2017 Ford Transit Connect
Pros
- Can be configured in many different ways, including two available body lengths and plenty of cargo area options
- Wagon version can be had with a third-row seat
- Less expensive and easier to maneuver than regular minivans
Cons
- Limited payload and towing capacities
- Wagon's second row doesn't slide or recline
- Unimpressive performance and fuel economy
2017 Ford Transit Connect pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
The 2017 Ford Transit Connect is one of a very small number of compact vans that targets both commercial and individual buyers. For those in need of something business-oriented, the Transit Connect Cargo Van offers seating for two, with an empty area behind the front seats that is good for up to 128.6 cubic feet of cargo space. Alternately, the Wagon variant fills this space with two or three rows of passenger seating (depending on wheelbase configuration). Although the Wagon is not as luxurious as a typical minivan, it's nice enough inside to distract you from the fact that it's a just a modified version of a bare-bones utility vehicle.
With either version, we like how the Transit Connect goes out of its way to meet your needs. There are a seemingly endless number of door, window, interior storage, infotainment and luxury options to consider. Each body style also gets features unique to the way they are typically used. The Wagon can be ordered with closing overhead bins similar to those found in an airplane, or a fixed-glass panoramic roof. The Cargo Van comes standard with LED lights in the cargo area to aid in nighttime loading and unloading.
Although the Ford Transit Connect was the first modern small cargo van on the scene, a few competitors have entered the fray in the last few years. If you're looking strictly for a small cargo van, the Chevrolet City Express and its mechanical twin, the Nissan NV200, also offer two seats and a large cargo area. The Ram City Promaster is similar but offers a second row for passengers and its payload rating is a few hundred pounds higher. You might even look at the midsize (but more expensive) Mercedes-Benz Metris if you want a van that's bigger than these compact models but not as large as full-size behemoths like the regular Ford Transit. Overall, we think you'll be impressed with the Connect's versatility and wealth of available options.
The 2017 Ford Transit Connect's standard safety features include antilock brakes, traction and stability control, hill start assist, and front seat side and side curtain airbags.
Front and rear parking sensors, daytime running lights, a blind-spot and cross-traffic warning system and a rearview camera are available as options on various models. The optional Ford Sync and Sync 3 systems include an emergency crash notification feature that automatically dials 911 when paired with a compatible cell phone. Ford's MyKey system, which can be used to set certain parameters for various drivers (think teens, valets or employees), is also optional.
In government crash tests, the Transit Connect wagon earned five out of five stars for overall crash protection, with four stars for frontal crash protection and five stars for side crash protection.
Trim levels & features
The 2017 Ford Transit Connect is a compact commercial minivan offered in Cargo Van and Wagon body styles, each with two different wheelbases. There are three available trim levels: XL, XLT and the wagon-only Titanium. The XLT and Titanium wagons seat five or seven, depending on which wheelbase you select, while seven-passenger seating is standard on the XL. All versions have dual sliding rear doors and give you a choice between swing-out cargo doors or an overhead liftgate (the Titanium only comes with the liftgate).
Base standard equipment on the XL Cargo Van includes 16-inch steel wheels, gray grille/bumpers/side moldings, keyless entry, air-conditioning, vinyl upholstery and floor coverings, built-in cargo tie-down hooks, an overhead storage shelf, a fold-flat front passenger seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, power front windows, power door locks and a two-speaker sound system with an auxiliary audio input jack. The XL Wagon version comes with the same standard equipment, but is long-wheelbase only and adds rear parking sensors, driver lumbar adjustment, second- and third-row seats, two rear speakers for the stereo, rear climate controls and power second-row windows.
Stepping up to the XLT Cargo Van gets you body-color bumpers, foglights, power-adjustable heated mirrors, rear privacy glass, cloth upholstery, carpeted floor coverings, driver lumbar adjustment, a passenger vanity mirror, a multifunction display, cruise control and a CD player.
The XLT Wagon comes in short- or long-wheelbase styles, mirrors the XLT cargo's equipment and adds automatic headlights, roof rails, rain-sensing wipers, a rearview camera, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a six-way power driver seat, a conversation mirror, and a thicker acoustic windshield, four front speakers for the sound system and voice controls (Ford's Sync system). Ford's MyKey system (detailed in the "Safety" section), is also included.
The top-of-the-line Titanium wagon adds 16-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cornering foglights, power-folding mirrors, chrome exterior trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, navigation and the Sync 3 infotainment interface.
Note that rear climate controls aren't available on the short-wheelbase XLT and Titanium wagons.
Many of the features that come standard on the upper trim levels are also available on other models. Other major options include 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels, a compressed natural gas engine prep package, front and rear parking sensors, a towing package, a fixed panoramic sunroof, a roof rack, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, satellite/HD radio and the Ford Telematics system designed for fleet operators.
There's only one engine available in the 2017 Ford Transit Connect: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 169 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
Although EPA figures have not yet been announced for the 2017 Transit Connect, we don't expect them to change much from last year's model. The EPA's estimated fuel economy for the 2016 cargo van with the 2.5-liter engine was 23 mpg combined (20 mpg city/28 mpg highway). The wagon was rated lower, at 22 mpg combined (19 city/27 highway), which is only barely better than you'd get with a typical V6-equipped minivan.
Maximum payload capacity is rated at 1,620 pounds, coming in between the ratings for the City Express and Ram City Promaster. Properly equipped, the Transit Connect can tow 2,000 pounds.
Driving
Although the 2017 Ford Transit Connect lacks the get-up-and-go of V6-powered traditional minivans, it feels much lighter and a lot more agile around town. These characteristics are equally useful for large families and for delivery drivers needing to get in and out of tight spaces. If you live in the city or frequently travel on tight rural roads, the Transit Connect will feel like an athlete compared to something like a Honda Odyssey. Unfortunately, the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine we liked so much from last year has been axed, leaving the less powerful (and less fuel-efficient) 2.5-liter engine as the only engine choice.
The steering is particularly praiseworthy, offering the just-right effort and impressive road feel found in other Ford vehicles. On the other hand, the ride can be bumpy over rough roads, and suspension-transmitted noises tend to make their way into the cabin much as they can on smaller, sportier vehicles. That may be fine for those transitioning from something like a Focus, but minivan drivers may find the Transit Connect's suspension doesn't provide the suppleness and isolation they've come to expect.
Interior
With the Transit Connect, flexibility is paramount. The wagon, particularly the seven-passenger long-wheelbase model, can be used as a family vehicle. Granted, the second-row seat doesn't recline or slide, and folding both the second and third rows of seats takes an extra step compared with most minivans, but space in both rows is just as good, especially the headroom.
If it's cargo you're looking to haul, the short-wheelbase cargo van offers 103.9 cubic feet behind the front seats, while the long-wheelbase version's larger cargo hold can swallow 128.6 cubic feet. This is less than a regular minivan, but still much better than a large crossover. Even more capacity is available thanks to the fold-flat front passenger seat. Cargo room in the wagon models is reduced, but if the seats are folded, the short-wheelbase wagon offers a maximum of 77.1 cubic feet and the long-wheelbase models offer 104.2 cubic feet.
Although the Transit Connect has a much larger windshield and dashboard than its siblings, the Ford Escape and C-Max, from the driver seat it could easily be either. The distinctive dash design is virtually identical, with climate controls below clearly separated from the infotainment controls above. The quality of the interior materials is below what you'll find in mainstream Ford products, but on the whole the Transit Connect is pretty nice for its class. The Sync 3 infotainment system is new this year, and it's quicker to respond to user inputs, and feels much like a smartphone (with pinch-to-zoom and swiping gestures) than the previous MyFord Touch system. The same can't be said, however, for the standard stereo interface, which consists of a small central screen controlled by many buttons.
What's behind the driver varies considerably depending on the wheelbase and whether you're carrying people or cargo. The XL cargo van, for example, is a bare-bones workhorse with vinyl upholstery and floor coverings with mounting points for customizable shelves and whatever a business might need. Upper trim levels, especially in the wagon models, add creature comforts, but the van is still very much a dedicated work vehicle.
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See your car's valueThe 2017 Ford Transit Connect successfully appeals to two types of shoppers. There's a two-seat cargo van that appeals to small businesses, and another configuration, the multi-passenger Wagon model, that caters to the consumer market.
There are some interesting, useful options offered, depending on how much buyers are willing to spend. The Wagon can be outfitted with overhead bins like those found in an airplane or a panoramic glass roof. The cargo van comes standard with LED lights in the cargo area to aid in loading and unloading. Rear access can be had either via a liftgate or swing-out cargo doors that open 180 degrees.
The highest Wagon trim level offers leather seats, dual-zone climate control with separate rear climate controls, and a touchscreen infotainment system with navigation. Buyers looking for bare-bones practicality get durable and easy-to-clean vinyl upholstery and floor coverings. The Transit Connect even offers the Ford Telematic system for fleet operators.
The only engine on offer for the Transit Connect is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which makes 169 horsepower and returns a maximum of 23 mpg combined (20 city/27 highway), paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Though not the most powerful van, the Ford can carry up to 1,620 pounds of cargo or seven passengers with ease, and it gets praise for feeling lively and capable around town. Thanks to fold-flat seats, even buyers who elect to add extra passenger capacity can take advantage of up to 128.6 cubic feet of storage in the long-wheelbase model. Towing capacity for the Transit Connect is up to 2,000 pounds.
The version of the Transit Connect that targets families isn't as luxurious as some regular minivans. After all, to keep the cost down enough to appeal to businesses, Ford builds the basic platform to a budget. But it offers impressive headroom and more cargo capacity than more than a few SUVs.
Ford has done a nice job of making one product serve two very different markets. If you need a vehicle that can move a lot of cargo, a lot of people or a combination of both, the Transit Connect should be on your short list. Edmunds can help you sort through the trims and options to find the right 2017 Ford Transit Connect, at the right price, for you.
2017 Ford Transit Connect Overview
The 2017 Ford Transit Connect is offered in the following submodels: Transit Connect Minivan. Available styles include Cargo Van XL w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A), Cargo Van XLT w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A), Wagon XLT w/Rear Liftgate LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A), Cargo Van XL w/Rear 180 Degree Doors SWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A), Wagon XLT w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A), Wagon Titanium LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A), Cargo Van XL w/Rear Liftgate LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A), Wagon XL w/Rear Liftgate LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A), Wagon XLT w/Rear 180 Degree Doors SWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A), Wagon Titanium SWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A), Wagon XLT w/Rear Liftgate SWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A), Cargo Van XLT w/Rear Liftgate SWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A), Cargo Van XLT w/Rear 180 Degree Doors SWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A), Cargo Van XLT w/Rear Liftgate LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A), Cargo Van XL w/Rear Liftgate SWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A), and Wagon XL w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A).
What do people think of the 2017 Ford Transit Connect?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Ford Transit Connect and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Transit Connect 2.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Transit Connect.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Ford Transit Connect and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Transit Connect featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2017 Ford Transit Connect?
2017 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XLT w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
The 2017 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XLT w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $26,530. The average price paid for a new 2017 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XLT w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) is trending $6,282 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $6,282 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$20,248.
The average savings for the 2017 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XLT w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) is23.7% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 5 2017 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XLT w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
2017 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XL w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A)
The 2017 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XL w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $25,005. The average price paid for a new 2017 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XL w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) is trending $7,655 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $7,655 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$17,350.
The average savings for the 2017 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XL w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) is30.6% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 4 2017 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XL w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
Which 2017 Ford Transit Connects are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2017 Ford Transit Connect for sale near. There are currently 18 new 2017 Transit Connects listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $25,365 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2017 Ford Transit Connect. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $8,595 on a used or CPO 2017 Transit Connect available from a dealership near you.
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Should I lease or buy a 2017 Ford Transit Connect?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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2017 Ford Transit Connect Information
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