So I own a 2011 EcoBoost Flex (picture below). I thoroughly enjoy it, aside from a couple little annoying bits. Recently had it in for some brake issues under the extended warranty, and was given a 2016 EcoBoost Flex loaner. I mean, it's semi hard to compare a 2011 with 100K miles and a 2016 with under 4K miles, but I thought I'd share some of my experiences.

My number one issue with my 2011 is the Sync 1 Navi system. As far as I can tell, there is no getting out of it. No upgrades, no retrofits, nothing. It is slow, dimwitted, and has issues "remembering" where you are an audio book. There is no way to skip forward quickly (some audiobook downloads are one big file) so when it crashes, the book starts over, and you are stuck holding the fast forward button for 20 min or more to get back to your original spot (obviously only on the USB or internal HDD). The 2016 Sync 3 was much better, so much smoother and slicker. Easier to read and control. I wished the steering wheel buttons controlled more on the screen, but whatever. The one thing I didn't like was the audio and HVAC controls under the screen. I much preferred the 2011 which had physical buttons and a much cleaner presentation. The 2016 just looked...off.

In my 2011, I really like the analog gauges, they are easy to read and I really enjoy having a physical tachometer. The 2016 forgoes the analog gauges (save for the speedo) for side mounted LCD screens. I have driven and really liked a few cars that have the side LCD's, but I just did not like the layout or the functions of the 2016's. I wish there were more options.

My biggest complaint of the 2016 was the power (or seemingly lack thereof.) The thing I like about my 2011 (which is completely stock) is that 1st gear is a bit of an animal. You get some torque steer and some chirping of the tires. The 2016 just seemed lazy (like they had dialed the torque management especially in 1st gear WAY up). It just felt sluggish. Even my GF, who is not a car person and really doesn't like the "zoom zoom" moments, mentioned how much slower it felt than mine. I don't think the dealer would have the wherewithal or knowledge to throw a tune on, to drastically limit power in lower gears. The whole drivetrain was much smoother and refined, but I liked the rawness of my 2011. The fact I can chirp the wheels into 2nd and the fighting of the steering during launch just adds a bit of excitement and fun. You got none of that with the 2016

After the whole experience, I was dying to get my car back.

I share many of your same sentiments. There are some things I simply like better about the 2010 through 2012  SHO and MKS over the 2013 plus (ie. The hard buttons) There are also some clear advantages with the 2013 plus. One thing I might mention about the power, it is quite possible that whoever put gas in The Loaner put some low octane gas in. That could have an effect. Also, I have found, all of my cars have gotten quicker with age (like over 20k miles). So, with the correct gas and broken in a little more, I wonder what the difference would feel like.

Funny you mention the octane. I just recently (within the last 4 tanks) switched to 87 to see the viability. I had heard rumors of $4+ gas over the summer, and wanted to see where the economy/performance would sit. Even with running 87, my 2011 was still WAY quicker. I had assumed people were putting 87 in the loaner too, however, I did share your thoughts about maybe the engine not being fully broken in. Granted it's a loaner, and the miles are probably hard, but still 4000 miles seemed like it should've been broken in. But if you're right, and these motors don't loosen up until 20K...

Quote from: Primalzer on May 22, 2017, 01:16:14 PM


My biggest complaint of the 2016 was the power (or seemingly lack thereof.) The thing I like about my 2011 (which is completely stock) is that 1st gear is a bit of an animal. You get some torque steer and some chirping of the tires. The 2016 just seemed lazy (like they had dialed the torque management especially in 1st gear WAY up). It just felt sluggish. Even my GF, who is not a car person and really doesn't like the "zoom zoom" moments, mentioned how much slower it felt than mine. I don't think the dealer would have the wherewithal or knowledge to throw a tune on, to drastically limit power in lower gears. The whole drivetrain was much smoother and refined, but I liked the rawness of my 2011. The fact I can chirp the wheels into 2nd and the fighting of the steering during launch just adds a bit of excitement and fun. You got none of that with the 2016

After the whole experience, I was dying to get my car back.

Interesting for sure.
I'm unsure of the Flex but in the Explorer you don't get that bottom end gearing grunt unless you put it in Sand Mode (which disables traction control) otherwise it feels pretty tame. Did you try messing with the traction control any?

Quote from: Lexingtonian on May 23, 2017, 10:39:53 AM
Interesting for sure.
I'm unsure of the Flex but in the Explorer you don't get that bottom end gearing grunt unless you put it in Sand Mode (which disables traction control) otherwise it feels pretty tame. Did you try messing with the traction control any?

I didn't mess around with the traction control at all. I don't believe that the Flex's have the traction control system for multi surface like the Explorer's...at least I don't think. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

Quote from: Primalzer on May 23, 2017, 11:05:42 AM

Quote from: Lexingtonian on May 23, 2017, 10:39:53 AM
Interesting for sure.
I'm unsure of the Flex but in the Explorer you don't get that bottom end gearing grunt unless you put it in Sand Mode (which disables traction control) otherwise it feels pretty tame. Did you try messing with the traction control any?

I didn't mess around with the traction control at all. I don't believe that the Flex's have the traction control system for multi surface like the Explorer's...at least I don't think. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

Pretty sure its just an on/off for traction control on our Flexs

Quote from: firewater88 on May 23, 2017, 03:25:02 PM

Quote from: Primalzer on May 23, 2017, 11:05:42 AM

Quote from: Lexingtonian on May 23, 2017, 10:39:53 AM
Interesting for sure.
I'm unsure of the Flex but in the Explorer you don't get that bottom end gearing grunt unless you put it in Sand Mode (which disables traction control) otherwise it feels pretty tame. Did you try messing with the traction control any?

I didn't mess around with the traction control at all. I don't believe that the Flex's have the traction control system for multi surface like the Explorer's...at least I don't think. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

Pretty sure its just an on/off for traction control on our Flexs

I should say, I know our 2011 Flex's don't have the multi surface, didn't bother to look for it on the 2016 as I was nearly certain it wouldn't be there.

Did Ford change the stock tuning at all over the years??

My 2012 MKS has always felt faster than my 2015 Explorer, but I assumed that was just because of weight.

I actually prefer the digital gauge cluster to the analog ones.  The main reason being, if you leave the right digital screen on Navigation in the 13+ vehicles, it will tell you the speed limit of the road you're on.  I always miss that when I go from driving the Explorer to the MKS.

I bet there are over 100 different tunes for the sho alone...every strategy is different but most if the changes have to do with minor things and drivability and not power

Was it a 3.5 eb or the 2.3eb?


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Only Ecoboost in a flex is the 3.5

Really, the explorer uses the 2.3 with awd now. I figured maybe they did too..


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