Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ford Flex
The latest addition to Ford's seemingly ever expanding lineup of crossovers, the Flex, will start showing up at dealerships this summer and it now has a price tag. The new full size Flex SE will be starting off at $28,995 for the front-wheel-drive model, which includes the cost of getting the vehicle from the Oakville, Ont. factory to the showroom. Two other trim levels will also be offered, as will all-wheel-drive, all of which easily pushes the price over $30,000. The AWD Flex Limited, for instance, kicks off at $37,255. Initially, power will be supplied by Ford's 3.5L V6, but a turbocharged EcoBoost model will be added next year.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]
Saleen makes new value-oriented Racecraft brand official
Officially Official: 2009 BMW 7 Series
Officially Official: 2009 Ford Focus RS
I want my FPV: Super sedans hit the desert in new TV spot
Happy Independence Day from Autoblog
Track Test: 2008 Roush 427R Trak Pak Mustang
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Porsche Cayman S
First Drive: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Retractable Hard Top
In The Autoblog Garage: BMW 128i Convertible
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
iSpec @ Feb 27th 2008 10:38AM
When Tata bought Land Rover from Ford, I wonder if there was an agreement that allows Tata to now sue Ford for so brutally knocking-off a Land Rover. Then again, maybe they shouldn't sue them as it's just really not that good. Only wannabe's would buy this.
AlexP @ Feb 27th 2008 11:22AM
Ford's been knocking off LR since the Escape happened.
naggs @ Feb 27th 2008 12:42PM
yeah, how dare anyone make a tall 4 wheeled vehicle with 4 doors and boxy styling!!!
LR should SUE!!!
cameron42985 @ Feb 27th 2008 12:56PM
Looks nothing like Land Rover, buddy. Sorry.
Matt @ Feb 27th 2008 2:13PM
"When Tata bought Land Rover from Ford, I wonder if there was an agreement that allows Tata to now sue Ford for so brutally knocking-off a Land Rover. Then again, maybe they shouldn't sue them as it's just really not that good. Only wannabe's would buy this."
Toyota should be suing...all this "thing" is, is a stretched xB with a razor for a grill.
I hope it does worse than the Freestyle/Taurus X.
Justin @ Feb 27th 2008 4:07PM
Actually Matt,
This doesn't have rear pillars that create a blind spot big enough for a tractor trailer to hide in. So no, it's not a knockoff of the xB. If anything it'd be a massive improvement (which is sad considering this thing looks ghastly).
tbss_in_the_D @ Feb 27th 2008 10:38AM
I just looked at this thing really close at the Chicago Auto Show a couple of weeks ago and I really do not like it. The GM Lambdas are already better and as we can see the prices are very close. The only thing I liked better on this was the sunroofs and deep storage behind the third row seat. Other than that the Flex does nothing for me. If Chevrolet can price the Traverse a bit lower it will kick the crap out of this thing.
C.W. @ Feb 27th 2008 11:19AM
like any other "debate" on these blogs, GM lovers will hate it, the same way Ford lovers hate the majority of GM designs. the fact is, consumers are already lining up to place pre-orders and this thing is going to sell the crap out of the Lambda crap that is already sub-par compared to the Edge. people will love it, people will hate it, and that is the way it is with EVERY car on the road. i HATE the way the honda civic looks, and the toyota camry, but guess what?! who cares!!! because they sell.
Polly Prissy Pants @ Feb 28th 2008 9:12AM
I try to root for Ford if only so I can have an excuse to buy a car with the Sync system but they just can't get it right. This Flex thing may sell a few in the beginning, as any new and different model will, but in the end it will be an abject failure. Guaranteed. It's a shame too because Ford builds some fantastic vehicles but insists on dressing them in rags. They remind me of where GM was 10 years ago. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Ford can survive this Flex fiasco so they can grow into the car company they should be but every time they throw something like this over the wall I wonder if that day will ever come.
Alex @ Feb 27th 2008 10:44AM
That thing is going to need the ecoboost, shaped for fuel efficiency to rival any brick.
3cubed minus 3squared plus1 @ Feb 27th 2008 10:46AM
Just like other Fords, this car has a butter face.
The interior is fine and so is the overall shape, but that front just kills a clean design.
bdkross @ Feb 27th 2008 10:47AM
Interesting that the Edge has single handedly kicked the tri-lambda's rear already. The Flex will do extremely well - it stands out - will accessorize well - and will sell to twenty somethings to sixty somethings. Ford has a winner.
ItGuy @ Feb 27th 2008 11:14AM
AMEN!
I don't know what the appeal of the Lambda's are. They look kind of ugly and probably have the lack of reliability typically associated with GM.
The love-fest is unwarranted.
AlexP @ Feb 27th 2008 11:24AM
lol, Ford fans blast GM's reliability record.
LBuzzer @ Feb 27th 2008 10:55AM
Ford needs to hurry up putting this thing on dealer lots - we've been seeing this model in concept and production form for years now and it's already starting to look old without a single one being sold yet...
Larry @ Feb 27th 2008 3:28PM
reminds me of that Chrysler Maserati that was shown for YEARS, before production, people laffed that it was ready for a re-styling before it ever hit the streets!
C. McFeeny @ Feb 27th 2008 10:56AM
I agree with bdkross. I think Flex has serious "segment busting" potential. I think *everyone* including Ford themselves is going to be surprised at how well this is going to be received.
Aaron Nichols @ Feb 27th 2008 10:57AM
But why does it have to cost so much?
TriShield @ Feb 27th 2008 11:01AM
Woefully named, hilariously ugly.
A supersized Scion xB ripoff will pave the way to Ford profitability?
BobinCobb @ Feb 27th 2008 11:04AM
$28K to $37K for something that looks like a 4 wheeled Dumpster? Are you kidding ME? This thing was stale when it first was shown.
Mullaly must not have seen this duckling.