Ford Transit Connect Review 2024

The 2024 Ford Transit Connect arrived with a whimper, landing in showrooms two years after the Ford Tourneo passenger version and sharing its engines, transmissions and bodywork with the Volkswagen Caddy Cargo – one of the first fruits of a strategic partnership that will see synergies across the brands’ LCV line-ups over the coming few years. But does the tie-up mean the latest model is a big improvement? Read our full Ford Transit Connect review.

The partnership has been a slow burner from the start, as both Ford and Volkswagen had existing models mid-cycle, hence why Ford got to go first with the medium-sized van – the Ford Transit Custom – and Volkswagen led with the smaller one.

But with stocks of the previous Ford Transit Connect now rundown, the new model was introduced to do battle with the Citroen Berlingo and closely related Peugeot Partner, plus another offering from France, the Renault Kangoo, among others.

It’s essentially a good van that will no doubt serve Ford’s vast array of fleet customers well, but Ford PRO, the company’s commercial vehicle arm, is being quite understated with the model line-up.

For example, there will be no all-electric Ford Transit Connect, unlike rivals from Renault, Stellantis and Mercedes, and there’s an extremely modest model range – two body lengths and one diesel engine, with a plug-in hybrid coming and a petrol variant expected to follow in 2025.

There are two power outputs – 102PS and 122PS – the former equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and the latter fitted with a seven-speed auto.

It’s also a handsome, good-looking van with unfussy yet futuristic styling and some neat details that will help project a good image of your business.

There are two body lengths on offer for the Ford Transit Connect – L1 and L2.

The L1 gives a maximum of 3.1 cubic metres of load space, while the longer L2 increases this to 3.7 cubic metres.

This is enough for most users and offers more space than the standard-length Renault Kangoo, for example, but the Stellantis Group’s Peugeot Partner, Fiat Doblo, Citroen Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo Cargo all offer more capacity.

The Ford Transit Connect lags a little behind on payload, too – you can't carry more than 700kg, compared with up to 1,000kg with some rivals.

Given how most small vans are used, though, this is unlikely to be an issue for the majority of drivers.

It’s a practical van, too, with the option of a second sliding door and either barn-style or tailgate rear access. Plus, there’s an impressively low and flat load area with good access between the rear wheelarches and plenty of room for two euro pallets in the L2.

Up front, everything is well laid-out, stylish and intuitive to use, and it all feels well screwed together, although the heating and ventilation controls are a little fiddly via the touchscreen.

Ford’s SYNC4 infotainment system is pretty good, though, and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Ford Transit Connect is based on a Volkswagen Group platform and it has good pedigree, as you’ll find the same chassis underpins the Audi TT and Volkswagen Golf, as well as the Skoda Octavia – great news for Ford, which has always focused on offering strong dynamics.

It’s arguably not as sharp to drive as the previous-generation Ford Transit Connect, which had very responsive steering, but it’s a lot more refined and has a supple, comfortable ride quality to it.

This all adds up to a strong balance of comfort and agility – it’s certainly a lot more car-like than the van-focused Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner and has a pleasant, mature feel to it.

There’s a tight turning circle and good all-round visibility, too.

The diesel engine line-up is currently made up of a 2.0-litre TDCi with two different power outputs – 102PS and 122PS.

We’ve driven the more powerful model, which has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox (essentially a Volkswagen DSG unit) that moves quickly and almost seamlessly through the gears, but is a bit sharp when first pulling away.

There’s also a petrol model planned, as well a plug-in hybrid that should join the Ford Transit Connect line-up in 2025.

As it stands, the Ford Transit Connect is a decent van and a worthy continuation of the Connect name, which has now been a mainstay of the Ford Transit landscape for more than 20 years.

But a broader choice of engines and gearboxes and some additional trim levels are needed to make it more competitive in a very busy sector of the van market.