Ford Transit Courier (2014 – 2023) Review

Compact, practical and affordable to run, the Ford Transit Courier is proof that you don't need to lower your expectations when it comes to buying a small and capable van.

Based on the same platform as the Fiesta, the Transit Courier sits below the Transit Connect in the Ford van range and competes with the likes of the Fiat Fiorino and the compact version of the Mercedes-Benz Citan.

The Transit Courier may be the smallest van in the Ford line-up but it's still capable of carrying a standard Euro pallet and has the longest load length in the class at 1.62 metres. The total cargo volume is 2.3 cubic metres and it comes with a sliding side door and a full height bulkhead that's available glazed.

If you need to carry longer items there's the option of a clever folding mesh bulkhead and drop down passenger seat that will boost the overall load area to 2.6 cubic metres.

The load area comes with six cargo tie-down points with four side-mounted panels plus there's the option of ultra-bright LED lighting. The maximum payload at launch is 660kg, but this was downgraded to 590kg for modes sold from 2018. One sliding side door is fitted as standard with the option of dual sliding doors. There's also a Kombi version which has a row of three seats in the back and glazed side doors.

At launch, the Transit Courier had two diesel engines in the range – a 1.5-litre TDCi with 75PS and a 1.6 TDCi producing 95PS – plus Ford's impressive 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol unit that's used in various Ford's like the Fiesta and B-MAX. In 2018 the 1.6 turbodiesel was replaced with the 1.5-litre TDCi, with outputs split between 75 and 100PS.  

The interior echoes Ford's passenger cars with a modern design. There's also plenty of stowage including a 'mega-centre' console which can hold A4 documents and small laptops, overhead stowage plus a drawer under the driver’s seat. A device dock in the centre of the instrument panel lets drivers store, mount and charge mobile phones.

Thanks to its compact size the Transit Courier is ideal for urban work; helped by good forward visibility and a tight turning circle. It is slightly longer than a Fiat Fiorino but is just as nimble while the light steering means slotting it into a tight parallel parking spot is a simple task. As a nippy delivery van it's ideal but that's not to say this is a one trick pony.

Get the Transit Courier onto a motorway and it feels equally at home. It's quiet and refined with impressively low levels of engine and road noise. In fact it's very easy to think you're driving something bigger and in terms of comfort it sits head and shoulders above the competition. It's a van you could happily cover long distances in.

It's easy to tell that the Transit Courier is based on the same platform as the Fiesta. The handling - as with all Ford vans - is impressive helped by nicely weighted steering and plenty of grip. It's stable in corners even with a full load on board and unlike many vans is genuinely enjoyable to drive. But what really shines through is the ride quality which is top notch.

The engine range includes a petrol in the shape of the three-cylinder 1.0-litre EcoBoost with 100PS that's had positive reviews in Ford cars like the Fiesta. Three-cylinders may seem too small for a van - even one this compact - but it's actually well suited. As it's turbocharged it has plenty of low down torque while economy is a respectable 54.3mpg. Admittedly, the EcoBoost unit feels a little out of breath when fully laden on hilly motorway, but it'll be more than sufficient for short distance city drivers. 

The diesel engines will make the most sense for long distance drives and there's a lower powered 1.5 TDCi with 75PS or a 1.6 TDCi with 95PS. The 1.5 TDCi is a new engine that is also found in the Ford Focus and will suit most owners needs with advertised economy of 72mpg. Like the rest of the engine range, it comes with Ford's EasyFuel that makes it almost impossible to put the wrong fuel in.

The more powerful 1.6 TDCi isn't the most modern diesel around nor the quietest but it's refined enough in the Transit Courier and with 215Nm of torque available from just 1750rpm it provides plenty of pulling power when needed. It's also the most economical and if you choose the optional start/stop plus the 62mph fixed speed limiter, claimed fuel consumption is 76mpg. All engines come with a five-speed gearbox that has a positive shift.

The engine range was updated in 2018, with the 1.6 TDCi being dropped in favour of the 100PS version of the newer 1.5‑litre TDCi. Fuel economy ratings from mid-2018 range from an official 65mpg and 112g/km CO2 for the 1.5 diesel and 53mpg and 119g/km for the 1.0 EcoBoost. A six-speed manual transmission replaces the previous five-speed offering.

It may look like a small van from the outside but the Transit Courier certainly punches above its weight when it comes to load carrying ability. It has a capacity of 2.3 cubic metres which isn't quite a match for alternatives like the Citroen Nemo but its 660kg payload is on par with the competition. In 2018 Ford downgraded the maximum payload to 590kg. 

The Transit Courier can accommodate a standard Euro pallet and there are six cargo tie-down points with four side-mounted panels plus the option of ultra-bright LED lighting which makes a big difference when parked in underground car parks.

The cargo deck is 1620mm long but if you have longer items to move, and don't want to use roof bars, there's the option of a clever folding mesh bulkhead that swings around the driver and includes a drop down passenger seat. This allows you to carry items up to 2.59 metres in length.

A moulded bulkhead as standard while a full steel bulkhead is standard on the Trend trim and an option for Base models. The build quality throughout the Transit Courier really impresses with a solid and durable feel to everything from the sliding side door - standard on Trend models but an option on the Base - to the optional load floor cover.

That quality feel continues in the cabin which is very much like a Ford Fiesta. It has the same steering wheel, instrument dials and switches, giving it that car-like feel that we've become accustomed to with many modern vans. The stereo is also lifted from the Fiesta, although it's a little cluttered with buttons, but that's the only minor criticism in any otherwise first rate interior.

Comfort levels are very good with plenty of adjustment in the seat plus both reach and height adjustment on the steering. Compared to rivals like the Peugeot Bipper, there's far more space in the cabin, which will be particularly noticeable for taller drivers who won't have to spend time forcing the seat back up against the bulkhead to maximise legroom.

Despite being a small van there is plenty of stowage with full size cupholders, a proper glovebox, large door pockets and a large cubby between the seats that's good for clipboards, maps, iPads and the like. Other useful additions are the overhead stowage shelf on Trend models and a new Device Dock that sits on top of the dash and allows you to mount and charge your phone or sat nav.

The Kombi version of the Transit Courier comes with a rear row of three seats that all fold and tumble giving you useful flexibility. It also has glazed side windows that flip-out for extra ventilation plus full front, side and curtain airbags. Despite the small size of the Courier, there's a generous amount of room in the back of the Kombi plus it comes with dual sliding side doors.