In industry terms, Flex is called a two-box vehicle, which is to say one box (the body and greenhouse of the vehicle) grafted onto another box (the hood, front fenders and grille). Think the basic proportions of a shoebox with a notch cut out for the windshield and hood. This notch makes Flex look like an upscale station wagon or SUV, as opposed to what the market considers a less desirable and lower-image one-box minivan.

People seeing Flex for the first time generally agree it has presence and a variety of upscale cues. Those who find it attractive are reminded of Mini Clubman and Toyota FJ Cruiser, both sharing basic Flex proportions and even color-contrasting roofs. Think of Flex as a big Mini Clubman. Make that a really big Mini Clubman! Whatever design cues Flex shares with FJ Cruiser are less direct, but if you squint, there's clearly resemblance there as well.

Flex may at heart be a functional people and cargo-carrier, but it's certainly not shy when it comes to exterior design. There's design everywhere, both in the overall look of the vehicle and in the details. A fair amount of brightwort, just short of bling, sets Flex apart and communicates upscale intentions. A signature three-bar Ford grille in a muted silver finish extends across the front. Front bumper foglights are encased in highly reflective jeweled surrounds. Door mirror housings are not only chromed, but the caps have little tab-like crenellations that sparkle in sunlight. Big, bright, bold, in-your-face 19-inch polished alloy wheels suggest Lincoln more than Ford, as do large chrome door handles, bright window surrounds, and a shiny band running across the tailgate that repeats the front grille theme.

Beyond the brightwork, Flex has a series of small, horizontal, body-color indents stamped into door panels. These not only visually lengthen the vehicle and break up mass along the sides, but likely also strengthen the panels and reduce oilcanning noise within the doors. Sure, such detailing is a little finicky and over the top, but Flex would look a lot heavier if the indents weren't there. Another Flex signature is the optional two-tone roof in either warm white or silver.

Height is an important design element. Flex is taller than most station wagons, but significantly lower than such traditional SUVs as Explorer and Expedition. Unlike traditional SUVs, the Flex roof is about at your eyeline, not above your eyeline. When you look at Flex from up-close, you're looking across to it, not up at it.

An informal survey among bystanders elicits a wide variety of responses. Supporters find it interesting and compelling. Detractors find it too boxy or simply too trendy; too much design working too hard to attract attention. Both supporters and detractors agree Flex gets looks and has an overall presence beyond what most would expect from a Ford. This suggests Flex succeeds in accomplishing what its designers clearly spent a lot of time working very hard to accomplish. Lots of design? You bet! Too much design? Well, only if you want to go unnoticed.

This diversity of opinion is not necessarily a bad thing. Some observers note that bland designs that offend no one are often less successful than designs that please some and offend others.