Though the folks at Ford had high hopes for its 2009 Ford Flex, the boxy, three-row crossover is suffering from falling sales just four months after its release.

Starting at $28,295 (but easily upgradable to over $44,000), the Flex has been called "a very good vehicle and a brave experiment" and "a very imaginative product" by critics.   We were won over with the Flex's eye-catching exterior, refined interior, and an extensive list of interesting gizmos (need we remind you of Sync?).  Customers seem to echo those sentiments - those who own Flexes have thus far expressed overall contentment with their new crossover.

So what's the problem? The first is image: the boxy, tank-like look may suggest to some that it has bad fuel economy, despite its mileage (17/24 mpg) being comparable to similar vehicles of the class like the Honda Pilot. The relatively high price is also a factor, to be sure, as concerns about the economy top peoples' lists of anxieties.

Still, Ford remains enthusiastic about their latest offering - as well they should be.  Though sales have dipped in light of today's economy, Ford's still managing to sell Flexes to multiple demographics (not just large families) and at a higher transaction price than both the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander.

We think the introduction of the 3.5-liter turbocharged V-6 "EcoBoost" motor - slated for '09 - may help, as well...

Source: Detroit Free Press