Ford Transit (06 on) - Review

A quarter of all vans on the road in the UK are Transits, such is the popularity of the model. This latest version has a striking exterior design, along with a completely new and modern interior and features plenty of thoughtful touches. It is available off-the-shelf in a huge variety of configurations to suit the needs of most, from 2.6 to 4.3 tonnes. A more car-like driving experience and better safety features ensure that the Transit remains the work horse of choice for many.

Ford has given the fourth-generation Transit a much improved interior. There's still no steering wheel height adjustment available, but the driver's seat offers six-way adjustability and a comfortable, supportive design. A single passenger seat is an option over the standard double seat. The dash has numerous useful features including a glovebox, two dash-top storage compartments with lids, two 2-litre bottle holders, four cup holders and a dash-top tray that flips over as a convenient work desk. An optional pack adds electric windows and mirrors and remote stereo controls, while another pack adds tinted glass, automatic headlights and wipers, and a heated windscreen. Wing mirrors incorporate additional wide-angle mirrors on both sides.

Two modern common-rail diesel engines are offered in a choice of power outputs. Front-wheel drive models come with a 2.2-litre engine with 85, 110 or 130bhp, while rear-wheel drive models get a 100, 115 or 140bhp 2.4-litre engine. The two most powerful 2.4 engines are fitted with a six- as opposed to five-speed gearbox and an automatic option is no longer available. A 2.3-litre petrol engine with 145bhp is also available for those who insist on petrol or want to convert to LPG. The Transit is easy to drive, with good driver visibility, light controls and a gear lever mounted on the dash, close to the wheel. An optional rear parking sensor gives added confidence when reversing. A four-wheel drive model is offered from 2007.