Already the UK’s best-selling vehicle, the Ford Transit Custom was revamped this year for an all-new generation. Al Suttie puts its practicality and efficiency to the test for a week.
Ford Transit Custom 136PS 2.0 diesel auto L2 SWB Trend
Price: £37,684 (excl. VAT) CO2: 197g/km Economy: 37.7mpg Test efficiency: 35.6mpg
Monday
Any new Ford Transit is a big deal, and this one is huge for Ford as it takes the company much further down the route of electrification. However, the van on my drive this morning is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine and nothing else, which reflects the fact many van operators still want this. Is it still relevant? We’ll find out over the next week.
Tuesday
Style-wise, the new Transit Custom still clearly owes a lot to its immediate predecessor. My neighbour runs a recent Transit for his business and you could be excused for thinking this was a mild facelift. Of course, there’s only so much you can do to change the appearance of a practical vehicle that puts space first. Me? I like it and it retains the four-square footprint that makes it a doddle to place on the road and park.
Wednesday
Biggest change over the old Transit Custom for most users will be the cabin. Gone are the analogue dials and in their place is a large sweep of digital screen. For the most part, I like it and it’s easy to read and flick through important screens. The infotainment screen looks a little more vulnerable to the touch of mucky, gritty fingers, so it will be interesting to see how it holds up to life over years working for its living.
Thursday
Transits drive brilliantly. This is an L2 low roof on the shorter wheelbase and it deals with corners in an exemplary fashion. It’s also refined and the eight-speed auto in this 136hp model works smoothly. A little more power for inclines when the van is loaded up with kit would be welcome, though you can always opt for the 150hp model if that’s vital to your needs.
Friday
I worked out on the first drive with the Transit earlier in the week how to switch off the speed limit warning via the infotainment screen. I’ve left the touchscreen on this page most of the time as it resets every time you turn the van on. It’s also necessary as the Ford’s sensors have no margin and bong at every instance. Virtuous, yes, but unnecessarily nannying and annoying.
Saturday
There is plenty of storage arranged throughout the Transit’s cab, including a big lidded box in front of the passenger. However, the flip-down cupholder to the right of the centre console feels flimsy. It’s also too small to cope with my usual water bottle, which is a fairly standard sports-type one, and it‘s also not big enough to hold a one-litre bottle from the garage.
Sunday
A week in with the Ford Transit Custom and there is nothing to suggest it won’t continue as the UK’s best-selling vehicle. Compared to its predecessor, it’s just as able at carting loads around, it’s more refined, better to drive, and the cab feels rather premium. It remains to be seen what the split will be between diesel and the electrified models – my bet is this diesel will still be a key player.