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2010 Ford Transit Connect Photo

2010 Ford Transit Connect - Review

 
5 21,463 views May 28, 2009

2010 Ford Transit Connect - media event in NYC, May 2009

Pricing of the base XL cargo version starts at $21,475 with destination charges included. For a fully loaded XLT wagon with a full set of Ford Works Solutions gadgets, the sticker can go as high as $26,975.

Driving quality to make Econolines blush

What's it like to drive? Well, it's no 2011 Ford Fiesta around town, but then it's not meant to be. And delivery drivers more used to wrestling full-size Ford Econoline vans or even larger box vans through city traffic will weep with delight.

While acceleration off the line is hardly lightning fast, it's adequate for urban use. We didn't get a chance to drive a fully laden version, though. Midrange acceleration is good, as are the brakes (discs in front, drums in the rear).

The 2010 Ford Transit Connect feels smaller and more maneuverable on the road than it is. In other words, it "drives small". That's good, because it's surprisingly wide inside--wide enough for two large construction workers, even. Only the long wipers remind the drivers of how tall the windshield and the truck actually are.

The US gets only the longer of two wheelbases offered in Europe. Because the rear wheels are way back at its rear corners, making sharp turns takes some training to avoid clipping curbs.

But the Transit Connect is easy to park and the door mirrors are usefully large. Which is good, because even with windows specified for the rear "church doors," there's a major blind spot in the inside rear-view mirror from their center edges.

The 2010 Ford Transit Connect only betrays its European origins occasionally; one example is the electric window switches, which are mounted on the center tunnel rather than on the doors.

Global origins, local options

The company calls the 2010 Ford Transit Connect a "white-space vehicle," meaning there's nothing directly comparable offered in the US market. In fact, Ford expects it to be very popular among small-business owners and "passionate proprietors" who are still nursing along their 1985-2005 Chevrolet Astro vans.


 
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Comments (5)

  1. By Steve Posted: 6/8/2009 1:38pm PDT

    To clarify on the wagon -- it's not purposely designed to be a family vehicle. The intent is simply to provide additional seating for businesses that need to move people and supplies together (think of a cleaning crew or caterer). There are no windows offered on the rear quarter panels because there are no seats in the very rear of the wagon.
     
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  2. marty avatar Marty Padgett Posted: 6/10/2009 5:17am PDT

    I can't wait--the old Honda Element needs a follow-up act in my garage. Can I hose out the interior, or is that the same myth for the Transit Connect that took Element owners by surprise?
     
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  3. By Doug B Posted: 7/22/2009 9:15pm PDT

    And if the mpg is not good enough, then Smith Electric are busy converting these vans to full electric, which is what I'm waiting for.
    http://www.smithelectricvehicles.com/
     
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  4. By  florist Posted: 10/7/2009 7:40pm PDT

    will this be imported into Singapore ?
     
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  5. aussiemandias avatar Martin Smith Posted: 10/7/2010 12:31pm PDT

    When I was living in the UK I hired Transits of various sizes, including the Connect (or the equivalent). For the smaller payloads they are unbeaten, and I prefer them to competitors like the Volkswagen Caddy. Pleased to see Ford are bringing their European models to the US - they have so many worthies, like the Mondeo, that discerning local buyers will flock to if given a chance.
     
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