We've often discussed in the AutoTrader Content Team how useful a van would be for our various video shoots, as well as on a personal level, when moving house or just making a trip to your local hardware shop. Typically, bakkies were the readily available vehicle of choice when we needed utility. Still, when the opportunity to test out a panel van arose, we didn't hesitate to try it out. This isn't the commercial-spec Transit; however, we received the Transit Sport, which has undergone a range of aesthetic upgrades, including decals, without compromising on this vehicle's practicality. This article comes well over a month into the long-term tenure.
Tradesmen practicality incarnate
Don't let the looks deceive you; the space in the loading area of this Transit Custom makes 'cavernous' an understatement. Take our previous long-term Ford, the Ranger Tremor; that load bin had a payload of 966 kg. The Transit Custom has a 1023 kg payload and a total load volume of 5200 litres, which you can fill up with 2 electrical sliding doors and a split tailgate that opens at a full 180 degrees. The only trade-off, though, is that you only have two seats, one for the driver and the other for your passenger, which can be cumbersome when you need to transport more people. However, let's be honest, you buy this Transit for its commercial aspect, not for transporting people. In that instance, you opt for the Tourneo Custom, which offers seating accommodations.
We've found the lined load of the Transit Custom to be quite helpful in our recent endeavours. Hauling tools and equipment for a motorsport race day and clearing out the garage without stress and too much labour on the Transit's engine. Even on trips averaging over 100km, the Transit Custom has been up to the task. I can confirm that you can indeed set up an air mattress and sleep comfortably in the Transit Custom. Our dear colleague Ané took it a step further.
The diesel powertrain is a peach, and it handles
Just because this has the sport label attached to it doesn't mean it chugs copious amounts of energy drinks for breakfast. The powertrain for this vehicle is intended for utility and efficiency. On hand is a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine making 125kW and 390Nm. The power is transmitted to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The setup is eager to get up and go. When laden with some weight, it's not laboured too much, but the low-end torque helps keep the momentum up in open-road scenarios.
The kerb weight is 1971 kg, but considering the Ranger Tremor we had before weighed 2384 kg, this is a significant weight reduction, as expected, and it has also been reflected in the fuel consumption. The claimed fuel consumption for the Transit Custom is rated at 8.0 L /100km, but we've been averaging below that at around 7.6 L /100km.
The Transit Custom in this fascia boasts sophistication in its suspension geometry, featuring independent rear suspension and MacPherson struts in the front. The result is not only a comfortable ride but also one with some agility, as is known with the Transit in European territories.
Pricing
| Model | Price |
| Ford Transit Custom 2.0SiT panel van LWB | from R761 000 |
| Ford Transit Custom 2.0SiT panel van SWB Sport | from R938 000 |
The purchase price includes a 6 year/90 000 km service plan, 4 year/120 000 km warranty, 4 year/unlimited km roadside assistance and 5 year/unlimited km corrosion warranty.
*The pricing stated here was correct when published and is subject to change without further notice. The pricing shown here is base pricing.
What's to come?
So far, so good. We haven't encountered any grave issues. This vehicle makes sense for the light commercial buyer so far, but only if you want something fancier and an automatic gearbox. The entry-level Transit Custom is available if you prefer less 'glam', but perhaps a mid-spec variant with an automatic transmission would fill that gap.
We're already exploring the loading capabilities of the Transit Custom, but we'd like to see how it also fares as a crew vehicle on video shoots. Also, how does this all fare as a camera car as well? Thanks to the suspension setup. We're yet to see how the first service goes, so stay tuned for our experiences and opinions as time progresses.
