Van Review: Ford Transit

A true classic, the Ford Transit van has been on our roads for more than half a century and remains one of the best-selling large commercial vehicles on the market.

The fact that Ford Transit vans are still as popular as ever is an admirable accomplishment seeing as the competition from the likes of the Mercedes Sprinter, Citroen Relay, Vauxhall Movano and the Volkswagen Crafter has become so fierce.

Practicality

The number of different Transit options on offer is very impressive, from the standard panel van to chassis cabs, drop-side vans, tippers and minibuses. Admittedly, load space is one area where the Ford Transit falls short, offering just 15.1 cubic meters in volume, compared to the 17 cubic meters boasted by rivals.

FORD TRANSIT EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS:

FORD TRANSIT LOAD SPACE DIMENSIONS:

Driving

One of areas in which Ford Transit vans excel is driving and performance. In the newest range, there are three options derived from the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engines. The most powerful delivers 168bhp and 405Nm of torque at 1,750rpm, the 128bph offers 385Nm at 1,500rpm and the final version produces 104bhp and 360Nm. The refinement and suspension are notably excellent.

Efficiency

Part of the appeal of Ford Transit vans are their low running costs. The latest range of Ford Transit vans are powered by 2.0-litre EcoBlue engines and a fuel economy increase of 13%. The range-topping 168bph engine offers 40.9mpg, returning 179g/km.

Reliability and Safety

Ford has put the Transit model through highly intensive tests to ensure its durability and the van is also fitted with extremely advanced ESC stability control technology. This, along with intelligent pre-collision systems and various other protection measures means that safety needn’t be a concern.

Interior

The cabs of Ford Transit vans are comfortable and has a solid feel. The interior equipment is generous, including Ford SYNC and Bluetooth as standard. There is also plenty of storage and space for both driver and passenger.