► All-new Ford Transit Custom driven
► UK’s favourite van gets clever new features
► More exciting versions to come
The chances are you’ll see a Ford Transit Custom every time you head out on the road – the brand’s medium-sized van is regularly the biggest selling vehicle in the UK. Not just the best-selling van, the best-selling model full stop.
Fair to say, therefore, that the new 2024 Ford Transit Custom is quite an important vehicle, therefore. Not only does it have to live up to the high standards of its predecessor, it has to be future proof. Van replacement cycles are somewhat longer than those in the car world, so it needs to be relevant for years to come. The outgoing model was launched in 2012 so was on sale for nine years, with a couple of facelifts to maintain its freshness along the way so this represents real change.
What’s new on the Ford Transit Custom?
The Ford Transit Custom gets far more than a facelift this time though – the 2024 model is all-new from the ground up. This means a brand-new platform, a wheelbase that has been stretched by up to 200mm and weight savings of 100kg.
The redesign results in aerodynamic improvements, too, with the drag levels reduced by up to 13%. Ford has also made sure that every one of the lower-roof models – the more popular variants – are comfortably under 2m tall. As anyone who has driven a taller vehicle around town will know, this is a common cut-off point for getting into both public and private car parks.
This revamping brings more than marginal gains, though, as there are several carefully thought through elements that you’ll notice and benefit from.
All this applies to the new Ford Tourneo Custom too – the people-carrying version has gone upmarket and gets some major changes throughout.
What is the 2024 Ford Transit Custom like inside?
The cabin sees some of the biggest changes to the Ford Transit Custom. It’s smarter, has some clever storage solutions and has been redesigned with practicality in mind.
The biggest change is the floor, which is totally flat all the way across – something that might seem small but could make a tangible difference to how you can use the van. Primarily, it means you can get three fully grown adults across the front without having to draw straws for who must sit in the middle. It also makes it easier to clamber across from one side to the other and to store items on the floor.
There is a slight caveat to this in that the manual version still has a gear lever surround that intrudes into the leg space for the middle passenger. If carrying three is crucial, then the automatic is a better pick – that has its gear shifter up alongside the steering wheel instead and has a flat dashboard.
Other changes include the standard-fit 13-inch touchscreen – there are no poverty-spec versions of the Transit Custom with a bare dashboard this time around. This means you get things like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on every model, which will be a boost to efficiency and entertainment.
It’s a shame that so many of the functions have moved to the touchscreen, though. There are only a few shortcut buttons below the screen, and none control the temperature. It might look neater, but buttons are a good thing.
The other very cool feature is the new tilting steering wheel. This doesn’t launch until later in 2024, but we have had a play with a prototype. This allows you to press a button to then angle the outer part of the wheel so it can be a tablet holder, or lie it completely flat so you can put a laptop (or your lunch) on it. It’s a neat trick, and one that might make lunch breaks feel a bit less like a grabbed sandwich behind the wheel.
If we’re going to be picky, we’d also say that it feels a little cramped inside, thanks to the low roof. This is not something that is unique in the van sector, though. The medium Stellantis vans – the Citroen Dispatch, Fiat Scudo, Peugeot Expert, Vauxhall Vivaro and the Toyota Proace – all suffer from the same issue. It’s another thing that makes the cabin more car-like in its feel, so plenty won’t have an issue with it.
Safety boost improves practicality
The Transit Custom also gets two airbags up front as standard, which doesn’t sound like loads but this is an improvement on the single ‘bag that many vans have historically come with. Even better, the passenger side ‘bag is situated up in the roof, which frees up some space on the dash. This is then used to create a deep secondary glovebox. It’s about 30cm or so deep and about 10cm tall, so best suited for folders rather than small items that would roll to the back – there is no light in there to find such things.
Beyond that there is a standard glovebox, some more open dashtop storage and three sections in each door. There’s more space under the passenger seat and you can get a load-through hatch to slot long items through from the loading bay.
Elsewhere on the safety front, Ford is aiming for a best-in-class Euro NCAP score (they assess systems rather than crash test vans) so there are several systems included as standard. This includes a collision mitigation system, intelligent speed limiter, cruise control, lane keeping assist, speed sign recognition, a wrong way alert and even reverse parking sensors. There are more on the optional list, too, including a clever system that alerts you if you open your door into the path of oncoming traffic, to prevent you taking out an unsuspecting cyclist.
What is the Ford Transit Custom like to drive?
Ford’s vans have always been a treat for those that like to enjoy the drive home at the end of a shift, as they’ve been entertaining to drive.
Sadly, things have been dialled back slightly for the latest version of Transit Custom, but this brings benefits in other ways. The steering is lighter and more responsive, which means it is less rewarding but will be less intimidating to those who spend more of their time in a passenger car – it feels smaller than it really is on the road.
This is aided by the fantastic visibility – that wide range of safety features and parking aids helps here too – and the composed ride makes it less stressful too. It’s just not quite the same as its excellent predecessor in this sense.
You’ll note we’ve said little about engines up to this point, and that is because this is where there is the least change. The line-up, to start with, is exclusively the 2.0-litre diesels that were offered on the previous version, with 109bhp, 134bhp, 148bhp or 168bhp outputs to pick from.
There’s not a load to add as far as these are concerned – the 148bhp is the best all-round bet but the 136hp should acquit itself admirably, the 168bhp offers a touch more oomph and the 109bhp is more of a lower speed, lower load option.
The only thing of note is that they feel a little noisy in a van that is otherwise so refined. There will be quieter and more modern powertrains on the way, though. In addition to the all-electric version with its 236-mile range, there is a plug-in hybrid model. This takes the 2.5-litre petrol system out of the Ford Kuga, so it promises to be an interesting prospect.
What about the van bit of the Ford Transit Custom?
Generally, the loading bay is the part that offers the least innovation when a new van is launched, but Ford has made some welcome and innovative changes to the rearmost part of the Transit Custom.
The lower-level things are handy, such as the new lower step on the side entry point that will make it easier to get in and out, and the improved LED lighting.
But the best version is yet to come – the new Multicab. This brings an L-shaped bulkhead, with two seats on one side and a section of full-length loading bay on the other. Perfect for teams who need to carry longer work items, or for groups of surfers who all want to head to the beach together.
Otherwise, there will be four different sizes of Transit Custom – two lengths and two heights. The latter is just under 2.5m tall and the longest version gives you a carrying space of 9.0m3.
The Transit Custom’s payload is decent but not the best in class, with a maximum carrying capacity of 1,407kg. Be careful which one you go for if payload is all, though, as some can’t take more than 1,000kg. Braked towing weights range between 2,000kg and 2,800kg.
Ford Transit Custom: verdict
New van models more often bring visual updates rather than practicality boosts, but the 2024 Transit Custom has clearly been created with those who actually use it in mind.
There are several features that stand out, such as the flat floor, forthcoming tilting steering wheel and the excellent level of standard kit. The previous version of Ford Transit Custom dominated the UK sales charts and there is every reason to think that this will continue that success. The forthcoming models only promise more to be excited about too.