Ford Transit Connect

Graham Baalham-Curry

• 2 min read
Ford Transit Connect

When it comes to small vans, the market is crowded, with most options coming from the Stellantis group. Locally, the Volkswagen Caddy is often considered the most reliable choice. However, you could save a fair bit of money by opting for the Ford Transit Connect—essentially a rebranded Caddy.

Ford’s cabin quality and dashboard switchgear have felt a little flimsy in recent years, but that’s not the case with the Transit Connect. Having spent much of my driving life behind the wheel of VAG cars, the familiarity here makes sense—most of what you see is actually Volkswagen.

The Ford features a fully restyled front end, delivers comfort and decent performance, and thanks to its car-based chassis, feels surprisingly nimble. On longer drives, I would have liked the driver’s seat to slide back further, and Ford’s infotainment system remains less than intuitive. That said, sliding doors on both sides add huge convenience.

Available in just two trims, the Transit Connect is well equipped. The Trend includes:

  • Body-coloured front bumper
  • Dual power heated mirrors
  • Quickclear electric windscreen defroster
  • Auto headlamps with “follow me home” function
  • Daytime running lights
  • Interior noise insulation
  • 10” touchscreen infotainment with volume and temperature sliders
  • DAB radio with Bluetooth, voice control, and navigation (includes 1-year subscription to connected features)
  • Two USB-C (45W) power/data points
  • Enhanced digital cluster with navigation integration
  • Overhead storage shelf
  • FordPass Connect modem (supports eCall and FordPass connectivity)
  • Front camera for assistance systems
  • Dual-zone electronic air conditioning
  • Full plastic bulkhead

The Limited trim adds:

  • Chrome fog lamp surrounds
  • Body-coloured rear bumper and exterior handles
  • Gloss black infotainment bezels with silver accents
  • Driver lumbar support
  • Fold-flat passenger seat with integrated work surface

Pricing starts at £24,941 OTR + VAT for the two-seat model, with the long-wheelbase version from £25,941. Five-seat variants start at £26,941, or £27,941 for the long wheelbase.

Under the bonnet, there’s a choice of one diesel and one hybrid engine, both powering the front wheels:

  • Diesel: 2.0-litre EcoBlue (VW engine) with 102PS and 280Nm (6-speed manual), or 122PS and 320Nm (7-speed DSG automatic).
  • Hybrid: 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol paired with a battery and electric motor, producing 150PS and 350Nm. It offers a claimed 73 miles of electric-only range and comes with a 6-speed DSG automatic.

Colour options: White is standard, Lava Red and Comet Grey cost £150 + VAT, while seven premium colours are available for £600 + VAT.

The model tested—a long-wheelbase Trend with the higher-powered diesel and automatic gearbox—has an OTR price of £27,941 + VAT and averaged over 42mpg during my week with it.