Long Term Test: Ford Transit Connect

Date: Thursday, February 26, 2015   |   Author: James Dallas

Our Connect crew van is a sophisticated and stylish van about town but is not without the odd quirk, as James Dallas discovers


 

Having lived with our Transit Connect crew van for a couple of months now we have come to rely upon it as a well-mannered civilized and sophisticated van about town.

Its attractively styled high quality cabin, slick, effortless gear change and precise steering all make for a pleasant stress free and genuinely ‘car-like’ driving experience in busy urban situations and there is room for three passengers to travel in comfort in the rear.

DAB radio is an appreciated standard feature and one that should increasingly feature in LCVs going forward.

In the mid-range Trend trim we specified the audio system is easily operated by buttons handily positioned on the steering wheel.

Our van also has cruise control with an adjustable speed limiter included as an option for £150 (all prices exclude VAT), which also comes with steering-wheel mounted controls. This has made for a more relaxing drive on the rare occasions when we have cut loose beyond the city limits.

What our van doesn’t have, however, and it is sorely missed on long motorway treks, is a sixth cruising gear.

The 75hp and 95hp diesel engines get five-speed manual transmission only as opposed to the more powerful 115hp diesel and the 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol units that come wedded to a six-speed manual gearbox. Ford admits cost considerations dictated this decision and the 95hp van especially would benefit from the extra gear as it is more likely to be the choice of operators using the van for inter-city assignments.



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