The Ford Transit Custom is more than just a work van; it's a versatile vehicle blurring the lines between commercial practicality and family-friendly comfort. This review dives into the Transit Custom's surprising capabilities as a tow car, exploring its performance hauling large caravans and its everyday drivability. We'll examine its towing capacity, handling, and fuel efficiency, considering both its hybrid powertrain and the impact of towing on electric range. Beyond towing, we'll assess the Transit Custom's suitability as a daily driver, evaluating its interior space, comfort, and technological features.This in-depth analysis will explore the Transit Custom's spacious cabin, its adaptability for both work and leisure, and the balance it strikes between functionality and comfort. We'll weigh the pros and cons, examining its practicality as a family vehicle with second-row seating, ample storage, and advanced safety features. Finally, we'll consider its overall value and whether its high price tag is justified by its impressive versatility and performance, particularly for those seeking a single vehicle to handle both demanding work tasks and family adventures.
Pros And Cons
- Versatile: Suitable for both work and family use.
- Towing capabilities: Comfortably tows large caravans, with plenty of pulling power.
- Electric range: Up to 35 miles of electric-only driving.
- Good visibility: Offers excellent forward visibility and large door mirrors.
- Rear-view camera: Helpful for maneuvering, especially given the vehicle's size.
- Comfortable ride: Surprisingly comfortable and refined for a commercial vehicle, even on long journeys.
- Ample storage: Features numerous storage compartments throughout the cabin.
- Easy-to-use touchscreen: Compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Spacious interior: Offers significant passenger space in both the front and rear, even with a third-row seat.
- Practical sliding doors: Sliding doors on both sides enhance accessibility.
- Large load space: Provides considerable cargo area, even with the extra row of seats.
- Retractable tow ball: Equipped with a convenient retractable tow ball.
- Size: Very large vehicle, requiring adjustment for drivers accustomed to smaller cars.
- Slightly awkward steering wheel: The square steering wheel might feel uncomfortable during parking.
- Touchscreen air conditioning controls: Lack of physical buttons for air conditioning can be distracting.
- Reduced load space with extra seats: Adding a second row of seats decreases available cargo space compared to single-row versions.
- Expensive optional extras: Powered sliding doors are a costly optional extra.
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Towing Capabilities
The Ford Transit Custom boasts impressive towing capabilities, handling large caravans with ease. Its combined petrol engine and electric motor provide ample pulling power, maintaining a comfortable 60 mph on motorways and conquering hill starts without difficulty. Even with a fully loaded van, the reduced towing capacity of 2 tons is still sufficient for most large caravans. The vehicle's length and weight contribute to a stable towing experience, minimizing pitching and up-and-down movement, especially when adequately loaded with passengers and luggage.
Daily Driving and Electric Range
Beyond towing, the Transit Custom offers surprisingly refined daily driving. It achieves up to 35 miles of electric-only range, although this significantly decreases when towing. Even with zero electric range displayed, the vehicle maintains sufficient power for towing. The elevated driving position provides excellent visibility, enhanced by large door mirrors and a rear-view camera—a handy feature not typically found in vans.
Interior and Cabin Space
The Transit Custom's cabin offers a comfortable and spacious interior. The high driving position provides excellent outward visibility. Abundant storage options include large door bins, cup holders, and an open tray. While the touchscreen is user-friendly and compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the lack of physical buttons for air conditioning and a slightly awkward square steering wheel are minor drawbacks. Despite its commercial vehicle origins, the overall build quality and ambiance are quite pleasant.
Load Space and Passenger Capacity
The second row of seats reduces the load space compared to a single-row Transit, but it remains substantial. This versatile space is ideal for business use during the week and family outings on weekends. The sliding doors (powered ones are an optional extra) improve access. The rear offers ample passenger space, even for taller individuals, and includes Isofix mounting points for child seats and USB-C ports for charging devices. Its immense capacity makes it exceptionally well-suited for camping gear, surpassing its suitability for carrying caravan essentials.
Verdict and Conclusion
The Ford Transit Custom excels as a dual-purpose vehicle: a robust workhorse for weekdays and a spacious family car for weekends. Its towing capabilities are impressive, particularly given the available electric motor assistance. While the price is somewhat high (£47,765 excluding VAT), it's competitive with similar vehicles. Fuel economy varies depending on electric usage, with higher MPG when utilizing the hybrid system and lower MPG once the electric range depletes. Overall, it's a stable, practical, and surprisingly comfortable towing vehicle with immense load capacity, making it a compelling option for those needing a versatile vehicle for both work and personal use.