The Flex powered by a pair of sixes while the Flex offering a V-6 and four banger.
The Explorer’s 3.5 liter V-6 handily beats the Flex’s similar 3.5 liter V-6, offering nearly 30 extra ponies at 6500 rpm. Torque, though, is roughly similar the same at 255 pound-feet (Explorer) versus 248 pound-feet (Flex) with both engines offering 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
Interestingly, the second set of engines is Ecotec. The Explorer’s 2.0 liter inline-four, which gets 237 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, is handily beaten by the Flex’s 3.65 liter Ecotec and its 355 ponies and 350 pound-feet of torque. The Explorer, though, is apparently tuned for better fuel economy getting an estimated 28 mpg highway while Flex gets a still respectable 21 mpg highway. (Note the Flex’s Ectotec engine needs premium fuel to maximize its fuel economy.)
All engines are paired with a six speed automatic.
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