Ford Transit Custom 2014 Review

Passenger car comfort and safety, smart styling and practical touches make the working week far more palatable in Ford's new Transit Custom

Ford Transit Custom 290S/330L

Launch Review

Melbourne, Australia

Think delivery vans are Spartan affairs? Think again.

Ford’s new Transit Custom, available in 290S short-wheelbase and 330L long-wheelbase formats, brings car-like creature comforts and safety standards into the world of the workaday delivery driver. Powered by Ford’s 2.2-litre TDCi turbo-diesel and mated to a six-speed manual transmission, it pumps out a claimed 92kW at 3500rpm and a meaty 350Nm between 1450rpm and 2000rpm. With Ford’s next-gen Transit, ‘white van man’ has never had it so good...

The present VM Transit has been around since 2006 and in Australia it’s been struggling with its main competitors, Toyota’s HiAce and Hyundai’s iLoad. Ignoring bus variants, according to VFACTS data Ford sold 1276 Transits in 2013, while Hyundai sold 3974 iLoads and Toyota 6622 HiAces.

Enter the Transit Custom, in both 290S (SWB) and 330L (LWB) variants. Targeting the one-tonne van market, both are powered by the same 2.2-litre turbo-diesel in a front-wheel drive configuration.

The Transit Custom is currently only available in Australia with a six-speed manual transmission, effectively locking the manufacturer out from nearly 70 per cent of the van market. Ford Australia’s SUV and Light Truck Marketing Manager, Danni Winter, says the company is working on an auto option.

“We definitely want to bring an auto to the market but we can’t speculate on the timing just now,” she said.

The Transit Custom will be joined by the two-tonne-plus Transit Cargo line-up from June, with models spanning high-roof, bus and cab-chassis configurations in either front- or rear-wheel drive.

Transit Custom’s media launch took on a charitable twist: a pick-up and delivery of donated food across Melbourne to the Father Bob Maguire Foundation in Albert Park. The route took in just about everything a typical city van driver would face (bar the ever-present spectre of parking police).

Externally, the restyling exercise is heavily influenced by Ford’s kinetic DNA design philosophy, while the swoopy nose section and raked windscreen aid the van’s aerodynamics.

The dual-radius mirrors now incorporate turn indicators while the front bumper features multiple panels for cheaper repairs of minor scrapes and dings. Plastic side trim adds further protection, while the twin-hinged dual barn doors lock at 90 degrees or swing free to a full 180 degrees.

The side door slides back to give over 1m of access width and there are folding roof racks up top with a 130kg capacity. When not required, they fold flat to maintain the vehicle’s sub-2m travel height. They’re unique to Ford but we’re sure others will soon follow suit.

There are no grab handles to aid the step up into the cab but once ensconced it’s a pleasant place to be. Ford says it’s tried to bring car-like comfort and conveniences to its Transit platform and it shows – the cab is far more inviting than we’d expect of a van.

The fit and finish of the various plastic panels is impressive. The cloth seating also appears to strike a good balance between style and durability, while the fully adjustable driver’s seat is supportive and affords excellent vision through the expansive windscreen and sizeable side windows.

The glovebox isn’t huge but the side pockets in the doors are generous and there’s a pop-up compartment on the dash to take a phone or MP3 player, with 12-volt outlet (one of three in the Transit Custom), USB socket and audio inlet. There’s also a dedicated phone holder just near the gear lever, plus digital radio, air-conditioning, heated seats, a 3.5-inch multi-function display and Ford’s SYNC voice control audio/comms package – all standard features.

Both the 290S and 330L on hand at the media launch were fitted with Ford’s optional City Pack, which for $1500 provides front and rear parking sensors, a rear camera, electrochromatic rear-view mirror with camera display and front fog lamps. The only other factory option is prestige paint – anything other than the standard Frozen White scheme – for $385.

There is also an overhead storage compartment, a plastic tray/workspace that folds forward from the centre seat, various bottle and cup holders, and a cavernous underseat storage bin beneath the passengers’ seats. This area can also be accessed via a low panel that lifts up in the steel bulkhead, giving extra room for longer items. Clever.

Transit Custom’s 2.2-litre, four-cylinder TDCi turbo-diesel isn’t new but the Euro IV engine features minor mods to aid cooling and improve economy. Together with the van’s enhanced aerodynamics, Ford says Transit Custom achieves 7.1L/100km and 7.3L/100km (combined cycle) for the 290S and 330L respectively. They’re class-leading figures, while the 95-litre tank – up 15 litres – will keep fuel stops to a minimum.

On the road the unladen 290S was a spritely performer, with pleasing bottom-end and mid-range urge and a surprisingly compliant ride. Switching to the 330L the engine took the 400kg load strapped in the back in its stride – the acceleration was marginally muted but still rapid enough to satisfy demanding ‘van man’ repertoires. That 350Nm torque figure should grab plenty of attention – it’s 50Nm more than the equivalent HiAce.

The dreaded NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) hardly features. Undue noise and ugly harmonics are kept at bay by the steel bulkhead, which also aids the van’s cooling and heating systems. It’s virtually passenger-car quiet on the move, save for the low growl of the turbo-diesel.

The single-leaf/shock rear suspension and MacPherson strut front suspension settle nicely under the 330L’s load, really hitting the sweet spot for smooth progress over the usual bumps and potholes.

The brakes (four 288mm discs) are powerful and responsive while the six-speed manual transmission is a sweetie, shifting cleanly through its ratios.

Transit Custom’s safety features are comprehensive, to say the least, with a total of six airbags, traction control, anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Emergency Brake Assist, and Dynamic Stability Control with hill launch assist and rollover mitigation. Then there’s the Load Adaptive Control, Torque Vectoring Control and Trailer Sway Control.

Transit Custom is also fitted with SYNC Emergency Assistance, which automatically calls emergency services in the instance of airbag deployment and fuel-valve shutoff. Ford says it wanted the Transit Custom to be as safe as any passenger car on the road. It has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, and Ford Australia says it’s confident it will rate highly when assessed here by ANCAP.

Transit Custom offers 5.95m³ of loadspace in the 290S and 6.83m³ for the 330L – enough to swallow two Australian pallets. Both models offer a maximum load width of 1390mm between their wheel arches while the 290S has a maximum load length of 2555mm (or 3085mm using the load-through extension). The 330L has a maximum load length of 2922mm (or 3452mm using the extension). These low-roof models have an internal height of 1406mm.

A tough vinyl cargo liner is standard in both vans – great for messy loads – and there are eight cargo tie-down points. These can be moved around to best suit the load. The twin-hinged rear barn doors require less clearance than a top-opening door and the ability to lock them open will certainly prove useful.

At $37,490 and $39,490 respectively (plus on-road costs), Ford Australia’s pricing is keen. Hyundai’s equivalent iLoad is priced from $36,190 while Toyota’s HiAce is from $36,990, but both offer far less in terms of safety gear and features while Transit Custom wins out in claimed fuel economy.

Other contenders include Renault’s Trafic ($34,990), Volkswagen’s Transporter ($36,490), Mercedes-Benz’s Vito ($38,990) and Peugeot’s Expert ($38,990).

As a further sweetener, until June Ford is offering a five-year, 200,000km factory warranty on Transit Custom, in addition to offering Ford’s myFord Capped Price servicing and Vancare Roadside Assistance.

Ford Australia has a very worthy update on its hands in Transit Custom. The most stylish, comfortable and safest Transit yet is also the most fuel efficient, yet it’s a strong performer with no end of practical enhancements. While many will prefer to wait for the auto version, manual buyers will be rewarded with a new level of refinement in delivery vans at a very competitive price.

2014 Ford Transit Custom 290S/330L pricing and specifications:

Price: $37,490/$39,490 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel

Output: 92kW/350Nm

Transmission: Six-speed manual

Fuel: 7.1L/100km / 7.3L/100km (ADR Combined)

CO2: 186g/100km / 191g/100km (ADR Combined)

Safety Rating: Five-star Euro NCAP (ANCAP rating pending)

What we liked:

>> Comfy, stylish interior

>> Grunty turbo-diesel

>> Minimal NVH