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2017 Ford Flex

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Make
Ford
Model
Flex
Year
2017
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Ford Flex OEM Exterior Photo
OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior Standard
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
Photos Colors
Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2017 SE 4dr Front-wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $30,025
2017 SEL 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $32,730
2017 SEL 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $34,680
2017 Limited 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $38,230
2017 Limited 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $40,180
2017 Limited w/EcoBoost 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $43,030

Overview

Buyers haven’t been rushing toward the Ford Flex, which almost seems to qualify as a modern-day cult vehicle. Owners love it, most reviewers at least like it, and yet sales have been slow from the start. That's not the car's fault. This big, distinctive seven-seater mixes welcome doses of comfort, practicality, unique design, and solid driving characteristics. In a market full of conformist crossovers, often dressed up to appear off-road ready, the squared-off Flex makes an unmistakable statement about living in the real world with a sense of style.

What's New for 2017

Aside from some new color choices, the Flex is unchanged.

Ford Flex

Choosing Your Ford Flex

Ford’s Flex is again available in three trim levels: SE, SEL, and Limited. Standard powertrain for each is a 3.5-liter V6, which develops 287 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque, driving the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on the SEL and Limited.

A Limited with all-wheel drive can be equipped with an EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6 that cranks out 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet. The standard V6 provides plenty of power for everyday driving duties, while a Limited with the energetic EcoBoost engine could almost qualify as a clandestine muscle car.

Fuel economy is nothing to boast about, estimated at 16 mpg in city driving and 23 mpg on the highway (19 mpg combined) with the standard engine. All-wheel drive drops the estimate to 16/22 mpg (city/highway), while the EcoBoost, offered only with all-wheel drive, is estimated at 15/21 mpg (city/highway).

Available SYNC 3 infotainment promises quicker performance, conversational voice recognition, an intuitive touchscreen, and straightforward graphical interface, compared to previous systems.

Standard equipment for every Flex includes a rearview camera and rear sensors to detect obstacles while backing up. Optional active park assist uses ultrasonic sensors to locate a parallel parking space, and can then steer the Flex into position as the driver operates the accelerator and brake pedal. Additional safety options include adaptive cruise control, collision warning with brake support, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Inflatable rear seatbelts rear also are available.

Ford Flex

SE

Starting at $30,920 (destination charge included), the base Flex has an equipment level that’s most accurately described as adequate, though the standard rearview camera is welcome. Luxury touches are lacking, with few extras available. Standard are air conditioning, a power driver’s seat, CD player, SYNC, and 17-inch aluminum wheels.

Ford Flex

SEL

Stepping up to the SEL costs $2,705 more, but includes dual-zone automatic temperature control, foglamps, heated front seats, keyless access and ignition, SYNC 3 infotainment, and 18-inch wheels. You also get access to more options, from all-wheel drive ($1,950) to a towing package, leather upholstery, blind spot monitoring, a panoramic sunroof, a poower liftgate, and adjustable pedals.

Ford Flex

Limited

As expected for its $39,125 starting price, the top trim level piles on standard features such as HID headlights and a 12-speaker Sony sound system, while making even more options available, including adaptive cruise control and cooled front seats, as well as the EcoBoost engine. Every Limited has blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, a power liftgate, perforated leather-trimmed seats, and 19-inch wheels.

CarsDirect Tip

A midlevel SEL should make sense for most customers . The SEL costs just slightly more than the basic SE, and yet stops well short of the Limited’s price. The SEL deserves careful consideration from families in need of serious interior space, and who also appreciate a distinctive look. The Limited will approach $50,000 if you're not judicious with options. Even so, there's a case to be made for the relative value of a fully loaded Flex.

Get your price on a Ford Flex »

author image
Contributing Editor
Read Less

Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

Some buyers consider it a large wagon, while others see it as just another crossover. Regardless of where it falls in buyers’ eyes, the Ford Flex has tons to offer, like ample performance, a roomy interior, and loads of features. But despite all the good, buyers have shied away from the Flex, bringing about reports of its elimination in 2020.

Pricing and Equipment

The 2017 Ford Flex starts from $30,920 (including a $895 destination charge) for the base SE trim, but we expect the better-equipped SEL trim to be among the most popular versions. The Flex SEL starts from $33,625 and comes standard with:

  • Eighteen-inch wheels
  • Fog lights
  • Keyless entry, push-button ignition
  • Remote start
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Power front seats
  • Eight-inch touchscreen with Sync3 infotainment
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

The base engine is a 3.5-liter V6 with 287 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque. But buyers who prefer the highly rated twin-turbocharged, 3.5-liter V6 with its 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, they must bump up to the range-topping Limited trim ($38,230) and pay an extra $6,250 for the package that includes the turbocharged engine. It's not cheap, but it is worth it.

Performance Pros

Ford Flex

The Ford Flex is quite large for a crossover, but its two V6 engines have plenty of power to get this people mover going.

  • Refined ride and handling, especially for its size.
  • Turbocharged engine is a hoot on a vehicle of this size – plenty of power in all conditions helps you forget you're driving a Flex.
  • Base V6 is adequately powerful and confident when passing on the highway

Performance Cons

  • Fuel economy is not very impressive at up to 16 miles per gallon city, 23 highway, and 19 combined. Blame the brick-like aerodynamics and substantial curb weight.
  • The electric steering is light and lifeless, which isn't much of a surprise in this segment.

Interior Pros

  • The first and second row seats are very comfortable and supportive.
  • The upper trim levels become quite luxurious.
  • Even six-footers can fit in the third row.

Interior Cons

Ford Flex
  • Though it’s roomy, third-row seats’ padding is thin.
  • The cabin is a peaceful place with limited road and wind noise.
  • The New Sync 3 infotainment system is better than before, but still behind the competition.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

The performance of this 4,600-pound crossover is quite impressive. The base V6 isn’t a tremendous performer, but its turbocharged counterpart is lively and moves the Flex with haste. It also handles quite well, the steering is nicely weighted, and its brakes are plenty powerful. Also, the Flex Limited with the optional $1,495 Appearance Package looks dynamite to our eyes.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

The Flex’s safety ratings are not terrible, as it received an “Acceptable” rating in the small-overlap test and “Good” in the others. But these ratings do lag behind some competitors, and its most advanced safety features, like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise, and forward collision warning, are only available as options on the range-topping Limited trim. It also lacks automatic emergency braking – even as an option.

The Bottom Line

The 2017 Ford Flex is a great crossover with tons to offer families, like room for seven passengers, decent performance, and premium features. But some families may find its station wagon-like looks a turnoff and its lack of the most modern safety goodies, like automatic emergency braking, unacceptable.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
3.5L V-6 / 287 HP / 254 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd SelectShift w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
16 / 23 / 19 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
7
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
3.5L V-6 / 287 HP / 254 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
16 / 23 / 19 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
18.6 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$71
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
83.2 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
156 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
201.8 "
Exterior Width
75.9 "
Exterior Height
68.0 "
Front Headroom
41.8 "
Rear Headroom
40.5 "
Front Legroom
40.8 "
Rear Legroom
44.3 "
Front Shoulder Room
58.4 "
Rear Shoulder Room
58.1 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
4,439 Lbs.
Wheel Base
118 "
Turning Radius
20.4 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
17.0 " Painted Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated Convex Spotter
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
7
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
8-way (6-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
8-way (6-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
60-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm Stereo, Clock, Seek-scan / Am/fm/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
4
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Rear
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Securilock
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months

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