Ford Transit | Price, Reliability, How Long Do They Last & More

It is almost impossible to deny the popularity of the Ford Transit when it comes to passenger vans or a great cargo van. The Ford Transit is a versatile commercial van fully equipped to handle work and van life. But is the vehicle reliable? What about the price? And how long does this vehicle last? This article will answer all your questions about Ford Transit and provide all you need to know. 

The van sits from 8 to 15 passengers, with three engine choices upgraded to maximise fuel efficiency. It features a V6 engine with a 3.7 litres capacity and a horsepower of A 275, which is standard. While older models had a 6-speed transmission, the newer ones have been upgraded to 10-speed. There are also two wheelbase options, three roof heights, and three different lengths to choose from, depending on what you prefer. 

The least expensive Ford Transit van in 2021 hovers between £30,000 and £40,000 - this is the Ford Transit Cargo Van 150 Low Roof 3dr. It starts with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) that hovers around £30,000. However, if you prefer an XLT Passenger waggon with a tall roof and diesel engine, you may be looking at a price that falls a little under £50,000. 

The Ford Transit T - 150, T - 250, and T - 350 have been equipped with technology upgrades since 2016. Each also comes with a standard rear-view camera that enters at the production level. You will also enjoy an updated infotainment system combining perfectly with a clean, simple, and clutter-free dashboard to reduce distractions when driving. The improved Ford Transit 2020 comes with an AWD, smartphone connectivity, a larger display screen, and an updated driver-assist suite. 

All Ford Transit vans come with a standard load width of 1,784 mm and 1,392 mm between their wheel arches but are reduced to 1,154 on the twin rear wheels. The van also comes with three trims - the Commercial transit van, the XL Passenger van, and the XLT Passenger van. You can enjoy 41.3 inches of legroom, 60.7 inches of hip room, and shoulder room space of 67.9 inches.

The Ford Transit comes fully loaded with tech support that enhances driving convenience and comfort. It features a comfortably connected SYNC with a touchscreen measuring 12 inches and CO-PILOT 360 tech support. You can also enjoy its advanced FORDPASS tech solution as well as 4G support for all your connectivity issues. There is also a camera available with a split view feature and a front washer. 

Awards and Accolades

The Ford Transit has won over 200 international awards. A sample of which include:

• Auto Express Van of the Year at least 3 time winner
• Automotive Brand Contest Award
• Best All-wheel-drive Vehicle Award at the Auto Bild Allrad Awards
• Best Chassis Cab Award at the Professional Pickup & 4x4 Awards
• Best Large Van and Van of the Year Awards at the Fleet Van Awards for multiple years
• Best Large Van Award and Best Electric Van Award at the Business Vans Awards
• Best Large Van Award and the Best Medium Van Award at the Parkers New Car Awards
• Best Large Van Award and the Best Trade Van Range Award at the Trade Van Driver Awards
• Electric Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year Award at the GreenFleet Awards
• Electric Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year Award at the GreenFleet Awards
• European Innovation Award
• Fleet Van of the Year Award at the Motor Transport Awards
• International Van of the Year Award
• Large Panel Van of the Year Award and Best Medium Van Award at the VansA2Z Van of the Year Awards
• Large Van of the Year and Editor's Choice Award at the What Van? Awards
• Large Van of the Year Award and Green Manufacturer of the Year Award at the Commercial Fleet Awards
• Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) of the Year
• Most Highly Rated Van Award and Large Van of the Year Award at the Honest John Awards
• Van of the Year Award and Large Van of the Year Award at the Company Van Today Awards

Depending on the trim of the van, the model, and any other optional extras you choose, the Ford Transit towing capacity can range from 6,000 pounds to 13,200 pounds. The vehicle is also pretty solid enough to drive in a fairly straight line with your cargo, and of course, with enough driving experience. However, whenever you select your tow car, you need to think about the maximum weight you expect to pull. 

Most of the Ford Transit models, especially the ones manufactured in 2019, are cargo vans that can give you and your business a maximum towing load of 4,500 pounds when they are properly equipped. They can also haul a maximum payload of about 3,680 pounds.

Beyond the towing and hauling capacities, the Ford transit can also carry 8 to 15 passengers. 

A model with a medium wheelbase and a low roof can handle 246.7 cubic feet of cargo volume. You can get about 315.5 cubic feet of cargo volume if you add a medium roof. 

The rear capacity dimensions range from 2,900 mm to 4,073 mm, with the height of the roof ranging from 1786 mm to 2125 mm. That shows that the largest Ford Transit van can handle 16.1 cubic metres. That makes it smaller than its competitors like the Mercedes Sprinter and Volkswagen Crafter.

While the Ford Transit may not boast of a perfect reliability score (because no other van can have a perfect score), it performs very well for many owners. In addition, it gives very few problems overall, when you purchase it new. Even better, it is easier and less expensive to repair than other competitors like Mercedes. Reliability of a used Ford Transit will depend on the van’s condition. However, with regular servicing and purchasing from approved used dealers, like Hartwell, the reliability of used Transit’s is still to admire.

In terms of specifics, the Ford Transit van currently ranks an impressive sixth out of about 21 for commercial vans on the reliability rate. Putting the Transit way above average, making it a good, trustworthy van.

You can expect the Ford Transit to last as long as you take good care of it. Of course, factors like proper maintenance, repairs, and use come into play. But the van is built to last for a lifetime.

Both vans offer quite a great driving and riding experience. For many people, the Transit offers a bit more cab-like or ‘fun’ with its eccentric infotainment system and low seating positions. On the other hand, the Sprinter offers a more elevated and commanding seating position with even more storage space. Plus, its higher seating position gives the driver and passengers better all-round vision. But both options are great, and your personal preference may also play a role. 

A Ford Transit is very good for van life. It has a high roof that allows you to stand up and walk inside freely, even if you’re a pretty tall person - and makes it a great van for camping and outdoor life. Plus, its 148-inch wheelbase model makes it a shorter standard version, perfect to convert into the ultimate van home. And its squarish shape makes it easy to build a comfortable interior living space for outdoor life.

Both the original 2.2 litres and the latter 2.0 litres offer an ideal driving experience. However, the 2.0 litres engine has gone through a refinement process to have greater low-down torque, making it a bit nicer to drive compared to the others. That is not to suggest that the 2.2 litres don’t have its own set of issues.

The US market has a Ford Transit assembly plant in Kansas City, located in the heart of Claycomo, Missouri. The plant measures about 4.7 million square feet and is currently the biggest automobile factory in the US. In Europe, Ford Transit has a plant in Turkey. The company has announced that the new Ford Transit van will be produced at Kocaeli, capable of producing 330,000 vehicles per year.

The Ford Transit has an expected mileage of around 150,000 miles. However, if you take good care of your van and ensure that it gets all the regular maintenance it needs, you can expect a mileage of around 300,000 miles. Some van owners have reported actively using their vehicles for 10 to 15 years.

Rust can be a problem with almost any van that is ten years old and above. While the newer Ford Transit models have been built to withstand rust more effectively, older models appear to be a little bit more likely to corrode. That is why it is vital that you always inspect door sliders, sills, and wheel arches as regularly as possible. 

As mentioned earlier, some owners have actively reported using their vans for 10 to 15 years. Also, you can expect to get up to 300,000 of mileage from your van if you take good care of it. Otherwise, the average mileage expectancy is 150,000 miles. 

To be fair, there is no specific Ford Transit that is ‘best’ for conversion as a camper van, as all the Ford Transits are excellent for conversion. They all offer more than enough interior space for free movement. Their vertical sides and high roof also make them ideal for building and customisation to suit your needs. 

The Ford Transit 250 and 350 both share a lot of similarities with their specs and design. The major differences come from suspension capacity and gross weight that makes the 350 more capable with heavier loads than the 250.

Ford Transits typically offer multiple engine options, including petrol, diesel, full electric and hybrid powertrains. Some common options include the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, the 2.0L EcoBlue diesel, and the 3.5L PFDi V6 engine.

Ford Transits come in multiple body styles, including cargo van, passenger van (wagon), chassis cab, and cutaway. They are also available in different sizes, such as Transit Connect (compact), Transit Custom (mid-size), and the full-size Transit.

The Ford Transit often includes features such as SYNC infotainment system, Ford Co-Pilot360 safety suite, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping system, adaptive cruise control, and various customisable storage and seating options.

Yes, Ford has the all-electric Ford Transit, known as the Ford E-Transit.