2019 Ford Flex

Not quite an SUV, but also not quite a true wagon, the Ford Flex tries to do a lot of things all at once. Unfortunately, this lack of focus means it fails to hit the mark in a lot of ways. However, it gives the modern crossover lover a way of buying an old-school wagon without completely defying convention. With a starting MSRP of $30,575, you get the basic front-wheel-drive model with a 287 horsepower V6 engine. What you don't get are any real safety features or modern infotainment amenities. The more powerful turbo V6 is highly recommended if you regularly pack your Flex to capacity, and this does give it slightly more power than many of its competitors. Despite this, rivals like the Dodge Durango, Honda Pilot, and Chevy Traverse all deliver similar performance at a similar price while still being cheaper to run and more pleasant to drive. Perhaps it is a good thing, then, that the Flex has reached the end of its lifespan and will not be seeing another release next year.

With a starting MSRP of $30,575, the Flex SE is on par with other segment rivals for sale in the USA, including the Chevrolet Traverse and Dodge Durango. Stepping up to the SEL trim will cost you $33,290, while the highest trim level, the Limited, will set you back $38,790. That's not too bad considering that some rivals can cost up to $60k, but you will need to put aside some extra cash if you want to have some of the more advanced features that only come with the optional packages. A fully decked-out Flex Limited could cost you upwards of $45,000.

While the Flex SUV may have a fair amount of power at its disposal, especially when equipped with the optional turbocharged V6 engine, it just doesn't seem designed to handle it with any real degree of grace. Although the Flex has impressive acceleration, the indecisive automatic transmission and lazy base engine can take away a lot of the joy that this usually provides.

Both the brakes and steering get the job done, with the brakes stopping the bulky wagon from 60 mph in 120 ft, but neither really inspires confidence. Neither provides any real feedback and while this won't be too much of a problem during everyday town driving, it becomes an issue when exploring new roads or moving at higher speeds where confidence is all about feeling what the Flex is doing beneath you.

The handling is equally as middling, with the Flex not leaning too hard into turns thanks to its lower height, but also not taking them well at any significant speed thanks to its lumbering weight and expansive dimensions. And for a car that rides relatively low, the wheels don't grip the road as well as we would expect.

Sadly, the suspension is far too stiff for a cabin of this size, causing even the smallest of road imperfections to rattle the passengers. Combined with seats that aren't very comfortable, to begin with, this makes the Flex one of the least comfortable rides in the segment. Furthermore, the cabin does little to dampen exterior noises, especially those made by the vehicle itself.

There aren't many things that the Ford Flex does right, but at least those few that it does, it does extremely well. The interior is enormous, easily fitting up to seven full-sized adults or. And even fully loaded, the wagon offers a staggering amount of cargo space. Inside, it offers a fair number of features, but the bulk are reserved for the top-most trim or optional packages. Also, those provided are now extremely dated and clunky to use. Safety features are also sorely lacking, which is quite astounding in a car that boasts family-focused appointments.

The car's performance is merely adequate with the base engine equipped, though. Opting for the more potent turbocharged V6 will give quite a bit more power, helping to make this cumbersome beast feel less lethargic. It also handles better than higher SUV-style vehicles thanks to its lower overall height, but it still isn't as low as a traditional wagon, nor does it have the kind of dimensions, weight, or tuning to ever be considered athletic.

Calling the Flex a good car would require stretching the truth to the point of breaking. It is still a functional vehicle, and the cargo space it provides is very tempting. But, there are so many better options out there.

If you are set on buying a Ford Flex, then you would be best served by opting for one of the upper trims. The SEL delivers the bare minimum that any buyer should be willing to settle for in a modern car, but only the Limited really offers the safety features that would make this an appropriate family vehicle. Furthermore, it wouldn't be a bad idea to consider some of the packages on offer. But this can quickly add up to make the car more expensive than rivals offering the same for much less.

This is an interesting comparison considering that the 2019 model Ford Flex is the last of its kind, while the Ford Explorer has been completely redesigned for 2020. It's no surprise then that the Explorer offers far more of the features that many buyers are expecting as standard, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a driver information display and better-adjustable seats. On top of this, the newer SUV also comes equipped with advanced safety features like rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure mitigation, pedestrian detection and the like. Even with all this new tech, it manages to be almost as spacious inside as the Flex, but it isn't that much more comfortable, with materials still being a bit on the low end of the quality spectrum. The ways in which the Explorer bests the outdated Flex increase as you go up the trim levels and add packages, but much like its old uncle, this causes the price to skyrocket quickly. Overall, the Explorer seems like the better bet as it will certainly see more support going forward than the now-discontinued Flex.

Where the Flex fails across the board except for choice areas where it excels, the Honda Pilot is an amazing all-round while still managing to lead the pack in certain aspects. Its 280-hp V6 engine isn't as strong as the Flex's turbocharged option, but it's still plenty punchy, and pairs well with some very engaging driving dynamics and an excellent suspension setup that makes it one of the most comfortable rides available. Naturally, the Pilot isn't as spacious inside as the enormous wagon, but it is much better appointed, both in terms of higher-quality materials and more advanced tech features. While the Honda SUVs cargo space might be quite a bit smaller than the Ford's, it is still more than adequate for day-to-day use, and its fuel efficiency is significantly better than the wagon's. It's pretty clear that the Honda Pilot is the better investment here... unless you prefer antique cars.