Topic: Test Drive: 2012 Ford Transit Connect

[Autos_Editor]

The Transit Connect is a vehicle that makes a lot of sense for a small business owner.

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[Ex-airbalancer]

As a tradesperson, I look at one for 2 minutes and said no.
I like a pick up with a cap much better
With extended cab , you do not hear your tools bouncing around, as they are a completely different area

The interior is crap, no leather, power seats etc

[Solstice2006]

Who the heck cares about leather? Finally a vehicle for people who just want the basics.  And you can compartments to help organize the cargo area.  But this is much more practical for small business owners.  Easier to drive, park, easier to load, don't have to worry about buying a cap for it (vs a stupid gas guzzling truck).  Not sure why they don't use the same tranny from the Focus. It would be nice to have a diesel option as well. 

Are the seats removable on the wagon version?  A neighbour has one, the cargo one, I hope they get more popular.  You see them everywhere in Europe, I think they are a little overpriced here, probably because it's imported, and low volume sales. 

[Snowman]

Curling Iron Repair  Grant must be having difficulties

[Mike]

Who the heck cares about leather? Finally a vehicle for people who just want the basics.  And you can compartments to help organize the cargo area.  But this is much more practical for small business owners.  Easier to drive, park, easier to load, don't have to worry about buying a cap for it (vs a stupid gas guzzling truck).  Not sure why they don't use the same tranny from the Focus. It would be nice to have a diesel option as well. 

Are the seats removable on the wagon version?  A neighbour has one, the cargo one, I hope they get more popular.  You see them everywhere in Europe, I think they are a little overpriced here, probably because it's imported, and low volume sales. 

Yeah, the seats can be removed

[5 Wheel Drive]

Did you get any takers on the sloth walking service?   

No pics of the parking garage either?   

[Mike]

Did you get any takers on the sloth walking service?   

No pics of the parking garage either?   

Let's just say I booked it out of there ASAP; swearing, a lot.

[tpl]

Who the heck cares about leather? Finally a vehicle for people who just want the basics.  And you can compartments to help organize the cargo area.  But this is much more practical for small business owners.  Easier to drive, park, easier to load, don't have to worry about buying a cap for it (vs a stupid gas guzzling truck).  Not sure why they don't use the same tranny from the Focus. It would be nice to have a diesel option as well. 

Are the seats removable on the wagon version?  A neighbour has one, the cargo one, I hope they get more popular.  You see them everywhere in Europe, I think they are a little overpriced here, probably because it's imported, and low volume sales.

As a non truck driver, non business owner I agree with Airbalancer.   Having read his posts over the years I see that:
his truck is his office
he often has long ( '00s of kms) trips to jobs

The Transit is fine for a  business that operates within a city doing local deliveries with operators who do a regular  8 hour days work... Canada Post owns 700+ of them.   I agree that a manual transmission would be a selling point for a few users and a reasobaly priced diesel even more so.  If the diesel power unit and gearbox sold in the UK could just be dropped in without a whole pile of added emission stuff that would be really good.

[nlm]

I think this would fill the gap between the old 1/2 ton vans and minivans nicely. Today's minivans just don't have the same room as the older real vans, but are cheaper to buy and operate. The Connect might fall short though if you use ladders? There does not seem to be enough length inside and the roof is too tall to reach ladders attached to a roof rack?

I don't suppose the reviewers tried to fit a 8' or longer ladder in or looked into whether there was anything aftermarket such as a roof or side rack?

[Mike]

I think this would fill the gap between the old 1/2 ton vans and minivans nicely. Today's minivans just don't have the same room as the older real vans, but are cheaper to buy and operate. The Connect might fall short though if you use ladders? There does not seem to be enough length inside and the roof is too tall to reach ladders attached to a roof rack?

I don't suppose the reviewers tried to fit a 8' or longer ladder in or looked into whether there was anything aftermarket such as a roof or side rack?

There are definitely aftermarket roof racks.  A lot of the Bell Canada trucks have them on.

[theonlydt]

It's a shame it has to be imported, increasing the cost, and that it doesn't come with the Euro spec. Most Euro spec Transit connects have a half height steel bulkhead (no rear seats) and can be fitted with a full height, or with various cages etc. Additionally they come with a 1.8 common rail turbo diesel with either 75bhp (weak), 90bhp (good), 110bhp (surprisingly sparkly) - with torque anywhere between 165lbf to 205lbf. If they brought it over with the 110bhp with the 205lbf the fuel economy with the 5 speed standard is amazing and there would be no complaints about a weak powertrain. The other thing that makes them popular in Europe is the access to outfitters who will fit shelves, drawers, built generators and air compressors in etc. This van, with the space properly used, is incredible.





A number of car recovery services used these as they can store enough parts, diagnostics etc, but are smaller and cheaper to run that full sizers.

[5 Wheel Drive]

I'm starting to see more and more of these around Ottawa.  Canada Post and Bell being the biggest users, from what I've noticed.  It seems to be the perfect application for staying with the city.  But I can see why AB chose his p/u based on the amount of time he spends in it.

[Vanstar]

I presently have three of these in my fleet and a fourth and fifth are soon to be added. We bought the first three soon after they came out and now each unit is approaching 80,000 km. Nothing has gone wrong with them and the regular stuff such as brakes and shocks have held out very well. The first brake jobs came at 40,000 km, quite good for mostly urban driving.

I see posters here calling for a diesel; as a fleet operator I am not interested. I want a simple, proven drivetrain and the 2.0 L engine is very reasonable on fuel and has low maintenance costs. We are averaging 10L/100 km in Vancouver traffic and there was a noticeable improvement after the motors loosened up. The drivers love the little van because it is easy to park and handle in city traffic. Real cargo capacity is hardly and less than the short wheelbase Dodge vans we had before and the Transit uses 30% less fuel.

As for leather seats, what for? This is a commercial vehicle. There is about a 99% chance the owner isn't going to drive this van anyway. Low cost of operation and maintenance is for a commercial operator and the interiors hold up very well.

We are now in the process of buying two more for rural British Columbia routes, replacing our Dodge half ton shorties for small town work. We sent one in that area last summer and the driver was very positive on how the van drove, handled and carried. He also told me that the Transit Connect more than held its own on steep grades.

I am very glad Ford has brought this product to North America am looking forward to seeing the next generation of Transit full size vans.

[Cord]

We've sold lots of these to city delivery type businesses - drycleaners, florists, etc.

[Mike]

We've sold lots of these to city delivery type businesses - drycleaners, florists, etc.

It just makes great sense for them.

[theonlydt]

I see posters here calling for a diesel; as a fleet operator I am not interested. I want a simple, proven drivetrain and the 2.0 L engine is very reasonable on fuel and has low maintenance costs. We are averaging 10L/100 km in Vancouver traffic and there was a noticeable improvement after the motors loosened up. The drivers love the little van because it is easy to park and handle in city traffic. Real cargo capacity is hardly and less than the short wheelbase Dodge vans we had before and the Transit uses 30% less fuel.

I see where you're coming from, but what you have to understand is that the diesel powertrains used in Europe are very durable and proven. They're under-stressed (75-105bhp from a 1., they use a timing chain and they'll go for hundreds of thousands of miles. Gas prices here still make a diesel a difficult choice, but we're not talking a 6.7 v8 in a one ton - it's the Ford Duratorq engine and they've been used extensively the last few years. With a 5 speed standard and the diesel I used to see 45mpg in a full-size 2.2 Transit - let alone what I'd get in a 1.8 connect. That said, the 2.0 and 4 speed is probably pretty unbreakable and I'm glad your drivers like them. I'm a big fan of Euro vans; used to drive sprinters (the 2.1 diesels though), GM Europe vans (Vivaro mainly), transits and many others.

How's this - a 2007 Ford Transit Connect, 230,000 miles (355kish kms) http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/makemodel/make/ford/model/transit-connect/mileage/150000/max/stock-item-id/at8a63ff8f35e7e40f01363ef36c584233/advert

[jwilde]

My Neighbour bought one for a disability vehicle, but there are some problems getting into the vehicle by the rear power lift.  He has to recline his electric wheelchair to get by the rear door latches at the top.  Once inside the vehicle he can't see anything from his position because the windows are too low.  It would have been better if they offered a window higher above the front seats so he could see more than just the road directly in front of the vehicle.  They did find out that they can purchase a front seat that swivels and drops out to transfer him to his wheelchair at a cost of $8000 (an aftermarket item).  There are other vehicles better suited for this mode of transportation.  It does look like it would make a great little delivery truck but I give it a thumbs down as a disability mover.

[lostcomma]

we had one as a demo for a taxi. In town delivery would be fine as long as you don't spend a lot of time in the vehicle. I found thing very noisy. Peppy, good sight lines, not a lot of room for passengers, 3 slim girls max. Unfortunately there really is no use for a manual here unless their is only one person driving and they are really comfortable with 3 pedals on the floor. Clutch pack would take on a new meaning other-wise. I think it's a neat idea as long as I don't have to spend 12 hours in it.