Direct from Europe where it's been on sale since 2002, the funky 2010 Transit Connect now is on sale at Ford dealers this side of the pond. More than 600,000 units are already roaming roads in other parts of the world. It's a versatile, purpose-built, small commercial van with few direct rivals priced less than many mid-sized sedans. Ford promotes it as a "no compromise" work solution.
The front-wheel-drive Transit Connect is designed with small businesses in mind, but families (which in their own ways qualify very much asa small businesses) could find this workhorse appealing, too. Transit Connect made its North American debut at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show in advance of arrival at dealers later that summer.
Transit Connect is off to a notable start ever since winning the prestigious 2010 North American Truck of the Year award at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. This award carries more weight than others found in buff books or throughout the internet since it's given by a gaggle of 49 respected auto journalists.
Falling somewhere between a large Dodge Sprinter cargo van and Chevrolet HHR five-door wagon, the 2010 Transit Connect cargo van sports a monstrous 135.3 cubic feet of storage room. By comparison, the Chevrolet HHR sports 62.7 cubic feet. In a world of cookie-cutter exterior designs, Transit Connect may be the easiest vehicle spotted in the mall parking lot. Already small business owners have taken advantage of the canvas-like side dimensions, dressing Transit Connect up with logos and artwork, utilizing the area as a rolling advertising billboard.
In Europe, Transit Connect features a diesel engine and manual transmission. Here in the States, an old-school four-speed automatic teams up with a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter gas engine delivering 136 horses. Ford estimates a respect able (for a truck) 22 miles per gallon city and 25 mpg highway. Regular unleaded fuel fills the petro needs of the small 15.4-gallon tank.
Transit Connect has been built oversees in Turkey since 2002 at a plant operational since the 1970s. Its unibody platform is the structure of found in sedans and crossovers, not a body-on-frame pickup truck design.
Although casting a large shadow, the Transit Connect fits into most any garages, even a diminutive townhouse garage such as my own. At a 180 inches in length, it's about 10 inches shorter than the mid-size Ford Fusion sedan; although its 79.3-inch height is about a two feet taller than Fusion. At 3,470-pounds, it tips the scale about 200 pounds heavier than a four-door Fusion. Small 15-inch tires make the body look bigger. Thick, black, strap-like door handles are large enough to operate when wearing bulky gloves. Wheel wells are reinforced with plastic-like capping to minimize stone dings. During the week-long test drive, more than a couple heads swiveled about to catch a second inquisitive glance.
Two trim levels are available: XL and XLT; both available as a cargo van or passenger-friendly wagon. Wagons add a second row of seats while vans come equipped with two caption's chairs and oodles of cargo volume behind. Vans come with or without back side and rear windows; your choice.
Up-level XLT adds steering-wheel-face mounted cruse control, compact disc player and keyless entry. Base XL starts at a very reasonable $21,475. Our XLT two-seat cargo van without back side or rear glass started at $21,840. Options included rear side-by-side doors swinging out 225 degrees ($190), roll stability control ($545), reverse beeping sensing system ($280) and floor mats ($50) for a bottom line of $23,600 including $695 destination charge. Other standard features include anti-lock brakes, front row front and side air bags, and collapsible steering column.
Inside, the black, spartan dash provides a stark industrial look. The instrument cluster has two circular analog gauges with smaller fuel and temperature half circles towards the top. Three circular air vents rest atop the center stack with two more flanked at each end of the dash. The two cloth covered captain's chairs manually slide fore and aft but not up and down. In between, a hand-operated parking brake, power window controls and dual in-line cup holders are a slight reach downward. Keep in mind captain's chairs are a convenient height so when entering, one sits down rather then jumping into the seats. Headroom is almost as spacious as the room behind the front seats.
While the glove box has no patricians, it measures on the small size. Not to worry if extra storage is needed up front. A long, lipped alcove above the sun shades stretches the width of the front accommodating maps, small tools, compact discs, etc.
Three nice-sized dials monitor fan speed, direction and temperature. No dual zone options here, but air conditioning is standard. A power outside mirror control twist knob (also standard) resides high a top the driver's door.
Ford needs to upsize dimensions of the outside mirrors during the next-generation update. A built-in blind side concaved mirror or lower-level rectangular mirror (available on larger cargo vans) would be nice. Built-in blinkers would aid those nearby and the driver. Transit Connect is a direct import from Europe so Ford can also be excused this time around for not having a more fuel-friendly five-speed automatic transmission, larger tires and power sliding rear door option. However, Ford would be wise to add these during the next-generation makeover.
The key fob unlocks front doors, manually-sliding dual side doors and rear doors, but the fuel tank needs the key inserted to open before fueling. The same goes for the hood. Swing the Blue Ford logo in the grille with horizontal slats to reveal the key hole. Square headlights flank the grille. The rear vertical dual door design of our test vehicle swung out from center, hinged on the sides. Doors nicely swung open 225-degrees. This optional 225-degree swing replaces the standard 180-degree range.
Don't be completely fooled. This workman-like attitude also includes a dash of modern connectivity. An optional ($1,395) Garmin navigation screen with built-in modem and mobile keyboard (which conveniently stows in a slip pocket atop the center dash) creates an office on wheels. Wireless connection comes standard as does a flash drive. When selecting this option, remember a monthly software ($25) and internet ($50) charge will factor into the equation.
On the road, Transit Connect maneuvers in tight corners thanks to a small turning circle of 39-feet and power assist rack-and-pinion steering. Don't expect to win many drag races with the 2.0-liter, four cylinder engine especially with goods on board. With a payload capacity of 1,600 pounds, be sure not to overload the TC's ability when transporting large appliances. If fuel economy and versatility are a higher priority than zero-to-60 in 5.9 seconds, this van will serve many masters.
At the 2010 Chicago Auto Show in February, Ford revealed an all electric 2011version (with a range of approximately 100 miles between charges) planned to go on sale late in the 2010 calendar year. Also debuting was a 2011 Transit Connect Taxi edition with the capability to run on compressed natural gas or propane. Both are intended for fleet operators during the initial launch in 2010.
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