5th Place: 2013 Ford Flex Limited AWD, Jonathan Yarkony
After collecting all of our entrants for this Comparison, we realized we had essentially two classes: the large, premium $60K class, and all the rest. We should have had three in this premium division, but the Durango Citadel took a hit in the bumper that put it out of commission only days before our contest, so we accepted the valiant Journey in its place.
In this senior circuit, the Flex was our winner, and in fact, it was a podium finish on raw scores before price adjustment. Unfortunately for it, there was a lot of price to adjust for because of its $59,549 price with Destination and over 13 grand of options on top of the Limited trim’s $44,399 MSRP.
Value shoppers that dig the Flex’s funky fridge-and-freezer-combo-on-wheels styling will appreciate that it can start for as low as $30,499 going into the 2014 model year, though as Michael Bettencourt notes, “its practical cubism is not to everyone’s tastes.” At that price, you still have a spacious, stylish space-age minivan substitute, but it takes a $6,800 package (which also includes AWD) on top of the Limited trim to get into the 3.5L Ecoboost V6 that turns this family truckster into a rocketship.
That powertrain, pumping out 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque, was a unanimous favourite, and well ahead of our second pick in that category (Santa Fe XL). It didn’t fall over once the roads started to curve either, earning top marks in handling and steering, which are, however, admittedly minor factors in this segment. Peter Bleakney even went so far as to say: “Lurking within this shoebox on wheels is a hoon-able hot rod.”
But if you think this handling comes at the expense of a bumpy ride, you’d be dead wrong, the Flex also earned a category win for Ride Comfort. No doubt its very long wheelbase (only three cm shorter than the epic poetry length Acadia) contributed to this serene and absorbant ride, but it tracked straight an true on the highway and bit into turns with alacrity better than any minivan or crossover we’ve experienced in this segment.
And unlike the Acadia, the interior is respectable, ranking very close to the leaders in quality, stereo, cargo space and design and on top for driving position, visibility and ease of entry.
So, while it trumps the Acadia in our premium division, it gives up too much value because of its high cost without being that far ahead in feature content, though its power-folding third row seats were unique to this crowd. And the costs don’t stop with a steep price of entry – you will continue to pay at the pumps as this turbo V6, which had the highest fuel consumption on test day, and ties for highest in EPA combined rating.
You won’t find any of us arguing against the Flex if you can afford one, especially in this polished Limited trim with the power house 3.5 Ecoboost, but there are better options if affordability and value are prime concerns in your household.
Pricing: 2013 Ford Flex Limited AWD
Base price (2014 Flex SE FWD): $30,499
Base price (2013 Flex Limited AWD): $44,399
Options: $13,500 (Equipment group 303A – $6,800; rubber floor mats – $100; 2nd row 40/40 autofold seats – $650; panoramic roof – $1,750; 2nd row console – $150; voice-activated navigation – $700; rear inflatable seatbelts – $250; Class III trailer tow package – $500; Dual headrest DVD entertainment system – $2,100; silver two-tone roof – $500)
A/C tax: $100
Freight: $1,550
Price as tested: $59,549
