2023 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van

The Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van has brought a different breed of commercial vehicle to American shores. This passenger-friendly cargo van proves that you can have style and utility simultaneously. The 2023 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van offers European styling, a comfortable interior, and car-like handling in a practical package that gets the job done. Under the hood of the Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van sits a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine producing 162 hp and 144 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. This capable little carrier has seen a decline in sales over the past year and is set to be discontinued after the 2023 model year. A quick review of the Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van's competitors still sold in the USA will show that they have dwindled to a grand total of two - the Mercedes Metris Cargo Van and Ram ProMaster City Cargo Van. Is there any good reason to still buy the Ford over the other two?

At the time of writing, the price of new Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van models increased quite dramatically; the base price of the SWB Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van has gone up by over 15 percent from last year's $25,175 to $29,365. The XLT trim starts at $31,540. In both cases, you have to add $1,000 if you opt for the long-wheelbase model. These prices exclude any extras or the destination fee of $1,395.

Cargo vans have traditionally been sloppy handling things best suited for slowly driving down suburban streets on low-speed delivery duty. The 2023 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van is a compact cargo van that feels more like a compact SUV behind the wheel than a lumbering commercial van. The Transit Connect will gladly enter corners at speed and hold on, eventually succumbing to understeer. Not that a van invites that kind of driving style, but suffice it to say the Ford handles quite sharply for a van. Steering is light but direct and perfectly suited to city driving. We did find that the van feels bouncy over low-speed bumps, but that is a small inconvenience in a package that drives beautifully almost everywhere else. The ride settles down nicely with a load on board.

It is a shame that the Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van is leaving us soon but it's not unexpected - it's already a decade old. The 2023 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van strikes a good balance between a comfortable daily driver and a workhorse, combining sexy European styling with a cargo-carrying ability that will suit small businesses. We appreciate its car-like handling, despite its naturally-aspirated engine being a bit sluggish. The interior is better than your average van and the range-topping trim has some impressive features. The interior is still meant for a hard life, and the choice of materials reflects that. The Transit Connect Van is an excellent choice if you're a small business owner who needs stuff moved around, but the Mercedes Metris is still the best van in this class.

If you're after a simple, hard-working van, we suggest using the base model. Its manual-everything style will suit a life of use and abuse. The vinyl seating feels hardy, and the basic controls should last the car's lifetime. If you're planning on doing long-distance trips or spending long hours in the Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van, then we would recommend spending the extra money for the XLT. This car not only comes with improved features, but it also gets added driver assistance tech, including the all-important cruise control.