2020 Ford Transit 350L: Review

The 2020 Ford Transit now comes with autonomous braking with pedestrian detection as standard, plus a host of other safety and driver-assist technology. Add in refreshed frontal styling and it's Ford's smartest, most refined large van yet.

With its 2.0-litre EcoBlue four-cylinder turbo-diesel (125kW/390Nm) with six-speed automatic transmission, our front-drive mid-roof test vehicle is priced at $52,990 plus on-roads.

The 2020 Ford Transit 350L is a superb example of just how far the 'humble' delivery van has come. Once the proverbial 'white box on wheels', the category has made great strides over the past decade, and now boasts many if not most of the mod cons enjoyed by drivers of passenger cars.

The 2020 Ford Transit 350L is no exception, especially since undergoing a mid-model-life update at the end of 2019. The update adds extra safety and convenience features along with a mild frontal restyle to what was an already well-equipped large-van package.

This front-drive Ford Transit 350L slots in alongside another long-wheelbase but rear-drive sibling in a choice of mid (standard) or high (optional) roof heights, along with two Jumbo Van models and single and double cab-chassis variants, all of which come in an extra-long wheelbase and a rear-drive format.

All 2020 Ford Transit models powered by Ford's 2.0-litre four-cylinder EcoBlue turbo-diesel. In our mid-roof test vehicle the urge is fed to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, while the rear-drive models come with a six-speed manual.

And of course the 2020 Ford Transit shouldn't be confused with the smaller 2020 Ford Transit Custom and 2020 Ford Transit Custom Sport medium vans, which also underwent an update in 2019.

The subject of this review, a 2020 Ford Transit 350L FWD van, has a GVM of 3550kg, a maximum payload of 1295kg, a braked towing limit of 1700kg and a maximum load space of 11.5 cubic metres.

It’s priced at $52,990 plus on-roads, part-way between the entry-level RWD (and manual) model, at $50,490 plus on-roads, and the range-topping 470E Jumbo Van, at $56,990 plus on-roads.

Factory options include prestige paint ($650), a broad array of Ford's SVO (special vehicle operations) paint choices ($1400), a high roof (350L models, $1500), and a dual sliding side doors ($1000), among others.

Inside the cabin, there's new seating and a new dash with updated instrumentation and controls, with Ford's excellent SYNC3 multimedia unit paired with a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen on the centre stack, up from the older 6.5-inch unit. The system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Andoid Auto along with Ford's integrated satellite navigation (a $600 option).

Externally, the front of the new 2020 Ford Transit 350L has a "more prominent" three-bar grille, along with new headlamps and a new bumper to deliver what Ford describes as a "fresh, contemporary look".

The 2020 Ford Transit 350L comes backed by Ford's five-year, unlimited-kilometre factory warranty. Service intervals are pegged at every 12 months or 30,000km, whichever comes first, with the first five services totaling $2515 over that period (an average cost of $503 per service).

Roadside assistance is complimentary for the first seven years, provided servicing is carried out within the Ford dealer network.

In a major boost for driver safety, the 2020 Ford Transit 350L brings autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Previously optional, this potentially life-saving technology is now standard on all Transit, Transit Custom and Ranger models.

Here it comes in addition to a wide range of Ford's Driver Assist Technologies spanning features including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep and assist and lane departure warning. Then there's auto traffic sign recognition, rear cross traffic alert and a rear-view camera with front and rear parking sensors (note: sensors, camera and blind-spot monitoring not available on cab-chassis models).

That's on top of the staples like five air bags, dynamic stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes with emergency brake assist and electronic brake force distribution, load adaptive control, roll over mitigation, side wind stabilisation and trailer sway control, among others.

As a commercial vehicle, the 2020 Ford Transit has not been evaluated under the ANCAP safety rating scheme, but it's certainly not left wanting for features on the passive and active safety fronts.

All 2020 Ford Transit models continue Ford's 2.0-litre (1997cc) four-cylinder EcoBlue turbo-diesel, which produces a claimed 125kW at 3500rpm and 390Nm at 1600-2300rpm.

It complies with Euro 6.2 emissions standards and comes with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system, so there's a 21-litre AdBlue tank in addition to the 72-litre fuel tank. Incidentally, only the front-drive 350L gets the 72-litre tank – all other Ford Transit models receive a 95-litre tank.

The 2.0-litre EcoBlue unit is the sole engine option across Ford's large van range, which if nothing else simplifies the purchasing journey. Its 125kW/390Nm falls mid pack, in comparison to rival spanning the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (84kW/300Nm to 140kW/440Nm), Renault Master (120kW/360Nm), IVECO Daily (92kW/320Nm to 151kW/470Nm), Fiat Ducato (110kW/380Nm to 130kW/400Nm) and Peugeot Boxer (120kW/310Nm).

Given the 2020 Ford Transit's update largely concerns its technological smarts, we didn't drive our test vehicle with a major load – previous tests have shown it to be an entirely capable load lugger. However, we did carry a 215kg motorcycle over the course of this test that was sufficient to take the edge off the vehicle's commercial ride, if not exactly challenging for its 1295kg maximum payload limit.

Not surprisingly, the 2020 Ford Transit 350L barely noticed the extra weight, with acceleration from a standing start decidedly brisk (for a large van) and with a healthy level of overtaking punch at around-town speeds.

At 100km/h the four-pot oiler is spinning at 1850rpm and the engine feels strong from around 2000-4000rpm, with the auto shifting well short of the indicated 4800rpm redline.

The ride is actually nicely composed by LCV standards, with acceptable body roll and reasonably light and responsive steering. The 13.3m turning circle can on occasion spell multiple stabs at turns in tighter confines, despite the short steering box (3.25 turns lock to lock), but really it's all par for the course in this segment.

For parking, the reversing camera (with predictive guides) and front and rear sensors are a big help.

The six-speed auto shifts smoothly enough and generally picks the right cog for the situation, although it's not exactly eager to downshift when slowing on descents.

There's a manual shift mode, utilised via rocker switch on the side of the shifter, but for the most part I was happy to let the auto do its thing.

There's some road and wind noise at highway speeds but it's nothing excessive for the class and is no doubt aided considerably by the comprehensive bulkhead – a standard and commendable safety addition that protects while helping noise suppression and heating/cooling efficiency. It didn't emit any squeaks or rattles and there's a small window through which you can inspect the load bay.

Cabin comfort is excellent. The 2020 Ford Transit could do with a couple of A-pillar grab handles to aid ingress as it's a bit of a step up to the seating, but once behind the wheel it's easy to find a 'just right' seating position.

The driver's perch has 10-way manual adjustment (with lumbar support) plus an adjustable fold-down armrest and, like the outboard passenger seat, three-stage heating.

Vision is excellent due to the expansive windscreen, the tall ride height and the quality split-lens side mirrors, which are sizeable enough but set fairly low so they barely impinge on forward three-quarter vision.

The instrumentation is attractive, easy to read and the menu system is easy to navigate, while all the controls – be they on the dash or the leather-wrap multi-function and tilt-and-reach-adjustable steering wheel – are within easy reach.

The adaptive cruise control works well and is fairly unobtrusive – it doesn't overreact should a vehicle change into your lane in front of you – and the auto speed sign recognition feature works really well.

The larger 8.0-inch touchscreen is attractive and intuitive and we've long been a fan of Ford's SYNC3 system and the comprehensive and effective array of voice commands it affords.

Pairing a smartphone is simple and the sound quality for the stereo and DAB digital radio are good, while the inclusion of Apple CarPlay/Android Auto ticks a box for many buyers these days.

There are bottle holders right where you want them, dash top storage with 12-volt/USB outlets in front of the driver, large door pockets and generally plenty of in-cab storage, both under the twin passenger seating and across the top of the windscreen. There's a 230-volt socket beneath the park brake, so you can charge a laptop while you're underway.

Really, the only additional feature I'd like to see is keyless entry and starting, although at least the cab and load bay can be locked or opened separately from the fob.

At the business end, we measured the load bay in this long-wheelbase (3750mm) model to be 3400mm long by 1720mm wide by 1850mm high, with 1320mm between its wheel arches.

The side aperture measures 1250mm wide at its narrowest point and 1680mm high, so it should be possible to squeeze in two standard Australian pallets, one through the side, the other at the rear (a job made easier for forklifts by the barn doors, which also open to near 270 degrees.

The load bay floor is 550mm off the deck and comes with a plastic floor liner and full-height plastic wall protection as standard. The floor liner makes it easy to slide a load into position but in wet weather it's as slippery as an ice rink.

There's a total of 10 sturdy tie-down anchor points plus a 12-volt socket at the rear, good internal lighting and a side grab handle. We like the bright LED light over the rear aperture too.

With our modest load and over a mix of mainly faster arterials and highway, we achieved an impressive average fuel economy of just 8.0L/100km, which delivers a safe range of somewhere around 850km from the 72-litre tank. That figure was achieved without employing eco mode too, which bodes well for generally frugal running.

The 2020 Ford Transit 350L builds on what was an already impressive light commercial vehicle platform. This latest update ups the ante yet again, delivering the level of safety reasonably expected by today's motorists, and especially anyone who spends hours on the road each day as they go about their business.

While it's ultimately up to fleet operators to crunch the numbers on a TCO (total cost of ownership) front, it's hard to see how drivers couldn't be anything but impressed with the new 2020 Ford Transit 350L – it's one comfortable, capable and well-equipped commercial.

Price: $52,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 125kW/390Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.0L/100km (as tested)
CO2: N/A
Safety rating: N/A