The front-wheel-drive Transit Connect is powered by a 136-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, hooked up to a 4-speed automatic transmission. The model gets a low 4.20:1 final-drive ratio to aid hauling ability, yet it still carries respectable 19 mpg city, 24 highway fuel economy ratings.
Phenomenal interior space and cargo-carrying ability is what makes the Transit Connect unlike any other vehicle in the U.S. market. It has 135 cubic feet of cargo colume--including more than 59 inches of floor-to-ceiling load height inside and nearly 73 inches of load width. Split cargo doors in back open up to 255 degrees to aid loading, and cargo capacity is an able 1,600 pounds.
The Transit Connect promises to drive like a car and has a 39-foot curb-to-curb turning circle. At just 180 inches long, its parking footprint is smaller than that of a mid-size sedan. Underneath, the suspension combines the MacPherson strut front suspension of a car with the load-carrying rear suspension of a cargo van; the combination of leaf springs and a stabilizer bar helps accommodate heavy loads.
Inside, the Transit Connect's driver's seat is 6-way adjustable and comes with an armrest, and the steering wheel is adjustable for rake and reach. A standard center console has twin storage bins and cupholders, and there's space for overhead storage. Air conditioning and a 2-speaker radio are included across the model line. The XLT model adds many of the convenience features of passenger vehicles, including cruise control, remote keyless entry, power windows and locks, heated mirrors and a CD sound system with auxiliary input.
Ford will offer a wide range of accessories and special configurations of the Transit Connect to suit various commercial purposes. Possibilities include a panel-van version or a wagon version with a folding second-row bench seat. All versions come with sliding side doors. The available Ford Work Solutions system helps those who take work on the road with them with navigation and messaging, while Tool Link attaches radio-identification tags to make sure tools aren't left at a worksite. There's also Crew Chief, a tool to help companies with large fleets monitor their vehicles.
Interior Space
Cargo-carrying Ability
Available Conveniences Of A Car
Manageable Size
Frugal Price And Good Fuel Economy
The Ford Transit Connect is a compact commercial van model, aimed at small-business users--especially those who wouldn't need a cumbersome, expensive full-size hauler. Although the Transit Connect has been sold in Europe for years, it's new model to the U.S. market. With car-based underpinnings, it's quite unlike anything sold in the U.S.
Tremendous cargo space in a compact, economical vehicle is the main selling point for the Transit Connect. Ford says that it has more than double the cargo-carrying space of the Chevy HHR Panel van, and its short 180-inch length should make it nearly as easy to park as a small car. Low operating costs are a strong reason to consider the Transit Connect, as it has fuel economy ratings of up to 24 mpg and has long--for a commercial vehicle--maintenance intervals of 7,500 miles.
