Used 2023 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van

The 2023 Ford Transit Connect is a commercial van for businesses that don’t require the girth of a full-size van. The Transit Connect is a smaller, more efficient, and more maneuverable alternative to the bigger Transit. However, it has many of the virtues of its big brother, such as easy driveability and a high degree of customizability.

Unfortunately for businesses that need small vans, 2023 appears to be the end of the line for the compact van segment in the U.S. According to Automotive News, 2023 is the final model year for the Ford Transit Connect in the States. Its former competitor, the Ram ProMaster City, is not returning for 2023, and the minivan-sized Mercedes-Benz Metris is also exiting the U.S. market.

The engine power in the Transit Connect is adequate, but it can feel underpowered when there’s a heavy load on board. However, a well-tuned chassis gives the van a certain nimbleness while keeping the ride quality bearable for the whole working week. And the tight turning circle is street-friendly.

Potential buyers who aren’t that tall should pay attention during a test drive. They might find the driver’s seat is set too low.

On the work front, the Cargo van’s payloads are 1,510 pounds (short wheelbase) and 1,550 pounds (long wheelbase). Depending on each buyer’s requirements, this may or may not be an issue.

The interior quality of the Transit Connect is commensurate with its status as an affordable working vehicle. It’s absolutely ready for work. The business area of the cargo van is wide enough to take a standard pallet. How much space does the Transit Connect Cargo have? It ranges from 104.8 cubic feet in the regular version with both front seats in place to 145.8 cubic feet in the longest variant with the front passenger seat folded.

The wagon accommodates seven unless it’s in Titanium trim, where the second-row captain’s chairs reduce the occupant count to six. Behind the third row is 16.3 cubic feet of luggage space. That’s slightly more than the trunk of a Toyota Camry midsize sedan.

We’ll leave the visual pluses and minuses to personal taste. And it’s hardly a surprise that a commercial vehicle comes standard with utilitarian steel wheels. The things to really know about the 2023 Transit Connect include the fact that the cargo version comes with a choice of lengths.

The short-wheelbase (SWB) model has a total length of 174.2 inches and a wheelbase of 104.8 inches. The long-wheelbase (LWB) counterpart is 190 inches long, with a distance between the axles of 120.6 inches. The wagon model comes solely in LWB form.

The Transit Connect also offers split rear doors or a roof-hinged tailgate at no extra cost. XL vans have black bumpers; the XLT brings body-colored bumpers. All versions are eligible for dual sliding side doors.

Two wheelbases
The Ford Transit Connect is available with a short 104.8-inch wheelbase and a long 120.6-inch wheelbase. For the cargo van, you can choose which length is better for your business, while every passenger wagon employs the long wheelbase.

Versatile interior
The flexible interior of the Ford Transit Connect is available with many different seating configurations, creature comforts, practical features, and upfitting options. You can tailor your Transit Connect to be the perfect van for your business or family.

Titanium trim
The top Titanium trim of the Transit Connect passenger van is nicer than what you might expect. A few of its premium features include 16-inch alloy wheels, HID headlights, navigation, HD Radio, a 9-speaker premium audio system, leather seats, and heated front seats.

SYNC 3
The XLT and Titanium trims of the Transit Connect come with the SYNC 3 infotainment system. It has a user-friendly 6.5-inch screen with modern features like SiriusXM, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

Co-Pilot360
The Ford Co-Pilot360 system in the XLT and Titanium trims add some excellent driver assistance features to this van. It bundles automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Maneuverability
The Ford Transit Connect is easier to drive and park than a bigger full-size van. Its small footprint and tight turning circle make this van ideal for moving people or cargo around urban streets.

The engine in the 2023 Transit Connect is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit developing 162 horsepower and 144 lb-ft of torque. This output goes to the front wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission.

How economical is the 2023 Transit Connect? That depends on body style. The wagon averages around 26 miles per gallon — one mile per gallon better than the cargo van.

2.0-liter 4-cylinder
162 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
144 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/27 mpg (Cargo), 24/28 mpg (Wagon)

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The 2023 Ford Transit Connect is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Additionally, it comes with 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance service.