Ford Transit Connect van review – go to the top of the class Henry

Great inside, and even the base version is richly kitted out with safety gadgetry like ESP as well as a digital radio

What’s hot

• Gosh, where do we start? There are so many plus points about this van that we could be here all day, but we know you operators are busy so we’ll try to be brief.
• It looks great for starters, although we realise that practicality is more important. But if you do want to project a stylish image for your business, this van has it in spades.
• In the back, all the models apart from base have a plastic cargo liner and there are also plastic panels in the side up to half height. That flap in the bulkhead works a treat. And the back of the passenger’s seat even has a groove in it so pipes and suchlike lie in it without moving around.
• We tested a short wheelbase van with the 95PS diesel and also a SWB petrol version. Both had half loads on board, which ironed out any skittishness that might occur when driven empty.
• Both vans are smooth and quiet and the electronic power steering gives a taut, well-balanced feel to the van. In fact we could for all the world have been driving a car – and that’s exactly what Ford was aiming for when it designed this vehicle. We did feel that the petrol variant was a little “flat” though and as there isn’t any price or fuel economy advantage in going for petrol, we’d recommend sticking with the diesel variants.
• And this van takes fuel economy in the sector to unbelievable new levels. Even the thirstiest Connect manages a tad over 50mpg while the ECOnetic returns an astonishing 70mpg. Mind you that’s with a 62mph speed limited fitted, which some drivers might find unacceptable, so be warned!

While the clever folding passenger seat is useful additional load space the middle ‘dicky’ seat won’t take many bacon butties

What’s not

• All but the base models have colour-coded bumpers, which we admit look brilliant. But if you or your drivers are the kind of people who regularly knock into things like bollards and walls (as many sadly do) then you are going to be spending an awful lot of money in the paintshop getting any damage repaired.
• So for careless people we recommend buying the base models as they have masses of plastic swathed all round. It looks a bit cheap and cheerful, but it works and it’ll save masses of cash.
• And sorry Ford, but that second middle passenger seat is … well, really only very occasional and then mainly for kids. A burly builder in there? No way.  You can fold it down to make a little desk with cup holders and a laptop strap, which is jolly useful, but thanks to the intrusion of the lump that holds the gear lever, there just isn’t enough room for two passengers, especially if they are blokes who regularly dine out on full English breakfasts.
• Ford does point out that it’s really a dicky rather than a proper seat, but all the same it ain’t anywhere near big enough.