New Ford Transit Connect review – 3-cylinder petrol or super-economy diesel?

Ford Transit Connect 1.0 litre Trend SWB and 1.6 TDCi LWB

What is it?

Ford has been busy. The entire Transit van range is in the process of being re-invented, starting last year with the Transit Custom, then the Transit Connect, and most recently the straight Ford Transit, the biggest of the bunch. The Transit Courier city van is yet to arrive. We first drove the Ford Transit Connect at the launch last October (click here for the review) and now we’ve taken a closer look at two of the extensive range. Does the replacement for the original Connect introduced in 2002 match up to its bigger sisters? In a word, yes! Three trim levels – Base, Trend and Limited – are available. Business Vans recently drove the 1.0 short-wheelbase Econetic petrol model and the 1.6 Duratorq TDCi 95hp five-speed manual long-wheelbase model, both in Trend spec. This 1.6-litre Duratorq engine is available with a choice of 75, 95 and 115hp power outputs.

But first things first. The new Connect is nothing like the old Connect. It’s an all-new design on a new platform. It’s got the new sexy Ford family face and as with its stablemates, the styling is bang up to the minute with streamlined front end and deeply angled front screen. Inside, there’s a familiar Ford dash – akin to something you’d find in a C-Max or Kuga. Again, it looks modern and stylish, despite a high degree of plastic frontage. The cab is comfortable with firm, supportive seating and noise levels that are pleasingly low, even with the van unladen.