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Ford Flex: the Perfect Road Trip Car 2024

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!

ford flex at the Glorietta Bay Inn on Coronado Island
Ford Flex at the Glorietta Bay Inn on Coronado Island

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

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.

Ford Flex trunk empty

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.

ford flex trunk full
You can fill the trunk full of gear and still have plenty of room in the Ford Flex

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.

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Ceidy

Thursday 21st of December 2023

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.

Sarah Auerswald

Thursday 21st of December 2023

That's fantastic! Thanks for sharing your story with us.

Louanne Underwood

Tuesday 5th of September 2023

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

Jeremy

Sunday 16th of July 2023

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.

Sarah Auerswald

Sunday 16th of July 2023

Wow! Jeremy, you're an expert on the Flex for sure! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

William L. Martinez

Sunday 26th of February 2023

I love mine. We put a tow package on it and went camping several times. I love my Ford Flex.

Sarah Auerswald

Sunday 26th of February 2023

Yes! It would be great for camping. Tons of room for gear. Thanks for commenting!

Patricia

Saturday 4th of February 2023

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

Sarah Auerswald

Monday 6th of February 2023

That's so great to hear!

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