Ford Transit Custom Review

The well-known Ford Transit Custom is a mid-sized, front-wheel-drive van that has been produced by Ford since 2012. You may have heard of the Tourneo Custom too, but it's not a separate van with different specifications, it's simply a more luxurious passenger version of the same vehicle.

First and second generations

The Ford Transit Custom was unveiled at the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in Birmingham, and although the van remained relatively unchanged over the years (aside a hybrid version introduced in 2019, the second generation Transit Custom was unveiled in March 2021, nine years after the van was first launched.

On 22nd November 2022, the passenger version, the Tourneo Custom, was revealed. Like the panel van, the MPV is available in electric, plug-in hybrid and diesel versions.

Scooping up the prizes

With all this is mind, and the fact that Ford vans are as part of the national psyche as football with a pint, we have to ask the question, are the Ford Transit Custom and Ford Tourneo Custom popular vans?

Well, in short, yes. They've one all manner of prizes and have been awarded prestigious recognitions, ever since their launch in 2012, including the following:

• "Why the Ford Transit Custom is the Best Choice for a Campervan in 2021"
• "International Van of the Year award - 2013"
• "What Van - Medium van of the year award 2019"
• "Honest John - Most popular medium van award 2018"

Both of these vans, and Ford in general, have always been renowned for being tough, functional, reliable, with high levels of design and craftmanship about them.

Ford Transit Connect

The Ford Transit Custom is sometimes confused with the Ford Transit Connect, but in fact, they are different vans.

The Ford Transit Connect is a compact panel van that's much older - it's been around since 2002, though it does in fact share some components.

Second generation 2012

The second generation Transit Connect was introduced on 6th September 2012, and boasted a number of exciting aesthetic changes, including an optional rear liftgate in addition to the double doors, making it extremely popular with commercial buyers and wheelchair users.

The Transit Connect also includes a popular new feature called MyKey, which is a personalised key system, increasing its levels of security.

It works by giving the MyKey owner the control to set up different keys for separate features within the vehicle, such as the velocity or the radio volume, for example.

With its sophisticated look, comprehensively updated interior, and more advanced technology than ever before, the Transit Connect has evolved to be one of the best vans on the road.