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By Jonathan Crouch

The third generation Ford Transit Connect reinvents itself in this third generation Volkswagen-inspired form. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 45

Ford's mainstream compact van, the Transit Connect, has been rejuvenated in third generation form as part of a shared partnership with Volkswagen. Diesels dominate the range and beyond them, instead of an EV, there's a PHEV. There's more space, a smarter cabin and better connectivity.

Backgroundword count: 213

Welcome to a new kind of Ford Transit Connect. It's the Blue Oval brand's volume compact van and this third generation version sits in the Ford Pro LCV range between two other recently launched models, the smaller Transit Courier and the larger mid-sized Transit Custom. The Transit Connect model line dates back to 2003, when it was launched as one of the market's very first purpose-built small vans; little LCV's had previously been based on cars. By the time the MK2 version arrived in 2013, competitors had caught up, hence the need for a mid-term update in 2018. This third generation model, launched in mid-2024, is, like the larger Transit Custom, now based on a Volkswagen, in this case, the Wolfsburg maker's Caddy. Which in this instance is unfortunate because it means that it can't offer the full-EV drivetrain you'll find with direct rivals. Or with the other Transit line models, the Courier, the Custom and the 2-tonner. Which makes it odd that Ford sees this MK3 Connect design as 'the final piece' of its European Transit model line electrification strategy. Justification for that rhetoric comes with the new availability of Plug-in Hybrid tech with this Connect. Ford has also added in an AWD option, plus more load space and a digitalised cabin.

Driving Experienceword count: 339

What Ford gets out of the 'Project Cyclone' agreement that provides for shared commercial vehicle design with Volkswagen is use of VW EV engineering for future car models. So it's ironic that this is the one thing this third generation Transit Connect can't offer, a PHEV drivetrain introduced instead. For the time being, that might not matter too much as van operators continue to overwhelmingly want their LCVs with diesel power - which Ford offers here in two forms. The entry-level 102PS EcoBlue version can only be had in front-driven form with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Switch to the 122PS version of this 2.0-litre engine and you have to have a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission and (for the first time on a Transit Connect) there's the option of all-wheel drive. The aforementioned PHEV variant offers a drivetrain borrowed from Volkswagen, which couples a 1.5-litre petrol engine to a high voltage battery and an electric motor. This delivers 150PS and 350Nm of torque via a 6-speed dual clutch auto gearbox and can offer an EV range of up to 68 miles, with up to 330Nm of pulling power in 'Electric' mode. There are three selectable drive settings; 'EV Now', for driving using only the electric motor; 'EV Auto', which balances the EV and petrol motors to best suit driving conditions; and 'EV Later', which on a longer journey allows you to save battery charge for the urban driving later in your trip when you might need it. As for handling across the range, well the previous generation Transit Connect had a class-leading reputation for drive dynamics. Despite the shared parentage of this third generation model, Ford claims there was enough Blue Oval input into the design of this MK3 model to preserve that here. Across the range, a braked trailer capacity of up to 1,500kg is within this Ford's remit and it's worth pointing out that pulling potential of this magnitude is rare in this sector. Many vans of this size after all, don't even break the 1,000kg barrier.

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