to hear!
I love mine. We put a tow package on it and went camping several times. I love my Ford Flex.
Yes! It would be great for camping. Tons of room for gear. Thanks for commenting!
Carvana is one of the very lowest offers I was given for my Flex. Otherwise, the Flex is a beast! Handles snow better than a snow ski! Took 4 adults camping and had that thing loaded and not a one of us was cramped. Oh yeah, we also took our 50 pound pitt who had her own window the entire time. 12 person tent, sleeping bags, air mattresses for all 4 of us plis pillows, camping stove and even a full trash can of wood to burn. Love this car!! Not a van, it’s an SUV. Handles like a car with responsive steering and plenty of power under the gas pedal. Drove it for Uber for a few years and talk about the leg room! Had it for 5 years now and the first thing I said when I saw the inside is, “wow, that’s a lot of room!” Nearly 200k on the odometer and still in love.
Wow! Jeremy, you’re an expert on the Flex for sure! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
And here I thought I was the BIGGEST Ford Flex fan EVER!!! I am currently on my 4th Flex and was just in the market to upgrade to a new one but when I heard they discontinued them in 2019 I was DEVISTATED!!!!!! PLEASE Ford, bring them back! I am a Lyft driver and have been for y years. I would say 90% of my riders all said it was the most amazing car they have EVER driven! So many people want one but I tell them the sad news of them being discontinued in 2019 ? I have had different colors and I’m ready for a new one, a NEW one Ford, not a 2019 or lower?
Signing out
VERY HAPPY & BLESSED FORD FLEX owner,
Louanne Underwood
I drove a 2011 for flex for few years I love it but here and there needed work . So with Xmas around me and my husband bought a new 2016 as a gift for us. We surprised the kids.
That’s fantastic! Thanks for sharing your story with us.