Used 2023 Ford E-Transit 350 Cargo Van

The seemingly infinitely customizable Ford Transit is available with three body lengths, three roof heights, and three powertrains, one of which is electric. Unless you insist on a diesel engine (which you can get in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter), the Ford Transit lineup has something for everyone in the market for a full-size van.

The new Transit Trail is an exciting addition to the Transit family in 2023. The Transit Trail has a 3.5-inch lift, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), swivel seats, and all-terrain tires. It’s a rugged blank slate you can customize into an adventurous RV, an overlanding rig, or anything else you want your van to be.

In addition to the similar Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, the Transit competes with the more truck-like Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana, as well as the front-wheel-drive Ram ProMaster. The Chevy and GMC vans are good if you’re looking for a no-nonsense, V8-powered work van with a lot of towing muscle. The ProMaster is a practical, value-conscious workhorse, but you can’t get one with more than six seats.

The Ford Transit is an easy van to drive despite its substantial size. We found the steering precise, the brakes responsive, and the ride quality smooth and comfortable on long-distance drives. We also noticed that Ford made it surprisingly quiet inside, even on the highway.

The standard V6 engine does the job for most drivers who need a big van, but the available EcoBoost turbocharged V6 adds significant muscle. However, towing and payload ratings aren’t significantly different between the two V6 engines.

The 10-speed automatic transmission on the gas-powered Transit models perfectly fits this van. It has four selectable drive modes: Normal, Eco, Slippery, and Tow/Haul. It’s easy to switch modes on the fly to best suit your needs and the conditions.

The available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system inspires confidence if you’re diving this big van in slippery road conditions. AWD-equipped models have a Mud/Ruts drive mode, adding a measure of off-road capability, especially in the Transit Trail with its extra ground clearance and all-terrain tires.

The inside of the Ford Transit is massive and highly customizable. Whether you’re a plumber, a flower shop, or a “van lifer,” the Transit can be customized just right with a wide variety of upfits available.

What’s behind the front seats depends on the configuration. The cargo van is just a big, empty van, the passenger van has 12 or 15 seats, depending on the length, and the crew van has one row of back seats.

We’re impressed with how nice the front seat area is for a Ford work van. We found the seats to be supportive and comfortable for all-day driving. The cargo van and cutaway have available swivel front seats (standard on the Transit Trail), making it easy to access the cargo area. There’s plentiful storage space with roomy cubbies and cup holders in easy-to-reach places.

Whether for work or play, keeping your devices powered up is easy in the Transit. There’s a USB port and 12V outlet in the storage spaces, plus more outlets in the available medium or large center consoles. In the passenger van models, there’s a 5-amp USB port in every row.

With three roof heights and three body lengths available, the look of the Ford Transit can vary quite a bit. It looks especially good in the XLT trim of the passenger van with a painted front bumper and a chrome grille surround. The electric E-Transit has a distinct 3-bar grille design with blue bars, and the Transit Trail has its own rugged appearance package.

Among its many available exterior features are wide-opening (253 degrees) rear cargo doors, a power sliding passenger-side door, long-arm/power-adjustable mirrors, an integral step in the rear bumper, and much more.

The cargo, passenger, and crew vans have traditional van bodies, but the cutaway and chassis cab models are slightly different. Both have a ladder frame behind the cabin that’s ready to customize. The cabin is fully enclosed on the chassis cab model and open in the back on the cutaway.

Transit Trail
The all-new Transit Trail is for outdoor enthusiasts and “van lifers.” Right from the factory, this van has all-wheel drive, a turbo V6, a 3.5-inch lift, all-terrain tires, a roof vent, and swivel seats. It’s an ideal blank slate for a camper or overlanding rig.

E-Transit
The electric E-Transit is a commercial van that burns no gas. It’s capable of up to 126 miles of range, and you can get one as a cargo van, cutaway, or chassis cab. Three body lengths and roof heights are available.

EcoBoost V6
The optional EcoBoost turbocharged V6 makes 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque in the Transit. Whether you want a work van with some extra muscle or more excitement while driving the family to church, the EcoBoost V6 is a nice performance upgrade.

All-wheel drive
Optional all-wheel drive makes the Transit a good van for snowy climates. It even adds some off-road chops with the Mud/Ruts drive mode, especially in the new Transit Trail.

Co-Pilot360
The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety tech suite comes standard in the Transit. It bundles features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. Safety tech like this usually costs extra or isn’t available on full-size vans.

SYNC 4
The 12-inch SYNC 4 infotainment system is a new option in the Transit for 2023. This easy-to-use screen is loaded with features like wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, Amazon Alexa, navigation, and more.

The standard engine in the Transit is a trusty V6 delivering a nice balance of power, capability, and efficiency. This is the most practical engine for most businesses and families. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.

If you need extra muscle in your van, consider the punchy turbocharged EcoBoost V6. This brings a significant upgrade in performance, but the capability doesn’t differ much from the base V6. In most configurations, the turbo V6 can tow a bit more than the base engine, but the standard V6 has slightly more payload capacity than EcoBoost models.

Like the base V6, rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available with the turbo V6.

3.5-liter V6
275 horsepower @ 6,250 rpm
260 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

3.5-liter turbocharged V6
310 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
400 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

E-Transit

The E-Transit uses an electric powertrain, making it great for businesses that only make short trips around town. The electric cargo van gets up to 126 miles of range with the low roof, 116 miles with the medium roof, and 108 miles with the high roof. All E-Transit models are rear-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is unavailable with the electric powertrain.

Electric motor
266 horsepower
317 lb-ft of torque
Range: Up to 126 miles

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The Ford Transit is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. This coverage matches most of its rivals. Additionally, the battery in the electric E-Transit comes with an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty.