, discontinued in 2019 due to low sales, is capable of handling mild off-roading but won’t stand up to moderate or heavy-duty off-road adventures. If you’re looking to be off-the-grid more than on it, we’d look elsewhere.

Off-roading at its best can feel like charting a new world. At its worse, it can feel like being literally stuck in a ditch. An off-road vehicle should crank out a lot of power, have high ground clearance, and be outfitted to withstand tough terrain. How does the Ford Flex stack up?

Jerry

, the

car insurance

comparison shopper, broker, and

super app

, is here to fill you in on all of the Ford Flex’s specs to help determine its off-road potential. We’ll talk about ground clearance, torque, tires, drivetrain, and angles, as well as offer up some alternatives to the Ford Flex.

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Can the Ford Flex go off road?

In short, not well.

The Ford Flex was discontinued in 2019. Not quite an SUV and not quite a wagon, the Flex’s lack of focus failed to inspire buyers.

The last year’s model, 2019, has a starting MSRP of $30,575. Its base model

comes with front-wheel drive and an engine that generates 287 horsepower. Generally, more power is necessary for off-roading—so you might consider upgrading to the optional turbocharged V6 engine found in the

Limited

trim if you want to take your Flex off the grid.

Better still, you might consider other makes like the

Dodge Durango

Honda Pilot

, and

Chevrolet Traverse

, which all deliver similar or better performance at a comparable price.

Ground clearance

The Ford Flex has a minimum ground clearance of 5.9 inches, much less than what is recommended for off roading vehicles.

Ground clearance is an important consideration when determining your vehicle’s off-road potential because the higher its ground clearance, the less likely your car will scrape its undercarriage on rocky terrain. Experts generally recommend a minimum ground clearance of at least 8.5 inches for off-road vehicles.

Torque

Torque is another important consideration when assessing a vehicle’s off-road potential.

Torque is a vehicle’s twisting power, which is crucial for handling the bumps and bruises of the trail. Generally, low-end torque is best, which means high amounts of torque at low RPMs.

The Ford Flex’s base engine generates 254-lb-ft @ 4000 RPMs. When outfitted with the turbocharged engine, it generates 350-lb-ft @ 3,500 RPMs.

If you’re hell-bent on taking your Ford Flex off the road and onto the trail, we recommended opting for a model with a turbocharged engine, which will give you more power off the beaten path.

Tires

The Ford Flex’s base model comes standard with P235/60TR17 tires. Opting for the

Limited

trim will get you P235/55HR19 tires and larger rims.

All-season tires

are crucial for off-roading, so make sure your Flex comes standard with these.

All-terrain tires are designed for drivers who expect to encounter a variety of road conditions. While the Ford Flex’s tires are designed to handle snow and icy conditions, they will not stand up to moderate to heavy-duty off roading.

Drivetrain

Front-wheel drive comes standard on the base model Ford Flex, although all-wheel drive is optional.

All-wheel drive is a no-brainer when taking your vehicle off-roading. All-wheel drive means that your car can send power to all four wheels, which prevents the wheels from losing grip because of low traction.

If you’re taking your vehicle off the grid—or even if you drive on slick, icy roads on the regular—definitely consider opting for all-wheel drive!

Angles

Approach angle and departure angle are vital considerations when discussing off-roading potential. Let’s unpack them.

Approach angle: the highest angle at which a vehicle can ascend without scraping its undercarriage.

Departure angle: the highest angle at which a vehicle can descend without scraping its undercarriage.

The Ford Flex has an approach angle of 22 degrees and a departure angle of 21 degrees.

This is enough to handle some gentle hills and dips, but it won’t stand up to seriously rocky terrain.

Off-road rating: In a Pinch

To make it even easier to determine your Ford Flex’s off road potential, the good people at

Jerry

made this handy-dandy chart using the super scientistic, not at all made up, DIRT rating system.

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Cars better suited for highway usage.
I	In a Pinch	Cars that can handle light off roading in certain circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Cars designed for moderate off-roading
T	Trail Boss	Cars born for off the grid life, capable of tackling tough terrain

The Ford Flex receives an I rating: this full-size crossover SUV/wagon can go off the grid in a pinch, but shouldn’t be relied upon for regular off roading.

MORE:

The best old-school off-road vehicles

The best off-road alternatives to the Ford Flex

We’ve unpacked why the Ford Flex is better suited for highways than trails—but what’s a better option for going off the beaten path?

Without further adieu, here are three alternatives to the Ford Flex that are better suited for off roading.

Alternative	Model	Price	Description
Best affordable alternative	2020 Ford EcoSport	$19,995	The 2020 Ford EcoSport is about $10,000 cheaper than the Flex. It’s a small SUV, but its four-wheel drive and peppy torque make it better suited for handling tough terrain.
Best eco-friendly alternative	2022 RAV4 Prime	$40,300	The RAV4 Prime is around $10,000 more than the Flex, but it has a higher ground clearance by more than two inches, not to mention it comes with a side of superiority from helping the planet!
Best alternative for serious off-roading	2018 Ford Expedition	$48,475	9.8 inches of ground clearance and a V6 engine capable of cranking out 470 lb-ft of torque and 365-hp make the Expedition a power-packed pick.

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