Ford’s MPV is a real delight
THERE is a school of thought that the MPV or people carrier has had its day with the arrival of the incredibly popular SUV.
Such has been the onslaught that many models have fallen by the wayside but the delightful little Ford Tourneo Courier remains a flag -bearer for the kind of car that properly fits a lot of people’s lifestyles.
And indeed, when it turned up on my doorstep coincidentally at the same time as my far-flung family, it proved a godsend getting them all in, particularly from the airport with all their luggage.
It is quirkily boxy-looking with a neat snub nose, a high roof – and in this case bright roof rails – a straight and wide rear hatch with a sporty antenna and 15 inch alloys.
The short nose and straight back make it very easy to park and manoeuvre and it is surprisingly willing even over difficult terrain.
What Ford is aiming for with this car is outdoorsy folk who want a car that will not only take them but also their gear. The boot offers 708 litres of space with the seats up and more than double that - 1,656 litres - with all seats down. For anyone into sport or weekend hobbies where you need to lug a lot of stuff that is an excellent amount of room.
A feature of this car is its sliding rear doors which makes access really easy whether you are putting in a child’s seat or parked in a narrow space in a car park.
It also has lots of window space providing an airy light feeling to the interior. The front windscreen is particularly big for great visibility and it comes with Ford’s Quickclear technology for rapid defrosting in winter.
There is in only one trim level, Zetec, which is the second top-ofthe-range and two engine sizes – Ford’s award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine or a 1.5-litre diesel. both manual, like the car, the choice is simple but efficient.
Inside there are plenty of wipe -clean surfaces and rather nice twotone seats. The height of the Tourneo Courier – almost 6ft – mean this headroom is terrific and the legroom in the back seats is excellent.
It comes with DAB, Bluetooth, USB and a docking device for phones. There are piles of accessories underlining the ‘go-anywhere’ attitude of this car, like roof and rear bike carriers, a roof box and tow bars, and plenty of storage spaces.
The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine is well proven and the 1.5-litre diesel which I was driving was a great match for this very willing little car.
The Tourneo Courier is a great package for those who like to get out and about. It performs well and delivers fantastic practicality and in line with Ford’s philosophy it comes at a very affordable price.