Ford Flex Revived: Is This the New Family SUV of 2025?

Ford family car Flex
Looks like Santa Fe
What would it look like if resurrected?

When Hyundai developed its representative family car’s 5th generation full-change model, the Santa Fe, suspicions of design plagiarism were raised. This was because its unique boxy body resembled the Land Rover Defender 130. The two vehicles had many similarities, including the overall silhouette, body ratio, and thick C-pillar.

The Defender was not the only vehicle noted for resembling the Hyundai Santa Fe. Initially developed for the family car market, the Ford Flex has also faced criticism for its similarity to the Santa Fe. Although the Flex is no longer in production, a designer recently released a rendering of what a fully redesigned 2025 model could look like, drawing significant attention.

Rendering of the 2025 model
Added F-150 Family Look

Digimods DESIGN, a creator specializing in automotive virtual rendering, posted a 2025 Ford Flex model rendering on June 17. Ford launched the Flex in 2008 and sold it with several minor changes before discontinuing it in 2019. As the outlook for Flex’s relaunch is currently unclear, this can be seen as an assumption about what it will look like if the model is revived as a redesigned model.

The Ford Flex is a semi-large crossover SUV boasting a length of 5,126 mm (201.8 inches), a width of 1,928 mm (75.9 inches), a height of 1,727 mm (68.0 inches), and a wheelbase of 2,995 mm (117.9 inches). It is one size larger than the Santa Fe, and its elongated proportions stand out with its boxier shape. The front part of the new car in the rendering borrows design elements from the current F-150 pickup truck. The ㄱ shaped daytime running lights (DRL) and the black high-gloss grill make it a solid and sporty image.

Sleek Two-tone Floating Roof
Faithfully Inherited its Identity

The rear also stands out with details referencing the F-150. Unlike the existing model, where the lettering was engraved on the tailgate panel, and the emblem was placed on the right, the lettering was omitted and put in a large size in the center. Although the design of hiding the wiper inside the top spoiler is a trend, the new car in the rendering maintained the same layout as before. There was no spoiler at the top, and the sleek shape of the two-tone roof finished in white was emphasized.

The tailgate handle was moved from the bottom to the top and placed inconspicuously under the wiper. A sense of stability characterizes the round-over fender, and the four horizontal lines engraved on the door were also maintained as a unique identity. The fillers are all painted black to create a sense of unity with the window, and the chrome garnish surrounding the DLO line below adds a sense of luxury.

Voices Hoping for a Relaunch
Why was it Discontinued in 2019?

Although Ford is unlikely to relive the new car, voices expressing hope for this are constantly coming out. This is why it is suitable for targeting the demand for family cars at a time when both MPVs and SUVs are popular. The previously sold Flex was operated with a 6-7 seater specification in a 3-row layout, and the 3-row seats boasted satisfactory livability thanks to the angled body. There were two engines installed at the time: a 3.5L Duratec V6 engine with a maximum output of 262 horsepower and a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine with 355 horsepower, and both were paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The basic drive method was front-wheel drive, and four-wheel drive was also provided.

Even though it was a semi-large vehicle, as of October 2010, it was the second cheapest vehicle after the Chevrolet Traverse, and Consumer Reports selected the Ford Flex as the most affordable semi-large SUV. However, it continued to perform poorly, with only 38,717 units out of the target of 100,000 units per year, and due to demand overlapping with the Ford Explorer, it was eventually discontinued.