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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2013 Ford Flex

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2014 Ford Flex

Overview

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2013 Ford Flex Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.8

The 2013 Ford Flex is not your typical 7-passenger family vehicle, at least not if looks count for anything. Its long and boxy silhouette is reminiscent of the big station wagons of the 1960s and 1970s, plus it's lower to the ground than an SUV. And, while competitors like the Honda Pilot, Dodge Durango and Chevrolet Tahoe may tout their max towing or off-road ability, the Flex focusses on transporting people on paved surfaces. It's striking and stylish as well as functional and useful – a fine combination similar to minivans and SUVs in capabilities, but clearly different from both.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a family vehicle that is a modern equivalent of the classic American station wagon, the 2013 Ford Flex could be the one. It offers seating for six or seven, a range of models and prices, available all-wheel drive, and a turbocharged V6 EcoBoost engine.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you need to tow more than 4,500 pounds or go venturing over rugged dirt tracks, the 2013 Ford Flex is not the best choice. The big V8-powered SUVs such as the Dodge Durango or Ford Expedition are better geared to these tasks, and may also offer more space inside.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.8
Driving Dynamics

7.9
Comfort & Convenience

7.9
Design: Interior & Exterior

8.3
Value

6.7
Safety

7.8

How It Ranks

#18

out of 30

MPG

#7

out of 30

Horsepower

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Consumer Rating

9.1 out of 10

View all
consumer ratings

What's New for 2013

For 2013, the Ford Flex gets a significant facelift with restyled front end, instrument panel and seats. There is a little more power in the base engine, manual shifting for the 6-speed automatic, new MyFord Touch, and several new available systems including parallel-parking assist and adaptive cruise control.

Driving the Flex

Driving Impressions Despite its wide body and long wheelbase, the 2013 Ford Flex feels pleasingly maneuverable and responsive. Its poise through tight turns is really quite impressive, and its smooth ride and...

quiet interior add to the pleasant driving experience. Sway and body roll are kept in check by a taut suspension, big wheel and tire packages and the Flex's low-to-the-ground stance. The electric power steering has unusually good feel for such systems. Despite is boxy appearance, the Flex seems to slip through the air easily at freeway speeds, creating very little wind noise. The base 287-horsepower engine gives adequate acceleration but the EcoBoost's 365 horsepower is clearly quicker and adds an element of sportiness to the drive. And the 2013 Ford Flex's available all-wheel drive adds another level of assurance on slippery roads.

Favorite Features

REAR-CONSOLE REFRIGERATOR
When fitted with the middle-row captain's chairs instead of the bench, the console between can be equipped with a built-in refrigerator that holds up to seven 12-ounce cans. And, with a low temperature of 23 degrees Fahrenheit, it can double as a mini ice cream cart.

SYNC COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
Ford's SYNC communications system features a voice-activated command center that can access music from an attached MP3 player, answer and place calls from a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone, and even read aloud incoming text messages.

2013 Ford Flex Details

2013 Ford Flex Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Ford took pains to make the 2013 Flex someplace special. The inviting interior is functional, elegantly appointed and meticulously assembled. The restyle this year gives the instrument panel a clean and functional high-tech look, with the three screens for the new MyFord Touch system. Noteworthy features include the massive 4-panel Vista skylight. The 2nd-row and 3rd-row seats fold flat, but so does the right-front passenger seat, creating acres of cargo room. For hauling people, the front and middle rows provide spacious and comfy accommodations for four full-size adults, five in a pinch. Third-row occupants will find legroom snug.

Exterior

The 2013 Ford Flex looks both functional and quirky, both edgy and timeless: Ford Country Squire wagon meets Mini Cooper. It's a box, for sure, but an elegantly detailed box, with aero-friendly contours around the edges and lower body. The new-this-year face is quite modernistic, with a strong horizontal character and the unusual decisions to downplay the headlights and put the Flex name in chrome across the nose. The aluminum-clad liftgate and optional contrasting-color roof are also strong visual elements. The Flex's flat, brick-like contours won't thrill everyone, but it's a distinctive and functional way to build a family hauler.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2013 Ford Flex comes in three trim levels: SE, SEL and Limited. Standard equipment includes keyless entry, a 6-way power driver's seat, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, Reverse Sensing System, fog lights, front and rear air conditioning, an MP3-compatible CD player, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Moving up to the top-of-the-line Limited trim brings heated front seats, a 10-way power driver's seat with memory, Sony Premium audio with Ford SYNC communications system, voice-activated navigation, leather interior, a power-folding 3rd-row seat, and 19-inch aluminum wheels. Standard safety equipment on all models includes inflatable 2nd-row safety belts and 3-row side-curtain airbags.

Optional Equipment

Options for the Ford Flex vary by trim and include a 365-horsepower EcoBoost V6 (Limited), all-wheel drive (SEL and Limited), rearview camera, power rear liftgate, heated 2nd-row seats with power Autofold mode, 2nd-row captain's-chair seating with center-console refrigerator, 4-panel Vista roof, a contrasting painted top, remote start, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, and Park Assist active parallel parking aid.

Under the Hood

Depending on trim, Ford offers two engines and the choice of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) on the 2013 Flex. The standard engine on all trims is a smooth and efficient 3.5-liter V6 with variable valve timing. Its 287 horsepower (modestly increased for 2013) is certainly adequate if not class-leading. Fuel economy is quite good with an estimated 17 mpg city and 24 highway. All-wheel-drive models earn slightly lower estimates. Optional on the Limited trim is the EcoBoost V6, which uses gasoline direct injection and twin turbochargers to produce an impressive 365 horsepower. A 6-speed automatic transmission is used throughout, and the EcoBoost engine is offered only with AWD.

3.5-liter V6
287 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
254 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg (FWD), 17/23 mpg (AWD)

3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6
365 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
350 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500–5,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/23 mpg

Pricing Notes

The 2013 front-wheel-drive Ford Flex SE has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $31,710. The mid-range SEL starts just over $34,000 with FWD, $36,000 with AWD. A top-line Limited starts just over $40,000 with the base engine and FWD and tops $45,000 with the EcoBoost V6 and AWD. Fully loaded, a Flex Limited can exceed $50,000. The Flex's pricing is in line with competitors such as the Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Pilot. To make your best deal, be sure to check our Fair Purchase Price, which shows the typical Flex transaction prices in your area. As for resale value, Kelley Blue Book expects the Flex to hold a good portion of its original purchase price, on par with the Chevy Traverse, but falling slightly behind the Honda Pilot.

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2013 Ford Flex Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.1

Out of 10

Based on 132 Ratings for the 2009 - 2014 models.

Review this car

Value

9.0/10

Quality

9.1/10
Reliability

9.3/10

Performance

9.3/10
Comfort

9.4/10

Styling

9.3/10

Best Vehicle we have owned!

By Stacey (MO) on Friday, June 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 52,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "mpg, rev. cam, size, the ride, radio, 110 outlet"

Cons: "none"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"We were looking for a vehicle that would seat 7, and my husband had heard of this new vehicle from Ford. So we went to test drive it. Amazing! Amazing ride, leg room, comfort. We had our 3 kids go with us so they could tell us how the back seats rode. It is so smooth and comfortable. Now the model we drove had 18" wheels and it handled the city streets like we were riding on a cloud. Pot holes and cracking, unlevel streets, it didn't matter. The car we purchased has 19" wheels (Limited) and the ride is still great, but not as good as the 18" wheels. We live in the hills of Missouri and our gas mileage has stayed around 23.5 miles to a gallon. The features the car has...reverse back-up camera (very helpful), the jukebox (which allows us to store up to 169 hours of cps), navigation system, the leg room, 110 outlet, phone chargers, cup holders everywhere, 12 speaker system, and the head lights coverage are all what make this car so nice. We would buy this car again if we had it to do over."

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very comfortable

By vicky (NJ) on Thursday, May 30, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,240

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "back up camera is great, blind spot warning good"

Cons: "Navagation had some trouble entering addresses"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"great car for the whole family. Can fit 7 people and wheel chair at same time. Low to the ground so 90 year old parents can get in. Handles nice, rides smooth. Easy to get used to driving from a smaller car."

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very comfortable

By vicky (NJ) on Thursday, May 30, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,240

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "back up camera is great, blind spot warning good"

Cons: "Navagation had some trouble entering addresses"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

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very comfortable

By vicky (NJ) on Thursday, May 30, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,240

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "back up camera is great, blind spot warning good"

Cons: "Navagation had some trouble entering addresses"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

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I have disbility issues.

By crazytbear (AZ) on Thursday, May 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 54,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Due to my Transverse Myelitis I have walking nd sitting for to long problems. The Flex is so comfortable, easy for me to get in and out of, easy to drive. It is so roomy my husband who is 6'3" fits comfortably in the back seats. Plenty of luggage room with 4 seats plus you can sit 6 if you want to. I recommend this vehicle for anyone who wAnts to travel in comfort, get good gas mileage (25 mpg @70 mph), and loves a big comfortable chair to get this car."

3 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Good Crossover

By Trina (GA) on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 19,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Cargo space, Road visability"

Cons: "Can't think of any"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"To me, I like the fact that it is a cross between a truck and a minivan. I am not the minivan type, and a truck was not for me. I like having the cargo where someone can reach behind them and retrieve something, like during a family road trip. I hardly use the 3rd row seating, but it REALLY came in handy when we needed it for more passengers. The cargo space with the 3rd row seating down is fantastic! I manage to cram about 26 bags of mulch one spring - of course the cargo space was well protected to prevent destroying my car."

10 people out of 10 found this review helpful

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See all 132 reviews