Ford Transit van review (2024)

• Comfortable and very easy to drive; excellent 10-speed auto option
• Responsive engines, though not always the quietest
• Innovative - but not essential - EcoBlue Hybrid tech

The Ford Transit is a very easy large van to drive. It feels much smaller than its true size on the road and is far from intimidating, even for inexperienced large van drivers. This applies to even the super-long L4 Jumbo versions.

The Transit is available with front-wheel drive (FWD), rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). Sales are generally split evenly between front- and rear-drive models, with all-wheel-drive Transits remaining a more specialised choice.

Nevertheless, we have full driving impressions of the Ford Transit all-wheel drive in standard guise and new-for-2020 Trail specification below.

Ford Transit Euro 5 engines

This generation of Ford Transit launched with a range of three 2.2-litre TDCi turbodiesel engines, offering the following power outputs:

• 100hp / 310Nm
• 125hp / 350Nm
• 155hp / 385Nm

At launch in 2014 we tested the 2.2-litre 125hp and 155hp engines in both front- and rear-wheel-drive spec with a 500kg payload on board.

We felt the 125hp version did begin to run out of breath a little on steep inclines, but the 155hp unit felt extremely punchy at all times, and had no such difficulty.

Ford Transit Euro 6 engines

In summer 2016, a new range of 2.0-litre EcoBlue turbodiesel engines (known within Ford as the Panther engines) joined the Transit range in order to bring it up to date with Euro 6 emissions regulations - although these didn't begin to reach UK dealers in significant numbers until 2017.

Power outputs for the Transit 2.0-litre engines are as follows:

• 105hp / 360Nm
• 130hp / 385Nm
• 170hp / 405Nm

An additional 185hp / 415Nm variant was added to the range as part of the 2019 facelift.

Despite their smaller size, all the Euro 6 engines are impressively vigorous, as they deliver 20% more low-end torque early in the rev range, an advantage you can clearly feel on the road.

We've tested each output in a variety of conditions, and even the least powerful 105hp version is a strong performer, and that was with a 600kg test weight in the back.

These engines are also quieter than the ones they replace, making every journey that bit more pleasant.

Ford Transit 2019 facelift engines

On the surface it doesn't look like much has changed for the post-facelift engine line-up with the exception that there's a new 185hp power output at the top of the range; the other three engine options offer the exact same horsepower and torque figures as before.

But in fact, each of the new engines gets a revised turbocharger, new piston design, an on-demand oil pump and higher-pressure fuel injection. As a result they're said to be more responsive and more efficient.

Driven in isolation, there's not a massively obvious difference - although it did strike us that the new engines are louder than before, with rear-wheel drive variants proving particularly noisy inside.

Whether this is a result of the engine upgrades or changes to some of the materials as part of the facelift's weight-saving programme to boost its payload we're not sure. But the new aluminium bonnet and composite bulkheads together with the higher-pressure injectors certainly haven't made the van quieter.

As a result, refinement is one area where the Transit now definitely loses out to the latest German rivals - the VW Crafter and MAN TGE in particular. Although frankly the updated 2019 Renault Master and Vauxhall Movano will give the Ford a run for its money in this area as well.

That said, performance tested with half payload, the Transit's engines continue to feel well up to the task of effortlessly shifting a lot of stuff. You'll just have to speak up a bit when talking to your mates in the cab.

What's the Transit EcoBlue Hybrid like?

The Transit EcoBlue Hybrid is a new mild hybrid electric vehicle version - sometimes labelled mHEV - available from late 2019 with the 130hp 2.0-litre diesel engine; the mHEV package uses new 48v electric technology and can be fitted to all EcoBlue engines, but in the UK it's 130hp only to start with to see what interest is like.

Don't let the 'hybrid' part of the name fool you - this is not a Transit that can run on electric power for any length of time (you'll have to wait for the full-electric Transit coming 2021 for that, or downsize to the Transit Custom PHEV). Instead the mHEV uses a starter-generator and a small lithium-ion battery pack stored under the passenger seat to try to save fuel in regular driving.

It does this by operating as an advanced stop-start system - stopping the engine sooner and restarting it faster - and by using the additional battery pack to reduce the load on the engine. Harvesting energy under braking to charge the battery, this is then redeployed to power electrical components and even enhance the engine response at low speeds.

Theory goes that it will improve fuel economy by 3% in normal driving, and by up to 8% in stop-start traffic around town. But Ford also reckons it will take 80,000 miles before the mpg savings pay for the initial cost (£700 at launch in 2019), which isn't exactly spectacular.

And since the mHEV package weighs 27kg, it takes that amount out of your potential maximum payload - complicating the cost equation further.

Driving Transits with and without the tech on board, we couldn't really tell much difference, except for the manner in which the engine cuts out as soon as you depress the clutch at low speeds.

This is good news in the sense that day-to-day driving with the EcoBlue Hybrid is no different to any other Transit. But without even a gauge to tell you when extra energy is being recovered or the extra battery is being used, there's little immediate sense of satisfaction to be had from paying for it at this stage.

On big fleets where every tiny improvement in fuel economy makes a difference we can see the sense of it. But for small operations it seems difficult to justify at the moment - a change in driving style among heavy-footed drivers is likely to bring greater cost savings.

What is the electric Ford E-Transit like?

The Ford E-Transit sets the standard to which other large electric vans should aspire. Not only is it cheaper than rivals but it is better built, goes further, is more powerful and has an excellent payload. In short, it is the best option out there at the moment.

It offers a claimed maximum range of 196 miles, and Ford reckons that even in the absolute worst case scenario you should be able to get 100 miles when you carry loads and are not particularly gentle with the throttle.

The driving experience is what you would expect of an electric van, which is more than can be said of many rivals, in that it is quiet and smooth on the move. There is barely any wind or road noise and it is a relaxing experience.

Whichever power option you go for, you end up with all of the 430Nm of torque available immediately, which gives a brisk acceleration from a standstill.

For a more detailed verdict on the E-Transit, read our full review.

Does the change to electric power steering make a difference?

The short answer is no. The Transit has always had good steering for a van, and replacing the traditional hydraulically assisted power steering with electrically assisted power steering for the 2019 facelift makes no difference to this whatsoever.

This remains a van that's easy to drive confidently and quickly, and straightforward to place precisely on the road.

What the electric assistance does do is enable a whole new selection of driver aids and safety systems - such as lane-keeping assist and automatic parking. More details on this in the Safety section.

Does the Transit have any driving modes?

Another new feature for the facelift model, all Transits now come with a choice of standard and Eco driving modes; Eco does what it does on all other vans with this feature - knocks back the performance and response a little in an effort to reduce fuel economy.

It seems to be quite a mild change on the Transit compared with some other large vans, but you probably won't want the Eco setting engaged if you're carrying a lot of payload.

RWD Transits also have a Slippery mode for additional traction, and AWD Transit now have a Mud and Rut setting, though we're yet to have the chance to test this.

Ford Transit gearbox options

All Transits of this generation feature a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, which is very friendly to use via a snappy, dashboard-mounted gearlever.

An optional six-speed automatic became available for the first time on front-wheel drive models with the introduction of the Euro 6 engines in 2016.

This works smoothly enough, even if it's far from being a cutting-edge design (though new to the Transit it's been in use in other Fords for over 10 years). Useful for drivers regularly forced to deal with traffic jams, but not a particularly popular option on this model.

What's the Transit 10-speed automatic gearbox like?

Much better than the ancient six-speed auto is the new 10-speed automatic transmission, which was launched as an option for rear-wheel drive Transit in June 2020.

This is a much more modern design - as the number of ratios probably tells you - and is fundamentally the same as the 10-speed available in the Ranger pickup, although it's even smoother in operation in the van than it is in the truck.

It's got all sorts of clever tricks, including the ability to instantly adjust its shifting logic depending on the weight of the van, how it's being driven and the conditions. We found it almost impossible to catch out, even when tested around challenging countryside and urban driving routes.

Having so many gears means it's better able to juggle performance and economy, while cruising at motorway speeds is quieter than ever. Things get noisier if you you really put your foot down - there's a sort of blaring at the top of the rev range before each up-shift - but the added convenience the rest of the time would make this easily worth putting up with.

Expect to see a lot more Transit autos around as a result. It's not the cheapest option for your RWD van, but it'll save you money on clutch replacements and make life much more pleasant in traffic.

Good visibility

A high seating position and relatively low dashboard means you get a good view of the road ahead, while the dual-section door mirrors help you keep track of what's going on behind.

Options including a reversing camera, blindspot monitors and all-round parking sensors are available to help make moving this big van around even easier.

• Car-like interior even better after facelift
• Plenty of storage, solid build quality
• Advanced tech features include FordPass Pro

Like its smaller Transit Custom sibling, this Transit’s interior is more car-like than ever - and it's got even better for the late 2019-onwards facelift model.

Pre-facelift Ford Transit cab interior

Key feature of all these Transits is that the steering wheel has a more upright, car-like angle, with adjustment for both reach and height so it’s easier for drivers of different sizes to find a comfortable driving position.

There’s also plenty of shoulder and head room when travelling three-up, and all but really tall middle-seat passengers should find they've got enough space for their knees.

However, some of the controls are slightly daft in their positioning. The heating (and air-conditioning, where fitted) controls, for example, are on the far side of the gearlever pod, so you'll find you have to stretch to reach them.

Usefully deep cup holders and cubby holes are moulded into either end of the dashboard, and there’s a generous storage area underneath the lift-up passenger seat bench. Plus overhead storage in the cabin roof for documents.

The big glovebox has space for A4 documents and there’s a fold-down section in the middle passenger seat with two small cupholders.

There’s also a hidden area ahead of the steering wheel which can be specced with USB and aux-in ports, making it a great space for mobile phones to charge.

Post-facelift Transit cab interior

For the mid-life facelift, Ford has made the Transit's cab even more car-like - though not everyone will agree with the practicality changes.

The dashboard layout and structure is similar to that in the latest Transit Custom, which in turn borrows elements from Ford's latest cars. Most obvious is the new, tablet-style touchscreen, which dominates the centre of the cabin.

This looks its best as the range-topping 8.0-inch version with Ford Sync 3 infotainment software, standard from the Trend trim level and featuring voice control as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A smaller 4.2-inch alternative with 'Sync Light' is fitted on basic models.

Material quality on the new dashboard is better than ever, and the design changes are generally improvements. There are lots of cupholders and cubbies, including three new dash-top bins, substantially increasing space to stash stuff.

The downside to these is that they don't have lids, so everything you put in them will be on display and likely reflecting in the windscreen. That hidden storage space above the instrument cluster is gone, which some may be disappointed about.

Elsewhere, the new cabin features harder-wearing fabrics on the seats, and the amount of available on-board technology has taken a big step up. There remains plenty of room for three people inside.

On-board tech including FordPass Connect and FordPass Pro

The big upgrade in tech terms is the new FordPass Connect 4G modem that's available across the range (upgraded to standard equipment from June 2020). This not only powers an on-board Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices, but also enables new connectivity features.

For large fleets this means new Ford Telematics and Ford Data Services options, which can help keep track of vehicle health and driver behaviour. But the more interesting development is the FordPass Pro app, which is aimed at owner-operators and small fleets of up to five vans.

This is a super no-nonsense smartphone app that gives you instant access to information about your van - such as whether it's locked and if it has any immediate maintenance concerns.

The app will allow you to lock and unlock the van remotely, start it remotely if it's an automatic (so you can begin the defrost process on a cold morning before you've left the house), and delve more deeply into the vehicle status, with info including fuel level, oil life and tyre pressures.

What's more, if you have got a small fleet (the limit is five vans), you can see where all of them are on a single map screen. This will help you locate the nearest colleague, helpful if you suddenly need an extra pair of hands on a job, for example.

The FordPass Connect system also has Over-The-Air (OTA) software update capability - the first example of which will be the addition of a new FordPass Pro Guard Mode system in late 2020. There's more info on this in the Safety and Security section of this review.

• Promise of reduced servicing costs
• Technology to boost fuel economy - but is it worth it?
• Well-equipped right across the range

The Transit is a big van that should prove cheap to run.

Ford Transit service intervals and costs

A big plus point for the 2014-onwards Transit compared with the model it replaced is that scheduled maintenance has been cut from 5.4 to 4.2 hours over 90,000 miles.

Non-scheduled maintenance should be cheaper, too; rear brake disc repair, for example, takes half as long as before.

The actual service intervals vary with engine and then year.

The original 2.2-litre Euro 5 engines are rated to go 30,000 miles or two years between dealer visits, while at launch, the 2.0-litre Euro 6 motors were supposed to achieve 36,000 miles or two-year intervals.

However, following 'real-world experience' (see the oil change issues detailed in the reliability section below), in 2018 Ford quietly changed its official policy on the Euro 6 engines to 'a variable service interval up to two years.'

The short way of explaining this is: get the oil changed whenever the van tells you. The slightly longer explanation is that light-duty vans may go as far as 25,000 miles or two years between services (two years being the absolute maximum), while those regularly subjected to heavy loads and high engine speeds will need servicing much sooner than that.

Ford recommends an annual 'safety check' even if the service light hasn't come on.

Ford Transit warranty and further servicing info

The Transit is covered by a three-year, 100,000-mile warranty as standard. There's also a 12 year anti-perforation warranty for the bodywork, but make sure you get this checked at every service or it can be difficult to claim.

Ford has a scheme called Transit24 where service booking requests can be made online. It also has a growing fleet of mobile service vehicles, so in some cases you won't even need to visit the dealer to get your van looked after.

So extensive is the Ford dealer network that the firm claims 95% of the UK is within 45 minutes of a Transit service centre. Which is good news for minimising downtime.

Also available is a ‘Ford Assistance’ package with ‘load continuation’, where in the event of a breakdown the van’s load can be delivered while the vehicle is being repaired.

Ford Transit Euro 5 mpg

On the efficiency front, the lowest 2.2-litre Euro 5 Ford Transit running costs belong to the short-lived Econetic model, which claimed average fuel consumption of 44.0mpg (when fitted with the optional 62mph speed limiter).

The Econetic is fitted with a version of the 125hp engine with stop-start, and is claimed to be 6% more fuel-efficient than the previous Transit Econetic. It was available across six different van sizes with gross vehicle weights (GVW - or GVM for gross vehicle mass, as Ford often has it) up to 3.5 tonnes.

Helpfully Ford’s ‘Easy Fuel’ system is standard, designed to make it all but impossible to put petrol in your diesel van by mistake.

Ford Transit Euro 6 mpg

There is no Econetic equivalent for the more recent 2.0-litre Euro 6 engine range as yet, but claimed fuel economy is high as 42.2mpg in the pre-facelift range, and these should be more efficient across the board.

Having said that, the 2.0-litre motors do make use of a 21-litre AdBlue tank, which will need refilling every 5,000-6,000 miles, adding to your costs.

The upgraded 2.0-litre engines fitted after the 2019 facelift promise 7% greater real-world fuel economy, although confusingly the on-paper best fuel economy for these is lower at 40.9mpg.

This is because the official testing standard has changed to a new WLTP procedure, so even though Ford (and many other van makers) are converting the figures back to the older NEDC format, there's still a change that should make them more realistic - and therefore lower on paper.

The EcoBlue Hybrid models now available with the upgraded engines are said to bring a further 3% fuel economy improvement in general driving, and 8% in urban driving. As discussed in the Driving section of this review, it's just a shame they don't give the driver any additional real-time feedback or incentive.

Ford Transit standard equipment

The Ford Transit comes in three trim levels following the 2019 facelift: Leader (also known as Base), Trend and Limited. In 2020, Ford also added the Trail model, as a sort of harder-working alternative to the Limited.

Ford Transit Leader / Base standard equipment highlights:

• Unpainted bumpers
• Large, double-lensed door mirrors
• Dual passenger seat with under-seat storage
• Fold out front passenger seat table
• Glovebox with A4 file storage
• Electric front windows
• Remote central locking
• Four-way adjustable driver's seat
• Reach and rake adjustable steering wheel
• Easy-clean rubber flooring in cab
• Bluetooth and USB connectivity
• Ford Sync infotainment with 4.2-inch screen
• Two 12v power sockets
• Full steel bulkhead
• Ford EasyFuel capless refueling flap
• Vehicle Maintenance Monitor
• Selectable drive modes

Ford Transit Trend standard equipment highlights (in addition to Leader):

• Heated windscreen
• Automatic lights and wipers
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Electric mirrors with heating and power-folding
• Front foglights
• Cruise control with adjustable speed limiter
• Ford Sync 3 infotainment system with 8.0-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth and USB connectivity
• Easy clean load floor
• Lockable glovebox

Ford Transit Trail standard equipment highlights (in addition to Trend):

• FORD grille
• Exterior body cladding
• Black 16-inch alloy wheels
• Mechanical limited slip differential for FWD models
• Option of AWD (but no RWD)
• Full-leather interior
• Air-conditioning

Ford Transit Limited standard equipment highlights (in addition to Trend):

• Body-coloured front bumper (a first for the big Transit; looks a little weird in some colours!)
• Bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights
• Air-conditioning
• Premium instrument panel
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Side Park Assist

• Massive dealer network to keep you going
• Generally considered to be a durable, dependable van
• Some oil service and injector issues with Euro 6 engines

This generation Transit has completed nearly seven million miles in testing in Europe and North America ahead of production.

This seems to have done the trick, as it is typically one of the top 10 most reliable vans, according to the FN50 van reliability survey.

However, it hasn't been faultless, and there have been some problems with the Euro 6 engines.

Ford Transit Euro 6 service intervals and oil change issues

The 2.0-litre EcoBlue engines introduced in 2016 happily meet the latest Euro 6 emissions regulations, as well as offering greater performance at every power level.

Unfortunately, they also seem to be suffering with some teething troubles, which it's unclear Ford has successfully resolved. Highlighted problems centre around early oil change service requests, an issue which has so far been put down to software problems, faulty injectors and even the length of the dipstick...

A couple of things to note about this. Firstly, it's the on-board computer that decides when a service is due, and if you drive unsympathetically or mostly do short journeys you can expect the van to request an oil change early. Some of the early requests may be for genuine reasons.

Secondly, as with the Transit Custom (which suffers from similar problems as it uses the same 2.0-litre engines), Ford sells a lot of these vans, so it's hard to tell whether the number of complaints actually represents an unusually large percentage compared to rivals.

Whatever the cause, Ford has now adjusted its service interval recommendations.

Ford Transit EcoBlue Euro 6 injector issues

The 2.0-litre EcoBlue Euro 6 engines built in 2019 have also had injector problems - to such an extent that in September 2019 Ford not only issued a field service action (similar to a technical service bulletin or TSB) to replace the potentially faulty injectors wherever they were fitted, it also increased the number of courtesy vehicles available to UK customers in an effort to minimise downtime.

Customers with vehicles fitted with the faulty batch of injectors get them replaced for free.

However, we've received reports that the Euro 6 engine has been experiencing injector problems from the very beginning, compounded by erratic supply of replacements. Hopefully Ford has now finally identified the cause of the problem - in 2019 it was a failure of the coating inside the injector, a supplier issue - but if you're still experiencing trouble do let us know.

Ford Transit brake booster issue

Ford has also issued a field service action for some versions of this Transit, following the detection of a potential issue with the brake booster.

The field service action was issued in late 2018, and should be carried out the next time your van is at the dealer. But if you're concerned - after all, anything to do with the brakes is potentially a safety matter - give your local Ford service centre a call for more info.

Recalls

There have also been a small number of official recalls on this model, for issues with a non-compliant tow bar fitting, seatbelt bolts and rear stabiliser bars. These did not affect many vehicles, however.

Over-The-Air software updates

Where fitted with the FordPass Connect on-board modem, the Transit can now receive software updated wirelessly without the need to visit the dealer. This could range from routine upgrades to minor fault fixes, and is a nice thing to have in order to reduce vehicle downtime.

• Impressive roster of safety kit - though much is optional
• Model updates bring ever more high-tech safety features
• Some security concerns, but new connected security solutions, too

This Transit has been a safety-conscious van from the start, but it has also been progressively upgraded.

Ford Transit safety

A driver’s airbag is standard and front passenger, side and thorax airbags are optional.

All Transits get electronic stability control (ESC), which includes Curve Control - software that individually brakes certain wheels to help prevent the van running wide if it enters a bend too quickly.

In addition there’s Trailer Sway Control, which also brakes individual wheels when necessary to reduce the effect of a trailer that has begun swaying.

A range of optional active Ford Transit safety systems are also available, including:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keeping Alert (which uses cameras to monitor the van’s position and vibrates the steering wheel to warn the driver if they begin to drift out of lane unintentionally)
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring
• Static Cornering Lights (which shine in the direction you’re about to turn – standard on Trend models)

The Ford Sync infotainment system also includes an emergency call feature, which can automatically contact the appropriate services if there is no response from the driver in the event of a crash.

Ford Transit 2016 safety tech upgrades

From the summer of 2016, the Transit was also available with an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system called pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, road-sign recognition and side-wind stabilisation.

Furthermore, the rear doors now feature high-visibility decals to help prevent traffic running into them when opened to 90 degrees.

Ford Transit 2019 safety tech upgrades

The late 2019 facelift brought even more safety tech, thanks in part to the new electric power-assisted steering, which enables features such as enhanced lane-keeping assist.

The equally optional blindspot monitors can now take a trailer up to 10m long into account, while an upgrade to the adaptive cruise control will now automatically adjust the set speed based on traffic signs.

What's more, you can have full active park assist now, which enables the Transit to park itself.

On top of this, Ford has introduced new wide angle cameras for the front and rear of the van - these practically allow you to see round corners at low speeds - and a rear cross-traffic alert system to help you when backing out of spaces.

The optional regular reversing camera has been moved to a high-mount position too, which not only reduces the chance of it getting damaged, it also allows you to use it when reversing the van with doors open - such as when backing up to a loading dock.

Euro NCAP Gold award

The above updates seem to have done the trick for the Transit as far as Euro NCAP is concerned, as the European crash safety body awarded the Ford a 2021 Gold rating in December 2020.

This came as part of the first round of testing carried out for the Euro NCAP van safety campaign.

Safety accessories added in 2021

Ford has added some interesting new safety accessories for the Transit: electronic high-visibility panels, and a Smart Mirror.

The electronic high-vis panels are self-illuminating 'Chapter 8' markings that aim to improve your visibility to over road-users when working at the road-side at night. As they do not rely on reflected light, they can be seen much earlier and around corners.

The Ford Smart Mirror uses a camera on the back of the van and a display screen where a conventional rear-view mirror would be fitted to give you a permanent view of the road behind. This is intended to give you earlier warning about in-coming hazards - such as bicycles and e-scooters - and also doubles as a reversing camera.

Both of these high-tech solutions can be retro-fitted to older Transits (from 2014) as well as to new ones.

Ford Transit security

Possibly a bit of a sore point with owners and drivers, as the Transit doesn't have the best reputation for being resilient to break-ins.

In an effort to combat this, Ford updated the central locking programming in 2017.

As always, our best advice is to not leave anything in the van that you can't afford to lose. But if that's not practical seriously consider upgrading the locks and investing in other security reinforcing measures.

Ford offers its own range of Trade Vehicle Locks (TVL) security upgrades, covering everything from additional locks to key fob protectors designed to prevent keyless entry and start systems from being exploited by so-called 'relay box' attacks.

Connected security from 2019, FordPass Pro Guard Mode from 2020

In addition to the above, the FordPass Connect system now available on facelifted Transits can send you a notification if the alarm is activated. The FordPass Pro smartphone app that works with this also allows you to see the van's location at any time as well.

Later in 2020 a new Guard Mode function is planned for FordPass Pro, which will take things even further by alerting you should someone try to open the van without your authorisation, even if they're using a key.