2013 Ford Flex at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show
- Competes with: Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-9
- Looks like: The Flex is embarrassed to wear the Ford logo
- Drivetrain: 285-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 or 355-hp, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 with six-speed automatic transmission; front- or all-wheel drive
- Hits dealerships: 2012
For the 2013 model year, the Ford Flex undergoes a mild refresh, adopting a new front end as well as getting some interior and performance upgrades.
In a bizarre move, Ford has removed its logo from the Flex’s grille. There’s now broad “Flex” badging along the hood’s leading edge. On the back, the decal again takes dominance with the (only) exterior Ford emblem pushed to the far right of the tailgate. Dual chrome exhaust tips are now standard out back, too.
Underneath the hood, the base Flex gets an additional horsepower boost, now estimated at 285 hp for the 3.5-liter V-6; that’s likely the same engine found in the revamped Ford Edge. The engine is supposed to eke out better mileage, too: projected at 18/25 mpg city/highway, which is 1 mpg better compared with the current Flex. A 355-hp EcoBoost V-6 engine with standard all-wheel drive remains an option.
In the cabin, the Flex now has an available MyFord Touch system, a new steering wheel, gauge cluster, and new seat trim and cushioning. The MyFord Touch system features similar touch-sensitive buttons that are currently found on the Edge and Explorer. The multimedia system also comes with two 4.2-inch screens, flanked on either side of the center speedometer within the gauge cluster (like the Ford Explorer, Edge and Focus). The screens are controlled by five-way switches on either side of the steering wheel. The MyFord Touch interface is the speedier, supposedly simpler-to-use system Ford introduced yesterday. The center console features an 8-inch touch-screen.
Other new features include available second-row inflatable seat belts, power-folding side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, radar-enabled adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and a passive entry system with remote start.
With a new Ford Escape coming and a new Explorer and Edge already available, the Flex was beginning to look like the odd crossover out. These updates should help tide over the niche family hauler long enough for the automaker to figure whether there should be a second-generation model. The absence of most Ford badging could portend a move to make the Flex more of a premium product, akin to the badgeless Hyundai Genesis and Equus for that carmaker. Pricing and trim information wasn’t made available yet. We’ll have more info at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show.
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Very nice refresh! I'd buy this over any GM product.
"The Flex is embarrassed to wear the Ford logo"
Nice one. Although, it does look a bit like the belt buckle on the SuperDuty F-series, sans blue oval and a bit more horizontal.
I have always been on the fence with the Flex. That interior looks solid, though.
I predict in a few years this model will be eliminated from Ford's line-up.
like the new interior, prefer the old style grill.
Would be a nice family vehicle if it wasn't so expensive.
My wife loves this car/truck. Were it not for gas prices, I'm sure she'd love to have one.
The exterior looks anonymous you say? I say it looks completely bizarre and ugly.
I would drive this over ANY minivan. Nice interior and a good refresh.
Probably the only Ford--outside of the Mustang--that has my interest. Problem is, it's grossly overstuffed with technologies I neither need nor want. Guess I won't be buying Ford any time soon.
GREAT VEHICLE-bUT NO LOGO NO BUY-pyt it some ware on the grill-NIT A FORD WITHOUT ""LOGO ""
Butt ugly and I usually like Fords! This car needs to be put out to pasture. Its doesn't really sell and it looks like a hearse. The worst insult is the price, which I find to be much to high.
Maybe it will move to Lincoln showrooms in the future. They want it to have it's own FLEX identity. It could be sold by Lincoln without a Lincoln badge.
You have to drive one! Sooo comfortable and handles like a dream.
Love this car. I am happy they took that Ford logo off the grill. The 2013 looks much nicer to me maybe it's the new grill, kind of looks like tha Range Rover grill. I might be trading in the Benz for this car.