2015 Ford Flex Limited Package With Navigation $18,490

The 2015 Ford Flex offers a desirable combination of space, versatility, features and solid driving dynamics. It's a top choice among large, seven-passenger family crossovers. There are plenty of options these days for big families who need transportation. You can choose from crossovers, big SUVs and minivans to fit your brood and haul the road-trip gear. Somewhere among all those options though, the boxy, wagonlike 2015 Ford Flex seems to have gotten lost. It's a car we think goes overlooked far too often, especially since it offers plenty of versatility. Since it is a box, it's able to easily swallow more cargo than its numerical specs would indicate. Its third row seat is also comfortable for adults (especially with the optional second-row captain's chairs slid forward), with its abundant headroom and large windows that eliminate the claustrophobic feeling indicative of many third rows. Very good visibility for the driver is another benefit from the Flex's shape. Yet there is more to like here than just the Flex's utility. It's a bit more carlike to drive than some other crossovers, and offers a smooth ride for long family road trips. Ford also gives you two different engine options, which is rare for a large crossover. The base V6 is certainly capable, but there's also a turbocharged V6 available that can take the Flex from zero to 60 mph in just 6.1 seconds, which makes it far and away the quickest vehicle in the segment. Who says a family vehicle has to be boring? That said, there are many competitors out there that may be a better match for your family. We like the 2015 Mazda CX-9, as it is engaging to drive and offers a bit more maximum space than the Flex does. The 2015 GMC Acadia is also very roomy and offers a comfortable, composed ride along with room for eight passengers. The 2015 Toyota Highlander is a well-rounded favorite of ours with an excellent ride quality, a quiet interior and an available hybrid powertrain. There's also the Flex's mechanically related sibling, the Ford Explorer, but in most respects (especially in terms of practicality), we prefer the Flex. Whatever you compare it to, the 2015 Ford Flex deserves a chance, as few vehicles on the road manage to combine style and practicality so well.