A Closer Look - 2010 Ford Transit Connect

It's what's inside that counts. No, really.

“What the hell is that smell?!” I thought to myself as I fired up the Transit Connect for the first time.  Looking over my shoulder, I scanned the cargo bay to make sure nobody left anything in the back that would account for the odor, but no, the metric ton of Kibbles ‘n Bits I expected to see wasn’t there. 

Ford has finally decided to bring this versatile and compact cargo van – henceforth referred to as the Trani – to its home market, complete with what has to be the most unappealing “new car smell” of all time.  I don’t know what they’re doing over in Kocaeli (kō-chel-E), Turkey, where it’s built, but it REEKS of dog food, and not the good kind.

My tester was a full-blown cargo version.  Its side and backdoors had no windows, which  obviously compromises visibility in a BIG way – Connecticut could hide in the blind spots.  Beware, certain maneuvers like merging, changing lanes and backing up should be done gradually and with pricked ears.  Honking horns and scraping metal are good indicators that something you can’t see is lurking nearby.  Trust me, the last thing you want to do is overturn that busload of sightseeing seniors cruising in the slow lane, or back over someone’s toddler.  Trust me. 

Outward visibility may be an issue, but the Trani excels at other things, like hauling stuff.  Its maximum payload is a hefty 1,600 pounds, which makes it just about perfect for repairmen, couriers and small businesses.  Matching its load-carrying capacity, the cargo area is huge for such a compact vehicle with 135 cubic feet of volume.  For perspective, I’m an even six-foot tall and can almost stand up straight in the back.  The rubberized floor is about seven feet long, offering ample space for hauling furniture or even hosting a banquet.  Agoraphobics beware; you can hold a union meeting back there and still have room for a pony.

Amazingly there's an engine under that rat's nest of wires.With just 136 horsepower and a four-speed automatic transmission, you’d expect the Trani to be slower than continental drift, but surprisingly, acceleration is adequate.  You probably won’t be able to take down that Honda CR-V in the next lane, but merging on the highway is not the harrowing experience you’d think, just be warned, your right foot will spend plenty of time pinned to the floor. 

Unlatching the hood for a peek at the working bits will be a foreign experience for many Americans – it was for me.  Instead of yanking on a footwell-mounted lever to pop it open, the Trani pulls some branding sleight-of-hand.  The latch mechanism is cleverly hidden behind the logo.  Simply flip it 180 degrees to reveal a keyhole, and access to the vanlette’s private parts. 

Another surprising thing about the Trani is how it drives.  The steering is tight, accurate and it tracks like it’s on rails.  Too bad cornering causes the body to roll around like a beach ball. Generally, the driving experience is pretty tolerable, but it’d be a whole lot better if Ford would share some diesel love and a six-speed gearbox – hell, even offering Americans the option of a five-speed manual would make a world of difference.  I know, I know, the take rate would only be about .002 percent so that’ll never happen, but I can dream.

Here kiddie, kiddie . . .

Besides appealing to working types, the Trani will likely be a popular choice with some of society’s more unsavory characters.  Cargo versions with no windows are perfect for staking out playgrounds and schools.  It’s much less conspicuous than an Econoline van, plus access to its voluminous cargo hold is a snap thanks to dual sliding doors. 

Cargo room worthy of a STANDING ovation. The back doors open wide enough for a pelvic exam.Ford’s Transit Connect offers Americans everything they’ve gone without for so long.   As a half-pint Dodge Sprinter, it delivers unsurpassed cargo space in a trim, city-friendly package.  Best of all, it’s affordable, opening up right around $22,000.  With every available option piled on the price hits just 26 grand.  Its downsides are few, like poor outward visibility in cargo versions and a lackluster powertrain, but the basic goodness is baked right into the package; just make sure you can live with the Eau de Kibble aroma before signing the dotted line.

- Craig

Photos: Ben Sanders, Craig Cole



Comments

[John Sennett]

There is a longer wheelbase version of the Transit Connect sold in Europe. It is a mistake for Ford to not also offer that version here too. Many Americans will expect a longer cargo capacity for lumber, plywood and dtywall, etc.

[Craig A. Cole]

^^^ Yeah, Ford should definitely offer short- and long-wheelbase Transit Connects in the U.S. It'd strengthen their position in the commercial market even further. As it stands, the TC is just a little too short to fit a 4 x 8 sheet of material in the back. While they're at it, they should also bring the full-size Transit over to replace the ANCIENT E-Series.

[Rich Henion]

Very good write-up, Mr. Cole. I liked the hilariousness throughout and the info you provided was well said, fair.

[Rich Henion]

Also, I have to make note that you did make a charming medical reference. If someone missed "The back doors open wide enough for a pelvic exam." - now you can say otherwise.

[Mirko]

0.02% would probably be the take rate for an automatic transmission if it was offered in Europe.

[sunny]

Yeah, I heard that Skeptoid and shrank when I heard him citing Milloy. Oy, vey! I thought Dunning was better informed than to trust a denialist like Milloy whose history is that of spewing misinformation and pseudoscience hither and yon to attack AGW, environmentalism, and basically anything that does not conclude what industry wants. In fact, I had thought about blogging about this, except that I don't have as extensive a background to be able to rebut it as thoroughly.replica Baume & Mercier watches