Ford Transit Connect (2013-2022) Review

Written by Andrew Brady
Quick overview
Pros
- Easy to get comfy
- Good to drive
- Stylish image
Cons
- Others offer better payload
- Technology is not the most modern
- Only available with two seats
Overall verdict on the Ford Transit Connect
"In this Ford Transit Connect review we're looking at another backbone of the UK van market. The full size Transit Custom might be the biggest player but the little brother that is the Connect is also very popular. A new Ford Transit Connect has just arrived but this version has been on sale for almost a decade, so as a used purchase you have loads of examples to choose from."

There are two lengths of Ford Transit Connect, L1 and L2, and a choice of four engines, including something of a rarity in the van sector – a petrol. The diesels, which are the most popular options, are all 1.5-litre engines, with a choice of three power outputs, ranging from 75PS, 100PS to 120PS.
Of the three, the 100PS is the one that best suits the Ford Transit Connect’s status as an all-rounder. It’s powerful enough to deal with longer motorway trips, but it is just as happy pottering around town for those last-mile drop offs. If that’s all you’re doing then the petrol is a good option, but don’t expect it to reward you with good fuel economy if you take it on longer journeys with loads of kit in the back.
These 1.5-litre engines were introduced in late 2016 – older models come with a range of 1.6-litre diesels. They aren’t vastly different to the newer engines, but some of the older engines are a bit noisier when you accelerate hard, and they mainly came with a five-speed gearbox rather than the six-speed unit in the more modern models.
You can get a standard panel van or a crew cab model that adds a second row of seats, taking the overall potential capacity to five. If you really need to carry more, then there are Kombi versions that come with either five or seven seats, making it ideal for those that want to branch out into the taxi business, or those that just have big families.
Whichever one you go for, you still won’t get more than two up front though. While this might be a downside for some, it does mean there is no need for a debate about who ends up squashed into the inadequately small middle seat – small vans aren’t really wide enough for three across the front generally speaking.
The cabin itself is smart and much more car-like than vans of old. The materials and design don’t shout ‘you’re at work!’ and you can get Ford’s Sync 3 touchscreen system with all the associated benefits should you wish.
That carlike experience isn’t limited to a feeling when you’re behind the wheel – the Ford Transit Connect is easy and comfortable to drive too. It’s based on the same underpinnings as the Ford C-Max, so this isn’t a massive shock, but it means that it won’t wear you out on a day where you need to cover serious miles.
The payloads on offer are decent compared to the majority of the Ford Transit Connect’s rivals, but there isn’t a knock-out model that offers a huge carrying ability. You can’t carry more than a tonne in any of them for example, which you can do on the more modern Citroen/Peugeot/Toyota/Vauxhall quartet and the Fiat Doblo.
Looking for a used van for sale? We've got 100s of Ford Approved Used Cars for Sale for you to choose from, including a wide range of Ford Transit Connect vans for sale. If you're looking for the new version, you can check out our Ford Transit Connect review.
Is the Ford Transit Connect right for you?
What other vehicles are similar to the Ford Transit Connect?
Comfort and design: Ford Transit Connect interior
"Whether you are popping around town on short trips or spending hours on the motorway, comfort is paramount in a van and the Ford Transit Connect’s driving position is spot on for either."

The seats are well padded and nicely wide, which means it’s possible for drivers of all sizes to get settled behind the wheel. One reason that the seats can be a bit wider than those in rivals is that it is only possible to get the Ford Transit Connect as a two-seater. While other small vans cram a third seat in the middle, the Ford gives you plenty of space for you and one business partner.
It’s a shame that you can’t get an arm rest on any of the versions, but the seats themselves are excellent. You get eight-way adjustment as standard on all models bar the basic one (which misses out on lumbar support), which means you can tweak away to ensure you don’t get jaded after a long stint behind the wheel. The best seats come when you go slightly higher up the range as they are heated and come with a little more cushioning, but even the standard ones are good.
The cabin layout is logical, with the gear lever set relatively high up, which means there is little to no chance of bashing your hands against anything you have stored in the central console.
Storage is decent, too, with a pair of large door pockets that will easily hold a large bottle of water. The hidden compartment above the steering wheel also as a 12v charging point - useful for boosting phone power - and there's an additional socket and pair of USB connectors by the central cup holders.
Quality and finish
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, nav and stereo in the Ford Transit Connect.
Space and practicality: Ford Transit Connect load space
Handling and ride quality: What is the Ford Transit Connect like to drive?
"Ford has a great reputation for building cars that handle well, and this extends to the Ford Transit Connect, too. Given that, underneath, the Ford Transit Connect shares lots of its platform with the C-Max MPV, this is is no major surprise."

This means that the Ford Transit Connect handles like a well-engineered family car. It has a comfortable ride that means that potholes, lumps and bumps in the road won’t be the thing that send you home exhausted at the end of a long day. This is the case whether there is a load in the back or not.
The last thing you want from a van is for it to be too comfortable, though, with lots of soft wallowing through the corners – the softer the suspension, the more it rolls and the more your precious cargo flies around in the back. This isn’t the case with the Ford Transit Connect, though, and it manages to keep things in check around the corners and it offers a decent level of road holding and handling at once. It’s even, dare we say it, a bit fun. Probably best to keep the enthusiastic drives for when you’ve finished the last drop off, though…
The steering offers a good level of resistance, which is handy for motorway trips as you won’t drift out of your lane with a slight twitch of the wheel. It isn’t overly heavy handed, though, so it’s easy to thread it through town for those urban drop offs. The brakes have a nice progressive feel to them so it’s easy to bring things to a halt without and sudden jerks that will send loads flying in the back.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the Ford Transit Connect?
Refinement and noise levels
Safety equipment: How safe is the Ford Transit Connect?
MPG and fuel costs: What does a Ford Transit Connect cost to run?
"The two things to steer clear of if you want to maximise fuel economy are the petrol engine and the automatic gearbox – both lower the official mpg figure by 10-15mpg."

Still, the 1.5-litre diesels start from a decent stand point, offering a claimed economy in excess of 60mpg. This will take a hit as soon as you load up the back with tools and kit, but something north of 50mpg should still be possible.
Thankfully this is the case regardless of which power output you go for, so there is no penalty for going for the more powerful models.
How reliable is a Ford Transit Connect?
Insurance groups and costs
How much should you be paying for a used Ford Transit Connect?
"Brand new, the Ford Transit Connect was slightly cheaper on paper than many of its rivals, although newer alternatives like the Citroen Berlingo etc are all laden with more equipment than the Ford. "

The Ford Transit Connect’s popularity in the UK is a bonus if you are looking to buy a used one – there should be plenty to choose from. This popularity means there should be plenty of nearly new models should you want to get a few pounds off the list price by going for nearly new or pre-registered models
Trim levels and standard equipment
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
What problems do Ford Transit Connects have?
Is the Ford Transit Connect reliable?
What is the life expectancy of a Ford Transit Connect?
Ford Transit Connect cars for sale on heycar
Ford Transit Connect1.5 EcoBlue 120ps Limited Van
202294,202 milesDiesel£248 mo£11,394
inc. VATCM145RSFord Transit Connect1.5 EcoBlue 120ps Limited Van
202235,156 milesDiesel£348 mo£15,480
inc. VATBN236PXFord Transit Connect1.5 EcoBlue 120ps Limited Van
202134,164 milesDiesel£362 mo£16,080
inc. VATBN236PXFord Transit Connect1.5 EcoBlue 120ps Limited Van
202134,872 milesDiesel£375 mo£16,680
inc. VATBN236PXFord Transit Connect1.5 EcoBlue 120ps Limited Van
202121,078 milesDiesel£389 mo£17,280
inc. VATBN236PX
Ford Transit Connect Alternatives
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