Test Drive: 2010 Ford Transit Connect

Ford Transit Van. Click image to enlarge

The Transit Connect is made in Turkey, and on a vacation last year in Germany, I saw a considerable number of them, all effortlessly making their way through the typical European narrow city streets and tight corners. One of the key elements of efficient transportation is in using the right size of vehicle to do the job; it just doesn’t make sense to use a big-engine, big-footprint truck if you only ever carry a fraction of its capacity. The HHR Panel filled a void for companies that haul small, light but bulky loads, such as florists and caterers; the Transit Connect is now poised to fill the niche above it. Europe’s been way ahead of us for a long time with its little urban workhorses, and the Transit Connect is a fine way to finally start catching up.

Pricing: 2010 Ford Transit Connect Base price: $27,299 Options: $880 (Roll Stability Control, $550; reverse sensing system, $250; engine block heater, $80) A/C tax: $100 Freight: $1,400 Price as tested: $29,679 Click here for options, dealer invoice prices and factory incentives Specifications Specifications: 2010 Ford Transit Connect Competitors Buyer’s Guide: 2010 Chevrolet Express Buyer’s Guide: 2010 Chevrolet HHR Buyer’s Guide: 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan Cargo Van Buyer’s Guide: 2010 GMC Savana Related articles on Autos First-month Transit Connect sales top 2,000 in U.S., August 31st, 2009 Ford Transit Connect concept targets families, April 5th, 2009 Ford Transit Connect on sale this summer, February 9th, 2009 Ford Transit van aimed at small business owners, January 12th, 2009 Crash test results National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Related posts:

1. Ford Transit Connect on sale this summer
2. Buyer's Guide: 2010 Ford Transit Connect
3. First-month Transit Connect sales top 2,000 in U.S.
4. Ford Transit Connect concept targets families
5. Ford Transit van aimed at small business owners