Used 2017 Ford Transit Connect Cargo

Available in passenger or cargo form, the 2017 Ford Transit Connect is smaller than traditional minivans like the Honda Odyssey and full-size commercial vans like its own big brother the Ford Transit, yet big enough to carry up to seven people or accommodate over 128 cubic feet of cargo. Unlike rivals such as the Ram ProMaster City and Nissan NV200, the 2017 Transit Connect is offered in two sizes: short or long wheelbase. At about the same length as a midsize sedan, even an extended-length Transit Connect is a snap to maneuver and can be parked in a residential garage. In addition to its easy driving manners, the standard 4-cylinder is efficient, good for the bottom line of families and businesses.

Two of the most compelling reasons to buy a small van are for easier maneuverability and higher fuel economy, and the 2017 Ford Transit Connect delivers both. If your commercial fleet is transitioning out of or complementing its older, full-size cargo vans with the Transit Connect, this compact Ford will feel far easier to drive. With its unibody chassis and front-wheel-drive configuration, the Transit Connect is more akin to a higher-riding sedan than a traditional body-on-frame cargo van. We also like this Ford’s tight turning radius — especially helpful in city settings. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine doesn’t propel Ford’s compact van with as much gusto as the formerly available turbocharged 1.6-liter, but the engine is adequate for its duties and pairs well with the 6-speed automatic transmission. As a family vehicle, it brings similar nimble traits but doesn’t feel as substantial as larger passenger vans like the Honda Odyssey.

Short-wheelbase (SWB) wagon versions of the 2017 Transit Connect seat five passengers across two rows, while long-wheelbase (LWB) models hold seven across three rows. Second-row captain’s chairs are standard in the top-line Titanium Wagon and optional on the XLT but reduce passenger count to six. Cargo vans have two seats up front, with 128.6 cubic feet of rear storage for LWB models and 103.9 for SWB versions. With rear seats that can fold, flip or be removed, even a passenger version can swallow a lot of gear. Up front, the Transit Connect looks familiar to the Ford family’s stylish Focus and Escape.

When it entered its second generation four years ago, the Ford Transit Connect said goodbye to the high-top sneaker shape of its predecessor and hello to a far more stylish aesthetic. Thankfully its larger shape still works in its favor where practicality is concerned. This is one of the few small vans offering the choice of a traditional liftgate or split cargo doors that open up to 180 degrees. A short-wheelbase Transit Connect is 173.9 inches in length, while a long-wheelbase model is over a foot longer at 189.7 inches.

FORD TELEMATICS
A potential asset for fleet owners, this system tracks a vehicle’s location and also monitors its speed and how long it sits idle. It would also come in handy for parents of teenage drivers — theoretically speaking, of course.

SMALL FOOTPRINT, BIG POTENTIAL
While originally intended for commercial fleets in van form, the Transit Connect passenger wagon makes an excellent alternative to minivans, which are anything but mini these days. It can carry a family of seven or bikes, surfboards or other gear, all while being easier than an SUV to load and unload.

The 2017 Ford Transit Connect is available in XL, XLT and — in passenger form — Titanium trims. The least expensive Transit Connect, an XL cargo model, has just the basics like vinyl seats, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with audio input jack, 6-way manual-adjust driver’s seat, tilt/telescoping steering wheel and rear cargo lights. Base XL passenger versions also come with cruise control and rear-window defroster. You’ll have to pay extra or step up to the more recommendable XLT version to get better amenities like cloth seats and a rearview camera.

Helpful features include front and rear parking sensors, rearview camera and choice of swing-out rear doors. Ford’s Sync infotainment systems with Bluetooth wireless connectivity are now easier to recommend, especially the new Sync 3 system that offers navigation and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A top-line Titanium Transit Connect passenger wagon includes leather seating (heated up front), dual-zone climate control and auto-dimming rearview mirror. The Titanium model can also be had with blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and panoramic glass roof. Cargo models can be configured to accommodate a variety of commercial and delivery needs.

For 2017, Ford is streamlining the Transit Connect powertrain offerings. With the formerly optional 1.6-liter EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder no longer available, all Transit Connects will use the standard 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder. The engine is connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission, and all Transit Connects are front-wheel drive. The 2.5-liter can be specified for compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG, aka propane). The Transit Connect is rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds, but that figure can’t match the 5,000-pound tow rating of Mercedes-Benz’s Metris van. Nor can the Ford’s commercial payload capacity of 1,620 pounds match the Metris figures of 2,502 pounds (cargo) or 1,874 pounds (passenger model).

2.5-liter inline-4
169 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
171 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/27 mpg (cargo van), 19/27 mpg (passenger wagon)

Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.