Ford Transit Custom on test: great for your business, and your pocket

Ford Transit Custom SWB FT270 Limited

What is it?

THIS, then, is the all new Ford Transit Custom. It’s been designed for small businesses and trades to look attractive, smart, and save you money with reduced operating costs. Rather than trying to have one van spanning both the one tonne and two tonne markets, Ford now has two vans.

The Ford Transit Custom is for the one tonne market, and the rather beefier Ford Transit for the two tonne market. Both sit above the small Transit Connect. We’re testing here the short wheelbase front-wheel drive Transit Custom with 125PS 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel power mated to a six-speed manual gearbox with fuel-saving stop-start technology. It was carrying a half load of 425kg. Available in standard Custom and Trend trim, along with Limited tested here, and a top spec Sport version – the low roof SWB FT 270 Transit Custom Limited costs £21,245 + VAT.  

What’s hot?

• Great styling – present your company in a modern, smart manner. Add some good signwriting and it will look highly professional, along with those standard alloy wheels
• Quiet and refined on the move – more car-like than van-like
• 125PS engine torquey enough without shredding the front tyres every time you take off
• The short shift gearshift is also a delight to use
• Cabin is a driver’s delight, too: mobile phone holder, USB/aux input and an extra electric socket; takeaway coffee holders; deep bins for 1.5 litre water bottles. You get the idea…

  

• What can the Transit Custom hold though? Let’s start with four large standard 8 feet x 4 feet (2440mm x 1220mm) boards, stacked or flat on the floor; or three Euro pallets; and something the old Transit could never do, three metre load lengths – such as pipes, copper tubing and softwood – thanks to load-through hatch in the bulkhead
• There’s more practicality, too, in the repositioning of tie hooks on the body sides…
• …and locking check arms on the rear doors for safe 90 degree opening without being blown back by gusts of wind…
• …plus the brilliant integrated roof rack system that folds out from the roof when required, but hides out of site to improve economy when not
• Standard sealed load liner for easy cleaning and better resale value
• High output LED lighting in the loadspace area so you can see clearly what you’re doing
• Five star Euro safety rating – a major first for the Transit Custom

 

What’s not

• 883kg payload bettered by rivals
• Ride gets choppy over concrete style surfaces
• Err…Not much else…

 

Business Vans verdict

Not only has Ford made the new Transit Custom more stylish, Ford has done so while improving the panel van’s practicality, too. The cabin of the Transit Custom SWB FT270 Limited is a great place for a driver to sit and spend a day ‘in the office’.

The Transit Custom’s load area is bigger and more practical and can take loads that used to stick out the rear doors of old Transits; and it’s a joy to drive with low noise levels, high refinement and little in the way of body roll. Add in the peace of mind of Ford’s 3-year/100,000-mile ‘bumper-to-bumper’ warranty, 40.9mpg fuel economy, lower running costs in part thanks to improved residual values, a highly attractive Ford business van finance offer currently running at £359 a month, and the Ford Transit Custom Limited is quite an exceptional new van. It would give any small business or trade a professional edge. And plenty of driving pleasure, too.  

What you need to know

On the road price ex VAT (as tested)	£21,245
Load length	2,555mm
Load width (max)	1,775mm
Load height	1,406mm
Load capacity	5.36cu m
Payload	883kg
GVW	2,900kg
Towing capacity braked/unbraked	2,400/750kg
Engine	2.2-litre 4-cyl diesel
Power/Torque	125PS/350Nm
Economy (combined)	40.9mpg
CO2 emissions	183g/km