Ford Flex EcoBoost AWD
The Ford Flex was a car that should not have worked — and yet it did, brilliantly. Launched in 2009 as a replacement for the unloved Taurus X (itself a hasty rebadge of the Ford Freestyle), the Flex took a radically different approach to the family crossover. Instead of following the industry trend toward rounded, blob-like shapes, Ford designer Peter Horbury drew inspiration from the Range Rover and classic American wagons, creating a vehicle with crisp, horizontal lines, a flat roof, and an unmistakable silhouette.
The EcoBoost variant, available from 2010 onward, elevated the Flex from a stylish people mover to a genuine performance machine. Ford's 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 — the same basic engine that would later power the Ford GT supercar — produced 355 horsepower initially, later bumped to 365. Paired exclusively with all-wheel drive, the EcoBoost Flex could hustle its nearly 4,800-pound mass to 60 mph in under six seconds, a feat that embarrassed many sports sedans.
Inside, the Flex offered genuine three-row seating for six or seven passengers in a cabin that felt more like a modern loft than a typical SUV interior. The optional refrigerated console, multi-panel vista roof, and available second-row individual captain's chairs made long-distance travel remarkably comfortable.
Despite consistently excellent reviews, the Flex never found the sales volume Ford hoped for. Its unconventional styling polarized buyers, and the rise of the three-row crossover SUV (led by Ford's own Explorer) marginalized its market position. Ford quietly discontinued the Flex after 2019 without a direct replacement.
The Flex's low sales and devoted owner community have created an interesting collector dynamic. The EcoBoost AWD models in particular are increasingly sought after by enthusiasts who appreciate the combination of performance, practicality, and design distinction. As one of the few genuinely bold designs from a major manufacturer in the 2010s, the Flex may well prove to be a future collectible.
The 3.5 EcoBoost V6 is generally reliable but check for turbo wastegate issues (rattling at cold start), water pump failures (internal, driven by timing chain — expensive repair), and PTU (power transfer unit) fluid level (often neglected, leading to AWD failure). Listen for timing chain rattle on higher-mileage examples. The 6F55 transmission is generally robust. Check all three rows of seating for wear. Rust is not a major concern on most examples. The EcoBoost models hold value better than the naturally aspirated versions.
The EcoBoost engine was not available at the 2009 launch; it joined the lineup for 2010. All EcoBoost Flexes came standard with AWD. The 2013 model year brought a significant refresh with updated front and rear styling, a new instrument cluster, and the SYNC with MyFord Touch infotainment system. Production was relatively low compared to the Explorer, contributing to the model's eventual discontinuation.