Reader Review: Ford Transit Connect Comes to the U.S.
By Florence Blecher
Serious dog folks are always on the look out for a car that will fit all of the dogs, crates and other paraphernalia required for the typical outing. At the same time, fuel efficiency is important, too. For some reason, Europe and Asia seems to have many more options for gas sippers with cargo room. Luckily some of these vehicles are making their way to the U.S. The Ford Transit Connect is one of them.
I recently had the opportunity to drive Ford's new-to-the-US Transit Connect. They've been selling versions of this Turkish-manufactured vehicle in Europe since 2003 where it's won all sorts of awards, and are finally introducing it to the US market for the 2010 model year. In Europe, the passenger version is called the Tourneo while the cargo version is the Transit Connect. The Tourneo version even offers the option of customized dog crates built for the rear.
Ford's literature bills the Transit Connect as "the right one to replace" minivans, SUVs & CUVs. "This all-new right-sized business vehicle combines the room & versatility of a van with the efficiency of a large car, so it can swallow cargo, sip gas & park in a tight space." I definitely saw that potential.
Engine/Brakes/Mechanical
The TC has LOTS of promise as a dog car. It looks kind of like a little sister to Dodge's Sprinter - an angled front end with a tall box behind it. Unlike the Sprinter, the North American TC is front wheel drive, 4 cylinder gas powered with 2.0 liter DOHC Duratec I-4 engine with 136 hp & 128 lb ft of torque, whereas in Europe, they also offer a turbo-diesel version with significantly better mileage in the 43 mpg range. It's relatively peppy, and accelerates pretty smoothly, but struggles on big hills. I live in a hilly area & found that I needed to turn off overdrive to haul up those hills as I'm used to doing. One fleet manager checked into the possibility of turbo-charging the TC for me, but Ford apparently isn't planning to offer that at this time. Advertised mileage: 22/25. They are apparently planning on coming out with an electric version in a year or two.
Space
The TC is built on a commercial vehicle platform. It is offered in XL & XLT models in both cargo van & station wagon configurations. The van has two front seats, while the wagon comes with a second row of seats either 2 or 3 across. The seats are not plush or automatic, but cloth covered & serviceable. The seat backs can fold down flat, or the whole seat can be tilted forward, but the seats themselves are not easily removable. With the second row seats folded forward, I could easily get two 300 sized wire crates in the back, with a 400 sized wire crate in the second row void with plenty of room to spare. There was generous space above the crates, so installing shelves below or above would be easy, & would increase spatial utility. Ford has several partners who will customize the TC however you'd like.
Doors
The second row/cargo side doors of the TC are amply sized manual sliders that provide easy interior access. The 50/50 split rear doors open outwards & come in two options. The standard option opens 180º and there's also a 255º option available, so that the doors fold back to magnetic holding latches on the van's body. There's also a clever bumper system so that the sliders don't crash into the folded back doors. Even with the standard 180º doors, there's clear, easy access to the rear of the vehicle.
Ventilation & Visibility
The privacy glass tinted windows in the driver's & passenger's door are operable (power) windows depending upon model. In the station wagon configuration, there is glass at the second row, but it is fixed & inoperable. There is not a glass option in the rear cargo area, however, depending upon your selected configuration, there is or isn't fixed glass in the rear doors with the door columns in the middle. The columns somewhat reduce visibility, but I'd imagine that one would get used to that relatively quickly. The front windshield provides excellent visibility.
Many SUVs & minivans now have dual or triple zone AC available -- the TC has single zone upfront AC only. While it's quite powerful & effective, the single zone AC & inability to crack second row &/or back door windows may be cause for concern for some dog people who want to provide adequate cooling or ventilation for their dogs. There may be after-market solutions available to remedy this.
Rear Tire Access
Many vans & SUVs seem to suffer from lack of thought regarding access to the spare tire versus cargo. On the TC, the jack is in a compartment in the left rear wall & the spare tire is accessed via a point/bolt in the chassis frame near where the rear doors come together. This way you have access without disturbing your crates, equipment or other cargo. I wish that more manufacturers would consider this issue.
Creature Comforts
Conclusion
I liked this moderately priced basic little van a LOT & really wanted to like it more. It's not a plush mini-van. It's not an over-stuffed SUV/CUV. It's a sound 15'+ long workhorse that will get you, your dogs & lots of equipment around town quite nicely. Will it be powerful going over the Sierras or Rockies? Probably not. Will it get you there more economically than a standard SUV or minivan - absolutely. Could it benefit from a bit more "Americanizing" - yup & I'm eagerly looking forward to that day.
Florence Blecher
who's tired of driving a soccer mom minivan for her dogs
Serious dog folks are always on the look out for a car that will fit all of the dogs, crates and other paraphernalia required for the typical outing. At the same time, fuel efficiency is important, too. For some reason, Europe and Asia seems to have many more options for gas sippers with cargo room. Luckily some of these vehicles are making their way to the U.S. The Ford Transit Connect is one of them.I recently had the opportunity to drive Ford's new-to-the-US Transit Connect. They've been selling versions of this Turkish-manufactured vehicle in Europe since 2003 where it's won all sorts of awards, and are finally introducing it to the US market for the 2010 model year. In Europe, the passenger version is called the Tourneo while the cargo version is the Transit Connect. The Tourneo version even offers the option of customized dog crates built for the rear.
Ford's literature bills the Transit Connect as "the right one to replace" minivans, SUVs & CUVs. "This all-new right-sized business vehicle combines the room & versatility of a van with the efficiency of a large car, so it can swallow cargo, sip gas & park in a tight space." I definitely saw that potential.
Engine/Brakes/Mechanical
The TC has LOTS of promise as a dog car. It looks kind of like a little sister to Dodge's Sprinter - an angled front end with a tall box behind it. Unlike the Sprinter, the North American TC is front wheel drive, 4 cylinder gas powered with 2.0 liter DOHC Duratec I-4 engine with 136 hp & 128 lb ft of torque, whereas in Europe, they also offer a turbo-diesel version with significantly better mileage in the 43 mpg range. It's relatively peppy, and accelerates pretty smoothly, but struggles on big hills. I live in a hilly area & found that I needed to turn off overdrive to haul up those hills as I'm used to doing. One fleet manager checked into the possibility of turbo-charging the TC for me, but Ford apparently isn't planning to offer that at this time. Advertised mileage: 22/25. They are apparently planning on coming out with an electric version in a year or two.
Space
The TC is built on a commercial vehicle platform. It is offered in XL & XLT models in both cargo van & station wagon configurations. The van has two front seats, while the wagon comes with a second row of seats either 2 or 3 across. The seats are not plush or automatic, but cloth covered & serviceable. The seat backs can fold down flat, or the whole seat can be tilted forward, but the seats themselves are not easily removable. With the second row seats folded forward, I could easily get two 300 sized wire crates in the back, with a 400 sized wire crate in the second row void with plenty of room to spare. There was generous space above the crates, so installing shelves below or above would be easy, & would increase spatial utility. Ford has several partners who will customize the TC however you'd like.Doors
The second row/cargo side doors of the TC are amply sized manual sliders that provide easy interior access. The 50/50 split rear doors open outwards & come in two options. The standard option opens 180º and there's also a 255º option available, so that the doors fold back to magnetic holding latches on the van's body. There's also a clever bumper system so that the sliders don't crash into the folded back doors. Even with the standard 180º doors, there's clear, easy access to the rear of the vehicle.
Ventilation & Visibility
The privacy glass tinted windows in the driver's & passenger's door are operable (power) windows depending upon model. In the station wagon configuration, there is glass at the second row, but it is fixed & inoperable. There is not a glass option in the rear cargo area, however, depending upon your selected configuration, there is or isn't fixed glass in the rear doors with the door columns in the middle. The columns somewhat reduce visibility, but I'd imagine that one would get used to that relatively quickly. The front windshield provides excellent visibility.
Many SUVs & minivans now have dual or triple zone AC available -- the TC has single zone upfront AC only. While it's quite powerful & effective, the single zone AC & inability to crack second row &/or back door windows may be cause for concern for some dog people who want to provide adequate cooling or ventilation for their dogs. There may be after-market solutions available to remedy this.
Rear Tire Access
Many vans & SUVs seem to suffer from lack of thought regarding access to the spare tire versus cargo. On the TC, the jack is in a compartment in the left rear wall & the spare tire is accessed via a point/bolt in the chassis frame near where the rear doors come together. This way you have access without disturbing your crates, equipment or other cargo. I wish that more manufacturers would consider this issue.
Creature Comforts
- Lots of storage cubbies & shelves
- Carpeted floor in front, vinyl floor in 2nd row & rear cargo area
- Standard AC
- 3 cup holders
- 6-way adjustable driver's seat
- Ford Work Solutions inventory system for keeping track of equipment/"stuff"
- Available Nokia Bluetooth
- Power windows & locks
- Garmin navigation capability
- All sorts of after-market customizable shelving/storage options
- Reverse Sensing System
- Full-function computing w/Internet access
- PATS - Passive Anti-Theft System
- In-dash Windows CE computer w/wireless keyboard & printer
- Ample spatial volume
- Wonderful cargo access
- Good gas mileage
- Unencumbered spare tire access
- Height of the vehicle in cargo area
- Slightly underpowered
- Somewhat hard ride
- Lack of ventilation & AC in cargo area
- Lack of operable second row & rear windows
Conclusion
I liked this moderately priced basic little van a LOT & really wanted to like it more. It's not a plush mini-van. It's not an over-stuffed SUV/CUV. It's a sound 15'+ long workhorse that will get you, your dogs & lots of equipment around town quite nicely. Will it be powerful going over the Sierras or Rockies? Probably not. Will it get you there more economically than a standard SUV or minivan - absolutely. Could it benefit from a bit more "Americanizing" - yup & I'm eagerly looking forward to that day.
Florence Blecher
who's tired of driving a soccer mom minivan for her dogs
| Price range |
Base MSRP : $20,780 - 22,350 depending upon the model and options |
| Mileage |
Mileage estimates: 22 mpg city/25 mpg highway |
| More Information |
2009 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW: Ford Transit Connect Goes to the Dogs |
| Measurements | |
| Depth from back door to front seats (2nd/3rd row folded) = maximum depth range (D1) | 64.5 - 72" |
| Depth from back door to second row seats (D2) | n/a on model viewed |
| Dept from back door to third row seats (D3) | n/a |
| Height from cargo floor to ceiling behind front seats (H1) | 54" |
| Height from cargo floor to ceiling behind 2nd row seats (H2) | 52" |
| Height from cargo floor to ceiling at entry of vehicle (H3) | 50.5" |
| Height of wheel arches (H4) | 12"-16" |
| Height from ground to top of bumper (not pictured) | 23" |
| Width of cargo area at ceiling (W1) | 43" |
| Width of cargo area maximum (approx. at 2nd row seats (W2) | 43" |
| Width of cargo area between wheel arches (cargo "table" holders encroach into space) |
54.5 |
| Illustrated dimensions 1 (W1, W2, W3, D2, D3) Illustrated dimensions 2 (H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, D1) |
|
| Ventilation | |
| Rear windows do not open No rear air conditioning |
|
| Sunroof not available |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Cargo tie-downs | 2 |
| Electrical outlet in rear | 12v. |
| Electrical outlet in front | 12v. |
| Location of spare tire | Full size stored under vehicle |
| Tailgate Lifts up | No tailgate |
| Roof Rack Capacity | Roof racks are marketed for the Transit Connect in Europe. |
| Rear Seats | Option. |
| Cargo Volume (cu. Ft.) | |
| Without back seats |
135 cu. ft. |
| 2nd-row seats up | 78.1 cu. ft. |
Leave a comment