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Photo of a Ford Flex

Ford Flex

The 2013 Limited EcoBoost box: 365 hp and 0–60 mph in 5.7 seconds.1

Researched November 2, 2026 from 26 sources

Also called

  • professional squareGresens's term for the Flex's two-box shape, in a style popularized by the Scion xB.2
  • Wagon Queen Family HipsterMotorTrend's heading for its 2013 Limited EcoBoost first test.3

At a glance

0200400
262–365 hpPower
0510
5.7–8.4 s0–60 mph
0100200
195–198 km/hTop speed
0250500
336–475 N·mTorque
01,2502,500
2,027–2,243 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.15910

Engine
3.5 L V6: naturally aspirated Duratec or twin-turbo EcoBoost5
Layout
Front-engine, FWD or AWD; EcoBoost AWD only; D4 platform5911
Built at
Oakville Assembly Complex, Ontario, Canada6
Units built
Just over 300,0005

The story

Conceived to replace the Freestar minivan, the Flex combined old Ford wagon cues with a Range Rover flavor. Its sole generation covered 2009–2019, built at Oakville in Canada.3456

2005: Fairlane previews the Flex20052008: Oakville starts the 2009 model · Fourth in a six-crossover showdown20082009: A compressor fridge joins the family20092010: 355-hp EcoBoost arrives with AWD20102013: Facelift lifts output to 287 or 365 hp20132016: SYNC 3 replaces MyFord Touch20162019: 2009–2019: one generation2019 Ford Windstar: 1995–2003Ford WindstarFord Taurus (fourth generation): 2000–2007Ford Freestar: 2004–2007Ford Freestyle: 2005–2007Ford Fairlane concept: 2005Ford Fairlane conceptFord Taurus X: 2008–2009Ford Flex: 2009–2019Ford Flex 1995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones4516171819
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1995–2003Ford Windstar
2000–2007Ford Taurus (fourth generation)
2004–2007Ford Freestar
2005–2007Ford Freestyle
2005Ford Fairlane concept
2008–2009Ford Taurus X
2009–2019Ford Flex
2005Fairlane previews the Flex
2008Oakville starts the 2009 model
2008Fourth in a six-crossover showdown
2009A compressor fridge joins the family
2010355-hp EcoBoost arrives with AWD
2013Facelift lifts output to 287 or 365 hp
2016SYNC 3 replaces MyFord Touch
20192009–2019: one generation
  1. 2005

    Fairlane previews the Flex

    The Fairlane concept debuts in Chicago under J Mays. Its rear-hinged passenger doors give way to conventional doors on the production Flex.45

  2. 2008

    Oakville starts the 2009 model

    Production launches June 3 at Oakville. The D4-platform Flex measures 5,126 mm long, with a 2,995 mm wheelbase.57

  3. 2008

    Fourth in a six-crossover showdown

    The 2009 Flex finishes fourth in a six-crossover comparison; its base 262-hp V6 is judged slow despite otherwise strong packaging.89

  4. 2009

    A compressor fridge joins the family

    The launch model offers SYNC, a Vista Roof and a compressor fridge/freezer. Economy is 17/24 mpg city/highway; equipped towing reaches 2,040 kg.57

  5. 2010

    355-hp EcoBoost arrives with AWD

    SEL and Limited gain a 355-hp twin-turbo V6 with AWD. SEL testing yields 0–60 mph in 6.0 seconds, a 14.6-second quarter-mile and a governed 198 km/h.59

  6. 2013

    Facelift lifts output to 287 or 365 hp

    A revised nose joins MyFord Touch, rear inflatable belts and available adaptive cruise/BLIS. The base V6 rises to 287 hp; EcoBoost reaches 365 hp.56

  7. 2016

    SYNC 3 replaces MyFord Touch

    SYNC 3 replaces MyFord Touch. EcoBoost testing returns 18 mpg; folding both rear rows opens 83 cu ft of cargo space.10

  8. 2019

    2009–2019: one generation

    The Flex bows out after weak sales. By 2016, its platform-mate Explorer had outsold it more than nine to one across the preceding three years.4510

Every generation

  • Ford Windstar
    Ford Windstar1995–2003
  • Ford Taurus (fourth generation)
    Ford Taurus (fourth generation)2000–2007
  • Ford Freestar
    Ford Freestar2004–2007
  • Ford Freestyle
    Ford Freestyle2005–2007
  • Ford Fairlane concept
    Ford Fairlane concept2005
  • Ford Taurus X
    Ford Taurus X2008–2009
  • Ford Flex
    Ford Flex2009–2019

Power over the years

From 262 hp to 365 hp in 4 years.

0100200300400 2008201020122014 hp 2009 · 262 hp · Launch 3.5 L Duratec V62010 · 355 hp · SEL/Limited EcoBoost AWD2013 · 287 hp · Naturally aspirated 3.5 L V62013 · 365 hp · EcoBoost V6 365 hp EcoBoost V6 262 hp Launch 3.5 L Duratec V6
5
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2009262Launch 3.5 L Duratec V6
2010355SEL/Limited EcoBoost AWD
2013287Naturally aspirated 3.5 L V6
2013365EcoBoost V6

Versions

5 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • SE

    Standard

    SE

    2009–2019

  • Performance

    EcoBoost AWD

    2010–2012

    355 hp

  • Special

    SEL/Limited Appearance Package

    2013

  • Special

    Appearance Package

    2016

  • Titanium

    Special

    Titanium

    2011–2012

How to spot one

Look for

  • A long, blocky body and low ride height give it a stretched-wagon profile.1415
  • Four horizontal grooves cross the lower halves of the front and rear doors.5
  • An optional white, silver or black roof can contrast with the body.11
  • Facelift cars have FLEX hood lettering above the grille and no front Ford oval.5
  • The available Vista Roof puts separate glass panels above all three seating rows.710

Year by year

  1. 2010

    New EcoBoost versions add a small hatch badge and an exhaust outlet on each side of the rear bumper.59

  2. 2013

    FLEX hood lettering replaces the front Ford oval, above a revised grille and new projector-beam headlights.35

  3. 2013

    The tailgate Ford oval shrinks and moves to the lower right; dual exhaust becomes standard.56

  4. 2013

    A new dashboard gains a three-spoke wheel; available MyFord Touch adds twin instrument displays and a center touchscreen.56

  5. 2013

    Limited mirror caps switch from chrome to body color.5

  6. 2016

    Available SYNC 3 replaces MyFord Touch; the base radio swaps its narrow display for a small square screen.1011

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Ford Flex
    Flex
    Photo of a Scion xB (first generation)
    Scion xB (first generation)

    Scion xB (first generation)

    The Flex is much larger, with a long, slab-sided body and an available contrasting roof.31114

  • Photo of a Ford Flex
    Flex
    Photo of a Range Rover
    Range Rover

    Range Rover

    Look for the Flex's four lower-door grooves and, on facelift cars, FLEX hood lettering.45

Against its rivals

  • Toyota Highlander

    Flex vs Toyota Highlander

    Ground clearance

    Flex5.9 in
    Toyota Highlander8.1 in
    818

Prices

Value today $13.8K–$28.0K2324

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 2010201520202025 Value today: $13,750–$28,000 2009 · $28,995 · US base, SE FWD2009 · $37,255 · US base, Limited AWD2010 · $36,970 · US base, SEL EcoBoost AWD2010 · $42,840 · US base, Limited EcoBoost2012 · $34,050 · US base, SEL FWD2013 · $45,470 · US base, Limited EcoBoost AWD2013 · $48,345 · US as-tested, Limited EcoBoost AWD2016 · $30,495 · US base2016 · $43,995 · US base, Limited EcoBoost AWD2016 · $50,840 · US as-tested, Limited EcoBoost AWD 2009 · $28,995 · US base incl. shipping, 2009 model year 2024 · $20,500 · 2009 Limited, 9k miles, BaT2026 · $28,000 · 2013 Limited EcoBoost AWD, 28k miles, BaT2026 · $13,750 · 2015 SEL AWD, 47k miles, BaT2026 · $5,400 · 2016 Ford Flex, mileage 127,917, Bidbus2026 · $16,600 · 2019 Ford Flex, mileage 81,589, Bidbus $28.0K BaT, 2026
191012151823242526
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2009Launch price$28,995US base incl. shipping, 2009 model year
2009Price when new$28,995US base, SE FWD
2009Price when new$37,255US base, Limited AWD
2010Price when new$36,970US base, SEL EcoBoost AWD
2010Price when new$42,840US base, Limited EcoBoost
2012Price when new$34,050US base, SEL FWD
2013Price when new$45,470US base, Limited EcoBoost AWD
2013Price when new$48,345US as-tested, Limited EcoBoost AWD
2016Price when new$30,495US base
2016Price when new$43,995US base, Limited EcoBoost AWD
2016Price when new$50,840US as-tested, Limited EcoBoost AWD
2024Auction sale$20,5002009 Limited, 9k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$28,0002013 Limited EcoBoost AWD, 28k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$13,7502015 SEL AWD, 47k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$5,4002016 Ford Flex, mileage 127,917, Bidbus
2026Auction sale$16,6002019 Ford Flex, mileage 81,589, Bidbus
2026Value today$13,750–$28,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 5 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “12.89 seconds from a daily-driver Flex”
    • “Richard Gresens outside, Anthony Prozzi inside”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 7 generations

  • Market

    • 2 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 26 sources
  1. 2013 Ford Flex Limited AWD EcoBoost Test – Review – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  2. Maximizing Boxy Flex Aerodynamics Challenge to Ford Designers, Engineers | WardsAuto wardsauto.com
  3. 2013 Ford Flex Limited EcoBoost First Test motortrend.com
  4. The Ford Flex is dead. We say a heartful goodbye - Autoblog autoblog.com
  5. Ford Flex - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. New Ford Flex Brings More Technology, Better Fuel Economy, Modern Sophistication to Seven-Passenger Crossover prnewswire.com
  7. Media.Ford.com: NEW FORD FLEX ROLLS OFF LINE AT OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY web.archive.org
  8. 2009 Honda Pilot vs. Ford Flex and Four Other Crossovers caranddriver.com
  9. 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost V6 – Instrumented Test – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  10. 2016 Ford Flex 3.5L EcoBoost AWD Test – Review – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  11. Used Vehicle Spotlight: 2013-2019 Ford Flex - Autoblog autoblog.com
  12. 9k-Mile 2009 Ford Flex Limited for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $20,500 on May 29, 2024 (Lot #148,662) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  13. 2011 Ford Flex goes Titanium autoweek.com
  14. Ford Flex offers large vehicle with improved gas mileage | ABC7 Los Angeles | abc7.com - ABC7 Los Angeles abc7.com
  15. 2012 Ford Flex SEL: Review notes: Wishing for a turbodiesel in this stylish people mover autoweek.com
  16. Ford Windstar - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  17. Ford Taurus (fourth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. Ford prices the Flex at $28,995 autoweek.com
  19. Ford Freestyle - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. This 12-Second Flex Might Be Out to Embarrass You On Track fordmuscle.com
  21. 2009 Ford Flex - HOT ROD's Custom Staff Hauler - Hot Rod Magazine hotrod.com
  22. Nelly's On And Poppin' Custom Ford Flex To Be Revealed At SEMA jalopnik.com
  23. No Reserve: 47k-Mile 2015 Ford Flex SEL AWD for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,750 on February 8, 2026 (Lot #229,290) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  24. No Reserve: 28k-Mile 2013 Ford Flex Limited EcoBoost AWD for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $28,000 on January 24, 2026 (Lot #227,651) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  25. 2016 Ford Flex Auction Result #12806 - Bidbus bidbus.com
  26. 2019 Ford Flex Auction Result #9201 - Bidbus bidbus.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • wardsauto.com
  • motortrend.com
  • autoblog.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • prnewswire.com
  • web.archive.org
  • bringatrailer.com
  • autoweek.com
  • abc7.com
  • fordmuscle.com
  • hotrod.com
  • jalopnik.com
  • bidbus.com

Photo credits

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