Ford Transit Courier

Ford Transit Courier completes line-up

Based on the Ford Fiesta platform, the Transit Courier is the firm’s latest van and completes the new Transit line-up.

Even though it’s the smallest vehicle in the Transit range it will still carry a standard Euro pallet and this completely revamped vehicle really does impress.

The new version is capable of carrying 10% more load than its rivals and it has class leading safety features.

For anyone looking for a well-made van that’s economical too then the Courier with the 1.6 litre TDCi engine will appeal since it should return around 76 mpg while having CO2 emissions of 97g/km.

Ford have also improved its safety features and added its SYNC system which has connectivity with various electronic devices but it also has the ability to call for emergency assistance should the vehicle be in an accident.

Aimed squarely at small businesses and those delivering in urban environments, the Transit Courier is an impressive package for a compact van with lots of functionality and should be a success for Ford in what is a rapidly growing commercial vehicle segment.

The sector is booming because of the demand for small city vans and Ford is one of the first to meet the demands for a lightweight van that is cheap to run but one must also practical and reliable.

The Ford Transit Courier is a winning combination.

Reasons to buy

Ford says that its Transit Courier offers the best in class for fuel efficiency and load space for van operators with the EcoBoost petrol engine said to be around 15% better than its nearest rival.

Along with the fact that the load volume has been increased by 10% and its stylish looks makes the Ford Transit Courier a package that is hard to beat.

Ford have obviously looked at the needs of the market and its previous offerings and so they’ve improved the load length and accessibility issues.

In addition, the van has car-like driving abilities and while it’s not as much fun as the Fiesta itself, the Courier does manage to impress in a competitive field.

If you like the Ford Transit Courier then have a look at the Fiat Qubo or the Citroen Nemo.

Running Costs

There are two diesel engines to choose from; the 1.5 litre TDCi and a 1.6litre version. The former has a power output of 75PS while the latter has 95PS.

In addition, there’s also the choice of the firm’s impressive 1.0 litre EcoBoost petrol engine which has 100PS: this and the diesel units come with stop/start technology to boost economy.

The EcoBoost unit will return around 54mpg while having CO2 emissions of 119g/km while the 1.6 litre variant has a more impressive economy of 76 mpg and CO2 emissions of 97g/km – which means that, under current rules, the van would be exempt from road tax.

The EcoBoost engine is a great performer in most circumstances but with a heavy load it’s not quite as sprightly but once it has reached cruising speed it’s an able and enjoyable prerformer.

The engines have a 20,000 mile, or one year, service interval and the new Transit Courier has been redesigned to help make repair and servicing easier and therefore cheaper for owners. 

Load Space

Looks can be deceptive and the Ford Transit Courier has a load space of 2.3 cubic metres. This is helped by the length of the vehicle which is 1.62 metres long and the van is capable of carrying 660kg.

There’s also a full height steel bulkhead fitted, though there’s also a glazed option, and a sliding side door to make access easier. Ford also have the option of a mesh bulkhead should owners need to carry longer items.

There’s plenty of cargo tiedown points and excellent LED lights in the van too. Ford have also added bodyside fixing points for framework or mount racking.

Alongside the Courier sits the Commercial Kombi version which has room for five occupants and a load space of 1.69 cubic metres, with the rear seats folded flat.

Technology & Safety

Ford has tested its new Transit Courier extensively, apparently engineers have racked up more than one million miles or two trips to the moon doing so, which means they have designed the vehicle to take many years of punishment.

The Courier also brings new standards for safety to the segment and includes electronic stability control with hill start assist, roll-over mitigation and traction control. Basically, the van is as safe as it can be.

The Kombi comes with a range of airbags, including ones for the knees.

Performance

Because the Ford Transit Courier is based on the Fiesta, the handling is excellent and agile, as one would expect. Ford has also introduced dual-rate rear springs to help deliver a dynamic driving performance even when carrying a full load.

These springs also provide for agile handling on busy streets and they also help make the vehicle highly manoeuvrable.

Specification

Realising that many owners will be out on the road a lot, the Ford Transit Courier is effectively a mobile office which comes complete with space in the dashboard for small laptops and A4 documents. There’s also a full width overhead storage shelf and the passenger seat has a drawer underneath it.

However, the Transit Courier is a very comfortable car to drive thanks to the supportive seats and there are some nice design ideas to make the whole experience very pleasant. Everything is close to hand and certainly feels and looks like a family car.