Erica Mueller is Managing Editor at Green-Parents.com, where she and others discuss Green, Eco Friendly and Healthy topics and products. She can also be found blogging about shopping, homemaking, crafts, and music at her site, EricaSays.com Erica is a stay at home wife and mother and resides in north east Texas.

You can follow @EricaMueller on Twitter (hashtag #forddrive) for more about the Ford Flex!

We were unable to take a mini-vacation during the Spring Break Drive, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from experiencing the Ford Flex! I used every excuse to go somewhere and when my husband needed to go to Dallas to pick up a truck, I jumped at the chance.

Most cars are comfortable for driving to and from the store and running local errands, but what about extended trips? The Flex impressed me! After a four-hour trip I was able to hop out of the car without back or leg pain. My tailbone was fine. My neck and back were free of kinks. I don’t remember the last time I drove to Dallas and back without feeling like a semi-truck hit me somewhere along the way!

In addition to comfortable seating, the Ford Flex includes lots of small details to make your travel experience great:

The Flex has ten cup/bottle holders! Now you have room for the Starbucks and the water bottle.

• Each passenger has control of their own personal book-reading or map light.
• There are map pockets on the backs of the front seats.
• The ambient lighting in the front foot areas, in the front console’s cup-holders, and in the back of the front console is programmable to match your tastes!
• And, my favorite small detail is the foot rest for the driver’s left foot! I have knee problems and often the odd angle at which my leg rests while driving causes pain. In the Flex I could prop it up and enjoy a pain-free drive!

Spring time in Texas provides a wide variety of weather. In one week’s time I was able to test both the air conditioning and the heat in the Ford Flex! (It wasn’t quite cold enough to try the heated seats, but I sure was tempted!) The climate controls were very easy to use and the car heats and cools quickly. I felt confident that my little boy was just as comfortable as I was because of the rear auxiliary climate control system.

When it comes to sound, I’m a huge fan of Sony, so I was really excited to see the Ford Flex included a Sony sound system! Whether listening to music from your iPod via the Bluetooth connection or the audio input port, or watching a movie, you’re going to get the highest quality sound available.

Being a geeky sort of girl, I couldn’t wait to try out the Microsoft SYNC System. My first goal was to connect my cell phone via Bluetooth. I found the process very simple and self explanatory. In less than 2 minutes my phone was connected, set as a favorite device, and my contacts and call history were imported. Next, I needed to get my music playing! The SYNC system works wirelessly with all your Bluetooth enabled media devices.

I don’t have an iPod, but I do store and listen to music on my Samsung Instinct phone. Because my phone was already connected for calls, all I had to do was start playing music on my phone, then access the media screen on the SYNC system. From there I could control the volume and switch songs.

To show how easy it is to use the SYNC system’s hands-free calling, I’ve made a video of me calling my friend, Nikki, from TheGuiltyParent.com. (In the first clip I got her answering machine, so I tried again another day, which explains my change in appearance.)

For more information on the SYNC system, visit the SYNC Homepage and watch the SYNC Demonstration Video!

Pumping gas into the Ford Flex is a dream! With the Easy Fuel™ capless fueling, it’s faster and cleaner, and you don’t have to worry about losing the cap! I really enjoyed not having to unscrew a gas cap and spending the rest of the afternoon smelling gasoline on my hands. I was also pleased to experience the Flex’s outstanding fuel efficiency: 18.9 miles per gallon! (my average) For an SUV of its size, the Flex’s range of 17-24mpg is unsurpassed.

The HID Headlamps and LED tail lights were amazing at night! The road in front of me stayed well-lit and the lights seemed much clearer than traditional headlamps which cast a yellowish tint on everything.

There are just too many great features to name them all, let alone try them all in a week’s time. The moment the Ford Fleet gentleman pulled away from my driveway, I was kicking myself for not taking more pictures, not getting around to playing with the ambient lighting, or trying more on the SYNC System.

In a word, the Ford Flex is Impressive. Everything about this vehicle reflects the thought and hard work Ford put into making the Flex their best crossover-SUV!

Thank you, Ford and 5 Minutes for Mom, for giving me the opportunity to experience the Ford Flex. I feel honored to have worked with you all and I am so excited to share my experience here at 5M4M!

Ford Flex fans can now connect with Ford online! Chat with Ford’s Multi-Media Communications Manager, Scott Monty, via Twitter. View official video and photos on YouTube and Flickr. And, connect with other Ford Flex fans on Facebook!

Written by guest contributor Erica Mueller from Green-Parents.com and EricaSays.com.

*Professional photos courtesy of Jonathan Garrison Photography. Flickr – Facebook

Erica Mueller is Managing Editor at Green-Parents.com, where she and others discuss Green, Eco Friendly and Healthy topics and products. She can also be found blogging about shopping, homemaking, crafts, and music at her site, EricaSays.com Erica is a stay at home wife and mother and resides in north east Texas.

You can follow @EricaMueller on Twitter (hashtag #forddrive) for more about the Ford Flex!

Since purchasing my own car at age 17, I’ve owned a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, a Chevy Blazer (2-door sport,) an Oldsmobile Alero, and a Dodge Durango. With this range of vehicles comes a wide range of experience.

What do I look for in a car?

Safety and Stability:

I felt safe in the Ford Flex. It poured rain (probably 8-10 inches in one week) five out of the seven days. When I drove The Flex and the car stayed on the road in some very strong winds and high water. I could actually feel the Intelligent All-Wheel Drive kicking in and grabbing the road before I slipped!

The wide wheel-base and low riding body hugged the road well for sharp turns. The solid body made me feel like my family was safe.

The 2009 Ford Flex has earned 5 star ratings, the highest possible scores, in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests.

The High-End Flex includes a Reverse Camera System. I must admit, it’s scary. I still looked over my shoulder and in all my mirrors before backing up because I just couldn’t grasp the idea that this camera idea was enough. I do think the camera would be great to make sure there are no small children or bicycles behind the car that you may miss seeing in your mirrors!

Size/Comfort:

As a mom, I need to know my family is comfortable. But, comfort is not all that matters. I also need to fit my groceries in the back. And when we travel half way across the country to visit my family we need to fit a lot of luggage on board, while remaining comfortable and uncluttered. The Ford Flex has plenty of space for all our needs, and then some!

The leather seats give a feel of luxury and are large enough that even an adult feels like they have room to spare. Most mid-sized SUVs and crossovers have narrow seats, but not the Flex!
With a 6′ 2” husband, leg room and head space are usually an issue. The Flex left plenty of room on both ends and my husband said he felt comfortable, even on a two hour trip to Dallas.

Ford’s claim that kids can’t kick the front seats from their car seat was tested and proven! Our Durrango appears larger than the Flex, but the leg room cannot compare! Even when I drive and have the seat moved forward my 2 year old can kick the back of my seat. In the Flex there was nearly a foot of space between his extended legs and my seat!

Regarding comfort, I only have one complaint. The headrests seem to point forward a bit and made me feel like I always had to sit exactly straight and couldn’t lean my head back and relax.

Michelle from MomsLoveShopping.com and I took the Flex out on a shopping trip…

Style:

I admit, I’m a car snob. There are a lot of new cars on the road that I find downright ugly. There are even more that look too similar to each other. I like that the Ford Flex is unique. The only thing even remotely close in shape is the Mini Cooper, and, who doesn’t like a Mini?

The Ford Flex is a good mixture of all my favorites. With a wide, low wheelbase it rides very smooth like a sedan. (It reminds me of riding in my mother in-law’s Cadillac.) It’s roomy like my Durango, yet handles the road like the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Read other posts about the Flex:
Ford Flex Spring Drive – The Excitement
Ford Flex Spring Drive – The Expectations

Written by guest contributor Erica Mueller from Green-Parents.com and EricaSays.com.

*Professional photo courtesy of Jonathan Garrison Photography.
Flickr – Facebook

Erica Mueller is Managing Editor at Green-Parents.com, where she and others discuss Green, Eco Friendly and Healthy topics and products. She can also be found blogging about shopping, homemaking, crafts, and music at her site, EricaSays.com Erica is a stay at home wife and mother and resides in north east Texas.

You can follow @EricaMueller on Twitter (hashtag #forddrive) for more about the Ford Flex!

When Janice asked me if I’d like to participate in the Ford Flex Spring Drive, I couldn’t have been more excited. I may be a girl, but I love cars!!

I’ve seen a few Flex’s around town, and I’ve read reviews of this beautiful car, but none of them prepared me for reality: This car is sweet! From the moment it pulled into my driveway, I was in love. The two-toned exterior with shiny chrome accents invited me to open the door and discover what lay beneath. I was not disappointed.

Leather seats, vista sunroof (a sun roof over every seat!) and a refrigerator in the center row’s console? You’ve got to be kidding! In a Ford? Yes, in a Ford. A Ford Flex.
I felt so spoiled to be driving this car for a whole week!

The Ford Flex stands out at so many levels, but I think style is what first catches the eye. With grooved door panels, 18″ or 19″ chrome wheels, and a unique body shape, the Flex turns heads everywhere it goes. It truly is a beautiful car; sporty, classy and practical all rolled into one.

The Flex is the perfect Mom Car.

It has the functionality of a mini-van, yet it’s classy enough to chauffeur business executives during the work day.

There is plenty of room inside! I drove the Limited Edition model which has an optional center row seating arrangement with two full size bucket seats and an extra-special console in between them. Because the center row was not a 60/40 split bench seat with a fold down console, the whole vehicle had a very open and airy feel. The only downside? This seating arrangement only fits six instead of seven.

My husband is 6’ 2” tall and he fit comfortably in the second row. I’m 5’ 6” and I fit fine, even in the third row. Ford designed the Flex to seat 6-7 adults, not 2 parents and their small children. This makes the Flex a huge plus for families with older children! (Or a night out with girlfriends!)

My two year old insisted on being the first in the driver’s seat. “I drive!” he said decidedly. He was so proud to be in the “new car” and he even asked for the keys because he knows you can’t turn on the radio without the keys! He was also quite excited about the sunroof over his seat and he liked that the shade slid back and forth. I think it’s good that he couldn’t reach it…

I’d heard an awful lot about the Microsoft SYNC System and I couldn’t wait to try it out! My Samsung Instinct is Bluetooth enabled and I was disappointed to find it doesn’t allow for hands-free texting. However, I did get to try out all the other awesome features including hands-free calling, playing media from my phone via the Bluetooth connection, and the on board navigation!

I especially liked that the SYNC system has a split screen so you can view the map on one side and the current media connection on the other. (Or just about any combination of views you’d like!)

Even the climate controls are changed via the SYNC’s touch screen! In fact, I could change them hands-free with a few voice commands. Can you say FANCY?

Friends, neighbors, and complete strangers oohed and aahed over the Flex. It is entirely different from any car out there. The Ford Flex is luxury without the heart attack-inducing price tag. In fact, with Ford’s new Advantage Plan, you can feel safe purchasing a new Flex, knowing:

Ford will make payments on any newly purchased car, truck or SUV for an entire year, for customers who lose their jobs. Offering peace of mind to Americans considering the purchase of a new vehicle in these economic times, the Plan:

• Will cover payments of up to $700 per month for up to 12 months on any new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury purchased today through June 1
• Offers 0 percent financing on select Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles through Ford Motor Credit

For more information on the Ford Advantage Plan, watch as Mark Fields, (Executive Vice President, Ford Motor Company; President, The Americas) explains the Ford Advantage Plan.

Written by guest contributor Erica Mueller from Green-Parents.com and EricaSays.com.

*Professional photos courtesy of Jonathan Garrison Photography. Flickr – Facebook