What engine does the Ford Flex use?
The Ford Flex, a three-row crossover SUV produced from 2009 to 2019, is best known for relying on a robust V6 powertrain rather than a turbocharged EcoBoost option in most U.S. specifications.
The Ford Flex is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, commonly referred to as the Duratec 35. It uses Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT) and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive depending on the trim.
Engine type and configuration
The information below highlights the core characteristics of the Flex’s engine to help readers understand what powers this family-focused SUV.
Before listing the key specifications, note that engine details remained fairly consistent across most model years, with variations largely tied to drivetrain options and trim levels rather than dramatic changes in the core engine.
- Engine family: 3.5-liter Duratec V6 (3.5L Duratec 35)
- Configuration: V6 with dual overhead cam (DOHC)
- Cam timing: Ti-VCT (Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing)
- Displacement: 3.5 liters
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive (FWD) standard; all-wheel drive (AWD) optional
In summary, the Ford Flex’s engine is defined by the 3.5L Duratec V6 with Ti-VCT, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and available with either FWD or AWD depending on the configuration.
EcoBoost availability and market specifics
Unlike some Ford models that offer EcoBoost variants, the Ford Flex did not have a factory EcoBoost option in the U.S. market during its production run. The 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6 remained the standard and most common engine choice across the lineup, with Ford focusing on capacity, refinement, and interior space rather than turbocharged power for this model.
For readers seeking higher-performance or turbocharged options within Ford’s SUV lineup, other models such as the Explorer, Edge, and Taurus (in different generations) feature EcoBoost variants, but those engines were not offered as a Flex option in the U.S. market.
Model-year notes
Across its production span (2009–2019), the Ford Flex largely maintained the 3.5L V6 as its primary engine, with mechanical updates focused on efficiency and emissions rather than replacing the family’s core powerplant. Trim-level choices and drivetrain configurations (FWD vs. AWD) played a larger role in performance feel than engine swaps.
Summary
The Ford Flex is powered by a 3.5-liter Duratec V6 with Ti-VCT, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, and offered with either FWD or AWD depending on the trim. There was no US-market EcoBoost option for the Flex during its production years, making the 3.5L V6 the defining engine choice for this model.
