Ford Transit Custom 2.0 300 EcoBlue

The Ford Transit Custom is the medium-sized van for sale in Ford's van range. It first arrived in 2012, but an update in 2017 introduced a new look, while constant revisions have kept it at the front of the medium-sized van sector. In fact, it's currently our favourite medium-sized panel van.

It's popular with buyers, too, because it's Ford's third-best selling model (after the Fiesta and Focus), and Ford usually sells more Transit Customs each year than Jaguar's entire model range combined. 2016 saw a new more efficient EcoBlue diesel added to the range, while a full mid-life facelift appeared at the end of 2017 for the 2018 model year. Go into one of Ford's Transit Centre franchises today and this is the new model you'll be driving home in.

This update added a nose that copied the look of Ford's passenger cars to give the van a more upmarket look and an air of solidity, while the main focus was on interior upgrades. Higher spec models now come with Ford's latest multimedia system from the car range, which features new, clearer graphics a revised layout and an upgraded version of Ford's Sync3 voice control system.

In terms of body styles, the Transit Custom comes in L1 and L2 wheelbases, and both lengths are offered with H1 and H2 roof heights. Unlike some high-roof models, the H2 doesn't offer extra stowage above the driver's head in the cab. Instead it's a Luton-style arrangement, because the load area reaches forward over the cab. All vans have double sliding side doors and 50:50 split rear doors, while a tailgate is offered as an option, as is glazing for all doors.

In addition to the standard three-seat van, there's the five-seat Double Cab In-Van, which has an extra row of seats in the back with a bulkhead behind them and sliding doors with windows. This is also available in L1 and L2 body lengths. If you want to carry more passengers, then there's the Tourneo Custom, which is an eight-seat passenger carrying variant of the Transit Custom. It's recognisable from the front thanks to its five-bar grille, compared to a three-bar grille for the standard Transit Custom.

Ford also offers the Transit Custom Kombi, which fills the gap between the DCIV and Tourneo, and is a window van that can be had with up to nine seats, or can be fitted out to customer needs, such as for private hire or wheelchair access.

All versions of the Transit Custom are front-wheel drive and power comes from either a 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel that was introduced in 2016, or a petrol-electric set-up with the Transit Custom PHEV. 

The diesel saves fuel at a rate of up to 15% over the old 2.2 TDCi without sacrificing performance. The engine comes in 105PS, 130PS, 170PS and 185PS forms, which have 104bhp, 128bhp, 168bhp and 182bhp respectively. All use a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while a six-speed Powershift auto is available with the three more powerful engines.

The Transit Custom PHEV features Ford's 1.0 EcoBoost three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, which is connected to an electric motor that drives the front wheels and a battery pack that's located under the load floor, although this doesn't affect load volume. There's a power output of 124bhp, but the electric motor offers instant torque, so this van feels quick off the line. The battery gives the PHEV an-all electric driving range of 33 miles.

Six trim levels are available on the Transit Custom - Leader, Trend, Trail, Limited, Active and Sport. Even Trend versions are fairly generously equipped, while Limited is pretty luxurious for a van. Trail and Active models introduce off-road elements, while Sport - as you would expect - gets racy touches such as larger alloy wheels, body stripes and sports seats, and it's only available with the most powerful diesel engine. If you want something even more individual, then MS-RT, a spin-off of the M-Sport rally team, offers factory approved bodykit conversions.