Swift Summary: The previous Ford Transit Connect was a tiny industrial van, but the all-new version has been fully redesigned to serve a number of purposes. There are 2 important additions: a new lengthy-wheelbase model and a much more passenger-friendly wagon discussed here that makes the 2014 Ford Transit Connect a viable minivan alternative for shoppers who want something significantly less expensive, smaller sized and/or a tiny distinct from standard minivans.
What Is It?
The 2014 Ford Transit Connect is a diverse sort of minivan to the point that Ford calls the passenger version a “wagon” and designed the hashtag “#unminivan” for its marketing and advertising efforts. The Transit Connect wagon is smaller sized 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, yet is less complicated to maneuver although driving.
There are 2 accessible wheelbases: a 5-passenger regular Transit Connect that feels a lot more like a taxi than a family members car and the extended-wheelbase 6-passenger model (LWB) more akin to a minivan. We’;ll concentrate on the latter, as it really is much more likely to resonate with automobile shoppers.
How A lot Room Is There Inside?
Regardless of being smaller than the typical minivan, the 2014 Ford Transit Connect has room for adults in every of its 3 rows. In truth, the third row that both slides and reclines for further comfort and cargo space is a significantly greater location for adults than the back bench of a Dodge Grand Caravan. The tall, squared-off roof line, enormous rear side windows and available panoramic glass roof also create a sense of openness that no other minivan can match. Claustrophobics, your folks carrier has arrived.
The second-row bench offers enough legroom, but there are no sliding and reclining adjustments, and the seat itself doesn’;t supply the comfort provided by the captain’;s chairs identified in most minivans. It really is much more akin to the backseat of a household sedan, albeit with enough headroom for Abe Lincoln to preserve his hat on.
Both rear rows fold flat to provide 104.3 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. This falls about 40 cubic feet brief 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. However, the tall, boxy roof of the Transit Connect tends to make all that space vastly much more beneficial than these vehicles.
How Else Does It Differ From Conventional Minivans?
While the Transit Connect could seat 6, our prime-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 bigger differentiating point, however.
The sliding third-row seats (generally 2 captain’;s chairs) could be a novel function, but the fixed second row is undoubtedly less accommodating. The transformation from individuals carrier to cargo hauler is also more difficult than most minivans.
Lowering and raising those third-row seats calls for you to walk from the tailgate to the sliding doors to flip the seat bottoms more than and the seatbacks down. Undertaking the exact same in other minivans is significantly easier. Lowering the second row also requires some believed and muscle, but it’;s less complicated to do than with Chrysler’;s Stow ‘n Go seats. One have to entirely take away 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 intriguing, quasi-futuristic design and style is practically identical, with climate controls below 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 mainly been corrected with software updates, and MyFord Touch is now less complicated to use than numerous other interfaces. The very same cannot be mentioned, even so, about the normal stereo interface that consists of a small central screen controlled by many buttons.
The 2014 Ford Transit Connect does differ from its fellow Fords in the components utilised. The dash may appear related, but it is tough and slightly glossy rather than a soft, rubbery surface.
This kind of plastic carries all through the cabin, but it’;s surely not objectionable — just not up to Ford’;s existing leading-notch standards. The most crucial issue is that the Transit Connect doesn’;t feel like a cargo van with some seats added.
What Security Functions and Crash Protection Does It Offer you?
The Transit Connect comes standard with stability and traction manage, 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 standard for minivans, but Ford stands out with the common MyKey function that can limit best 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 all round crash rating, with 4 stars for frontal protection and 5 for side protection.
What Engines and Transmissions Are Obtainable?
Every Transit Connect comes common 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 better than the V6-powered Honda Odyssey (22 mpg combined). At the identical time, though, the smaller sized Mazda 5 van manages only 24 mpg.
Part of the explanation is that the engine has to operate difficult to move the Transit Connect’;s estimated base curb weight of 3,979 pounds. Despite a standard 6-speed automatic transmission that is eager to downshift, acceleration is on the slow side as effectively. Ford didn’;t supply -60 estimates but some thing in the ballpark of 10 seconds seems about appropriate.
There is a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine obtainable that produces 178 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque whilst returning 25 mpg combined (22 city/29 highway), but you can only get that in the brief-wheelbase Transit Connect. When asked why the larger, heavier lengthy-wheelbase model didn’;t get the a lot more potent engine, Ford’;s reps could not provide a definitive cause.
What is It Like to Drive?
Even if the Transit Connect lacks the get-up-and-go of V6-powered standard minivans, it is nonetheless significantly greater to drive, with sharper handling and an overall really feel that makes you forget about the apartment’;s worth of space over your shoulder. If you live in the city or regularly travel on tight rural roads, the Transit Connect will really feel like an athlete compared to an Odyssey or Sienna.
The steering in distinct is worthy of praise, offering the identical sort of just-appropriate work and impressive road feel identified in other Ford vehicles. That is not precisely surprising, although, as the Transit Connect is primarily based on the same platform as the Ford Concentrate, Escape and C-Max models.
On the other hand, its ride is considerably firmer and indicative of a smaller, sportier automobile. That’;ll be just fine for these transitioning from something like a Concentrate, but existing minivan drivers may possibly find the suspension does not give the sort of suppleness and isolation they’;ve come to anticipate.
How A lot Does It Expense?
“We know what we are and what we are not,” said Minyang Jiang, Ford’;s brand manager for the Transit Connect. “We’;re not a $ 40,000 men and women mover.”
She was referring to the cost of traditional minivans, which increasingly are challenging to hold below the $ 40,000 pricing threshold. Certainly, there are versions of the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey that push the huge 5-Oh when loaded up with factors like adaptive cruise manage, rear-seat entertainment systems and even a vacuum cleaner. You cannot get such luxuries on the Transit Connect, but there is still an ample amount of gear available at a cost that substantially undercuts the large 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 handful of far more creature comforts and access to possibilities. These contain dual-zone climate handle with rear controls and vents in each row, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power driver seat and the Sync voice control technique for phones and media players.
All of those alternatives come included on the top-of-the-line Titanium model that starts 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. Regular minivans at that value are usually sparsely equipped, while similarly equipped ones are certainly about $ 40,000.
What Are Its Closest Competitors?
Dodge Grand Caravan: Despite the fact that the Grand Caravan is not a single of our prime suggested vans, its cheaper trims line up closely in price tag to the Transit Connect. It does supply more power and higher-end functions than the Ford, but it is significantly less effective and has a less comfy third row.
Ford Flex: This, as well, fees more than the Transit Connect, but if you happen to be searching for a household hauler with much more character than the typical mom-mobile, the Flex has usually been a single of our favorites.
Honda Odyssey: It may possibly be a lot more high-priced, but the Honda Odyssey remains one particular of our prime recommended minivans thanks to its versatile interior, refined ride and relatively engaging driving dynamics.
Mazda 5: This is another option to minivans. It’;s considerably smaller, with only 6 seats and significantly much less cargo space. On the other hand, its size also tends to make it the sports vehicle of minivans and its cost undercuts even the Transit Connect by about $ 4,000.
Why Must You Feel Twice About this Auto?
A lot like stepping down from a midsize automobile and into a compact one, the Transit Connect’;s more affordable value comes with much less space, speed and common refinement (specially in terms of ride good quality).
The common engine is rather weak and barely much more efficient than stronger, V6-powered competitors, although the upgrade engine is curiously only obtainable on the smaller, 5-passenger model. The fixed second-row seat might also be a turn-off, as is the third row’;s complicated folding procedure.
Why Need to You Take into account This Vehicle?
The very same compact auto metaphor rings accurate as a potential pro. If you happen to be willing to sacrifice a small bit of capability, versatility and seating capacity in exchange for a decrease value and sharper driving dynamics, the 2014 Ford Transit Connect is a worthy alternative. Families on a tighter budget or those loath to drive a cumbersome minivan need to definitely think about it.
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored occasion, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
2014 Ford Transit Connect Very first Drive | Edmunds.com
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