Ford's second generation Transit Courier is a small van with big ideas. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

Ford has re-invented its smallest van, the Transit Courier, for a new era. That means a full-EV version. But the brand still also offers this little LCV with the more affordable option of petrol or diesel combustion power. Either way, it's practical, affordable to run and surprisingly practical.

Background

Today, a Ford Transit can be many quite separate things. Depending on the model range you prefer, select from either large or very large, compact or, as in this case, spaciously small. Welcome to the Transit Courier, here resigned in second generation form. Like its predecessor, which was introduced back in 2014, it's aimed at the urban delivery market and businesses whose cargo needs don't really justify a stretch to Ford's larger Focus hatch-derived 'Transit Connect' model. And it's built by the Blue Oval brand's Ford Otosan commercial vehicles division in Romania, where the EcoSport crossover used to be made. As before, as well as the Transit Courier panel van, there'll be a Tourneo Courier small MPV version of the same model. But this time round, combustion versions of both will also be joined by two full-electric models, the E-Transit Courier and the E-Tourneo Courier. Ford reckons that LCVs like the Transit Courier have traditionally under-performed in terms of their usability. In response, this MK2 Courier model has the potential for slightly greater carriage capacity and a significantly greater payload. The Blue Oval brand also believes that it brings to this segment traditional Transit toughness. So, a lot's being promised. Let's see what this van can deliver.

Driving Experience

It's a mark of the slowness of the van market to adopt the current electrified culture that Ford feels the need not only to continue to offer combustion versions of the Transit Courier but also to continue to offer a diesel. That's the usual 1.5-litre EcoBlue unit with 100PS. The fossil-fuelled alternative is a 1.0-litre three cylinder EcoBoost petrol unit, which has 100PS in manual form or 125PS with a 7-speed auto. Obviously you'll have to have an auto (the usual EV 1-speeder) if you choose the E-Transit Courier. This has a 134bhp electric motor mounted on the front axle. There's no dual motor AWD version. Expect a battery size around 54kWh and a range of around 200 miles. Top speed is 90mph and there's 290Nm of pulling power. The ride's quite firm - you're certainly aware of every bump, but not to a really uncomfortable degree. And the steering's accurate and refinement's acceptable for the kind of small van this is. Unfortunately, the brakes are a bit grabby. And the mandatory speed limit beep is as awkward to turn off as it usually is on a modern vehicle. In town, a 10.7-metre kerb-to-kerb turning circle and the vehicle's overall length of under 4.4 metres improve manoeuvrability and access to tight spaces. If your Transit Courier will often be driven out of town, you might want to specify it with an Adaptive Cruise Control system that features Lane Centring and traffic queue 'Stop&Go'.

Design and Build

This second generation Transit Courier is 'bigger in every dimension', according to Ford's Design Chief Amko Leenarts. And it's smarter, more sophisticated look is mirrored by equally advanced underpinnings - a heavily revised version of the B2E platform used in the Puma small SUV. Inside, it's even more different, thanks to the addition of a big 'digiboard' instrument panel including an 8-inch screen for the SYNC4 central infotainment display; there's another for the digital instrument panel. The latest wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring connectivity comes included. As you'd want in a small LCV, there's plenty of cab stowage space; decent door bins, a big glovebox with a narrow tray above, a wide overhead shelf and storage space beneath the passenger seat. A narrow stowage area ahead of the gearstick is clearly intended for your 'phone as both USB-A and USB-C ports plus a 12v socket sit just above. And you can potentially charge your 'phone in this bin between the seats just behind the two cupholders. There are also coin trays below the gearstick, ticket clips in the sun visors, a stowage space below the centre air vents, a slim paperwork holder in the passenger footwell and a cubby area behind the digiboard instrument panel.

Market and Model

From launch and at the time of this test in Summer 2024, prices for the combustion version of this model were starting from around £18,000 excluding VAT. That's for the base 100PS EcoBoost petrol manual variant - it's around £1,600 more for the 125PS EcoBoost petrol auto version. You'll probably though, want the diesel variant we tried, which as we tested was priced from just over £19,000. There's just a single body shape, but you can also talk to your Ford Pro dealer about an alternative double-cab-in-van model with a three-seat rear bench and folding bulkhead for maximum loadspace and operating flexibility. This time round with the Courier, you can also get a full-EV version, the E-Transit Courier but you'll need more like £30,000 for one of those, before deduction of the available £2,500 government grant. Across the combustion Courier range, there are four trim levels - base 'Leader', then 'Trend', 'Limited' and 'Active'. You'll need to avoid base 'Leader' trim if you want important features like a sliding left side door, air conditioning, front fog lamps, a rubber load floor cover, a rear view camera and a spare wheel. Driver and cargo safety are paramount concerns for van operators and the Transit Courier aims to set a new benchmark in the segment with its comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems as standard. An optional further bundle includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centring and Stop & Go, a Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, Intersection Assist and Reverse Brake Assist for more peace of mind in urban driving. Every Transit Courier features a built-in modem as standard, enabling always-on connectivity with the Ford Pro ecosystem and wireless software updates that can evolve the vehicle's capability over time without requiring a dealer visit.

Practicalities and Costs

Practicality's taken a big step forward with this MK2 Transit Courier model, which as you'd expect from a city van of this size comes only with a single wheelbase length and a standard roof height. Pull back the double rear doors and you'll gain access to the 2,900-litre cargo bay, which is 26% bigger than that of the previous generation model. The cargo space is 1.8-metres long and 1.25-metres high. The width between the rear wheel arches is 1,220mm, made possible by a new rear suspension design that increases the width between the wheelarches by over 200mm. Which is crucial because it enables this compact van to carry two Euro pallets for the first time. With the base trim level, there's also an optional load-through bulkhead that enables the carriage of items up to 2.6-metres long. Also optional is a passenger seat with a flat-folding back rest. Payload capacity's up too; it's 678kg in standard combustion form (up from 582kg before), but you can add a 'High Payload' option which increases that to 845kgs on request (45% better than the previous generation model). It's 700kgs for the E-Transit Courier. The diesel model can tow up to 1,100kg (it's 1,000kg for petrol models and 750kg for the EV). A sliding side door is standard above base trim and another on the other side is optional. What about running costs? Well most operators will want the 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel version, which manages up to 55.4mpg on the combined cycle and up to 135g/km of CO2. If you choose the 1.0-litre 100PS EcoBoost petrol manual version, the official stats are up to 43.5mpg and 148g/km; while for the 1.0 125PS Ecoboost auto, it's 42.8mpg and 151g/km. Service intervals are every two years or every 25,000 miles. As for the E-Tourneo Courier EV, well as we told you in our 'Driving' section, its 54kWh battery offers a range of around 200 miles. This van can DC charge at up to 100kW, which will give you a 10-80% battery replenishment time of under 35 minutes - and 54 miles of range can be added in just 10 minutes. Connected up to your 7kW garage wall box at home, you should easily be able to completely recharge this LCV overnight.

Summary

The segment for small city-shaped vans is, well, small. So this second generation Transit Courier didn't have to be as good as it is. In the metal though, it re-defines what an LCV of this kind should be like. Why? Because it offers almost as much space and payload as a compact van from the next class up. And will transport it all more economically, even if you don't go for the full-electric version. If you're an urban-based operator, it might all be enough to make the prospect of down-sizing your van a pleasant possibility. And if it isn't, your Ford sales person will move you quickly on to the Transit Connect, the next model up in the brand's LCV hierarchy. Many target buyers though, will find this Courier quite sufficient for their needs, swayed also perhaps by the engaging driving dynamics that come courtesy of the Puma-derived underpinnings. Which means that if you're looking for a more efficient and engaging choice for your fleet of small vans, opting for one of these could be a good Courier move.