By Matt Degen
Available in passenger or cargo form, the 2017 Ford Transit Connect is smaller than traditional minivans like the Honda Odyssey and full-size commercial vans like its own big brother the Ford Transit, yet big enough to carry up to seven people or accommodate over 128 cubic feet of cargo. Unlike rivals such as the Ram ProMaster City and Nissan NV200, the 2017 Transit Connect is offered in two sizes: short or long wheelbase. At about the same length as a midsize sedan, even an extended-length Transit Connect is a snap to maneuver and can be parked in a residential garage. In addition to its easy driving manners, the standard 4-cylinder is efficient, good for the bottom line of families and businesses.
If you want a vehicle that can hold seven people or be used for business or commercial purposes, but don't want to deal with a traditional, bulky van, the 2017 Ford Transit Connect is an excellent alternative. Its mid-$20,000 starting price and ability to fit in a home garage are also appealing.
The Transit Connect lacks the power and available bells and whistles found in traditional family vans like the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica. Commercial users, meanwhile, may find the Transit Connect's size too small and its power output too modest. The Mercedes-Benz Metris offers more power and higher towing and payload capacity.
What's New for 2017
The formerly optional 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is no longer available, leaving the standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder as the sole powerplant. The new Sync 3 telematics system is offered in higher trims, and the top-line Titanium passenger model can now be had in short-wheelbase form.
Two of the most compelling reasons to buy a small van are for easier maneuverability and higher fuel economy, and the 2017 Ford Transit Connect delivers both. If your commercial...
... fleet is transitioning out of or complementing its older, full-size cargo vans with the Transit Connect, this compact Ford will feel far easier to drive. With its unibody chassis and front-wheel-drive configuration, the Transit Connect is more akin to a higher-riding sedan than a traditional body-on-frame cargo van. We also like this Ford's tight turning radius -- especially helpful in city settings. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine doesn’t propel Ford's compact van with as much gusto as the formerly available turbocharged 1.6-liter, but the engine is adequate for its duties and pairs well with the 6-speed automatic transmission. As a family vehicle, it brings similar nimble traits but doesn't feel as substantial as larger passenger vans like the Honda Odyssey.
FORD TELEMATICS
A potential asset for fleet owners, this system tracks a vehicle's location and also monitors its speed and how long it sits idle. It would also come in handy for parents of teenage drivers -- theoretically speaking, of course.
SMALL FOOTPRINT, BIG POTENTIAL
While originally intended for commercial fleets in van form, the Transit Connect passenger wagon makes an excellent alternative to minivans, which are anything but mini these days. It can carry a family of seven or bikes, surfboards or other gear, all while being easier than an SUV to load and unload.
Interior
Short-wheelbase (SWB) wagon versions of the 2017 Transit Connect seat five passengers across two rows, while long-wheelbase (LWB) models hold seven across three rows. Second-row captain's chairs are standard in the top-line Titanium Wagon and optional on the XLT but reduce passenger count to six. Cargo vans have two seats up front, with 128.6 cubic feet of rear storage for LWB models and 103.9 for SWB versions. With rear seats that can fold, flip or be removed, even a passenger version can swallow a lot of gear. Up front, the Transit Connect looks familiar to the Ford family’s stylish Focus and Escape.
When it entered its second generation four years ago, the Ford Transit Connect said goodbye to the high-top sneaker shape of its predecessor and hello to a far more stylish aesthetic. Thankfully its larger shape still works in its favor where practicality is concerned. This is one of the few small vans offering the choice of a traditional liftgate or split cargo doors that open up to 180 degrees. A short-wheelbase Transit Connect is 173.9 inches in length, while a long-wheelbase model is over a foot longer at 189.7 inches.
The 2017 Ford Transit Connect is available in XL, XLT and -- in passenger form -- Titanium trims. The least expensive Transit Connect, an XL cargo model, has just the basics like vinyl seats, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with audio input jack, 6-way manual-adjust driver's seat, tilt/telescoping steering wheel and rear cargo lights. Base XL passenger versions also come with cruise control and rear-window defroster. You'll have to pay extra or step up to the more recommendable XLT version to get better amenities like cloth seats and a rearview camera.
Helpful features include front and rear parking sensors, rearview camera and choice of swing-out rear doors. Ford's Sync infotainment systems with Bluetooth wireless connectivity are now easier to recommend, especially the new Sync 3 system that offers navigation and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A top-line Titanium Transit Connect passenger wagon includes leather seating (heated up front), dual-zone climate control and auto-dimming rearview mirror. The Titanium model can also be had with blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and panoramic glass roof. Cargo models can be configured to accommodate a variety of commercial and delivery needs.
For 2017, Ford is streamlining the Transit Connect powertrain offerings. With the formerly optional 1.6-liter EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder no longer available, all Transit Connects will use the standard 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder. The engine is connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission, and all Transit Connects are front-wheel drive. The 2.5-liter can be specified for compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG, aka propane). The Transit Connect is rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds, but that figure can't match the 5,000-pound tow rating of Mercedes-Benz's Metris van. Nor can the Ford’s commercial payload capacity of 1,620 pounds match the Metris figures of 2,502 pounds (cargo) or 1,874 pounds (passenger model).
2.5-liter inline-4
169 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
171 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/27 mpg (cargo van), 19/27 mpg (passenger wagon)
Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.
The 2017 Ford Transit Connect has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting just over $24,000 for a cargo van. Wagon models begin just under $26,700 for both 5- or 7-passenger models. A loaded, 7-passenger Ford Transit Connect Titanium wagon can reach the low-$30,000 range. At its starting price, the Transit Connect begins above the Nissan NV200 cargo van and is in line with the Ram ProMaster City. Where the fresher Mercedes-Benz Metris was several thousand more upon debut, the new Worker base model is more tempting at just under $27,000. Passenger versions start several thousand below larger minivan rivals like the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. Before buying, be sure to check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are paying for their new Transit Connect. In the years ahead, the Transit Connect's resale value is expected to hold up fairly well.
To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Ford Transit Connect Cargo vehicles for sale near you.
