If there’s one thing you have to give Ford Motor Co. it’s this — the Dearborn, Mich., automaker is trying hard to get consumers’ attention.

There was the new Edge crossover, with its unique lines and three-bar chrome grille. Then its attempt to bring back the once-popular Taurus sedan, even though the vehicle is simply an upgraded Ford Five Hundred sedan renamed with the iconic moniker. We’ve also seen the Focus compact undergo a restyling that has been met with positive attention.

Now, Ford thinks it has a head turner on its hands in the form of the new 2009 Ford Flex crossover. While gas is still hovering close to $4 a gallon and could get back up to that number soon, one would think more compacts in the lineup would be a better solution. However, Ford is looking for the large family segment with its new crossover, and it’s giving it as many bells and whistles as possible to make it even more appealing.

If anything, Ford has definitely produced a vehicle that will turn heads and provoke emotion, both good and bad — and this is what the automaker expects.

“Flex is a radical departure,” said Ford’s Peter Horbury, executive director of design in the Americas in a release. “At first we were uncomfortable with the way Flex could polarize, but its ability to compel an opinion, good or bad, was fascinating. It inspired us forward with courage to create a breakthrough design.”

It definitely is unique, I’ll give them that. Ford fits the Flex with a wide stance and a blockish look. The front is squared off, to offer a more aerodynamic design to save on fuel economy according to the manufacturer, and the side paneling features four grooves and a unique-looking roof. It will grab your eye when you first see it on the road.

For me, I’m a person that likes the unusual when it comes to automotive design, so I found it quite attractive. However, there are many that might go the, “It looks likes a breadbox” route. That’s the gamble Ford has taken.

Driven here recently was Ford’s top-of-the-line Flex, the Limited with all-wheel drive. We had all the accoutrements one would expect in a top-end model, and it made for a comfortable experience.

The Flex is long (201.8 inches in overall length) as it can seat as many as seven passengers when equipped properly. You can either have a 60/40 split second row bench seat, or two captain’s chairs in the second row. Then there’s the standard bench seat in the third row that also folds flat to offer more storage space.

Flex has a good amount of power to move its 4,468-pound frame as it comes with a 3.5-liter, V6 engine with 262 horsepower and 248 pounds-feet of torque. Equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Flex offers smooth acceleration. I found it rather responsive and able to accomplish most tasks. I even had the dual-zone automatic climate control system on for most of my time with the vehicle, and I never felt the Flex labored under it. Quick acceleration moments where handled without much difficulty.

Fuel economy estimates come in at 17 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway with the two-wheel drive version. With the all-wheel drive the Flex gets around 16/22 mpg.

When properly equipped, the full-size crossover can tow as much as 4,500 pounds.

With its wide stance the Flex was pretty sure-footed on the road. Taking the curvy and hilly roads of the foothills was done with pretty good confidence as I detected little body roll and felt confident behind the wheel. Ford gives the Limited version of the Flex AdvanceTrac with stability control to help keep the vehicle in control. The all-wheel drive also contributed to its sure-footedness.

Overall handling is nimble enough, and even with its size, moving through tight areas is done OK. But it did help that our version of the Flex came with the back-up camera and sensors.

Inside, the Flex offers plenty of amenities, but most important, the space inside is rather amazing. Up front there’s more than enough headroom and legroom for people of all heights. Shoulder room is also rather sizeable. The comfort continues in the second row, as there is good head and legroom. Even the third row isn’t too bad for average-height passengers. Getting in the back is made a little easier thanks to the available power fold-and-flip second row captain’s chairs on our Flex Limited.

Behind the third row there’s 20 cubic feet of cargo space, and 43.2 cubic feet of space behind the second row with the third folded flat. With both rows folded down the Flex gives consumers as much as 83.2 cubic feet of cargo room.

As I said earlier, if you want them, there are plenty of bells and whistles to make this Flex even more appealing. Some of those amenities include leather seating on the Limited, the available Vista Roof that features a working sunroof up front, two skylights over the second row and one large window over the third-row — all with sun shades. Ford also offers the Sync system, where you can link up your cell phones and portable music devices to be hands free.

Flex can also come with an enhanced navigation system that offers features such as closest gas stations with the cheapest prices. Another great touch is the available center console cooler in the second row that allows you store your favorite beverages, food or ice cream as the device can work as a freezer or refrigerator.

Flex also does a good job of keeping you safe as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the crossover four five-star crash-test safety ratings for its performances in the frontal and side impact crash tests. It also earned four stars for how it handles a rollover.

Some of the standard safety features that come on the Flex Limited include AdvanceTrac with roll stability control, anti-lock brakes, the Personal Safety System, front, front-side and side-curtain air bags and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Ford offers the Flex in three trims, the SE, SEL and Limited, and the starting sticker prices range from $28,295 for the SE to $34,705 for the Limited. The Flex Limited with all-wheel drive and options and fees driven for this review was valued at $44,195.

For more information about the Flex or to schedule a test drive visit Maita Ford Mercury at 1650 Highway 49, Auburn, or call (530) 823-6591.

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Ford Flex Limited

Price: Starting at $34,705

Mileage estimate: From 17 mpg city to 24 mpg on the highway

Power:3.5-liter, V6 engine with 262 horsepower

Standard features include: 10-way power, heated front seats; 60/40 split folding second row bench seats; leather seating; dual zone automatic climate control; Sony premium audio system with six-disc in-dash CD changer with 12 speakers and satellite radio; audio input jack; Ford Sync system; wood grain trim; power windows, door locks and mirrors; 12-volt power outlets; AdvanceTrac with roll stability control; anti-lock brakes; power lift-gate; reverse sensing system; Personal Safety System; front, front-side and side-curtain air bags; tire pressure monitoring system