Ford Flex = SUV Killer?

N

nc211

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Saw an article today highlighting the new Ford Flex wagon. It looks really cool! I like the styling direction these days of Ford. But, the article said "Bye bye SUV" and "SUV Killer". However, when reading about the car on Ford's site, it says 17mpg city / 24 highway. My 05' V8 permanent 4x4 4runner gets that, or very close to it, with an average of about 18-19 mpg. Certainly not enough to call the Flex an SUV killer, in my opinion.

What do you guys think? Is high teens city, low to mid twenties mpg enough to justify it for a replacement of the SUV?

I'm talking in general terms. There is no way I'm giving up our 4runner.
 
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An overstatment but we obviously are going to see a trend toward smaller size cars (even ones that don't appear to get any better mileage) and less trucks but it's not going to kill SUVs,they'll exist just in a smaller segment.

In the near future more and more people will be choosing cars on their true needs instead of driving something that is overkill for them.

People that need trucks for work or play will actually be using their vehicles for more what they are intended and can afford to pay the price of driving a big vehicle and less will be using them as status symbols for the "I drive a big truck just because" set i.e. people with H2s and 24" wheels,etc.
 
The interior is alright, but man that thing is UGLY.

Not sure how they justify that as an SUV killer IMO.
 
My $0.03:

1st, No way anyone in their right mind would consider a Ford over a Toyota.

2nd, IMO, no single vehicle can be called the "SUV Killer", The demand on SUV's are dropping due to changing times and likes of the consumer.

3rd, I am a new 4runner owner and I will drive it for 7-10 years, even if the gas prices are $8-$10. I am from Turkey and the US prices are still less than half of what they are in Europe. Plus, call me crazy if you want, but I believe high gas prices make people appreciate their cars more...
 
An MPG rating of 17/24 won't kill anything. That's going to be a minimum standard from now on. We're at 14/17 (V8) or 16/20 (V6) with the 4Runner, and that's considered a "bad SUV" right now.
 
Trust me, the Ford Flex is not a SUV killer. It's a polarizing design and it's expensive. It costs as much as the 4runner and we all know our vehicles are not cheap.

It will probably sell well b/c it seems the people who like it REALLY REALLY like it, but it is still a big vehicle. A diesel or a hybrid might do some damage though.

Oh, and I would consider buying a Ford. My family has driven Fords forever with very few problems. I especially like the Edge...
 
audiqtr said:
My $0.03:

1st, No way anyone in their right mind would consider a Ford over a Toyota.

2nd, IMO, no single vehicle can be called the "SUV Killer", The demand on SUV's are dropping due to changing times and likes of the consumer.

3rd, I am a new 4runner owner and I will drive it for 7-10 years, even if the gas prices are $8-$10. I am from Turkey and the US prices are still less than half of what they are in Europe. Plus, call me crazy if you want, but I believe high gas prices make people appreciate their cars more...
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You are so right on here, exept for the "1st" statement. Lots of loyal Ford people left in the USA.

Yes, high gas prices make people appreciate cars more. Most Americans (the members here are an exeption I think) don't maintain their cars, then whine when it starts getting poor mileage, loosing power, and in need of repairs. High gas prices make people change air filters, get tune ups, change oil, get new tires, check tire inflation more, the list goes on and on.
 
Thai said:
I doubt that your V8 4runner gets better mpgs than the Flex....
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Even with the V8 the mileage will be close I average about 20mpg with mine and thats city and highway. The flex (mini van replacement) looks bigger and maybe heavier than the 4 with a V6 I'm sure it will work harder and possibly get less mpg than stated on the sticker.

It's not suv in my eyes, it's to low, its a unibody, so its a glorified car not a suv.
 
Wow, got some good responses! I think the Flex is pretty neat looking, if you're in the market for something with that look. But, as speedjunkie mentioned, the overall mpg differences don't really justify the media's claim that the Flex is one of the answers to the SUV. Now, granted, if you're talking against a Hummer, then yeah, probably so. A Boeing 757 probably gets better mileage than a full-on hummer. But against the vast majority of the others, the trade-off for maybe 3 or 4 more miles to give up size, 4x4 ability, tow ability, and soforth, just doesn't jibe with me.

At what mpg do you guys & gals think would justify something like the Flex to truely pull SUV's off the streets? 25/30?
 
nc211 said:

At what mpg do you guys & gals think would justify something like the Flex to truely pull SUV's off the streets? 25/30?
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Will never happen. As long as greenbacks can buy gas, it won't matter what the price will be, rich and not so rich alike will still be driving SUVs, albeit in a little bit lower numbers.
 
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