2013 Ford Flex Overview Change Vehicle

This 2013 Ford Flex review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2013 Ford Flex, and includes Ford Flex safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The 2013 Ford Flex is a seven-passenger crossover SUV that’s based on the Ford Taurus platform, which, technically, makes it a station wagon. Eh, who can tell the difference anymore? We like to think of the Flex as a family-sized version of a Mini Cooper, and it competes against models like the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Veracruz, Mazda CX-9, and Toyota Highlander.

The 2013 Flex ditches its chrome three-bar grille for a sleek, technical front appearance with new headlights and F L E X in block letters on the edge of the hood. New wheel designs debut, all models have dual chrome-tipped exhaust outlets, and a new Appearance Package for SEL and Limited models includes a two-tone roof with matching mirror paint, 20-inch machined-finish wheels with black painted pockets, leather upholstery, special door panel trim, and other interior upgrades.

Speaking of interiors, the Flex gains a new gauge cluster and steering wheel, and is available with heated and ventilated front seats as well as a new version of MyFord Touch technology. A Sony premium sound system with touch-capacitive controls is also available, along with a passive entry and ignition system with push-button start and remote vehicle starting.

The standard 3.5-liter V6 gains twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) technology, adding 20 horsepower and improved fuel economy in the process. Electric steering is also new, and facilitates the addition of an Active Park Assist system that can automatically steer the Flex into a parallel parking space while the driver operates the brake and gas pedals.

In terms of safety equipment, rain-sensing wipers are newly available for the Flex, as well as an adaptive cruise control system, collision warning with brake support, a blind-spot information system, and rear inflatable seatbelts. Finally, Ford paints the Flex any of three new colors available for 2013: Ruby Red, Deep Impact Blue, and Kodiak Brown.

The 2013 Ford Flex is sold in SE, SEL and Limited trim levels, equipped with front- or all-wheel drive and a choice between two V6 engines.

The Flex SE is the most affordable model, and is identified by its 17-inch aluminum wheels. Based on preliminary information, the SE includes air conditioning, floor mats, a stereo with a CD player and an auxiliary audio input jack, power windows with driver’s side one-touch operation, power door locks with remote keyless entry and a SecuriCode keyless entry panel, and power side blind-spot mirrors. A six-way power driver’s seat faces a tilt/telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, the front passenger’s seat folds in half, and the seats are upholstered in cloth. Dark tinted rear privacy glass, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic headlights with wiper activation, and metallic dash and door trim panels are also standard on the Flex SE, along with MyKey programmable safety features.

The Flex SEL is the mid-level model, and also provides buyers with access to a longer list of options. It is distinguished by a set of 18-inch machined-finish wheels, fog lights, and fake wood interior trim, and includes heated front seats with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and six-way power adjustment for the front passenger. Dual-zone automatic climate control, heated side mirrors, and a HomeLink programmable remote control are also included on the SEL model, as well as Sync hands-free communication and entertainment technology and satellite radio.

The Flex Limited is the luxurious version. It rolls on polished 19-inch wheels and is trimmed with lots of extra brightwork. Perforated leather upholstery covers the first two rows of seats, and the Limited is equipped with a next-generation MyFord Touch navigation, information and entertainment system. A touch-sensitive panel controls the standard Sony premium audio system, and this model comes standard with ambient cabin lighting, a 110-volt power outlet, keyless access with push-button start, remote engine starting, power adjustable pedals, and a power rear liftgate. Xenon high-intensity discharge headlights illuminate the way, and the Flex Limited is equipped with LED taillights, PowerFold side mirrors, and rain-sensing wipers.

Ford offers numerous options for the Flex, available dependent on the trim level selected. Highlights include heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, reclining second-row bucket seats with a refrigerated rear center console, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with dual headrest screens, and a variety of wheel sizes and designs. The new Appearance Package includes unique 20-inch wheels, and the 2013 Flex can be equipped with a number of safety features including an adaptive cruise control system, a collision warning with brake support system, a blind-spot information system, and rear inflatable seatbelts. A Class III Trailer Tow Package bumps towing capacity to 4,500 pounds, an Active Park Assist system steers the Flex into a parking space while the driver operates the foot pedals, and a glass Vista Roof gives passengers in all three rows of seats an expansive view out.

The Flex’s standard 3.5-liter V6 engine is upgraded for 2013 with twin independent variable camshaft timing, what Ford calls Ti-VCT. What’s important about this is Ti-VCT increases power output while improving fuel economy. As a result, the standard V6 now makes 285 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 253 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm.

A standard six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with a thumb-shift button for manual gear control is also new for 2013. Power flows through this transmission to the front or all four wheels, and Ford expects fuel economy to be 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. Get the Flex AWD and you can likely expect ratings of 17-city/24-highway.

The Flex’s optional 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 carries over for 2013, rated to deliver 355 horsepower at 5,700 and 350 lb-ft of torque between 1,500 and 5,250 rpm. Take a look at that torque figure for a minute. Torque is what you actually experience when a vehicle is accelerating off the line and rushing to speed, and it is more important than horsepower under most driving conditions. The Flex’s EcoBoost V6 is making its maximum torque across the majority of the engine’s rev range. That means that from almost any speed in any gear, when you stab the gas pedal, the Flex EcoBoost responds with a healthy shot of engine response.

Maybe that’s why it comes only on all-wheel-drive models. The standard six-speed SelectShift transmission is also equipped with paddle shifters for better manual control of gear changes, and the Flex EcoBoost should return 16-mpg city/22-mpg highway while burning premium unleaded fuel.

Ford equips the 2013 Flex with an impressive suite of standard safety features including six airbags, traction and stability control with roll stability control, side blind-spot mirrors, and a four-wheel-disc antilock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. An SOS Post Crash Alert system activates the hazard lights, unlocks the doors, and sounds the horn in the event of an airbag deployment, and as long as a phone is connected to the Flex’s Sync system and the available subscription service is paid for, airbag deployment also activates a 911 Assist system that puts a live operator in touch with the vehicle’s passengers to make sure everyone is OK and to speed assistance from rescue personnel.

In addition to these standard features, the 2013 Ford Flex can be equipped with rear inflatable seat belts to better cushion impact force in a collision, a rearview camera system, and an adaptive cruise control system that maintains a safe distance from traffic ahead. In conjunction with the adaptive cruise, a collision warning with brake support system emits audible and visual warnings when it detects high closing rates with a vehicle or object ahead, and readies the braking system to take quick action. The Flex is also available with a blind-spot information system, and an Active Park Assist system with front and rear parking sensors.

As this report is written, the 2013 Ford Flex has not been evaluated for crashworthiness or for its potential to provide dependable service. For clues, however, we reference the 2012 model that is structurally identical and mechanically similar to the substantially refreshed 2013 Flex.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) called the 2012 Flex a Top Safety Pick, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the ’12 Flex a 4-Star rollover resistance rating. As for long-term dependability, Consumer Reports issued a reliability prediction of average for the 2012 Flex.

With all three rows of seat raised and in use, the Flex provides a generous 20 cubic-feet of cargo space. Fold the third-row seat down, and there’s 43.2 cu-ft with which owners can work. For maximum volume, the second-row seat can be folded down to maximize space at 83.1 cu-ft. Ford does not provide a cargo volume number for when the front passenger’s seat is folded in half.

When equipped with the optional Class II Towing Package, the 2013 Ford Flex is rated to tow up to 4,500 lbs. Speaking of weight, a Flex SE with front-wheel drive weighs in at 4,439 lbs. Get the Limited AWD with the EcoBoost engine, and the Flex tips the scales at a hefty 4,828 pounds.

The 2013 Ford Flex is assembled in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

Vehix’s editors are big fans of the Ford Flex, and we named the three-row crossover SUV as the best model in its class for 2012. Once we warm up to the new styling, chances are good that the improved 2013 Flex will remain one of our favorite crossovers at any price.

By Christian Wardlaw