Used 2021 Ford Transit Connect

In a world where modern minivans’ size and price are anything but mini, the 2021 Ford Transit Connect is a breath of fresh air. Available as a cargo van or passenger wagon, the Ford Transit Connect is small enough to slice through traffic and fit into a residential garage, yet roomy enough to be a delivery star or seat a family of seven.

The Ford Transit Connect is also a good value vs. larger alternatives. Cargo models are available in a choice of short- or long-wheelbase and start under $25,000, while the passenger-oriented wagon begins in the $27,000 range. Fuel economy reaches almost 30 mpg.

The Transit Connect’s two primary rivals – the Ram ProMaster City and Nissan NV200 – may be had for slightly less money, but we think the Ford is the best in its class. It has kept up with the times by adding active safety systems like automatic emergency braking as standard, while also offering commendable creature comforts such as leather seating and the latest smartphone integration.

About the only thing you won’t get in the Ford Transit Connect is massive amounts of power. The Transit Connect’s 4-cylinder engine is fine for its intended duties, but if you require serious grunt for hauling and towing, you’ll want to step up to standard minivan like the Honda Odyssey or a commercial-oriented hauler like the full-size Ford Transit.

When we say the Transit Connect is a refreshing change compared to standard minivans or big cargo haulers, that approval also applies to the way it drives. Rather than a lumbering van, the Transit Connect feels more like a small crossover SUV. It is relatively nimble, and its size makes it a cinch in the city. Whether you’re making deliveries all day or dread pulling into a parking space at a busy shopping center, you’ll appreciate the Transit Connect’s easy driving manners.

Unless you’re a fleet buyer, the Transit Connect comes with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 162 horsepower. Yes, that pales against the nearly 300 horses you get in a Toyota Sienna, but there is less to move here. And this small Ford van makes the most of that power, transmitting it through a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission.

The driving experience in the Ford Transit Connect is simply better than in the Ram ProMaster City and Nissan NV200. Moreover, it’s also more modern. The Ford Transit Connect has active safety features that aren’t even available in the Ram and Nissan. It comes standard with forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, and offers a full suite of active safety and driving aids like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.

The Ford Transit Connect is available in two distinct designs. As a cargo van, it has two front seats and a blank rear space ready to fit your needs. Short-wheelbase (SWB) models have 104.8 cubic feet of storage, while the long-wheelbase model expands that to 127.4 cubic feet.

The Transit Connect passenger van, called a wagon, is now only available in long-wheelbase (LWB) form. It comes with three rows of seating. You have a choice of seating for six passengers if you opt for second-row captain’s chairs, or up to seven passengers if you get a bench in the second row.

Interior material ranges from made-for-work vinyl seats in base cargo models to cloth or optional leather in passenger wagon models. At its most basic, XL models have a simple 4.2-inch infotainment screen. We recommend opting for the Sync3 infotainment system that bundles a 6.5-inch screen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration. It’s standard on XLT trims and above or optional on XL models for $595.

We think the Ford Transit Connect looks quite dapper for a minivan. In our eyes, it is better proportioned than the first-gen model that arrived in the U.S. around a decade ago, and more stylish than its current Ram and Nissan rivals.

But function takes priority form in vans, and here too the Transit Connect works very well. Its boxy body provides headroom galore, and more than ample space for people or cargo in back. The Transit Connect Cargo with the short 104.8-inch wheelbase is 174.2 inches long; the LWB model with the 120.6-inch wheelbase spans 190 inches. You can order your Transit Connect with split rear doors (which open 180 degrees and will accept a 48-inch pallet) or an upward-rising liftgate. The XLT Wagon gets body-color bumpers in place of black ones.

ACTIVE SAFETY FEATURES
All Transit Connect models include a collision warning system and automatic emergency braking, while other features like lane-keeping assist are available. Whether you’re carrying kids or just deliveries, it’s important to have this peace of mind.

READY FOR ACTIVE LIFESTYLES
The Transit Connect’s interior is adaptable to your needs and desires. Of course it makes a great cargo van, but we think it’s also an ideal choice for carrying surfboards, bicycles, and – thanks to its low load floor – dogs.

The Ford Transit Connect is available in XL and XLT trims for cargo and passenger variants, while the passenger model can also be had in premium Titanium form. At its most basic, a Transit Connect XL cargo vans includes a 6-way manual adjust driver’s seat, vinyl seats, a 4.2-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity and USB port, and a forward-collision warning system with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking. Base XL passenger models come with cloth interior and cruise control, plus necessities like half a dozen cupholders.

If your budget allows, we recommend stepping up to the 2021 Transit Connect XLT model. It includes blind-spot monitoring, a better infotainment system that’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, has heated exterior mirrors, and in passenger models has dual-zone climate control a 6-way power seat.

At the top of the Transit Connect lineup and available in passenger form only is the Titanium model. It brings leather upholstery, heated front seats, navigation, keyless entry with push-button start, power-folding side mirrors, and high-intensity headlights. Options vary by trim and include adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist, panoramic glass roof, and parking sensors. Optional on the audio list is a CD player.

The Ford Transit Connect is technically available with two engines, but one is reserved for fleet buyers. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 162 horsepower, while fleet buyers can opt for a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder making 169 horsepower. The 2.0-liter engine is tied to an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the 2.5-liter unit uses a 6-speed. That fleet-designated engine can also be factory prepped for running on compressed natural gas (CNG).

All Transit Connect models are front-wheel drive. As with more modern vehicles, the Transit Connect employs an engine start/stop system that cuts power at idle. It can be disabled if you don’t like the engine turning off at stoplights. The Ford Transit Connect’s towing capacity is 2,000 pounds.

2.0-liter inline-4
162 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
144 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

2.5-liter inline-4 (fleet only)
169 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
171 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A