Name: Ford Transit Custom 2017: Review
Brand: Ford

Ford

Ford Transit Custom 2017: Review







Three years on from its initial launch, an updated version of Ford's front-drive Transit Custom is here. Featuring a new 2.0-litre 'EcoBlue' turbo-diesel engine, Ford says the revised Transit Custom has more power and torque, plus better fuel economy and longer service intervals. But better news is the inclusion of an automatic transmission option and this will be the key ingredient in Ford’s recipe for an increased share of the broader medium-van market. The 2017 Ford Transit Custom is priced from $39,690 plus on-roads.





Increasingly, the light commercial vehicles (LCV) market is becoming a dog-eat-dog world, and these days simply producing a 'box on wheels' just doesn't pass muster. Now, optimal load-lugging ability is a given and LCV customers are looking for enhanced comfort and safety – as a result we're seeing increasingly sophisticated vans taking to our roads.

There’s no better example than Ford's Transit Custom which, when it arrived in early 2014, impressed not only for its workhorse credentials, but also for its carlike comfort and excellent safety features – features which underwrite its maximum five-star safety rating from ANCAP.

To recap, the Ford Transit Custom came with a well-appointed load bay and a payload capacity exceeding one tonne, plus six airbags, stability control, rollover mitigation, Ford's SYNC multimedia system, good cabin storage and several auxiliary power points. That was in addition to reasonable fuel economy from the 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine, excellent on-road dynamics and minimal NVH (noise/vibration/harshness).






However, one thing had the all-new Transit Custom severely shackled in the race for sales – it was available only with a six-speed manual transmission. At the time, Ford Australia said it was hopeful of quickly securing an auto option, however it's taken until now for it to arrive. According to Ford, the lack of an auto waved ‘adieu’ to 85 per cent of the medium-van market – a major setback by any measure.

Not surprisingly, the Transit Custom has languished in the sales charts, lagging well behind the dominant Toyota HiAce and Hyundai iLoad, and even Renault's Trafic. It’s no understatement to say Ford is hoping the revised Transit will deliver a turnaround of major proportions.

What's new?
So, in addition to the new engine and transmission, what else is new?

The Transit’s reversing camera, part of an optional City Nav Pack (which also including satellite-navigation, parking sensors and front fog lamps for $2100), is now displayed on the SYNC system screen rather than the rear view mirror. That SYNC screen is larger too – a standard 4.0-inch TFT affair, or a 5.0-inch version with the City Nav Pack.

In a vehicle otherwise placing a high priority on safety, it does seem a little incongruous the Transit’s reversing camera is only available as part of the City Nav Pack. If not a standard feature, the reversing camera should certainly be a stand-alone option.

Ford has added Side Wind Stabilisation to the Transit’s extensive suite of safety systems, and the update package is rounded out by a number of new cosmetic enhancements – a chrome strip below the front grille, hub caps instead of naked steel wheels, and a choice of over 100 colour schemes.

Other van manufacturers note: Apparently Ford’s Transit Custom production facility in Turkey can accommodate even a single order for a colour not included in the standard schemes without requiring an extended lead time. Very impressive.

A one-off paint colour will set you back an extra $1150 but, as evidenced by the array of bright colours included in Ford’s Transit media launch fleet, this is money well spent for a small business looking to stand out from the crowd.

With the EcoBlue engine service intervals have increased from 12 months/15,000km to 12 months/30,000km, while the warranty has changed from three years/100,000km to three years/200,000km.

While Ford has no capped-price servicing scheme for the Transit Custom buyers do get one year of free roadside assistance, plus the use of a free loan vehicle when the van is being serviced (as with any Ford passenger vehicle).

Under the microscope
The format of the media launch saw us tackle a loop through Melbourne's northern and western suburbs, using the recently completed Melbourne Markets as our start and end point, also putting the van through some closed circuit and skidpan exercises at a facility in Werribee. We had a number of short-wheelbase models at our disposal, mainly empty but one loaded to around half its maximum payload.

We still reckon the Transit Custom would benefit from an A-pillar grab handle to assist ingress and egress but, once behind the wheel, it's as impressive as ever. The cloth-upholstered driver's seat features masses of height adjustment, lumbar support and an adjustable armrest, while the steering wheel is adjustable for tilt and reach.

The general finish is a cut above most in this segment, with plenty of nice touches like the leather-wrapped steering wheel with chrome highlights and integrated controls, bottle and cup holders right where you want them, and the larger screen for Ford's SYNC multimedia unit.

Cab storage is good and although there's a 12-volt outlet and USB outlet in the concealed dash-top tray, an additional one on the centre stack would be helpful for charging an iPad or small laptop carried on the fold-out tray in the middle seat.

Handling and performance
Dynamically, the Ford Transit Custom is thoroughly proficient. Driving with no load is far from harsh, although the firmish suspension does react to smaller road imperfections. But add some cargo and everything smooths right out – a good ride becomes even better and body roll is nicely controlled.

A few quick laps of the driver training complex in Werribee really highlighted just how good this van is. With tyres screeching, the Transit Custom impressed with its stability and composure while cornering on the limit.

First impressions of the new EcoBlue engine are favourable. It's certainly refined, but we'll put those fuel economy claims to the test in due course. As an indication, our test vehicle was reading 8.5L/100km on the trip computer.

The new powerplant provides entirely adequate power, even with a load on board. There's enough on tap for calculated overtakes, and at 100km/h, the engine is ticking along at just a hint over 2000rpm.

Emissions are handled by a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system in the Transit Custom, along with Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). The SCR means the engine has a separate tank for AdBlue, and Ford says this will need to be filled roughly every 9000-11,000 kilometres.

All this means the Transit Custom has achieved Euro 6 emissions compliance, well before the equivalent Australian standard will be mandated here in Australia.

As for the new six-speed transmission, this will be a game-changer for Ford. It's a true auto with a torque converter and it shifts cleanly and quickly.
We would have preferred 'drive' being positioned at the very bottom of the shift pattern instead of 'manual', just so heading straight to auto was a no-brainer…admittedly it’s not a deal breaker.

Impressively, it's an adaptive auto; the Transit Custom 'learns' the driver's preferred driving style, altering shift points accordingly, and there's even a function to temporarily lock out a ratio to suit the prevailing circumstances.

The SYNC system comes with digital radio and the sound quality through the four speakers is excellent. Helping this is the remarkably low level of in-cab noise. Ford says the Transit Custom is now 4dB(a) quieter at idle, and on two occasions I had to consciously check if the engine was running at all.

It's impressively quiet on the road too; on a steady throttle the engine note is barely discernible, the van's velocity only underlined by a modest amount of wind and road noise.

Fit-for-purpose load bay
Ford has the Transit Custom’s load bay very nicely equipped with a tough plastic floor liner and plenty of protective panels. There are eight tie-down anchor points, a grab handle by the side sliding door, two interior lights and a 12-volt socket.

A second side sliding door is a $1000 option, as is a top-hinge tailgate (add $550).

The load floor height is low and there's enough space between the wheel arches to accept a standard Australian pallet. Both the short and long-wheelbase variants ostensibly have the dimensions to take two pallets, but while the barn doors provide easy forklift access at the rear, Ford says the side door aperture is 1030mm which rules out side access for a forklift carrying an Aussie pallet.

Still, with maximum payloads ranging from 1035kg to 1387kg, and cubic load space of 6.0 (SWB) and 6.8 (LWB) cubic metres, it's fair to say the Transit Custom can shoulder a decent load. Throw in towing capacities of 2500kg (SWB) and 2800kg (LWB), and its appeal for tradies in particular is clear.

Summing up
You pay a premium for the Ford Transit Custom, but you're getting one feature-packed van for the money. With the automatic transmission, the new Transit Custom gives Ford its best chance yet of making a serious dent in the medium van market. With a five-star ANCAP rating, numerous clever features and a lean, clean Euro 6 engine, it thoroughly deserves to.

2017 Ford Transit Custom 290S pricing and specifications:
Price: $42,440 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 96kW/385Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 186g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

What we liked:
&gt;&gt; An auto option – finally!
&gt;&gt; Refined, car-like cab
&gt;&gt; Extensive safety features

Not so much:
&gt;&gt; No A-pillar grab handles
&gt;&gt; Location of 'drive' on the shifter
&gt;&gt; No reversing camera as standard

Also consider:
&gt;&gt; Renault Trafic (from $34,990 plus ORCs)
&gt;&gt; Mercedes-Benz Vito (from $37,320 plus ORCs)
&gt;&gt; Volkswagen T6 Transporter (from $34,490 plus ORCs)






Ford Transit Custom 2017: Review

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