Best Small Trades Van: Ford Transit Custom 2.2 TDCi Trend

THE Transit badge has to be the most iconic and recognised in commercial circles, with the Ford celebrating its 50^th birthday in 2015. The Custom, our Best Small Trades Van, is the mid-sized Transit and adds this award to an impressive back catalogue dating from its launch in 2013.

So why is the Ford Transit Custom our favourite? Well it has to be its reputation for being great to drive, affordable to run, practical and safe. Considering these factors, it’s no surprise that our judges chose the Ford Transit to win this sector.

Outside, the Transit Custom follows Ford’s ‘Kinetic design’ theme and its modern look is sharper and more upmarket than the last-generation model.

The modern design isn’t just saved for the exterior. The inside of the Transit Custom is equally impressive, feeling more like a Ford Focus car than a van when you clamber in. Comfort is another high point for this Ford van, as the Transit Custom has supportive seats with a wide range of adjustment and a steering wheel that adjusts for rake and reach.

Hit the road and the car-like handling and ride is hard to fault, like its cars and other commercials – the Transit Custom is a van that will please someone who enjoys driving.

It seems like there’s a Transit Custom for everyone, as there’s a vast choice of models available. Our winner is the Ford Transit Trend 330 L2 H1 2.2-litre TDCi (125PS) FWD. Trend is the mid-spec model, with standard equipment including convenient items such as power adjusting and folding mirrors, projector-style halogen headlights, front and rear parking sensors and rain-sensing wipers.

Standard safety kit is equally impressive, with front driver and passenger airbags fitted as standard, along with seat-mounted side airbags. Optional curtain airbags are also available for front occupants.  Other safety features includes electronic stability control with active yaw control, roll over mitigation, hydraulic brake assist, anti-lock brakes and hill start assist.

It might not be the biggest member of the Transit range, but the Custom has a practical load space. The 125PS 2.2-litre TDCi also boasts a 39.8 mpg combined fuel consumption figure. That makes it the perfect all-rounder for small trades.

Judge Jayson Whittington, from Glass’s, summed up the Transit Custom: “The Transit Custom boasts fresh looks, combined with practical load space.”

The Business Van Awards 2016 are sponsored by Vanarama.

Best Small Trades Van. What were the judges were looking for?

• Electricians, painters, and decorators need a compact van that’s manoeuvrable in a tight corner but Tardis-like inside as well as good on costs.
• Open to vans below 2.5 tonnes

Nick Themistocleous, Ford fleet director: Best Small Trades