And while I'm not typically the biggest fan of boxy cars, that's not actually what's terrible about the Flex. The outside is boxy but clean, while the inside is just … weird. For example, if you look down the ceiling of most cars, it's flat, or has a single bump for the dome light in the middle. The ceiling of this car looked like the rolling hills at the end of Gone With the Wind: always poking down in weird places for no apparent reason. The seats, the walls, the armrests — everything was just oddly lumpy. It's like it was designed for Quasimodo. There's no way to sit comfortably if you're not in the front.

They claim it seats 7 people, but it really seats 4 people and 3 half-people. I'm not a terribly big guy (less than 6 foot), but I couldn't sit in the third row without angling my legs to one side and my feet apart. Good thing I'm not claustrophobic! Once the second row is seated, you can't move.

The back gate was also a pain to open or close, and it had less cargo space than it looks like it ought to from the outside. Unlike any station wagon from the 70's or 80's or any minivan from the 90's or 2000's, this is a lousy road-trip vehicle.

Also, the dashboard controls were stupidly complex. We had half a dozen engineers in the car and had trouble figuring out the climate controls, or how to turn off various interior lights. Sometimes temperature is a dial, sometimes it's some buttons, and sometimes it's some buttons that let you use other dials, with abbreviations on the labels that make no sense ("FOLD CAT"? huh?) … it's a complete mess.

The thing has unimpressive gas mileage (as you can guess from the big engine), and lots of electronic gadgets. Every time you do something, even something as benign as opening a door when the car is parked, it beeps a little tune at you, which drove us crazy in short order. It's like they tried to substitute engine power and electronic doodads for design. I'd have gladly traded Bluetooth support for the ability to sit up straight.

I can't think of a single reason to buy this instead of a minivan. You'd have to really love square cars and really hate your passengers.

As far as Sync goes, I really like the idea, and I think it can be great. Every Ford I've driven has been different though, so it's hard to say absolutely yes or no; it just depends on the Ford you're driving. The reason it's different is because each car will have different equipment, and since Sync is integrated into all of it, the experience will vary.

When they get it right, it's a really great tool, and I couldn't recommend it more. Even when it gives me problems it's a better system than most vehicles provide. The biggest problem I've faced is the voice recognition and voice navigation.

Surprised to see how much you liked the drive. I've been reading that the driving experience is okay, but kind of on the "ho-hum".

I have one question though: How did you do with the Sync? I've heard both sides. What'd you think of it?