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Ford Transit Custom

The independent Ford Transit Custom video review

This is a sample, showing 30 seconds of each section.

    CUSTOM MADE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_fordtransitcustom_2023_preview

    By Jonathan Crouch

    Ford has re-invented its strong selling Transit Custom mid-sized van in second generation form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

    Ten Second Reviewword count: 47

    The Transit Custom evolves into second generation form with the aid of shared design with Volkswagen. As well as the familiar diesel range, there's an improved PHEV variant and, most notably, a full-electric E-Transit Custom model too. Britain's best selling van just got a lot more up-to-date.

    Backgroundword count: 217

    The Transit Custom isn't only Ford's best-selling van, out-selling its nearest rival three-to-one. It isn't only the nation's best-selling van of any kind. It's also the UK's best-selling vehicle full-stop, currently out-selling Britain's best-selling car, the Vauxhall Corsa, by about 25%. So this, our review on the all-new second generation Transit Custom, is a big deal because this LCV is hugely significant. What it now isn't in this second generation form is purely a Ford. The so-called 'Project Cyclone' agreement between Ford and Volkswagen provides for all future Volkswagen commercials to use Ford underpinnings (in return for Ford gaining access to Volkswagen's MEB platform for passenger EVs). Which is why most of what matters with this MK2 Transit Custom is shared with the new generation Volkswagen Transporter, which will be built alongside it at Ford's Otosan plant in Turkey. The headlines predictably lie with electrification - a bigger-capacity PHEV powertrain and an all-new EV model. But the previous diesel powerplant continues too. The Transit Custom model line dates back to 2012 - prior to which 'Custom' was merely a Transit trim level. An update in 2018 coincided with a huge surge in sales as home delivery took off, subsequently fuelled by the pandemic. That'll help this MK2 Transit Custom as well. But just how good is it?

    Driving Experienceword count: 331

    So vigorously is Ford promoting the full-battery E-Transit Custom version of this model that you might wonder whether conventional diesel drive is still even offered. The reality though, is that the majority of customers in the short term are still going to want an ordinary Transit Custom fuelled from the black pump. Given that this state of affairs won't have a very long shelf life, Ford hasn't bothered doing much to the diesel that powered the previous generation version of this model. There's a choice of four power outputs for the black pump-fuelled 2.0-litre EcoBlue models - 110PS, 136PS, 150PS and 170PS; and a choice of 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic gearboxes. The 136PS and 170PS models can also be had with All-Wheel Drive in auto form; and manual gearbox 136PS and 150PS versions can alternatively be ordered with a mechanical limited-slip differential for extra winter traction. Diesel towing capacity is 2,500kgs. Ford would also like combustion engine customers to consider the petrol Plug-in Hybrid option. Surprisingly, this PHEV powertrain isn't a borrowed Volkswagen unit but a development of the set-up that a handful of customers chose in the previous generation version of this model. This sees a 2.5-litre petrol engine replace the old 1.0-litre EcoBoost unit, with an electric motor powered by a larger 11.8kWh battery which, when fully charged, is expected supposed to be able to take this LCV up to 31 miles without troubling fossil fuel. As for the aforementioned all-electric E-Transit Custom, well that gets a 74kWh battery offering a range of up to 236 miles. It's paired to your choice of electric motors, putting out either 135PS or 217PS, each offering a class-leading 415Nm of torque. Either way, the motor drives the front wheels and there's a brake regeneration system that promises 'one pedal' driving so that you'll hardly ever need to use the brake when you come off the throttle. The E-Transit Custom can tow up to 2.0-tonnes as well, considerably more than direct rivals.

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    Pictures (high res disabled)

    Statistics (subset of data only)

    Min

    Max

    Price:

    £33,245.00 (At 13 Feb 2023)

    £40,345.00 (At 13 Feb 2023)

    Max Speed (mph):

    111 (150PS EcoBlue)

    Combined Mpg:

    43.5 (150PS EcoBlue)

    Length (mm):

    5050

    Height (mm):

    1968

    Load Volume (l):

    6

    9

    Payload Capacity (l):

    1327

    Scoring (subset of scores)

    Category: Vans

    Performance
    60%
    Handling
    80%
    Comfort
    70%
    Space
    80%
    Styling, Build, Value, Equipment, Depreciation, Handling, Insurance and Total scores are available with our full data feed.

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