2013 Ford Transit Connect

Many businesses require cargo transportation but lack the need for bulky and fuel thirsty vans and trucks.  Ford has specifically catered the Transit Connect product line for this purpose.

The Transit Connect is a slimmed down cargo transportation vehicle that is light, easy to maneuver and fuel efficient, yet provide sufficient cargo space making it an ideal city business vehicle.  The boxy shape gives ample room for business logos and offers a versatile cargo solution. Ford built the Transit Connect with one of its intended purpose as a fleet vehicle.  As a result, Ford has also incorporated optional fleet management technology in the Transit Connect such as an on-board computer, inventory management system, and remote vehicle tracking.

The Ford Transit Connect is a suitable vehicle for small to medium cargo transportation, but there is a lack of power delivery from its dull four-cylinder Duratec engine.  Although the power delivery is sufficient for daily city driving, Transit Connect power does begin to attenuate with meager acceleration when climbing up steep hills or carrying heavy payloads.

The Ford Transit Connect is also a very versatile vehicle.  The Transit Connect offers dual side sliding doors, with optional trim levels that include a removable second row rear seats.  Other Transit Connect purchase options include a compressed natural gas (CNG) Engine Prep package, rear parking proximity sensors, rear view camera displayed on the rear-view mirror, the Sync smartphone and medial control, and the Ford Work Solutions Crew Chief vehicle tracking system.

The power train of the Transit Connect is equipped with a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine producing 136 horsepower and 128 ft-lbs of torque.  The engine is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission with its output power delivery delivered to the front wheels.  Being a light and low-power cargo vehicle, the Transit Connect’s fuel economy scores well with 30 mpg in the city, 38 mpg in the highway with a combined average of  34 mpg.

The interior of the Transit Connect is a homogeneous style while offering decent comfort for long commutes.  The large front windshield and side mirrors give excellent view in front and in the side of the vehicle.  Having rear door glass window, or rear-view backup camera is really a life-saver when backing up the vehicle, especially in tight areas.  The seats are woven with durable clothe material, and the dashboard is made up of soft and durable plastic.  All dash controls are also very simple, minimalistic and ergonomic to the user.

The Transit Connect is very easy and maneuverable.  The steering is not too heavy and the vehicle offers excellent turning radius, especially for its size.    The interior space capacity is rated at 129.6 cubic feet and a payload capacity of 1600 pounds.  While the Transit Connect offers excellent solutions for versatility and cargo space, it does lack power output.  This is especially a serious consideration when attempting to carry near maximum payload capacity with the Transit Connect’s power-limited engine.