Quick Summary: The prior Ford Transit Connect was a tiny industrial van, but the all-new version has been fully redesigned to serve several purposes. There are 2 crucial additions: a new lengthy-wheelbase model and a more passenger-friendly wagon discussed here that tends to make the 2014 Ford Transit Connect a viable minivan alternative for shoppers who want anything much less expensive, smaller and/or a tiny diverse from classic minivans.
What Is It?
The 2014 Ford Transit Connect is a distinct sort of minivan to the point that Ford calls the passenger version a “wagon” and produced the hashtag “#unminivan” for its marketing efforts. The Transit Connect wagon is smaller in most dimensions compared to most minivans except for its height, which stands 4 inches taller than a Honda Odyssey. The result is a Transit Connect that feels roomy inside, but is less difficult to maneuver while driving.
There are 2 offered wheelbases: a 5-passenger standard Transit Connect that feels far more like a taxi than a family car and the long-wheelbase 6-passenger model (LWB) more akin to a minivan. We’;ll focus on the latter, as it really is a lot more likely to resonate with automobile shoppers.
How Considerably Room Is There Inside?
Despite being smaller sized than the typical minivan, the 2014 Ford Transit Connect has room for adults in each of its 3 rows. In reality, the third row that both slides and reclines for added comfort and cargo area is a significantly greater spot for adults than the back bench of a Dodge Grand Caravan. The tall, squared-off roof line, large rear side windows and offered panoramic glass roof also develop a sense of openness that no other minivan can match. Claustrophobics, your people carrier has arrived.
The second-row bench offers enough legroom, but there are no sliding and reclining adjustments, and the seat itself doesn’;t provide the comfort offered by the captain’;s chairs located in most minivans. It really is more akin to the backseat of a household sedan, albeit with sufficient headroom for Abe Lincoln to preserve his hat on.
Both rear rows fold flat to offer 104.3 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. This falls about 40 cubic feet quick of most minivans, but is on par with the Nissan Quest and GM’;s Chevrolet Traverse, which along with its GMC and Buick siblings, are the biggest crossovers on sale. Nonetheless, the tall, boxy roof of the Transit Connect tends to make all that space vastly more helpful than those vehicles.
How Else Does It Differ From Conventional Minivans?
While the Transit Connect could seat 6, our best-rated Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna manage 7 So can the Chevrolet Traverse and Toyota Highlander crossovers. The versatility of the Ford’;s seats is the larger differentiating point, even so.
The sliding third-row seats (generally 2 captain’;s chairs) could be a novel feature, but the fixed second row is surely much less accommodating. The transformation from individuals carrier to cargo hauler is also much more complicated than most minivans.
Lowering and raising these third-row seats demands you to walk from the tailgate to the sliding doors to flip the seat bottoms over and the seatbacks down. Performing the very same in other minivans is a lot easier. Lowering the second row also calls for some thought and muscle, but it’;s less complicated to do than with Chrysler’;s Stow ‘n Go seats. 1 should totally remove the second-row seats in an Odyssey or Sienna.
What’;s the Rest of the Interior Like?
Apart from its Popemobile windshield and acre of dashboard, the Transit Connect could just as very easily be a Ford Escape or C-Max from the driver or front passenger seat. The interesting, quasi-futuristic style is practically identical, with climate controls under clearly separated from the infotainment controls above.
The optional MyFord Touch program has received its fair share of complaints for its usability and electronic glitches, but these have mostly been corrected with software program updates, and MyFord Touch is now simpler to use than numerous other interfaces. The same can’;t be said, even so, about the regular stereo interface that consists of a little central screen controlled by several buttons.
The 2014 Ford Transit Connect does differ from its fellow Fords in the supplies utilized. The dash might look related, but it really is difficult and slightly glossy rather than a soft, rubbery surface.
This sort of plastic carries throughout the cabin, but it is surely not objectionable — just not up to Ford’;s existing leading-notch standards. The most critical issue is that the Transit Connect does not really feel like a cargo van with some seats added.
What Security Functions and Crash Protection Does It Supply?
The Transit Connect comes standard with stability and traction handle, antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum), integrated blind spot mirrors, side airbags mounted in the front seats and side curtain airbags that cover the windows in all 3 rows. This is typical for minivans, but Ford stands out with the common MyKey function that can limit prime speed (for teenage drivers or valets) or radio volume. A rearview camera and parking sensors are optional.
The government has awarded the Transit Connect a 5-star overall crash rating, with 4 stars for frontal protection and 5 for side protection.
What Engines and Transmissions Are Available?
Every Transit Connect comes standard with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine very good for 169 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy stands at 23 mpg combined (20 city/28 highway), which sounds decent, but is in truth barely greater than the V6-powered Honda Odyssey (22 mpg combined). At the identical time, though, the smaller Mazda 5 van manages only 24 mpg.
Portion of the cause is that the engine has to function difficult to move the Transit Connect’;s estimated base curb weight of 3,979 pounds. In spite of a normal 6-speed automatic transmission that is eager to downshift, acceleration is on the slow side as nicely. Ford didn’;t provide -60 estimates but one thing in the ballpark of 10 seconds seems about appropriate.
There is a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine offered that produces 178 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque while returning 25 mpg combined (22 city/29 highway), but you can only get that in the brief-wheelbase Transit Connect. When asked why the bigger, heavier lengthy-wheelbase model did not get the a lot more effective engine, Ford’;s reps could not provide a definitive cause.
What’;s It Like to Drive?
Even if the Transit Connect lacks the get-up-and-go of V6-powered standard minivans, it really is still considerably far better to drive, with sharper handling and an general feel that makes you forget about the apartment’;s worth of space more than your shoulder. If you reside in the city or often travel on tight rural roads, the Transit Connect will really feel like an athlete compared to an Odyssey or Sienna.
The steering in specific is worthy of praise, providing the exact same sort of just-right work and impressive road really feel discovered in other Ford autos. That’;s not precisely surprising, though, as the Transit Connect is based on the very same platform as the Ford Focus, Escape and C-Max models.
On the other hand, its ride is significantly firmer and indicative of a smaller, sportier vehicle. That’;ll be just fine for those transitioning from one thing like a Concentrate, but present minivan drivers might uncover the suspension does not provide the sort of suppleness and isolation they’;ve come to count on.
How Considerably Does It Expense?
“We know what we are and what we are not,” mentioned Minyang Jiang, Ford’;s brand manager for the Transit Connect. “We’;re not a $ 40,000 individuals mover.”
She was referring to the price of standard minivans, which increasingly are difficult to maintain under the $ 40,000 pricing threshold. Certainly, there are versions of the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey that push the big 5-Oh when loaded up with items like adaptive cruise control, rear-seat entertainment systems and even a vacuum cleaner. You cannot get such luxuries on the Transit Connect, but there’;s still an ample amount of gear accessible at a price tag that drastically undercuts the huge boys.
The 2014 Ford Transit Connect LWB starts at $ 25,000 for the base XL model, but the $ 26,525 XLT brings with it a few much more creature comforts and access to options. These incorporate dual-zone climate control with rear controls and vents in each row, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a energy driver seat and the Sync voice handle technique for phones and media players.
All of those alternatives come incorporated on the top-of-the-line Titanium model that begins at $ 29,000. Add leather seats, the panoramic glass roof, the MyFord Touch interface and navigation and the Titanium tops out at about $ 32,000. Typical minivans at that cost are generally sparsely equipped, whilst similarly equipped ones are certainly about $ 40,000.
What Are Its Closest Competitors?
Dodge Grand Caravan: Though the Grand Caravan is not 1 of our best suggested vans, its cheaper trims line up closely in price tag to the Transit Connect. It does supply much more energy and larger-finish features than the Ford, but it really is significantly significantly less efficient and has a much less comfortable third row.
Ford Flex: This, also, charges more than the Transit Connect, but if you happen to be searching for a family members hauler with much more personality than the typical mom-mobile, the Flex has constantly been one of our favorites.
Honda Odyssey: It may possibly be much more high-priced, but the Honda Odyssey remains 1 of our top advised minivans thanks to its versatile interior, refined ride and relatively engaging driving dynamics.
Mazda 5: This is yet another alternative to minivans. It really is significantly smaller sized, with only 6 seats and significantly significantly less cargo space. On the other hand, its size also makes it the sports vehicle of minivans and its price undercuts even the Transit Connect by about $ 4,000.
Why Ought to You Consider Twice About this Car?
Significantly like stepping down from a midsize auto and into a compact one particular, the Transit Connect’;s less expensive price comes with significantly less space, speed and common refinement (particularly in terms of ride quality).
The common engine is rather weak and barely a lot more effective than stronger, V6-powered competitors, while the upgrade engine is curiously only available on the smaller sized, 5-passenger model. The fixed second-row seat may possibly also be a turn-off, as is the third row’;s complicated folding procedure.
Why Need to You Consider This Vehicle?
The same compact auto metaphor rings accurate as a prospective pro. If you happen to be prepared to sacrifice a little bit of capability, versatility and seating capacity in exchange for a lower price tag and sharper driving dynamics, the 2014 Ford Transit Connect is a worthy option. Households on a tighter budget or those loath to drive a cumbersome minivan ought to absolutely consider it.
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored occasion, to which chosen members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
2014 Ford Transit Connect First Drive | Edmunds.com
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