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2011 Ford Transit Connect: Dressed-Up For Family Duty

By Bengt Halvorson
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2011 Ford Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon

HI-RES GALLERY: 2011 Ford Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon
So far, Ford has focused on commercial customers—electricians, plumbers, flower shops, and the like—for its Transit Connect. But there's a lot of potential in the Transit Connect's package for family use as well.

For that, at the Los Angeles Auto Show this past week, Ford revealed a new 2011 Transit Connect XLT Premium that's designed for personal-use. Whether for families or those who might just want that van-like space for weekend antiquing or trips out to Home Depot, the new Premium model has seating for five and is a little less stark and cargo-oriented.

The XLT Premium Wagon offers a little more interior comfort and improved visibility versus the commercial versions, as well as the five-passenger Transit Connect Wagon models that have already been available. Flip-open rear quarter windows, wheelhouse covers, and different cargo-space surface trim and "enhanced second-row passenger comfort" are all part of the Premium Wagon offerings—as are blind-spot side-view mirrors, a rear-view camera, and rear cargo door windows.

In The Car Connection's full review of the 2010 Transit Connect, John Voelcker noted its very space-efficient layout and good fuel economy as pros, but pointed to the leisurely acceleration from its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission as a drawback. Altogether, the Transit Connect provides the same 135 cubic feet of cargo space, 1,600-pound payload, and 21 mpg city, 26 highway EPA rating as the other versions.


[Ford]


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Comments (13)

  1. GoFaster58 avatar GoFaster58 Posted: 11/19/2010 5:06pm PST

    About time. I like this vehicle. Give it more mpg some more umph! I want!
     
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  2. David Posted: 11/19/2010 5:57pm PST

    This vehicle is nothing more than a desperate attempt by Ford to lower their average fleet mpg. I know they're making little, if any, profit by importing it from Turkey. When was the last time Ford ever imported a vehicle???
     
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  3. Bill Burke Posted: 11/20/2010 8:18am PST

    I believe that there is a market for this class of vehicle and Ford has hit on it.
    Personally, I can't wait to see the Fiat based products that Chrysler will be offering as RAMs that will enter this market soon with a far more sophisticated and extensively proven line-up.
    I predict both Ford and Ram will be battling it out in this segment, with Ram making extensive and at the same time, expansive inroads in short order.
     
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  4. fb_1510606196 avatar Carl Thelin Posted: 11/20/2010 9:38am PST

    Doesn't anyone see the similarity to the first "mini" vans? Nothing really happened with the Ford and GM versions, but the front-drive Plymouth/Dodge vans sparked the boom Now we don't call them MINI any longer because they grew to the point that a big V6 is needed. Ford's new model is taking us back to the 1960s. A small front engine and rear drive is OK for some.
     
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  5. Denise McCluggage Posted: 11/20/2010 10:17am PST

    So I have diamond plate and engine turning in my dining room. I love the taming the commercial look for civilian use. The Sprinter. The Transit Connect. I would likely buy this oddly appealing vehicle IF it had a diesel engine and a DSG gearbox. Diesel would answer the low-end torque problems, way increase the fuel mileage and the direct-shift would smooth out that department.
     
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  6. Family Man Posted: 11/20/2010 4:08pm PST

    Family van that sits only 5. Why? I see no point in that.
    Mazda-5 and Ford C-Max would be better choices.
     
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  7. Tom Posted: 11/21/2010 3:11pm PST

    The weak link here is the 4 speed trans. Can they not put in the DSG from the Focus because it can't handle the extra weight?
    And to the 5-seat family van question... I could see this appealing to families with 1-2 kids, a big dog or 2 and bulky outdoor gear. Ford could take a page from the Honda Element and offer a dog owner version.
     
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  8. Bill Toensing Posted: 11/21/2010 4:41pm PST

    If only Ford would offer a diesel version as they do for Europe, the Transit Connect would be a big tit. Imagine the fuel economy of a Trancet Connect diesel modified into a Class B motorhome that gets 40 MPG.
     
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  9. JohnF Posted: 11/22/2010 6:16am PST

    I need the option of a 4 seater - would like to carry plywood, between the rear seats, sticking out the back!
     
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  10. Roger Cole Posted: 11/30/2010 8:54am PST

    Great little van for a plumber or electrician or pool maintainence firm.Better mileage and security than a pick up truck.
    The question to ask about all of these european imports is "How will they sell at $5 per gallon gas prices" I'd say that this one needs a bit of help in the MPG dept to be a winner when the inevitable happens- but the electric version could be a big winner.
     
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  11. Donna Posted: 2/21/2011 1:18pm PST

    You're all forgetting the disability market. The typical mini-van has become too carlike in size, conversion costs a fortune.
    A full-size van is more than a lot of people need.
    This small roomy van is perfect for people with scooters, wheelchairs.
    I predict you'll see a lot of them with disability equipment.
     
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  12. Beau Posted: 4/10/2011 9:28am PDT

    Yes for disabled. I would buy this vehicle in a heartbeat with a little larger engine, maybe the FWD 3.0 liter Duratec(R) engine, with a 5-speed overdrive automatic transmission, and upgraded rear suspension as my powerchair is 352 pounds and going over the mountains of Virginia takes its toll on the engine, tansmission, and rear axle.
     
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  13. Lee Posted: 5/2/2011 11:51am PDT

    Current complaints on the transit is power, so from the same FORD that has the twin turbo engine will come the ecoboost 4 in the transit, with beafier springs for heavy payloads, and plenty of POWER, as well as fuel eco.
     
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