Ford Transit Connect

Whether you’re a small business owner who needs to transport cargo or passengers, or a large family looking for a spacious vehicle, the Ford Transit Connect could be just right for you. Developed by Ford as a little brother to the larger and better-known Ford Transit, the Transit Connect combines the advantages of a roomy cargo van with good fuel efficiency and handling for busy city roads. Read on to get to know more about what Transit Connect has to offer.

Ford Transit Connect Engine and Performance

You can choose between two engine options in the Transit Connect . The first is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 162 horsepower and 144 lb-ft of torque. This is fine for moving around town, but if you want a touch more acceleration for the highway or you plan on carrying heavy loads, you may want to pick the 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and can help you reach the Transit Connect’s towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

All Transit Connects come in front-wheel drive, which improves handling in tight spaces. In addition, the Transit Connect is built low to the ground like a car rather than sitting higher up like an SUV or truck. This design style improves maneuverability and helps achieve this van’s impressive 38-foot turning radius.

The Transit Connect’s maximum cargo hauling limit is over 1,500 pounds, which is ideal for a small business owner or tradesperson who needs to carry supplies for their next job. In terms of fuel economy, the base engine achieves up to 29 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg on city roads, while you’ll get 27 mpg and 19 mpg, respectively, with the turbocharged unit.

Another great benefit that improves the Transit Connect’s fuel efficiency even more, is the automatic stop/start function. This technology stops the engine each time you have to wait in traffic or at an intersection. The result is that your engine will use less fuel.

Ford Transit Connect Cargo and Passenger Capacity

The major choice you’ll need to make about the Transit Connect’s interior is whether you want the cargo or passenger configuration. Both setups have their benefits, so it comes down to what you plan on using your van for. The cargo setup offers seats for two people, while the passenger van can accommodate up to seven people. Other passenger configurations allow you to have five or six seats.

You can choose between a regular-wheelbase and a long-wheelbase model. The regular van should be fine if you carry modest amounts of cargo and want to prioritize maneuverability on busy city streets. If you’d prefer to have the extra space for more cargo or passengers, the long-wheelbase version is ideal.

The short-wheelbase Transit Connect is available only as a cargo van and has a wheelbase of 104 inches. The long-wheelbase model can either be a cargo van or a passenger van. It has a wheelbase of 120 inches and is 72 inches wide. You’ll find 49 inches of height in the cargo area. If you require more height in your cargo area, you may want to look at the larger Ford Transit , which comes in three height configurations.

Transit Connect Infotainment and Safety Tech

The Transit Connect counters many expectations of a typical cargo van, which often lacks the range of tech features you’d find in a modern SUV or sedan. Ford equips the Transit Connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing you to link your phone with the van’s infotainment system. This makes it much easier if you have to take a business or personal call while you’re on the road. The infotainment touchscreen is easy to use and is offered alongside other helpful features, like a Wi-Fi hotspot.

You can upgrade to a premium stereo, a CD player, and wireless device charging. This latter feature is especially useful for tradespeople who are always on the go, since you can always keep your phone charged.

All Transit Connect models feature the Ford Co-Pilot360 system, which is Ford’s driver safety package. It includes several driver assistance features, like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning. The Transit Connect’s automatic high-beam headlights will adjust to poor lighting conditions, so you’ll always have good visibility. In addition, you get adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts your speed on the highway, and enhanced active parking assist.

Transit Connect Trims and Packages

One of the best things about Transit Connect is that you can configure it to meet your business’s needs. Whether you’re a taxi service taking people to and from hotels, a delivery driver carrying parcels, or a construction worker requiring space for your tools, we can make adjustments to this van. Ford’s UpFit Configurator can create the perfect setup inside your Transit Connect to meet your specific needs.

If you plan on towing trailers regularly, you can opt for the towing package to add extra equipment to make this task easier. Other packages add extra driver safety features and get you access to additional tech options, such as more USB ports. The package that combines all of the available tech features is the XLT trim, which is a great choice if you want your employees to stay in touch wherever they are and benefit from the convenience of a navigation system.

As you can see, there are many great reasons why you should consider adding the Ford Transit Connect to your fleet of commercial vehicles. If you’d like to know more about any of the features we’ve talked about, don’t hesitate to contact us. Here at Brewster Ford, our sales experts would be delighted to provide you with further information about this compact cargo hauler or arrange for a test drive. We can also assist you with setting up competitive financing to close the deal and provide reliable maintenance at our Ford service center for years to come.

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