Apart from a few exceptions, we rarely think of the words "performance" and "wagon" in the same sentence over here in the US. Across the pond, the sports wagon is a much more popular phenomenon. However, those Euro wagons aren't necessarily tailored towards family hauling. Sure, they're more adept at it due to their cargo and passenger space, but they all usually contain just two rows of seats, and a modest luggage compartment.Over here, a certain model that can be called a "performance wagon" went out of production just seven years ago. It's called the Ford Flex, more specifically the Limited EcoBoost AWD flavor. Under its hood is a twin-turbocharged engine that can pump out an impressive 365 horsepower without skipping a beat. When it was sold new, the hot Flex was virtually the only model on the market that looked like a wagon, boasted three rows of seats, and went like hell all at the same time. How Much It'll Cost You Ford When the 2019 Ford Flex Limited EcoBoost AWD was new, it commanded an MSRP starting at $43,590, nearly $13k more expensive than the base model. However, it was the sole iteration to boast both all-wheel drive and the twin-turbocharged engine, so Ford had a reason to bump up the price a bit. These days, its used value sits at about half its original price, with an average listing around $23,748 for one in average condition with average mileage.Now, it's important to note that, while the Flex sure does look and function like a station wagon, it's technically considered a crossover SUV by Ford. So, that means it's got a whole host of competitors that it needs to deal with. Top-spec models like the Chevrolet Traverse High Country 2LZ, Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum, and the Honda Pilot Elite AWD come to mind. While it's hard to compare the Flex to those adversaries due to its unique look and powerful engine option, let's take a look at how our Ford stacks up to them in terms of current pricing: How It Makes Its Power FordThe EcoBoost V6 nestled underneath the 2019 Ford Flex's hood is an impressive piece of kit, albeit with a history of reliability issues. The specific version employed by our model in question constitutes the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6's first generation. The mill takes advantage of two Garrett GT1549L turbochargers, along with a host of technological bits accompanying them. For example, it has a high-pressure direct injection fuel system capable of delivering up to 2,150 psi of fuel pressure.At its core, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 uses the Duratec 35 engine block, a derivative of the older Duratec V6 engine. Both the EcoBoost's engine block and cylinder heads are made from aluminum, with the latter allowing for a 10.0:1 compression ratio. A forged crankshaft sits in the bowels of the engine, and dished pistons – typical for direct-injected, turbocharged engines – take care of the compression and combustion.Ford Backing up the EcoBoost V6 is a six-speed automatic transmission built by a joint Ford-General Motors venture. As for its suspension, the '19 Flex makes use of a tried-and-true independent setup consisting of MacPherson struts up front, and a multi-link configuration at the back. Because of the Flex's lower-than-typical ride height, it's been reported that it handles much more predictably than other, taller models in and around its segment. Reliability Issues FordIt's common knowledge these days that the EcoBoost V6, namely the 3.5-liter, suffers from some notable reliability issues. When it comes to the specific mill used in the '19 Flex Limited AWD, the engine takes advantage of an inboard water pump. What that means, is the pump itself is situated underneath the mill's intake manifold, and is driven off of timing. When these pumps fail – as they're known to – it can be a massive, and costly, repair.Alongside the disastrous cooling issue, the motor is also known for timing problems. Its timing chains are known to stretch, which can cause issues with the engine's timing itself. However, the camshaft phasers, which work to adjust the engine's timing in real time, can also fail, necessitating another expensive repair. Rounding off the engine's reliability woes is an issue with turbo intercooler condensation issues, which can cause misfires, and carbon buildup in the combustion chambers. How Is It At Being An SUV? FordHaving three rows of seats, the '19 Flex Limited AWD can seat up to seven people, or six when the second row boasts a pair of captain's chairs. Its long, low body is also relatively well-versed in the art of cargo capacity. With both the second and third-row seats folded flat, it can fit up to 83.2 cubic feet of stuff. However, when compared to other SUVs around its size, such as the ones we discussed above, its performance is rather poor. We'll list out the max cargo capacities for the Flex and our other three SUVs below:Ford Apart from the underperforming cargo area, the '19 Flex Limited EcoBoost AWD does offer a whole host of goodies inside its cabin. For starters, all seats are trimmed in leather, with the front pair being heated. Dual-zone climate control is baked in, as well, with rear-mounted vents for second and third-row passengers. Its second row comes standard with two captain's chairs, but a three-person bench can be optioned.Ford As for tech, a touchscreen infotainment system sits center stage, which runs Ford's Sync 3 software. In addition, an upgraded Sony sound system is standard, which boasts 12 speakers in total. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are built into the system, as well. Safety is taken care of by things like a pair of full-length side curtain airbags, a standard blind-spot warning system, rear cross-traffic alert, and a post-collision braking system. The Verdict FordWhile it's a little bit out of left field, there's something you can't put your finger on when it comes to the 2019 Flex's looks. Yes, it's basically just a rectangle with a front clip jutting out of it, but that in and of itself is cool to some folks, including this author. If it passes the looks test for you, and you can live with the potential for engine issues down the line, it might be worth taking a serious look at. After all, how many other mid-size and full-size crossovers can get you from 0–60 mph in 6.2 seconds and boast a 365-hp engine, all while looking decidedly slow on the street? It's the ultimate mom-coded sleeper.