The Ford Transit has firmly established itself as a well-known brand in Europe, with its origins dating back to 1953 when the first generation was introduced based on the Ford Taunus platform. However, it wasn’t until 1965 that the Transit became an independent model rather than just a version. This successful branding strategy remained effective for four generations. Now, Ford appears to be expanding the Transit brand by creating a family of different vehicles. The Transit Custom represents a more compact version of the larger Transit, available as a light commercial vehicle with a payload capacity of up to 5 metric tons and various body configurations. Meanwhile, the even smaller Transit Connect has proven to be one of the top vans in its class.
The Transit Custom has undergone a mid-generation update, featuring improvements to its exterior, interior, and engine options. The front end now boasts new headlights, a distinctive hexagonal grille, and a revised bumper. These design elements align with Ford’s unified styling approach, characterized by the hexagonal grille motif seen across their entire range, from the compact Fiesta to the Transit Van.
Mechanically, the vehicle has received new powertrain options. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo engine, which delivers 310 horsepower, remains available in the U.S. market. Additionally, a naturally aspirated variant of this engine is now offered alongside a new 2.0-liter TDCI EcoBlue diesel engine, shared with the Ford Ranger. The transmission has been upgraded to a 10-speed automatic, and for the first time, the Transit Custom can be equipped with an all-wheel-drive system.