Fiesta resistance
In some ways what you’re looking at here could be described as the new Ford Fiesta OK that’s a stretch literally but the Tourneo Courier uses a platform and plenty of other bits from the Puma and those bits originated in the now dead Fiesta RIP Ford says it has “SUV inspired styling” but we’re delighted that it looks very much like a return to the proper boxy MPVs of old
At launch all Tourneo Couriers come with Ford’s familiar litre cyl EcoBoost petrol engine That can be combined with a spd manual or spd dual clutch auto gearbox and because it has those Fiesta underpinnings it’s actually very enjoyable to drive The little engine is gutsy for its size and drives the front wheels with bhp and lb ft of torque so it’s not rapid but it’s plenty eager enough for family transport
And we’re not just saying this as part of some larger ‘save the manuals’ campaign but it’s the DIY setup that’s the better gearbox The spd auto constantly selects the highest gear possible and at times refuses to change down when you’re in need of acceleration
The Courier is compliant over bumps too and softer than some design led crossovers Plus considering it’s related to an actual Transit van it is remarkably refined
On the inside it’s all about space Up front there’s bundles of room for your head and shoulders and the airy feeling is improved by the giant windscreen and side windows The rear seats are accessed via sliding doors useful in car parks and under the parcel shelf there’s litres of bootspace Fold the seats forward and we’re talking litres
Some of the plastics do feel a little cheap and scratchy inside but we’re pretty sure they’d be best placed to cope with family life so shouldn’t be an issue The front seats could be a little more sculpted and supportive though and why on earth did Ford think that burying crucial functions in sub menus on the inch touchscreen was a good idea when everything else is so practical? There’s no separate climate control panel either Boo
Still if you make the step up from Titanium to top spec Active trim it brings a slightly softer interior navigation and adaptive cruise control as standard It also looks the business with its extra black plastic cladding a honeycomb mesh grille front and rear skid plates and inch alloy wheels In this trim it really could be the natural successor to the Skoda Yeti A proper rufty tufty MPV