Ford Transit Custom Review 2024

Since 2022, the best-selling vehicle in the UK hasn't been a Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa or Nissan Qashqai. It's this - the Ford Transit Custom. As the old advertising slogan once claimed, the Ford Transit remains very much the backbone of Britain. But why is it so popular? Read on for our Ford Transit Custom review.

The good news for buyers of the Ford Transit Custom is that the latest model has just got better. A comprehensive revamp - not a replacement, but certainly a lot more than just a facelift, has seen the Ford Transit Custom get more efficient, more refined and more user-friendly and - dare we say it - more luxurious. 

The core of the Ford Transit Custom range revolves around the model's popular and proven diesel engines – 2.0-litre units with a choice of 110PS, 136PS, 150PS and 170PS. The lower-powered of which is still perfectly competent and the most potent a lively engine that hustles the Ford Transit Custom along with surprising vigour. 

In addition, there's now also a new Ford Transit Custom plug-in hybrid, using a 2.5-litre petrol engine and a 65kWh battery - essentially the same as used in the Ford Kuga. Its range of 35 miles is ideal for urban multi-drop use, while a full electric version of the Ford Transit Custom is also in the offing. 

All versions are good to drive, cheap to run and capable of shifting payloads in excess of 1.4 tonnes. There is also a wide choice of bodystyles, with short and long wheelbases offered. A higher roof, a double-cab and an innovative Multicab are coming, the latter offering the benefits of both rear seating and a small section of full-length load bay. 

Among the key changes over the previous model Ford Transit Custom are a vastly revised interior, now with a completely flat floor and a revised dash moulding that gives the middle seat passenger far better legroom than before - good news, then, for the apprentice...

Dual gloveboxes and huge door bins are Ford Transit Custom standard fare, but by far the most noticeable change from the outgoing Ford Transit Custom is the fascia layout, which now incorporates digital instrumentation on an eight-inch display and a 13.0-inch touchscreen as standard. This uses Ford’s latest SYNC4 operating system and can also be used with Apple Carplay or Android Auto, even on the basic Leader versions.

Standard and long wheelbase models are available, the former of which has an overall length of 4.97 metres and the latter 5.34 metres. The largest versions will provide 8.3 cubic metres of load space. Fit the optional load-through bulkhead hatch and the van will carry pipes, ladders and planks of wood measuring up to 3.4 metres. 

The space between the wheel arches is one of the best for a van of this size, allowing for 8x4 foot boards to be loaded flat to the floor. 

Overall, it's a good value van and cheaper than the Mercedes Vito and Volkswagen Transporter in the lower trim levels, but spec up your Ford Transit Custom and it isn't as good value as it appears lower down the range.

That said, the Ford Transit Custom is still a fantastic vehicle that deserves its place as the nation's favourite, with great driving dynamics and smart styling. 

Initially at least, all Ford Transit Customs are front-wheel-drive and are offered from launch in standard and long wheelbase (known as L1 and L2) and standard and high-roof (predictably, H1 and H2). A single sliding door is standard, twin doors optional, and there's a choice of tailgate or barn-style rear load doors. 

Also available from launch is a double cab model with six seats and a shorter load bay, but if you go for the longer L2 model it'll still swallow two euro pallets. 

The Ford Transit Custom is up against the likes of the Volkswagen Transporter and Renault Trafic but it has an ace up its sleeve as the short wheelbase model can transport three Euro pallets, unlike most of its rivals.

Functionality wise, then, it's more of the same compared with the previous Custom, but as the old adage goes, if it isn't broken, why fix it?

Where things are considerably different is in the cabin. The flat floor allows for an easy walk-through cab, which is ideal for deliveries in areas where it's safer to exit the van from the passenger door, and another benefit of this - along with a revised dashboard moulding - is that the middle-seat passenger gets vastly improved leg and knee-room. 

By far the most noticeable change from the previous Ford Transit Custom is the fascia layout, which now incorporates digital instrumentation on an eight-inch display and a 13.0-inch touchscreen as standard. This uses Ford’s latest Sync 4 operating system and can also be used with Apple Carplay or Android Auto, even on the basic Leader versions. It's an intuitively simple system to use and both the display and audio quality are excellent, so if you spend a lot of time in your van it's a brilliant set-up. 

The previous generation Ford Transit Custom was renowned for being great to drive and the 2024 model is even better, with major revisions to the steering and suspension targeted at making it more car-like to drive. 

It feels notably lighter, with less weight to the steering wheel and a slightly firmer ride. Gone are the days when vans were a compromise to drive - after all, most van drivers spend more time behind the wheel than car drivers tend to, so it makes sense for them to be comfortable and refined. On both of those scores, the Ford Transit Custom is arguably best-in-class. 

Load it up and if anything the Ford Transit Custom gets even better, with a less bouncy ride and limited body-roll, helped by a damper system that reacts to the van's payload. It feels controlled and stable at all times, regardless of speed and road surface. It's refined and civilised at motorway speeds, nimble round town and surprisingly entertaining cross-country.

Visibility is great - the mirrors are bigger and better than before, with usefully larger secondary blind-spot mirrors that give a much improved view of the areas where you may encounter an errant cyclist or vulnerable pedestrian, for example. All Ford Transit Custom models also come with rear parking sensors - even the base model Leader - while from Ford Transit Custom Trend specification upwards you also get a reversing camera.