The Ford Transit Custom is arguably the most popular van on the market. The mid-sized, one-tonne panel van is the only van in its class with a full 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.
Ford Transit Range
Launched in 2013, receiving a facelift in 2018, the Ford Transit Custom forms part of the Ford Transit range, which was split into segments reflecting the different van capacities. For payloads up to 650kg, there's the Ford Transit Courier. If you need to carry up to 950kg, then the Ford Transit Connect would be your choice. The Ford Transit Custom can accommodate loads of up 1500kg, depending on the specification. For anything over 1500kg then the full-fat Ford Transit van would be your van of choice.
The new Ford Transit Custom
Anyway, back to the Ford Transit Custom. Keen to cater for as many different requirements as possible, Ford vans offer a choice of wheelbases, heights and model variants. The Ford Transit Custom panel van comes in two lengths (L1, L2) and two heights (H1, H2) while there are also crew cab (or Double Cab-in-Van, as Ford vans call it) and kombi variants.
The Ford Transit Custom features Ford's 'kinetic design' styling, borrowed from the manufacturer's passenger car range. This isn't the only thing taken from the company's car range; you'd be forgiven for mistaking the cabin of the Ford Transit Custom for that of the Ford Focus car. In terms of driving and refinement, the Ford Transit Custom is probably the most car-like van on the market.
Driving the Ford Transit Custom
The Ford Transit Custom offers a choice of two drivetrains, front or all-wheel drive. According to Ford vans , the Ford Transit Custom was designed to mimic the easy-to-drive nature of its passenger car range. Responsive steering, impressive handling and excellent suspension mean that the Ford Transit Custom is easy to control and manoeuvre, even on demanding roads.
There is but one engine that powers the Ford Transit Custom, a 2.0-litre TDCi Euro 6 compliant diesel engine that's available with one of three power outputs; 105PS, 130PS and 179PS. The Ford Transit Custom's running costs are low thanks to every power unit achieving a minimum of 40mpg, according to Ford's official figures. As standard, the Ford Transit Custom comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as well as a Start/Stop system for enhanced fuel economy.
Using the Ford Transit Custom
The Ford Transit Custom sets the bar right off the bat as the only van in its class that can accommodate three Euro pallets with a metre-high load.
A well-thought out bulkhead houses a load-through hatch for awkward and lengthy items while the Ford Transit Custom has enough space between the wheel arches and from the load floor to the roof to comfortably take 8x4 plasterboard sheets. Other cargo area features include tie-downs and fixing points to protect your load and passengers while models above Base feature a hard-wearing and durable 'easy-clean' floor liner, for, well - easy cleaning.
All Ford Transit Custom models have a tall, wide sliding side door as standard, for ease of access. The rear doors open to 180 degrees, and feature latches which can be fixed to hold the doors in place at 90 degrees.