The Ford Transit Connect belongs to the series of Ford Transit van models. The Transit range includes vans of all sizes, ranging from the small Transit Courier to the mid-sized Transit Custom and full-sized Ford Transit. The Transit Connect shares the same underpinnings as the compact third-generation Ford Focus estate car, resulting in an agile van with an exciting driving experience. Under the hood of the Transit Connect are low-emission and fuel-efficient EcoBlue diesel engines that reduce your emission charges. As expected, Ford has not released any official acceleration stats for the Transit Connect van. If you need to control your fuel consumption, you can get optional acceleration controls and a speed limiter to cap your top speed to 50, 62 or 70 mph.
What should you expect to find in a Ford Transit Connect?
The Ford Transit Connect comes in 5 trim levels: the Transit Connect Leader, Trend, Limited, Sport and Active. All trim levels come with a slimline full steel bulkhead and 2 seats in the cabin. Standard equipment that you get on the entry-level Transit Connect Leader include:
- Black plastic bumpers
- Bluetooth connectivity
- DAB radio
- Multi-function adjustable steering wheel
- Remote central locking
- Steel wheels
- Trip computer
The Transit Connect Trend trim gets body-coloured bumpers, plastic-trimmed wheels, heated electric door mirrors, USB connection ports and Ford's Quickclear windscreen. The Transit Limited trim offers the best value for money in the range. It includes many extra features, including:
- Air conditioning
- Alloy wheels
- 4.2-inch display
- Front fog lights
- Heated door mirrors
- Adjustable driver's seat
- Automatic lights and wipers
- Keyless start
- Rear parking sensors
The Transit Connect Sport sits at the top of the range, and it offers several options for those seeking a compact van with sporty looks and good handling. Some standard features on the Sport trim range include 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control, leather-trimmed seats and 2 sports body stripes. In 2018, Ford introduced the Connect Active trim to the range to add off-road capabilities to the family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What body styles can you get on the Ford Transit Connect?
All versions of the Ford Transit Connect come with Panel Van length options of L1 (short wheelbase) and L2 (medium wheelbase) and 1 roof height. The 5-seater Double Cab Transit Connect comes with a second row of seats, but it's only available as an option for the Transit Connect Leader and Trend trim versions. It also features 2 sliding doors as a standard. Ford also offers a passenger carrier version and the Tourneo Connect trim. Both come with 5-seater and 7-seater configurations with a car-like interior, full glazing and extra soundproofing.
How does the Ford Transit Connect feel on the road?
After 2018, Ford gave the Transit Connect range the same well-composed and responsive handling capability that was previously only given to its passenger cars. The Transit Connect could only get these upgrade because it shares the same running gear as the MK3 Ford Focus. This handling gave the Transit Connect impressive body control and well-weighted accurate steering. It can feel slightly firm while driving it with an empty load, and it also gets supple with a full cabin, but in all scenarios, it superbly absorbs road imperfections.
What are the engine options available for the Ford Transit Connect?
After 2018, all Ford Transit Connect vans came with Ford's Euro-6 compliant 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel engine. The power options came in 3 badges, with power ratings of 74bhp, 99bhp and 118bhp. All are paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox as a standard, but the upper-level 99bhp and 118bhp can get an optional 8-speed automatic upgrade. The Euro-6 compliant engines limit harmful emissions produced by petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles. If you prefer a petrol engine, you can get the Transit Connect with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost 99bhp turbo petrol engine and a 6-speed manual gearbox. However, the 1.0 petrol is only available with lower-level trim.
Which Ford Transit Connect engine should you buy?
If you're going for the Leader or Trend version, the 73.9bhp and 98bhp engines offer better fuel economy. However, the 1.0 EcoBoost petrol motor is a good choice if you need a punchier Connect van. Should you decide to go with a higher-spec Limited, Sport and Active trim, your best option is the 118bhp diesel engine.
How much load space do you get with the Ford Transit Connect?
The smallest Transit Connect variant is the L1 (short wheelbase) van, offering a load volume capacity of 2.9 cubic metres. It can also handle a payload between 579-718 kg and carry 2 Euro-sized pallets. The larger L2 (medium wheelbase) Transit Connect variant provides 3.6 cubic metres of load space, plus a higher payload of up to 853-876 kg. With the optional load-through bulkhead, the L2 can accommodate items with a length up to 11.15 feet.
What safety features do you get on the Ford Transit Connect?
All versions of the Transit Connect get a driver's side airbag, electronic stability control, emergency brake, and a hill-start assist system as a standard. The remaining safety tech kits, such as traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, active park assist and blind-spot recognition, are available as optional upgrades. However, the Euro NCAP has only crash-tested the passenger-carrying Ford Tourneo Connect and awarded it a 4-star safety rating. The largest van in the family, the Ford Transit, also got a Gold badge in Euro NCAP's 2021 commercial van ratings.
