Motoring Blog

When you think of a crossover vehicle, you usually don’t associate it with speed. The (lack of) exhibited style on crossovers is purely based on personal taste, because these things are usually so odd looking that you either love or hate a particular model, there’s no two ways about it.

With the 2010 Flex, Ford is going for the pure boxy look. There aren’t many curves on this crossover — expect near 90 degree angles on the front, sides and back (although the fenders have a slight bit of curvature to them). The chosen design is a stark contrast to its direct American competition, the GMC Acadia, which by comparison is très chic and sexy.

But I think the main feature that’s going to attract drivers to this crossover is the sheer power. If you want a go-fast vehicle that you can haul the whole family around in, the all-wheel drive 2010 Ford Twin-Turbo Flex with EcoBoost is arguably the wisest choice.

Here’s what you’re getting under the hood with the Flex’s premium package: a 355-horsepower EcoBoost V-6 engine that puts out 350 foot pounds of torque. That in a nut shell means, as Edmunds.com claims, it can go 0-60 mph in just 6.1 seconds. Lawrence Ulrich at the New York Times makes the worthy observation that “This Ford will even out accelerate the Porsche Cayenne S, a smaller SUV whose 385-horsepower V-8 produces a 6.4 second run to 60 mph.” Now that’s pretty darn fast.

The interior of the 2010 Ford Twin-Turbo Flex with EcoBoost is roomy enough for everyone, front and rear. The driver and passenger seats with leather trim will make you feel very comfy when cruising on the highway. And to help you maneuver the Flex, count on electronic power steering and even manual shift controls mounted on the steering wheel when you want to override the 6-speed automatic transmission. Two trim packages are available: SEL and Limited.

The miracle option that is offered for many vehicles these days is automated parallel parking, called Active Park Assist by Ford. With essentially a touch of a button, the Flex will parallel park where there is no other option for you, employing its rear camera to figure out how to wedge itself into the space.

This feature simply blows my mind, although I do have a fair share of parallel parking experience and it isn’t generally a problem for me. The $550 price tag for this option may seem a bit hefty, but if you drive in the city a lot and tend to park in metered spaces, it’s a must have.

Other conveniences include the Sirius Travel Link navigation system that can transmit valuable information like weather forecasts, current gas costs per gallon and even movie times. And if you like glass roofs, you’re going to love the Flex’s optional multi-panel Vista Roof.

If you want to combine high performance and versatility in a not-so-overwhelming body, give the 2010 Ford Flex with EcoBoost a whirl.

Photo © nytimes

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