Minivan drives like small car
In my part of Canada (Sudbury), the Ford Transit Connect is just about everywhere. Mostly, you see them being used by car-parts stores, electrical contractors, roofers, delivery companies, and (maybe especially) the people from Canada Post who fill our mailboxes.
Think of it as a smaller, cheaper, thriftier alternative to a bigger, thirstier delivery vehicle, though there’s a passenger-van variant, too. My tester was called the Transit Connect Titanium.
If you’re not sure about the looks, or what it might be like to drive a sort of modified delivery vehicle, then you’re a normal human being. The Transit Connect won’t work for some shoppers, especially those after a modern-looking cabin, or the segment’s most refined powertrain. The seat folding mechanisms aren’t the easiest to use either, and there are no power sliding doors.
In some regards, Transit Connect is more customer shuttle than fully-loaded Chrysler Pacifica once you’re in and seated, but it’s still got plenty to offer the right shopper.
There are three seating rows, each with massive headroom.
In the driver’s seat, I could reach high up and barely touch the ceiling (though the handy overhead storage bin is easily accessible).
The latest in Smartphone connectivity, including handsfree access to Siri, Talk to Google, and the like, are also on board. So, from the get-go it has minivan mandatories covered off: sliding doors, three seating rows, and the latest in media connectivity.
But the real charm I found is that the Transit Connect drives like a small car. Imagine sitting
in a Ford Focus or Nissan Versa or VW Golf, but with three seating rows, better outward visibility and about four times the headroom. From that basis, it’s also maneuverable and easy to park, like a small car.
It’s low to the ground, meaning you drop down slightly into your seat and settle into a small car driving position. Secondrow occupants need only make a small, slightly downward drop into their seat, and though the sliding doors may be heavy for some, there’s a great big opening and door to finagle your way around when boarding, which can make life easier for kids, mobility-challenged adults, four-legged passengers and the like.
Two family members (one a hip-replacement recipient, the other, a knee) advised that entry and exit occurred with less hassle and aches than their taller crossover.
On my watch, the rear seating row stayed folded flat and I enjoyed a huge cargo hold, with a very low load-in height to minimize heavy lifting.
The two-litre, four-cylinder engine helps provide lightfooted drivers with small-car fuel bills and it’s decently punchy in traffic, too. On the highway, noise levels are about average, though hilly terrain can give the transmission a real workout to keep the little engine in its sweet-spot, where it is somewhat noisy.
Wind and road noise levels seem about average, brakes have good bite from an initial press for added confidence at the pedal, and steering is light and lazy, but easily stays centred.
Does the tall roof make it tippy? Not if you drive accordingly. In fact, I noticed less effect from crosswinds than expected, too — partly due to some trick electronics at play to help stabilize the vehicle in that situation.
Feature favourites on my tester included the adaptive cruise control, remote starter, panoramic moonroof, and element-heated windshield.
If you like the idea of thrifty, flexible and a very car-like minivan that’s easy to manoeuver and drive, this one might just be worth a closer look.