Spec: 2010 Ford Flex, AWD Limited, 3.5l www.twitpic.com/lhvda
Having an extended family of six and desire for a road trip from Toronto to NYC during Thanksgiving weekend, the trusty '08 Altima was relegated to a driveway rest and we rented a Ford Flex. I was quite intrigued by the vehicle before, so I was quite happy I got to rent it for a long drive.
It's a big car. It feels like a big car inside, it drives like a big car. Lot's of toys inside, Sync is fantastic, great seats, great versatility, good handling and comfort, great HID projectors up front, LEDs in the rear. So many good things that the shortcomings are even more disappointing. In sum, it feels like a two step car. Turn the wheel and wait - it shall turn. Step on the brakes and wait - it shall break. Step on the gas and wait - it shall accelerate. There is no progressin, no modulation. It's on or off. Anemic steering feel negates very solid suspension setup. Lazy (very) 6sp automatic transmition does absolutely no favors to the 262hp V6. The important instruments are too small - speedo. There's a million buttons (so it seems) on the console http://twitpic.com/lhvgi and it does no favours to the driver on a long drive through the night and rain। Great functionality, good fit and finish but lacking ergonomics - I was really distracted by the flowing field of green buttons when needing to adjust temperature and fan speed (toggle+button action) after 4hrs of driving. What's with the single stick with turn signals, highbeams, lowbeams, front wipers rear wipers and windsheeld washer? Couldn't Ford fit even more functions in there :-)?
The writeup may sound a bit negative, but I really like what this the car COULD BE as whole. Great handling, good power, great utility and comfort in a package seating 6 people. If the next iteration fixes some of the issues and puts a bit more GT and refinement into the car (which I hope the EcoBoost version already does, to some extent), I'll put it towards the top of my shopping list for large family car, regardless of make.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
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