Compact van

Ford Transit Connect

The Ford Transit Connect is Ford's compact van, positioned between the small Transit Courier and the medium-sized Transit Custom. In the Netherlands the model is mainly used by installers, service providers, parcel and courier companies and municipalities: businesses that make a lot of stops every day and want car-like driving behaviour. The second generation (2013-2023) comes exclusively with a low roof in two lengths (L1 and L2) and was supplied with 1.0 EcoBoost petrol and 1.6/1.5 diesel engines. Since 2024 the Transit Connect has been technically identical to the Volkswagen Caddy and is supplied with a 2.0 EcoBlue diesel and a plug-in hybrid. On the Dutch used market the second generation is by far the most common.

Transit Connect (1st generation) (2002-2013)

The first Transit Connect was based on a floorpan derived from the Ford Focus and replaced the Escort/Courier Van. It came in short (L1) and long (L2) versions and, as the only generation, also with a raised roof (H2). With the 2009 facelift the nose, dashboard and diesel engines were updated.

Engines

Engine	Fuel	Contents	Power	Torque	Standard	Transmission
1.8 TDCi 75 2002-2013	diesel	1,8 l	75 pk (55 kW)	–	–	5-speed manual
1.8 TDCi 90 2002-2013	diesel	1,8 l	90 pk (66 kW)	220 Nm	–	5-speed manual
1.8 TDCi 110 2006-2013	diesel	1,8 l	110 pk (81 kW)	–	–	5-speed manual
1.8 Duratec (benzine, ook als LPG-uitvoering) 2002-2013	petrol	1,8 l	115 pk (85 kW)	–	–	5-speed manual

Trim levels

AmbienteBase version with steel wheels, driver airbag, full bulkhead and a simple radio; air conditioning was optional.

TrendComfort version with equipment including air conditioning, electrically adjustable door mirrors, fog lights and a more extensive audio system.

Transit Connect (2nd generation, incl. the 2018 facelift) (2013-2023)

The second generation moved to the Ford C platform (Focus/C-MAX) with independent rear suspension and was only supplied with a low roof, in L1 and L2. At launch there were 1.6 TDCi diesels and the 1.0 EcoBoost petrol; from 2015-2016 the 1.5 TDCi replaced the 1.6. The late-2018 facelift brought a new nose and dashboard, the Euro 6.2 1.5 EcoBlue diesel with 75, 100 and 120 hp, a six-speed gearbox across the whole range and an 8-speed automatic on the more powerful diesels.

Engines

Engine	Fuel	Contents	Power	Torque	Standard	Transmission
1.0 EcoBoost 100 2013-2023	petrol	1,0 l	100 pk (74 kW)	170 Nm	Euro 6 (na 2018 Euro 6.2)	6-speed manual
1.6 TDCi 75 2013-2016	diesel	1,6 l	75 pk (55 kW)	220 Nm	Euro 5	5-speed manual
1.6 TDCi 95 2013-2016	diesel	1,6 l	95 pk (70 kW)	230 Nm	Euro 5	6-speed manual
1.6 TDCi 115 2013-2016	diesel	1,6 l	115 pk (85 kW)	270 Nm	Euro 5	6-speed manual
1.5 TDCi 75 2015-2018	diesel	1,5 l	75 pk (55 kW)	220 Nm	Euro 6	6-speed manual
1.5 TDCi 100 2015-2018	diesel	1,5 l	100 pk (74 kW)	240 Nm	Euro 6	6-speed manual or 6-speed PowerShift automatic
1.5 TDCi 120 2015-2018	diesel	1,5 l	120 pk (88 kW)	270 Nm	Euro 6	6-speed manual or 6-speed PowerShift automatic
1.5 EcoBlue 75 2018-2021	diesel	1,5 l	75 pk (55 kW)	220 Nm	Euro 6.2 (6d-TEMP)	6-speed manual
1.5 EcoBlue 100 2018-2023	diesel	1,5 l	100 pk (74 kW)	240 Nm	Euro 6.2 (6d-TEMP, later Euro 6d)	6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic
1.5 EcoBlue 120 2018-2021	diesel	1,5 l	120 pk (88 kW)	270 Nm	Euro 6.2 (6d-TEMP)	6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic

Trim levels

AmbienteBase version with 16-inch steel wheels, full bulkhead, six lashing eyes, electric windows, driver airbag, ESP and trip computer; air conditioning and side sliding door were optional on the L1.

TrendAdds air conditioning, side sliding door, 6-way adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, radio with Bluetooth and steering wheel controls, electrically adjustable and heated mirrors, fog lights, body-coloured front bumper and plastic load floor protection.

LimitedTrim level (initially as Limited Pack) with alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, light and rain sensors, heated front seats and navigation/SYNC 3.

SportTop version with 17-inch alloy wheels, colour-matched body styling and striping, part-leather upholstery and an automatic as standard.

Transit Connect (3rd generation) (2024-present)

The third generation is a collaboration with Volkswagen and shares its engineering and body with the Volkswagen Caddy (built in Poznań). The 1.0 and 1.5-litre EcoBoost/EcoBlue range made way for the 2.0 EcoBlue diesel with 102 and 122 hp and, since late 2024, a plug-in hybrid with a 1.5 EcoBoost. The Kombi with folding second seat row is not supplied in the Netherlands.

Engines

Engine	Fuel	Contents	Power	Torque	Standard	Transmission
2.0 EcoBlue 102 2024-present	diesel	2,0 l	102 pk (75 kW)	280 Nm	Euro 6d	6-speed manual
2.0 EcoBlue 122 2024-present	diesel	2,0 l	122 pk (90 kW)	320 Nm	Euro 6d	7-speed PowerShift automatic
1.5 EcoBoost PHEV 150 2024-present	hybrid	20 kWh	150 pk (110 kW)	350 Nm	Euro 6e	6-speed automatic

Trim levels

TrendBase version with 16-inch steel wheels with wheel trims, side sliding door, full bulkhead, manual air conditioning, DAB radio with steering wheel controls, start/stop and FordPass modem.

LimitedAdds 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors, heated front seats, electrically heated windscreen, light and rain sensors and keyless start.

The dimensions at a glance

Of the Ford Transit Connect there are 5 versions, load length 175 cm to 215 cm, load volume 1,2 m³ to 3,6 m³. The full dimensions table by version, with wheelbase, exterior dimensions, width between the wheel arches and Euro pallets, is on the dimensions page.

All dimensions Transit Connect Compare with another model

What the Transit Connect is known for

Compact exterior dimensions (4.42 m or 4.82 m long, approximately 1.84 m high), so car parks and city centres remain accessible
Payload of approximately 625 to over 1,000 kg, depending on length and High Payload version
The L2 version is the only one in the range that loads a Euro pallet through the side sliding door
Car-like driving behaviour thanks to independent rear suspension
Dense dealer and service network in the Netherlands and a good supply of parts

What to look out for on a used example

The 1.5 and 1.6-litre diesel engines have a timing belt; Ford prescribes replacement at around 240,000 km or 10 years - ask for the invoice, as in practice the interval is often brought forward.
The particulate filter (DPF) and EGR become fouled with many short trips; on a test drive look out for warning lights and ask about forced regenerations in the history.
Check the rails, rollers and stop rubbers of the side sliding door and the closing of the rear doors; in delivery work these go through many cycles.
On the 1.0 EcoBoost petrol: look out for coolant loss and the condition of the timing belt (which runs in an oil bath on this engine), together with the documented oil change interval.

These points apply to the model in general. What applies to a specific vehicle depends on its maintenance history; we discuss this for every vehicle we sell.

Compare the Transit Connect with another model

Only models of the same size, so the comparison is fair.

versus Volkswagen Caddy