Ford Transit Review (2012-present)
Ford Transit Custom cars for sale
4.0
Expert review
Pros
Better to drive than most commercial vehicles
Tough and durable mechanical parts
High payloads
Cons
No all-electric model until 2023
Bouncy ride if van isn't loaded
Pre-2018 facelift vans have less storage space in the cab
The CarGurus verdict
If you are looking for a medium-sized van, you'll struggle to do much better than the Ford Transit Custom.
As a workhorse, it covers most bases thanks to high payloads and a variety of body styles. You want a double-cab-in-van? No problem? You need to shift lots of shift people as well as their work gear? Get the Transit Custom Kombi. With different lengths and heights of vehicle the Transit Custom really can be tailored to suit the needs of your business.
While the PHEV is the most interesting model, the diesels are hard-working, economical and reliable. And with a variety of spec levels on offer, the Transit Custom can be spartan or plush depending on your budget.
The Transit Custom is better to drive than most commercial vehicles, which could just clinch your buying decision in its favour.
For many years now, the Transit has been a range of commercial vehicles rather than a single model. Slightly larger than the Fiesta panel van, the Transit Courier is the range's compact commercial vehicle, the Transit Connect is for anyone looking for a small van, while the Transit is the largest version. The Transit Custom sits between the Connect and the full-size Transit, and is the sweet spot for many light commercial vehicle operators.
The Transit Custom has been updated a number of times since first going on sale in 2012. A 2018 facelift didn't reinvent the wheel, but it did make the cab more practical with a lot more storage space, modernised infotainment, and a contemporary look to the dashboard. The exterior styling was also refreshed. Slimmer headlights, a three-bar grille, and LED daytime running lights on most versions brought the Transit Custom into line with the family look of Ford's passenger cars.
Other changes included improvements to structural rigidity and the return of a green and clean Econetic diesel model. In 2019, the most technically advanced version of the Transit Custom was launched: the Plug-In Hybrid. This has an electric range of 35 miles, and a total range of 310 miles.
As you'd expect of a commercial vehicle, the Transit Custom is available in a variety of configurations. There are two lengths; L1 vehicles are 4,973mm long, while L2 versions measure 5,339mm from bumper to bumper.
The L2 has a long wheelbase as well as being longer overall. There are also two heights; H1 are 1,922-2,020mm tall depending on the exact specification, while the H2 versions are 2,286mm to 2,366m high.
As well as a van version with a single row of seats and a large load space, there are double-cab versions of the Transit Custom. The Kombi has nine seats in three rows of three, but still offers a lot of space for tools or luggage behind the third row – practicality is very impressive.
Payload is a definite strong point for the Transit Custom. For the three-seat van version, it varies between 695kg and 1,469kg, depending on the engine, body type and gearbox. Manual and automatic versions are available.
The mainstay of the Transit Custom engine line up is the 2.0-litre diesel. The 2.0 EcoBlue diesel produces 105hp, 130hp, 170hp, or 185hp, depending on the state of tune. The most powerful version was introduced in 2019, when the other engines were also updated to improve economy and emissions.
Earlier versions of the Transit Custom were powered by 2.2-litre TDCi turbodiesel, producing 100hp, 125hp, or 155hp. These TDCi diesel engines were under the bonnet of Transit Custom vans built from 2012 to 2016.
Whichever version of the Transit Custom you choose, the big Ford drives very well. The ride is a little bouncy if the van is unladen, but the steering is direct and then handling is neat and tidy, especially with a short wheelbase (SWB) rather than long wheelbase (LWB) model. The action of the manual gearbox is light and precise too, while the brakes are strong and progressive. If a car-like driving experience is something you look for in a van, the Transit Custom is for you.
Refinement isn’t bad for a van either, which is no surprise when you consider how much time drivers will spend behind the wheel. The diesel engines can sound a little agricultural at idle, but they smooth out with speed, while wind noise is well suppressed. Obviously with a large, metal-lined empty space behind you there can be a fair bit of road noise, but the bulkhead behind the driver helps keep the intrusion to a minimum.
As well as the various sizes and internal configurations available, Ford offers the Transit Custom in a variety of trim levels. Leader is the entry-level model. It's relatively basic, with a DAB radio, Bluetooth, a trip computer, electrically operated windows, and a height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel, but not a lot else.
Upgrade to Trend for extra kit including an eight-inch colour touchscreen, cruise control, adjustable lumbar support for the driver's seat, a heated windscreen and reversing camera. The Limited model will be easier to live with, thanks to air conditioning and heated front seats, while 16-inch alloy wheels make the van look smarter.
Recent additions include the Trail and Active models, which give a rugged SUV-style spin to the Transit with tough-looking cladding for the lower body and wheel arches. The former attempts to live up to its looks with a mechanical limited slip differential for enhanced traction on rutted tracks, while the latter adds lifestyle extras such as part leather trim and ten-way powered seat adjustment for the driver.
Sport models have a racy-looking exterior stripe, natty body kit and 17-inch alloys, while inside there’s part-leather seat trim and a fancier trip computer.
You want an even sportier Transit? Well, there’s always the MS-RT, which is inspired by the M-Sport team that runs Ford’s Puma Rally1 cars in the World Rally Championship. Featuring an aggressive bodykit, quad exit exhaust and 18-inch OZ alloy wheels on the outside and a chunky three-spoke steering wheel and unique trim on the inside the MS-RT certainly looks the part, even if it is mechanically identical to other Transits.
In terms of infotainment, the Trend gets a fairly basic set-up with a small 4.2-inch screen, but it does benefit from Bluetooth, DAB radio and a pair of USB connections. All other versions feature Ford’s excellent SYNC 3 set-up with eight-inch touchscreen and various apps - although Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are curiously absent.
In terms of safety, there are airbags for the driver and front seat passengers (side and curtain bags are optional), plus electronic stability control that includes side wind assist. Lane departure warning is standard on the Sport and optional on all other versions, as is adaptive cruise control with autonomous emergency braking.
For short hops with lots of opportunity to recharge, the Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid will be the cheapest to fuel. However, that needs to be set against the high asking price, and the speed with which the PHEV will consume petrol once the battery's charge runs low. It will suit some users better than others, and certainly doesn't make the diesels seem obsolete.
For a low purchase price and good fuel economy from a conventional diesel, choose either the 104bhp or 128bhp 2.0-litre EcoBlue. These have official combined fuel economies of 43.5-47.1mpg and 42.8-47.1mpg respectively.
The 128bhp mild hybrid bests both of those, with an official combined fuel consumption of 47.9-55.4mpg. However, it does cost around £700 more to choose the MHEV, and this powertrain isn't available in the most affordable Leader base model.
For regular full loads over long distances, operators may be tempted by either the 168bhp or 182bhp EcoBlue diesels. With a manual gearbox, the 182bhp Transit Custom returns 43.5-47.9mpg with the more economical of the two available axle ratios, so although the top-spec engine will cost more to buy or lease, there's no penalty at the pumps.
Transit Custom models with a six-speed automatic gearbox have slightly worse mpg than vans with a six-speed manual gearbox.
One niche that Ford doesn't serve with the Transit Custom, at the time of writing at least, is the pure electric commercial vehicle market. Instead, Ford argues that the PHEV option avoids range anxiety and allows for a diesel-rivalling payload. However, that means there's no ultra-low running cost version of the Transit Custom to take on the electric Mercedes Vito or the Renault Master ZE. The likes of Citroen, Nissan and Peugeot also offer electric commercial vehicles.
Earlier examples of the Transit Custom were powered by 2.2-litre diesels meeting the Euro 5 emissions standard. These were updated to meet the Euro 6 standard in late 2016. Compared with the later EcoBlue diesels, these models emit more and don't go as far on a gallon of diesel. Real-world economy will vary hugely depending on driving style, the body fitted to the base vehicle, and the payload. Close to 30mpg is a rough guide to what a typical user can expect from one of the older Transit Custom models.
For predictable servicing costs, Ford offers the Ford Protect Service Plan. For a one-off payment, this covers the cost of servicing for three years, and is priced below what you would pay for each service individually.
Ford Protect Plan Plus is similar, but with the added benefit of cover for wear-and-tear components.
If you are planning to run a new Ford Transit, a three-year warranty is standard, and can be extended to up to five years.
The good news is a Ford Transit Custom is a very reliable van. The major mechanical parts are tough and durable, so as long as the vehicle is well maintained it should rack-up high mileages without complaint.
It's worth keeping an eye on oil use, especially with the more recent 2.0-litre diesels, but really there's not much to worry about.
The Plug-In Hybrid model is too new for any reliability problems to have emerged, but any major headaches would be a surprise given how reliable the rest of the range is.
If you are looking for a used Ford Transit Custom, all the usual van-buying advice applies. Check the bodywork for signs of dents and scratches, and make sure the vehicle has been serviced on time. The cabins are durable, so if the inside of the Transit is looking tatty you should have little trouble finding another example that has been better cared for.
- The Plug-In Hybrid uses a 92.9kW electric motor to drive the front wheels. It can travel up to 35 miles before the 13.6kWh battery runs out. However, there's no range anxiety because if the battery level has dropped, the 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine will start up. This never powers the front wheels directly. Instead, it acts as a generator for the battery, extending the range to 310 miles in total. The payload of the PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) is 1,130kg, so the Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid can cope with heavy loads, just like the diesel versions.
- As well as the PHEV, the Transit Custom is now available with mild-hybrid technology. Badged EcoBlue Hybrid, these versions use an integrated starter/generator to recover energy while the Transit Custom is coasting, and stores it in a 48-volt lithium-ion battery located under the front passenger seat.The stored energy is then used to assist the diesel engine during normal driving and acceleration, as well as electrical ancillaries. The system helps to improve fuel efficiency, particularly in stop-start urban driving. However, it's only available for Transit Customs with a manual gearbox.
- As well as the various sizes and internal configurations available, Ford offers the Transit Custom in a variety of trim levels. Leader is the entry-level model. It's relatively basic, with a DAB radio, Bluetooth, a trip computer, electrically operated windows, and a height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel, but not a lot else. Upgrade to Trend for extra kit including an eight-inch colour touchscreen, cruise control, adjustable lumbar support for the driver's seat, and a heated windscreen. The Limited model will be easier to live with, thanks to air conditioning and heated front seats, while 16-inch alloy wheels make the van look smarter. Sport models have a racy-looking exterior stripe, 17-inch alloys, a rear-view camera, and part-leather seat trim.
– If you want a good-looking van: Buy the Sport. The range-topping version of the Transit Custom has a body kit with front, rear and side skirts, 17-inch alloys (18-inch on the 290 GVM), and wheel arch extensions. There are also double racing stripes, either black with silver accents or black with orange accents, depending on the exterior colour. – If you want to drive in a big city: Choose the PHEV. The Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid can contribute to good local air quality by running as an electric vehicle in urban areas. What's more, geofencing technology can automatically switch the Transit to electric mode when entering low-emission zones. – If you want low running costs over long distances: Choose the 128bhp 2.0 TDCi EcoBlue Hybrid. It achieves better economy and emissions figures than the other diesels, and the healthy power output means it copes well with higher speeds and heavy loads. It might not have the hi-tech appeal of the PHEV but for big miles on motorways and A-roads it will prove more economical and go further between stops for fuel and a pasty. – If you want as much load space as possible: Pick a Transit Custom L2 H2. Those letters and numbers mean combining the longer body with the high roof to give a whopping 8.3 cubic metres of interior space. The length to the bulkhead is 2,921mm and the floor-to-ceiling height is 1,778mm. This size boosts the Transit Custom's practicality considerably.
