2015 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Xlt Van Reviews
If you're in the market place for a fuel-efficient commitment vehicle or something
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| Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Automobile Press |
suitable for hauling around gear dedicated to your small business organization there's never been a better time to buy into the compact cargo van category.
We can thank Ford for that. Back in 2009 when the blue oval make started exporting the Turkish- and Romanian-made van to North America in that location wasn't much competition in the segment, merely now Nissan has its NV200, Chevrolet is finally back in the market with a rebadged version of the same Nissan called the City Express, and Ram has its new Fiat Doblò-sourced ProMaster City to go along with its Yard Caravan-based Cargo Van.
Completely revamped final twelvemonth and at present built in Almussafes on the outskirts of Valencia,
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| Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Spain also as by Ford Otosan, jointly owned by Ford and Koç Holding in Gölcük, near Kocaeli, Turkey, the second-generation Transit Connect remains the one to beat when it comes to fashion, performance and overall value, so it's pretty much status quo for the 2015 model.
And don't underestimate styling when it comes to the commercial sector. Your van represents your business concern, whether it'due south decaled out in company colours and corporate logos or simply suited up in plain white, it's an extension of your business firm's make identity, a mobile billboard that speaks volumes about your business's level of success, ability to stay electric current with irresolute times, and environmental responsibleness.
To this end the Transit Connect provides a expert public image, its new design fresh and
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| Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Car Press |
assuming while its compact size shows that you value fuel friendliness and resultant lower emissions. Behind its new grille design is one of two engines replacing the approachable ii.0-litre Duratec four-cylinder, starting with Ford's 2.5-litre Duratec four-cylinder in base trim, and an even more than powerful and more fuel-efficient optional 1.half-dozen-litre Ecoboost direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder in upper trims, my tester fitted out with the latter. The technologically advanced engine makes a surprising amount of power for such a modest displacement, doling out 178 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at a very tractable two,500 rpm, which is significantly more than than the larger deportation base engine's 169 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 171 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. Nonetheless, even the base
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| Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Printing |
engine is up 33 horsepower and 43 lb-ft of torque over the old 2.0-litre's output, while the new half dozen-speed automated transmission with SelectShift manual style is lite years more than efficient and fun to drive than the antiquated iv-speed slushbox that kept the old model in the dark ages.
Performance is adept, merely nigh armada managers and small-scale business owners would rather talk about fuel economy. This is where the smaller Ecoboost powerplant commands the most attention thanks to an impressive five-wheel EnerGuide rating of 10.6 L/100km in the city, 7.9 on the highway and 9.4 combined. The larger base engine is still pretty decent, eking out 11.3 city, 8.2 highway and 9.9 combined from the TC's 60-litre tank, simply y'all'll demand to gene in who'll be driving your van equally the efficiency figures diminish quickly when mated to those with a heavy correct human foot, especially with the Ecoboost engine.
The
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| Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Ecoboost saves 17 kilos (37 lbs) in curb weight, which aids fuel efficiency ever then slightly, weighing in at ane,624 kilograms (iii,580 lbs) compared to the 2.five-litre van's 1,641-kg (3 618-lb) mass. While its 12.two-metre (40.0-foot) curb-to-curb turning bore isn't exactly small, this the event of forepart-wheel drive and a wheelbase length of 3,062 millimetres (120.5 inches), the lighter van is also a tiny fleck more maneuverable around the tight confines of parking lots and back alleys where loading bays are often kept, and combined with its electric ability steering that provides plenty of assist at ho-hum speeds and impressive response when velocities increment, makes it more manageable through higher-speed curves where its independent MacPherson strut front suspension and twist-beam rear setup does a respectable job of property its lane, the Transit Connect's front and rear stabilizer bars aiding body lean and therefore route-property. Of course, yous'll demand
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| Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
to boring things downward a tad when entering a precipitous corner if the Transit Connect is pulling its best-in-form trailering weight of 907 kilos (2,000 lbs), when properly equipped, or fully laden with 739 kilos (1,629 lbs) of maximum payload – it'due south GVWR is 2,390 kg (five,269 lbs) incidentally – especially if it'south piled loftier upward into the alpine van'southward i,262-mm (49.7-inch) rafters.
That'southward the maximum cargo height bachelor in dorsum, the length at the floor measuring 2,217 mm (87.3 inches), length at the belt slightly shorter at 1,958 mm (77.08 inches), length with the front passenger seat folded 2,969 mm (116.nine inches), and width between the rear wheelhouse spanning 1,226 mm (48.2 inches). The load flooring height is 601 mm (23.6 inches), which makes for easy loading, while the rear door has an opening meridian of one,118 mm (44.0 inches) and opening width of 1,252 mm (49.3 inches) at the flooring, ample enough for easy access of big cargo. The rear doors, available with or without windows, can be swung
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out at 180-caste right angles too, allowing closer access to loading bays, and new for this 2d-generation Transit Connect is the availability of a minivan-style liftgate with a single-pane rear window if that'south more to your liking. Standard dual sliding side doors brings to retentivity another minivan innovation that makes the Transit Connect more functional for concern, each side-slider bachelor with or without glass, either manner opening upwards to an access width of 838 mm (33.0 inches) and summit of one,223 mm (48.ane inches). If your business requires no slider on the driver'south side you tin can go the TC with just one on the passenger side, only like cargo vans of yore. Load it upward to the brim and yous'll be maximizing 3,698 litres (130.6 cubic anxiety) of cargo capacity.
Now
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| Photograph: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
that I'thousand detailing out numbers I might as well fill up you in on the outside specs, as you lot'll need to park information technology afterward all. The Transit Connect cargo van measures iv,818 mm (189.7 inches) nose to tail, two,137 mm (84.i inches) side to side including its mirrors, and 1,848 mm (72.seven inches) from the base of its tires to the acme of its roof, while its front rails measures 1,559 mm (61.4 inches) and rear track 1,568 inches (61.7 inches).
The passenger compartment is large and spacious with 1,790 litres (63.2 cubic feet) of volume, simply what I like nigh about the new Transit Connect is the blueprint and layout of the instrument panel and controls, which come pretty close to the impressive
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| Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
usability and quality of the Focus. It didn't hurt that my tester came in summit-line XLT trim and furthermore was kitted out in almost every available selection Ford could throw at it, which meant that a full-colour high-resolution multifunction display was set into the attractively laid out primary gauges along with steering bike controls to operate them, not to mention steering spoke-mounted buttons for Sync hands-gratis phone connectivity, vocalization-activation, the audio system and cruise command.
Atop the centre stack, a 6.5-inch MyFord Touch infotainment display added telephone features including audible text messaging with compatible phones, plus climate control and entertainment features, not to mention total navigation capability and a rearview camera with guidelines to complement the rear (and front end) parking sonar system.
Ford
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| Photograph: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Machine Press |
offers an optional machine-dimming rearview mirror besides, but beingness that my rear doors didn't include the optional rear windows there was an odd-looking nub where a mirror would otherwise be mounted. Only beneath the infotainment screen sits a consummate set of audio controls for the amply good sounding AM/FM/CD/AUX/USB/satellite stereo, and below that easy to use three-dial HVAC switchgear for the A/C-equipped manual climate arrangement, all inside easy reach. Power-adjustable side mirrors fabricated optimizing rear visibility easier and being heatable they won't crave scraping on cold winter mornings. Variable-speed windshield wipers were also included, while the list of extras not fitted
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| Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
to my tester's cabin included a half-dozen-way power-adjustable driver's seat, rain-sensing wipers and remote first.
The standard equipment list is long so I'm not going to even try to item it out for you lot, but a shortlist of items not already mentioned includes powered locks with remote keyless entry, a tilt and telescopic steering column, powered front end windows with one-touch down on the driver's side, an AM/FM audio system with an aux jack, a four-way adaptable driver'southward seat and four-way passenger seat (the latter with a fold-flat feature allowing stowage of longer cargo), vinyl floor coverings for the passenger compartment and the cargo area, a front dome light, daytime running lamps, integrated watch mirrors, and a full-size spare. Many of the options already mentioned tin too exist added to the base of operations XL model, although most of the higher end ones can't.
There
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| Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
was no shortage of classy looking metallic accents highlighting my XLT'southward cabin, especially on the gauge package, steering wheel spokes, heart stack and nicely detailed shift knob, while the door panels received aluminum-similar detailing on the pulls and handles. The seat fabric consisted of an attractive geometric blueprint in grey and silver over a high-quality black woven textile, again more impressive looking than I was expecting in a panel van and a lot more comfortable likewise thanks to an uprated half dozen-way driver'south seat with much appreciated lumbar adjustability, while between the two was a eye console featuring a 12-volt power plug, spare change holder and twin cupholders just alee of a dainty padded armrest covering a handy storage bin.
Speaking
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| Photograph: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
of handy, Ford carried over the Transit Connect's ultra-useful overhead storage shelf upward above the windshield, ideal for stowing stuff you need to access speedily. The driver-side sunvisor gets a ticket strap forth with a vanity mirror whereas the passenger-side version just includes the vanity mirror, although more than useful to me were large bottle pockets integrated into the lower door panels.
The XLT also adds a few upgrades to the Transit Connect'due south exterior, starting with a body-colour front end bumper with integrated fog lamps and body-colour rear bumper end caps, plus unique full wheel covers for the 16-inch steel wheels, simply the front and rear splash guards were optional. Outside options not featured on my exam van included an active grille shutter, cornering fog lamps, xvi-inch alloy wheels, colour-keyed mirror caps for optional larger trailer-ready mirrors, and a trailer
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| Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
tow package. An upfitter wiring harness for customized aftermarket electrical connections can exist added too.
Some of the packages Ford offers with the Transit Connect are really interesting, such every bit the Coiffure Chief system powered by Telogis. Armada managers volition beloved this one, as information technology provides real-time alerts on a diverseness of driver and vehicle metrics, featuring reports about driving habits and fuel efficiency plus asset utilization and vehicle maintenance.
When the 2.5-litre iv-cylinder is chosen, Ford can also upgrade the engine with a CNG/LPG gaseous engine prep packet for conversion to compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas. The parcel includes hardened intake valves, hardened exhaust valves,
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| Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
and hardened valve seats, although it doesn't include the CNG/LPG fuel tanks and lines, which are installed by CNG/LPG providers.
On the road, the ane.6-litre Ecoboost fitted to my tester was a lot more spirited than what I experienced in my last test drive, which was a first-generation Transit Connect kitted out in heavier taxi trim no less. The new van gets upward and goes quickly and the six-speed automatic shifts smoothly and very quickly, either by its own devices or via a cool thumb toggle on gearshift lever. Equally mentioned the steering is electric power assist for less drag on the engine and it works more than adequately for the console van class, while the ride was surprisingly smooth. Fifty-fifty when pushing information technology a bit too hard the TC's four-wheel discs with ABS and electronic emergency brake aid slowed everything down with composed conviction, while Ford'southward
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| Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Motorcar Press |
excellent AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control kept information technology within the chosen lane in glace weather.
Condom in mind, a tire pressure monitoring system is standard every bit is Ford's SecuriLock passive anti-theft system, while the airbag count includes the usual two up front end, two for side impact and two curtain-type bags for a total of half dozen.
Also, keep in mind that the Transit Connect can exist had equally a seven-occupant passenger van with windows all-round that not just works well for shuttle services only would be ideal for big families as it can exist upgraded with some truly luxurious features and fifty-fifty Titanium trim, while this model can withal be had fully equipped for taxi service.
The old Transit Connect was a well-conceived concern tool that certainly won me over when it was introduced six years ago, but this new iteration moves everything up a solid notch. It'south better looking, much more enjoyable to drive, delivers greater efficiency and is miles more refined, while withal offering the high level of overall functionality console van users need.
Pricing for the 2015 Ford Transit Connect cargo van starts at $26,849 for Twoscore trim and $28,249 for XLT trim, plus $1,700 for freight and pre-commitment prep.
©(Copyright Canadian Auto Press)
Source: https://www.thecarmagazine.com/2015/04/13/2015-ford-transit-connect-xlt-van-road-test-review/