Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost

As Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays puts it, the Ford Flex has a few problems, but there are a number of good reasons to give it a look over other three-row crossovers. Throw in an EcoBoost engine, and you have a very good reason: The Flex EcoBoost can get up and go. But do you need that extra power? Mays explains in his review of the 2010 Ford Flex with EcoBoost.

2010 Ford Flex Review

Does Today's Dad Need More Power?

Over the last few weeks, I was able to get into two crossovers with upgraded engines. While both offered more horsepower, I wasn’t completely floored by either, and it begs the question of whether they’re worth the additional cost compared to their basic offerings.

2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost Video

New in 2009, the 2010 version of the Ford Flex comes with the option of an EcoBoost engine. Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays gets behind the wheel to find out how EcoBoost affects the acceleration and ride quality of the large crossover. Furthermore, he explains how it compares to those big V-8 SUVs; the difference between the two might depend on whether you’re a “hauler or a driver.”

Cars.com Podcast Show N' Go: 2010 Chevy Camaro RS, Ford Flex EcoBoost

In this week’s podcast, editors Joe Wiesenfelder and Kelsey Mays are joined again by Ask.cars.com’s Joe Bruzek. They talk about the V-6 Chevy Camaro and how the less powerful version of the muscle car handles itself. Ford’s family-friendly Flex has a new twin-turbo V-6 with a lot more power, which also makes it more driver-friendly. Finally, the three discuss a question from Ask.cars.com.

Download the podcast via iTunes here or listen in a browser here. 

Reader Review of the Week: 2009 Ford Flex

Franz from Bryan, Ohio, purchased a 2009 Ford Flex after finding that it met a long list of criteria. Surprised at the luxury the Flex offers, Franz nevertheless found fault with a few aspects of the Flex, including its less-than-stellar gas mileage. Read the full review to find out more, then post your own review here.

2010 Ford Lineup 20% More Efficient; Turbo Four-Cylinder Confirmed

Today, Ford took the wraps off its 2010 model lineup and made some pretty significant announcements, despite most models not seeing major changes. The biggest news that will grab headlines is the fact that the 2010 Ford lineup is 20% more fuel-efficient than the 2009 lineup. And this is without dropping any large vehicles from the lineup.

Significant chunks of that mileage improvement come from the Ford Fusion family of cars, including the 2010 Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ. The base Fusion and Milan, for example, see their combined mileage increase from 23 mpg to 25 mpg. Even a base 2010 Mustang now gets 21 mpg combined, compared with 20 mpg in 2009. The V-8s also add 1 mpg. The Edge crossover also adds 1 mpg in combined mileage. Even the 2010 F-150’s V-8 adds 1 more mpg to its highway or city rating, depending on transmission.

Big news on the new-product side of things is confirmation from Ford of a new turbo four-cylinder engine.  

2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost: First Drive

Forty years ago, in what arguably remains mankind’s most significant technological achievement since the invention of the car engine, Neil Armstrong set foot on the lunar surface. Ever since then we’ve pondered other not-so-significant challenges with the question: If we can put a man on the moon, why can’t we … ? As in, if we can put a man on the moon, why can’t we keep our cereal from getting soggy? Or, if we can put a man on the moon, why can’t we buy a family-hauler that both mom and dad can enjoy driving?

Ford has just answered that last question.

The Future of Ford's EcoBoost Engine

Ford’s new twin-turbo gasoline direct-injection EcoBoost engines pack plenty of punch for their size. The 2010 Ford Flex with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 is rated at 355 hp and 350 pounds-feet of torque. That’s an increase of 35% horsepower and 41% more torque than the Flex’s standard 3.5-liter V-6, while returning the same 16/22 mpg city/highway gas mileage (all-wheel drive model). It's also available in the new Ford Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKS sedan and upcoming MKT crossover.

Brett Hinds, Ford’s advance engine design and development manager, said it will only get better from here.

“The [Flex’s] EcoBoost [engine] is the foundation for us,” Hinds said. “It’s a six-cylinder engine that performs like an eight-cylinder, but we’re looking at many ways to make EcoBoost even more efficient so it can meet future fuel economy and CO2 standards.”

Here are three improvements to EcoBoost that Hinds said Ford is studying:

Car Buyer Q&A: 2009 Ford Flex Limited

I was reading one of my favorite blogs — GeekDad — the other day and saw a post by the editor talking about the new car he’d just bought, which has Ford’s Sync system, and how he was testing it out. Of course, being all geek-focused, editor Ken Denmead didn’t even mention which Ford he had just bought. I contacted him and asked if he wanted to share his experience. The 40-year-old father of two from Fremont, Calif., was happy to oblige.

KickingTires: Why did you decide to buy a car in this down economy? Needed a replacement? Needed to upsize?

Ken: My wife's car — an '02 Saturn Vue, which was her commute car and the de facto family car — had suffered through the first seven years of both our boys' lives, plus acted as transportation for two dogs who steadfastly refused to stay behind any kind of pet barrier. With 110K miles and an interior that looked like the inside of a concert hall after a Gallagher show, it was no longer in a respectable state. We came into a little surprise money at the right time and went looking for deals.