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Introduction

Remember those Kix cereal commercials? You know, "Kid Tested, Mother Approved!" Well, the 2010 Ford Flex flips that marketing classic on its head. This seven-passenger crossover wagon provides the sort of space, comfort, safety and general practicality that moms and dads everywhere are looking for, yet the Flex also has kid appeal, with its funky box styling drawing thumbs-up from 10-year-old boys who wouldn't look twice at another big crossover or minivan. When it comes to shopping for your next family conveyance, the Ford's all-family appeal isn't to be ignored.

Now in its second year of production, the Ford Flex builds upon its solid freshman campaign with the introduction of an intriguing optional engine on SEL and Limited trims. Available only with all-wheel drive and dubbed "EcoBoost," this 355-horsepower V6 is direct-injected and twin-turbocharged, yielding 93 more hp than the Flex's otherwise perfectly adequate base V6 while essentially matching its fuel economy. Also notable is the EcoBoost's standard manual override shift paddles, which would be a handy option to have with the base engine in light of its transmission's reluctance to downshift.

The new turbo V6 is certainly a welcome addition to the Flex's already impressive qualities. We've even had a Flex in our long-term fleet for testing. It has been a particular favorite for road trips, crossing this great nation twice and cruising confidently from Los Angeles to Oregon in the dead of winter. Its ample creature comforts, high-tech entertainment features, generous space and pleasant driving demeanor give it undeniable long-distance poise. It is equally at home around town, whether ferrying children to school or picking up giant boxes from Ikea. Rarely have we found ourselves yearning for a bigger vehicle.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2010 Ford Flex is a seven-passenger crossover wagon; optional captain's chairs reduce seating capacity to six. It is available in SE, SEL and Limited trim levels.

The base SE comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, foglamps, rear parking sensors, keyless entry and an exterior access code pad, cruise control, automatic climate control, eight-way-driver and two-way-passenger power front seats, a tilt-telescoping steering wheel, a 60/40-split-folding second row (with power-activated 40 portion), a 50/50 split-folding third row, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a trip computer and a six-speaker stereo with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2010 Ford Flex comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 producing 262 hp and 248 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard with this engine and all-wheel drive is optional. In our performance testing, our best run from zero to 60 mph in an all-wheel-drive Flex required a class-average 8.8 seconds. EPA fuel economy estimates are 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined with front-wheel drive .

Safety

The 2010 Ford Flex comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and rear parking sensors. A rearview camera is optional. In brake testing, a Flex Limited with the standard 3.5-liter engine stopped from 60 mph in 131 feet -- average for the class -- without the excessive fade common to Ford's other crossovers. In government crash testing, the Flex achieved a perfect five stars in all front and side categories. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded it the best possible rating of "Good" in its frontal-offset and side-impact tests.

Interior Design and Special Features

The Ford Flex's interior quality is top-notch, with abundant soft-touch materials and an attractive, upscale design. The spacious layout affords true seven-passenger seating -- even the third row is hospitable for full-size adults. The optional reclining second-row captain's chairs shrink seating capacity to six, but comfort increases. With either configuration, the standard power-folding mechanism in the second row makes getting into the third row a snap. With the rear seats lowered, the Flex can hold 83 cubic feet of stuff. This is less than minivans and several other large crossovers, but the Flex's conveniently boxy shape makes the most of it.

The available Microsoft Sync system lends the Flex a high-tech character, offering trick features like advanced voice-recognition software for iPods as well as cell phones. Other intriguing options such as the Vista Moonroof, Sirius Travel Link and rear-console refrigerator extend the Flex's appeal. This year's addition of a telescoping steering wheel corrects one of the Flex's few glaring problems, making the driving position friendlier for drivers of above-average height. The front headrests were also re-engineered, a reaction to criticism from drivers who complained they pushed uncomfortably forward.

Driving Impressions

The ride is always comfortable -- even with the bigger wheels. The base V6 is adequate for a vehicle this size, motivating the Flex with enough gusto to keep up with competing crossovers.