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Long Term Test - Final Report: Ford Transit Courier Kombi

Date: Friday, February 26, 2016   |   Author: James Dallas

This less powerful diesel engine is actually also less efficient than its 95hp stablemate, returning an official 68.9mpg on the combined cycle compared to the larger unit’s 70.6mpg.

With our Kombi serving most of its time in the city, we got nowhere near this figure, averaging 45.6mpg over about 4500 miles – itself well short of the 60mpg cited by Ford for urban driving.

But the Courier excels as a versatile and dexterous load lugger – able to access the sort of nooks and crannies off limits to larger vans, even if requiring more trips to get the job done, whether taking household and garden waste to recycling centres or assisting in a house move. Having both near- and offside side-loading doors proved to be very handy too. With the seats flattened the load space increases to 1.9m3, which falls short of the 2.5m3 claimed by Fiat Professional for its rival Fiorino but still proved adequate on one occasion to seemingly defy logic by squeezing in a dismantled double bed followed by its unwieldy mattress on the return journey.

The Courier also proved its worth as a family vehicle with the rear seats back in place. There was plenty of room for the kids, the most frequent occupants, and no complaints from adults about lack of legroom either, and enough space in the load bay for all the paraphernalia such as scooters, footballs and a dog.

Comfort and ride quality is not an issue, the Courier is truly ‘car-like’ in its performance – many claim to be, most are not. Handling, like in the rest of the blue oval’s line-up, is exemplary for a light commercial vehicle.

The little van is able to weave its way nimbly through urban traffic, making light of the challenges presented by narrowed lanes, road works and temporary roundabouts, and once let off the leash on B-roads and country lanes it is a pleasure to be behind  the wheel.

Ride quality is also good, meaning that driver and passengers alike arrive at the destination relaxed and fresh even after long journeys, although having six rather than five gears to choose from would have been better still. Also, with five occupants in the cab and luggage in the back our 75hp Kombi could struggle to make it up steep hills while we learnt to negotiate roundabouts in low gears to ensure we could accelerate smartly away from oncoming traffic if required. Nevertheless, the Courier is a versatile and competent all-rounder and in its natural city environment, it is pretty much the ideal compact van.