With the launch of the latest Transit Custom, Ford have upgraded their plug-in hybrid version, a van that will appeal to those not yet ready for an electric Ford. The original version wasn’t especially inspiring, but on paper the latest one is much more appealing. A spin around Frankfurt in one allowed us to give it the once over.
What is it ?
Put simply, it’s a petrol van with a battery that will allow approximately 39.8 miles of driving on the battery alone. In most other respects it’s the same as the other versions of the Transit Custom.
Tell me more
The Transit Custom PHEV combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with a 11.8kWh battery, an engine that’s been lifted from the plug-in Kuga SUV, a car & set-up we’ve praised on these pages. WLTP consumption is as high as 39.8mpg with emissions of just 35-45g CO2/km.
Interior
The Transit Custom dashboard features the same twin-screen setup as the combustion models. So a combination of the 13″ SYNC 4 touchscreen infotainment screen & 8″ digital information screen which sits in front of the driver. The electric handbrake is located between the centre air-vents & the gear selector is on the right steering wheel stalk, freeing up floor space meaning drivers can move across the cab for pavement exit & entry. And if there are three in the cab, there’s decent legroom for the centre passenger.
Quality is very good throughout & the seat fabrics, dash plastics & door finishes are excellent. In common with most modern vans, the bulkhead limits the passenger seat adjustment so you do sit a little upright in the cabin. The Driver though has the luxury of multi-adjustments, electronic on Sport & MS-RT, so should have no problems getting comfy especially useful on longer journeys.
Ford are rightly proud of their oblong steering wheel, which if you opt for the Mobile Office pack can be tilted upwards to become a tablet stand & moved down to be used as a lunch table, utilising a plastic topper that comes with this add-on. It can only be operated when your in P & is perfect for van paperwork, a quick snack or to rest your laptop on.
Cabin practicality
The gear selector is a simple steering column stalk, while the electronic parking brake switch is located between the centre air vents. This means there’s no floor-mounted controls whatsoever, which makes it far easier to move around the cabin. Up front there’s two USB inputs & a 12v socket in the centre dash & a clever pull down cup holder. The doors feature three different storage spaces, with two dash top open areas as well. One of these takes up the airbag space as it’s actually stored up in the roof. Finally you can also hide a few things in a storage spot underneath the passenger seat.
Safety
The plug-in’s only offered in Trend spec & above, with all versions coming with Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 (Driver Assist Pack 2). This includes Collision Mitigation System, Intelligent Speed Limiter, Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Aid, Speed Sign Recognition, Wrong Way Alert, a Reverse Parking Aid, a Front Parking Aid & a Digital Rear View Reversing Camera. If like us you find Lane Departure a little tedious, most of the functions including this one can be switched off via a steering-wheel mounted button or the touchscreen. For additional safety, an electronic rear-view camera can be added in place of the usual mirror & on our Sport test van worked brilliantly well.
Infotainment & switchgear
SYNC 4 is really easy to work with & the touchscreen inputs & menus are both fast enough & clearly recognised. You will though have to get used to the screen as almost inputs are activated this way. There are some physical buttons for functions such as the heated windscreen & these are located on a single section under the screen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto & a 5G Embedded Modem are included as standard. We did connect an iPhone via a USB cable & it connected to CarPlay promptly. Whilst we prefer to use Waze or Apple Maps, the built in Ford Nav is pretty good especially when compared to most rivals.
The gear selector is a simple steering column stalk, while the electronic parking brake switch is located between the centre air vents. This means there’s no floor-mounted controls whatsoever, which makes it far easier to move around the cabin. Up front there’s two USB inputs & a 12v socket in the centre dash & a clever pull down cup holder.
Specifications
Kicking off the plug-in line-up is the Trend trim which includes the 13″ SYNC 4 touchscreen, a rear-view camera, automatic air-conditioning, Ford’s Pro Power Onboard system, which allows the van be used as a generator for work tools or even outside lighting. Limited is up next & adds 16″alloys, electric seats, Fords Parking Pack, LED lights, Dual Side Load Doors, Heated Driver Lumbar Support, a Heated Dual Passenger Seat & front floor carpets. Sport adds a bit of spice with LED Tail Lamps, 17″ alloys, Accent Stripes, a Rear Spoiler & Dual Zone air-con. Opt for the range topping MS-RT & you’ll add a lot more including an aerodynamic front bumper, MS-RT 19″ multi-spoke alloys in Carbonised Grey, Lowered side skirts, a Sports rear bumper with integrated diffuser, a Motorsport inspired rear spoiler, Black mirror caps & door handles, Brake callipers painted in MS-RT Blue, Ambient Interior Lighting, Heated Steering Wheel Cab as Office Pack, MS-RT Leather Sports Steering Wheel & Wireless Charging.
Body styles
The PHEV can be ordered as a panel van, a double-cab with six seats, a Kombi with up to eight seats or a Multicab with a two-seat second row and L-shaped bulkhead, the version we tested. There’s also two wheelbases, standard L1 or extended L2 but there’s only one body height. Importantly it’s under 2m high so multi-storey car parks can be entered.
Practicality
The PHEV scores highly here with up to a 1,350kg payload & a 2,300 kg towing capacity. And with 5.8 cubic metres of load space, the van can carry standard 8’ x 4’ boards or three euro pallets flat on the floor.
Battery & driving range
A claimed maximum range of 39.2 miles on the WLTP combined cycle is decent enough for urban stop-start driving. Plug-In at home on a 7.4kWh wall box & you’ll easily recharge your Custom in a couple of hours, perfect when you utilise overnight cheap electricity time. And when the battery runs out you’l have tech reassurance of well over a 300 mile petrol range too.
Prices
Trend trim is the cheapest way into a plug-in Transit Custom, costing £39,985. Limited costs £41,785, Sport £43,685 & MS-RT £54,435, all + vat so are similarly priced to each specs range topping diesel version.
Warranty & Servicing
Three years & 60,000 miles. The Ford Transit Custom needs servicing every two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Load space and practicality
The short wheelbase L1 offers 5.8 cubic metres of space increasing to 6.8 cubic metres for the extended L2. The rear doors open up to 90 or 180-degrees with a 1,400mm wide opening. All versions offer a braked towing capacity of 2,300kg. All versions also come in under 2m making the van more car park-Friendly. New suspension features & a side entry step enhances accessibility.
Driving
We literally jumped out of an E-Transit Custom into the PHEV & drove it on an identical route. It’s a similar one gear driving set-up to the electric version, with the main difference bring a proper throaty roar when you push down hard on the gas & the petrol engine jumps into life. As with all versions it’s fitted with new lighter power steering than before so piloting the PHEV is a doddle, ‘like driving an SUV car.’
There were two of us on board the Limited Multi-Cab version we tested plus a small payload. The PHEV copes with road imperfections as well as the EV version & the ride is very good. We also had the electric rear view mirror & reversing camera fitted to our vehicle, so when we did a reversing manoeuvre it was easy. And the mirror also helps you keep tabs on who’s behind you on the motorway, another useful tool
On the motorway itself, the Custom PHEV cabin is a really pleasant place to be. It’s a little bit noisier than the BEV, but much quieter than the diesel Custom, another feather in it’s cap. As with the other Custom models, it’s very easy to connect your smart phone to CarPlay so if you prefer to utilise you’re own Apps such as Waze that’s simple too.
From the drivers seat everything is easy to reach including the touchscreen. Visiblity is also good, although you will need to lean forward to look left on some occasions.
Driving modes
The Transit Custom PHEV is available with eight Drive Modes; Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Tow/Haul, EV Auto, EV Now & EV Later. The first five tailor throttle response, steering & gear-change behaviour, based on the outside environment & weather conditions. And in the three EV driving modes, EV Now is automatically selected when the engine is switched on & is perfect for urban & city driving. EV Later maintains the current level of charge, so you can save it for urban use. If the van has been fully mains charged, EV Later will also hold the battery range if its dropped to 75%. EV Auto determines how to use the energy sources in tandem, battery or petrol.
Pros
Brilliant to drive, incredibly relaxing to be in, comes with no range anxiety & features the same payload as a regular Transit Custom. With a 300 miles plus driving range, it will take you from city to city without stopping to refuel. Features the same top quality safety & infotainment as all new versions of the Transit Custom.
Cons
Battery range is really only likely to hit 30 miles. Disappointingly, the hybrid no longer qualifies for the UK government’s Plug-in Van Grant & if you live in London, it’s no longer exempt if driven within London’s updated ULEV zone.
Verdict
The Custom PHEV is brilliant in every way. Yes it’s not fully electric. Yes it’s at the expensive end of the range. But we really couldn’t fault it & for many, it will act as a conduit to a fully electric van purchase. Furthermore, the second-generation benefits from all of the excellent updates made to the latest Custom & is arguably the best Transit Custom to drive.
For those beginning a green journey 4.5/5
Van Measurements mm L1H1 L2HI
Overall Vehicle Length 5050 5450
Wheelbase 3100 3500
Overall Width incl. mirrors 2275
Overall Vehicle Height 968 1966
Cargo Area Length (max) 2602 3002
Cargo Area Length (upper) 2394 2794
Cargo Area Length (load-thru) 3050 3450
Cargo Area Width (max) 1777
Cargo Area Width (wheel arches) 1392
Cargo Volume (max) 5.8m 3 6.8m
Rear Door Aperture Height 1314
Rear Door Aperture Width 1400
Load Height From Ground 575/593 575/593
Height to underside of tailgate 1322
Ground Clearance 140
Maximum Roof Load 170KG
Load-thru dimensions 600 x 270 600 x 270
Turning Circle 0.9 m/11.6 m 12.1 m/12.8 m
