Author: Matthew C. Keegan Article: During the early 1970s, when the American Motors Company (AMC) was still around, the company aired a television advertisement in which a voice asked, “What Is It?” Featured on screen was the AMC Matador, a sedan that looked like a distorted Dodge Dart. In the background another voice answered with passion, “Its a Matador!” That ad came to mind when I was thinking of ways to describe the soon to be released Ford Flex, a crossover vehicle that defies easy description. I’ve seen the Flex up close at a pair of auto shows this year, but I haven’t driven one yet. I’m not in the market for this type of vehicle personally, but I can see where families who might be thinking “minivan” or “let’s trade in the SUV” would consider something like the Flex. I’m just not sure how the Flex’s distinct looks will play out when people shop for a crossover. The Ford Flex is an alternative to the minivan, a product segment Ford abandoned a few years ago. Ford, like GM, decided to let Chrysler, Toyota, and Honda battle it out for minivan supremacy, choosing to go with the current hot segment — crossovers. The Flex is a 7-passenger vehicle offered in front wheel or all wheel drive. Looking a lot like a station wagon, the Flex attempts to steer clear of that designation through its interior set up, most notably the seating arrangement. One option Ford thinks will be a big hit is the roof which is available in contrasting white or silver instead of just the matching body color customers might usually choose. If you think you’ve seen this set up before, you have — the MINI Cooper also has the same floating roof design. A point of controversy will be the Flex’s side panel grooves, a design feature unique to a vehicle in this class. Outfitted with its popular Ford SYNC navigation system and the SIRIUS Travel Link (an ideal feature for accessing weather, traffic, and gas station location information), the Flex offers an optional rear camera system which can be helpful for backing out of tight spaces. Many times it is the “little touches” which help sway customer opinion about a vehicle. Ford hopes that the refrigerated second row center console will be one of those deciding factors, a unit that can hold as many as 7 cans of soda or a pair of 20-oz. bottles of the same. With a chill temperature of 41 degrees, even certain perishable food items could find a temporary home in this unit. For families who take long road trips, this touch is a real parent-pleaser, one more way to provide peace while on an endless trip. Though pricing hasn’t been firmed up as of this writing, the base Flex should retail for about $28,000 with a fully equipped AWD Flex selling for just over $36,000. Starting prices for the Flex are slightly higher than similarly equipped minivans, but compare favorable to similar sized SUVs. Like the Matador, the Flex will probably elicit the usual “what is it?” reactions when the first vehicles hit the road this summer. That might not be a bad thing as Ford can use all the attention it can get with the Flex. Converting customer reactions into actual sales may be the Flex’s biggest challenge, but with important safety and cabin features included, Ford just may have a beautiful swan on its hands. (Source: Ford Motor Company) About the author: Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in Cary, North Carolina. If you are looking for quality performance parts for your vehicles, then consider Ford Taurus tail lights and Ford Thunderbird body kits, products which are available to you at discount prices.