How much is auto insurance for a Ford Flex?

The Ford Flex represents a shift in the automotive industry toward manufacturing crossovers in the place of minivans. When the 2009 Flex was introduced, it replaced the Freestar minivan in Ford’s lineup.

U.S. News and World Report currently lists 20 “midsize SUVs” on the market, most of which are essentially crossovers. In contrast, there are fewer than ten minivans currently on the market.

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Reviewers say that the 2012 Ford Flex looks and feels more like a large SUV, and it comes in a variety of trims and drivetrains that will offer something for most consumers.

However, auto critics also note that the Flex’s price can tread dangerously close to large-SUV territory as well once you start to pile on the options.

The base model Flex SE has an entry-level price of $29,400, but the highest level Flex Titanium trim starts at $38,145. To get the powerful EcoBoost V6 engine, you’ll have to splurge for the Titanium or pay the $35,650 base price for the Flex Limited.

Ford Flex Auto Insurance Rates

Auto insurance rate estimates aren’t available yet for the 2012 Ford Flex, but they should be similar to the rates for the 2011 model.

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) estimates that for experienced drivers, your annual auto insurance rates will be about $1,476 if you drive a 2011 Ford Flex. That will add up to a bill of $5,738 if you own your Flex for five years. If you pay monthly, your premium will be around $95.

If you’ve accumulated just three to six years of on-road experience, you should expect to pay closer to $2,157 a year for insurance, and your rate is likely to approach $3,275 if you have less than three years’ experience.

The Ford Flex’s estimated monthly auto insurance rate of $95 is on the high end compared to other affordable crossovers.

It’s a bit lower than the average premium of $96 that Buick Enclave drivers are expected to pay, but it’s also significantly higher than the $83 per month that you’d pay to insure a Ford Explorer.

Compared to what Explorer owners are projected to pay, it will cost over $700 more to insure a Flex for five years. Typical monthly auto insurance rates for the Dodge Durango are about $90, and they’re about $93 for the Chevrolet Traverse and Mazda’s CX-9.

Ford Flex Warranty and Repair Costs

The 2012 Ford Flex’s powertrain is warranted for five years or 60 months, and the Flex’s limited warranty lasts for three years or 36 months.

Since the average driver covers about 15,000 miles per year, your warranty is likely to expire early in the third year of ownership. At that point, the NADA estimates that you’ll pay about $343 for repairs.

The following year, the Flex’s repair bill will be closer to $571, and it will be about the same for the fifth year of ownership. The Flex’s total 5-year repair bill should add up to about $1,485 for most owners.

Maintaining Your Ford Flex

According to the NADA, it will cost just over $2,408 to maintain a Ford Flex for five years. During the first and second years that you own your Flex, you’ll pay about $217 each year.

For the third year, you’ll pay about $1,309, and the Flex’s fourth-year maintenance bill will total approximately $361. For the fifth year’s scheduled service appointments, you’ll pay about $305.

2012 Ford Flex Safety Ratings

Along with the Dodge Durango, the Ford Edge and Explorer, the Kia Sorento, and quite a few other midsize SUVs, the 2012 Ford Flex was rated a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

This means that it passed all four of the IIHS’ collision tests, including the roof strength test, with flying colors. It features electronic stability control, which is also required for “Top Safety Pick” status, as well as traction control and tire pressure monitoring.

For families, the 2011 Flex features child seat anchors and rear-door child safety locks, as well as a three-point seat belt in the rear center seat.

2012 Ford Flex Fuel Economy

Although the Ford Edge is a strong contender when it comes to fuel economy, getting 19 city/27 highway mpg, the Ford Flex’s numbers aren’t so impressive. In fact, they’re even worse than the Ford Explorer’s 17 city/25 highway mpg.

The 2012 Flex gets just 16 city/23 highway mpg, the same as the Dodge Durango and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Only the Mitsubishi Endeavor and the Subaru Tribeca have lower fuel economy ratings. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid offers the best city fuel economy among affordable midsize SUVs, getting 28 mpg.

When it comes to highway fuel efficiency, though, the Kia Sorento is the best performer, getting 29 mpg.

2012 Ford Flex Seating and Cargo Capacity

Depending on which configuration you purchase, the 2012 Ford Flex seats either six or seven passengers. If you opt for a second-row bench seat, you can accommodate seven, but seating capacity is reduced to six if you opt for dual second-row captain’s chairs.

Auto critics are impressed with how comfortable and spacious the Flex’s seats are, and even adults can climb into and out of the rear seat easily.

If you’re actually planning to haul around seven people, you’ll still have 20 cubic feet of cargo capacity. If you remove the rear seat, though, you’ll more than double that, and removing the second-row seat quadruples it.

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