2023 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van Minivan

　　

2023 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　The writing, as they say, is on the wall. Ford will reportedly discontinue the Transit Connect Cargo van after the 2023 model year. Most rivals have already fled the segment, and Ford is restricting powertrain choices this year. That suggests the end is nigh.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XL 4dr Minivan w/Rear 180 Degree Doors SWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$154/mo  for Transit Connect Cargo Van XL

　　Transit Connect Cargo Van XL

　　XL 4dr Minivan w/Rear 180 Degree Doors SWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A) - $32,790 MSRPXL 4dr Minivan w/Rear Liftgate SWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A) - $32,790 MSRPXL 4dr Minivan w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $33,790 MSRPXL 4dr Minivan w/Rear Liftgate LWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A) - $33,790 MSRPXLT 4dr Minivan w/Rear 180 Degree Doors SWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A) - $34,965 MSRPXLT 4dr Minivan w/Rear Liftgate SWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A) - $34,965 MSRPXLT 4dr Minivan w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A) - $35,965 MSRPXLT 4dr Minivan w/Rear Liftgate LWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A) - $35,965 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Compact Minivan

　　While the automaker hasn't officially confirmed the Transit Connect's impending death, the small commercial van market is shrinking fast. Chevrolet, Nissan and Ram have discontinued their entries, and Mercedes-Benz has decided to drop the Metris model at the end of 2023. So if you want a smaller and more affordable brand-new cargo van for business or #vanlife, don't wait too long to get it.

　　For what is likely its last year on the U.S. market, the Transit Connect Cargo comes in two different lengths with two different rear door configurations, each powered by a 162-horsepower four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels. In long-wheelbase format, it can hold up to 127.4 cubic feet of cargo behind the front seats and carry as much as 1,550 pounds of payload. With the optional towing package, the maximum trailer rating is 2,000 pounds. These figures pale in comparison to those of the turbocharged Mercedes Metris, but the Ford also costs thousands less.

　　As long as these shortcomings won't impact your needs for a cargo van and you want a small van instead of a large one, the Transit Connect makes sense. Besides, other than the Mercedes, it is now the only game in town.

　　

Which Transit Connect Cargo Van does zzdcar recommend?

It costs a couple of grand more, but we think upgrading to the XLT trim is worthwhile. The extra money pays for standard cloth seats, carpeting, a better infotainment system and more safety features. The result is a Transit Connect Cargo van that you might not mind driving every day.

　　

Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van models

Ford offers the 2023 Transit Connect Cargo with a short or a long wheelbase and in XL and XLT trim levels. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (162 horsepower, 144 lb-ft) powers the front wheels using an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

　　XL

　　The base trim equips the cargo van with:

　　16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers Black bumpers, grille and body trim Automatic on/off headlights Manually adjustable mirrors Manual seat adjustments Power windows Power door locks with remote keyless entry Vinyl flooring and seats Height-adjustable driver's seat Air conditioning Four-speaker audio system One USB port Bluetooth smartphone connectivity and one USB port FordPass Connect access to subscription services Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)XLT

　　Choose the Transit Connect Cargo XLT for these upgrades:

　　Body-color bumpers and exterior trim Automatic high-beam headlights Foglights Power-adjustable, power-folding and heated outside mirrors Carpeted flooring Cloth seats Sync 3 infotainment system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display MyKey programmable features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Satellite radio Two USB ports Wireless smartphone charging Cruise control Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)Several of the XLT's features are optionally available for the XL. Additionally, you can upgrade the Transit Connect Cargo with:

　　Trailer Tow package Trailer tow hitch Trailer sway control Four-pin connector 2,000 pounds of towing capacity Heavy-duty alternator 16-inch aluminum wheels Upgraded headlights Roof rails Roof rack Remote engine start Composite wall separating the cab from the cargo area Second-row and rear cargo door windows Fast-acting electric windshield defroster Rear window defroster Dual-zone automatic climate control Navigation system Anti-theft system Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the van and the car in front) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)

　　zzdcar Latest Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van News

　　zzdcar Top Rated 2024: These Are the Best EVs on Sale Today

　　The F-150 Switchgear Is What a Lightning Raptor Could Look Like

　　General Motors Offers Incentives to Blazer EV, Lyriq Buyers to Offset Tax Credit Loss

　　Ford F-150 Raptor R vs. Rivian R1T: V8 Meets EV in a Head-to-Head Off-Road Battle