2011 Ford Flex

When I said, "I do" to my Japanese husband, I also said, "I do" to a life full of Hondas, Toyotas and maybe the occasional Subaru. Ford was off the list, which didn't bother me until the introduction of the Ford Flex for the 2009 model year. Over the years, the three-row crossover made its presence known in my neighborhood and my heart. After a weeklong test drive, there's nothing I don't like about the 2011 Flex.

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With a love-it-or-hate-it boxy exterior, the 2011 Ford Flex is the anti-minivan that drives as smoothly as a sedan and easily handles seven passengers.

My test car, the top-of-the-line Titanium trim, came equipped with Ford's EcoBoost V-6 engine that delivers the power of a V-8 with a V-6's fuel economy. The optional engine had plenty of power to merge onto the highway, and unless I was turning at high speeds, the Flex never felt like a big boat on the road. The Flex's suspension absorbed road imperfections, proving its crossover chops.

The 2011 Flex has a starting MRSP of $29,355, but the Flex Titanium I test-drove cost a whopping $48,500.

EXTERIOR

The Flex's exterior is a polarizing topic. People either love or hate its square, wagon-like shape. While test-driving this crossover, I received nothing but positive comments and questions about it.

The boxy crossover had a convenient step-in height for my 3-year-old, and the slightly raised seats and ample ceiling height made it a breeze to install child-safety seats.

When loading the Flex with kids and then all their gear, the power liftgate made it a little easier. It comes standard on the Titanium and Limited trims. The cargo area shines when the third row is folded down, but it shrinks significantly when the third row is in use. With the third-row seats up, I was able to fit a few bags of groceries, a case of diapers and my umbrella stroller in the deep storage well in the cargo area.

One pricey option — $1,495 to be exact — had my kids mesmerized. The Vista Roof, a panoramic moonroof with four glass panels, covered all three rows of seats.

The 2011 Flex Titanium came equipped with a 335-hp, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 and a six-speed automatic transmission. It gets an EPA-estimated 16/21 mpg city/highway and uses premium fuel. A less powerful V-6 engine is on lower trim levels.

SENSE AND STYLE

Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Excellent
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Some

INTERIOR

Ford had a family's needs in mind when designing the Flex. The crossover is filled with nooks, crannies, power outlets and cupholders. You know, all the things parents can't get enough of when hauling around children.

Another thing I can't seem to get enough of is legroom. Child-safety seats normally swallow it up. However, the Flex comfortably accommodated my 6-foot-2 husband in the front passenger seat and a rear-facing convertible car seat in the second row behind him. It was truly an amazing feat. The third row was comfortable and had a workable amount of legroom.

The Flex can be had with two captain's chairs in the second row, creating a pathway to the third row, or a three-seat bench. My test car had the standard three-seat bench, creating room for seven.