Topic: New Seven Seat Ford Van Debuts

[Autos_Editor]

Ford introduces the first seven-passenger people mover expected to break the 30 mpg-plus highway barrier with the all-new Transit Connect Wagon, which drives like a car, has the flexibility of a utility and can haul the payload of a full-size pickup.
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[Sir Osis of Liver]

I always wondered why they didn't leverage this platform for private use. The commercial versions are everywhere.
Very practical interior dimensions for such a small footprint, and very easy to adapt to a wheelchair version without butchering up the body.

[Ex-airbalancer]

I always wondered why they didn't leverage this platform for private use. The commercial versions are everywhere.
Very practical interior dimensions for such a small footprint, and very easy to adapt to a wheelchair version without butchering up the body.

Ran into a guy with one
He said it was scarey at speeds over 100km, at 80 km it was fine

He had to cut a hole though his safety cargo partition at the front to fit a 6 ft ladder
His truck is getting about 13km/100l the one without roof rack get 10

[Blueprint]

Looks like a great addition to the market, but a diesel would help in getting people to notice (seen any Orlandos lately?). Pricing will be critical - the Mazda5 is not selling as well as it did, undercut by the improved GC CVP and perhaps the "Nagare" styling is not helping either...

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Looks like a great addition to the market, but a diesel would help in getting people to notice (seen any Orlandos lately?). Pricing will be critical - the Mazda5 is not selling as well as it did, undercut by the improved GC CVP and perhaps the "Nagare" styling is not helping either...

Yeah, why? They seem to sell ok here.

I think anyone tht mentions diesel at this point deserves a downvote, or 30.

[Shnak]

I don't care what numbers they put out, something this square can't be fuel efficient on the highway, or much fun to drive in windy conditions.

[SaskSpecV]

Pricing will be critical - the Mazda5 is not selling as well as it did, undercut by the improved GC CVP and perhaps the "Nagare" styling is not helping either...

Personally, I still really like the Mazda5 (though I agree the new Nagare-styled one is not as nice as the previous model).  But Mazda had some good incentives on them a while ago - 3000 or 3500 off a 2012 cash purchase, IIRC.  I think part of the appeal for me would be to drive a M/T minivan...and people think their Ferrari is rare and exclusive!

Really liked a Mazda5 as a rental in San Diego in 2008, other than the lack of power.  But when I told my wife I was considering a 2012 model she nearly flipped out - "Why would you buy a "minivan?  It's so ugly, etc. etc."  This coming from the person who thinks the Holy Grail of Automotive design is the 1998 Honda Civic CX hatchabck...

Anyway, good for Ford for bringing out this van.  That's a lot of people-movers in their lineup - but I hope it doesn't mean the imminent demise of the Flex.

[OliverD]

Interesting to see Ford bring the minivan back to its lineup.

Does anyone know where this vehicle will be built? The current Transit Connect is imported; if they move production to North America they would certainly cut costs. If the '14 TC is priced comparably to the current model I can't see the seven seater starting below $30k.

Fun fact: Cargo versions of the Transit Connect are shipped to the U.S. with rear glass and rear seats, which are promptly removed at port. This is to circumvent the so-called
"chicken tax" of 25% which is applied to imported trucks.

[OliverD]

I always wondered why they didn't leverage this platform for private use. The commercial versions are everywhere.

You can buy a wagon version of the current TC that has windows all around and a second row of seats (no third row though).

[Scaerio]

It seems that Ford of Europe saw the massive success of the ultra cheap but practical Dacia Logan MCV and added sliding doors as a alternative to the Dacia's more traditional layout...  Resemblance to the product from Renault's bargain-brand is hard to miss...

[Thinking Out Loud]

FINALLY - a vehicle that is in the same size and scope as my MPV, something I consider the perfect size for this vehicle....I had a Mazda 5 at the same time as the MPV and a friend had a Dodge GC (HUGE).

5 is too much a compromise as a minivan - an either/or vehicle (passenger OR baggage).  A great multipurpose tall wagon though.  The Caravan is a lot of steel to drag around for the infrequent time you need all the acreage.  Cheap on a steel-per-dollar basis.

I was hoping with the demise of the CX5 the MPV would make a return...maybe the CX9 has to die first?

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I always wondered why they didn't leverage this platform for private use. The commercial versions are everywhere.

You can buy a wagon version of the current TC that has windows all around and a second row of seats (no third row though).

That's true, but it's still much more commercial than private use. The 2.0L and 4 speed auto was pretty dated too.

[opg210]

bit late to the thread but...I want one! I don't get the looks but overall a great size and package. Hope they get the details right. A lot of bugs should be worked out in the base platform that's been used for a few years. I'd love to get a minivan again but the Toyotas and Hondas have just gotten too huge.

This looks like the only real alternative to the Mazda 5 (with sliding doors). I like the 5, but know some people that are looking forward to getting rid of theirs (reliability), and the resale value really seems to suck. Plus like others, I found the styling of the latest version a great leap backwards. I was hoping that we might see a major Skyactiv redesign of the whole thing in the near future, but the 5 may not be a big enough seller to get the full treatment like the 3 or CX5.

Overall very glad to see another competitor in the segment.

[tortoise]

I wonder why they would bring this over instead of the three row Grand C-Max.   

Sure this one likely has a little more room but it's kind of awkward looking and large enough that people will be eyeing up the full-size minivans.

[dkaz]

I like it, looks very European.

[Shnak]

I wonder why they would bring this over instead of the three row Grand C-Max.   

Sure this one likely has a little more room but it's kind of awkward looking and large enough that people will be eyeing up the full-size minivans.

I have to agree... the Grand C-Max had me very interested in it when it was first announced, then someone decided we shouldn't get it over here.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Our C-Max is the European Grand C-Max. It's quite a bit smaller than the 7 passenger Transit Connect.

[OliverD]

Our C-Max is the European Grand C-Max. It's quite a bit smaller than the 7 passenger Transit Connect.

Our C-Max lacks a third row though.

I suspect the fact that we are getting the Tourneo Connect is part of the reason why the non-hybrid C-Max was pulled from our market.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Our C-Max is the European Grand C-Max. It's quite a bit smaller than the 7 passenger Transit Connect.

Our C-Max lacks a third row though.

I suspect the fact that we are getting the Tourneo Connect is part of the reason why the non-hybrid C-Max was pulled from our market.

My understanding is that the 3rd row of the C-Max was considered too small for NA use.

[Fobroader]

Too bad that its not diesel and awd......oh yeah, and under $30K