Ford Transit Courier (2014 – 2023) Review

Ford Transit Courier (2014 – 2023) At A Glance

5/5

+Neatly styled, can carry a Euro pallet, available with 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, based on the Fiesta so handles well.

-Some dashboard control are awkward to use, EcoBoost engine struggles with a fully laden van on the motorway.

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.

Ask Honest John

Can you suggest a car that can be used as van?

"I'm looking for a replacement for my Vauxhall Meriva, which I mostly use as a van with the back seats down. Could you recommend any cars that would be suitable, preferably with a flat load bay with the back seats down? I only do short journeys so diesel would not be suitable. "
I would recommend a van-based MPV, like the Ford Tourneo Courier Kombi, which lets you flip and fold the seats: https://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/ford/tourneo-courier-2014/ If you need more space then the Citroen Berlingo MPV is also very good: https://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/citroen/berlingo-mpv-2018/ If you want something more upmarket and car-like then the Volvo XC40 has a flat load space when you lower the rear seats: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volvo/xc40/
Answered by Dan Powell

Which small van is the quietest on a motorway?

"Which small van is the quietest on a motorway? Ideally something I can get secondhand for less than £4000. Thanks."
The Ford Transit Courier is the best small van for refinement, owing to the fact it's based on the Fiesta: https://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/ford/transit-courier-2014
Answered by Dan Powell

Buying a small van - what do you recommend?

"I am thinking about buying a small van. I would like it to have a hatchback type rear door and two sliding doors, one either side, in addition to its normal entry doors. I have seen a Peugeot Partner and a Citroen Berlingo. Are there any others on the market that would meet my needs? "
Ford Transit Connect is the new one, available with 1.0 EcoBoost 100 petrol, 1.6 EcoBoost 150 petrol with autobox, plus two 1.6 diesels.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Ford Transit Courier (2014 – 2023) cost?