Initial Quality – The 2009 Ford Flex is a new model and had not yet been included in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS) when this review was originally published.

Performance and Design – The 2009 Ford Flex is a new model and had not yet been included in the J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL) when this review was originally published.

Predicted Reliability – The Ford Flex is a new model for 2009 and has not been included in a J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which measures dependability of three-year-old vehicles. However, based on the performance of previous Fords during the past five years in both our Initial Quality and Vehicle Dependability studies, the predicted reliability rating for the 2009 Ford Flex is 3 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings.

Fuel Economy – The 2009 Ford Flex is equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that drives the front or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. With front-wheel drive, the Flex is rated to achieve 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. With all-wheel drive, the Flex is rated to achieve 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. Our review vehicle, a Flex Limited AWD, averaged 19.9 mpg while driven primarily on the highway during a round trip from Los Angeles to Tucson. Combined with the Flex’s standard 18.6-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 370-mile range between fill-ups during highway traveling.

Safety – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2009 Ford Flex gets 5-star crash-test ratings for frontal and side impact occupant protection, and a 4-star rollover rating with front- or all-wheel drive.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety calls the Ford Flex a “Top Safety Pick” because it has standard stability control and received a “Good” rating in the offset frontal impact crash test, a “Good” rating in the side impact crash test, and a “Good” rating for rear impact protection.

Environment – According to the EPA, the 2009 Ford Flex consumes 18 barrels of petroleum annually with front-wheel drive and 19 barrels of petroleum annually with all-wheel drive. The resulting carbon footprint ratings are 9.6 tons of air pollution per year for front-wheel drive models and 10.2 tons of air pollution per year for all-wheel drive models. The Flex receives a national air pollution score of 6 out of 10 and a California/New England air pollution score of 7 out of 10.