2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon Minivan

　　

2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　The 2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon is a van with seating for up to seven, but don't think of it along the lines of the typical family minivan. The Transit Connect is more utilitarian and intended more for business use, such as shuttling clients to the airport. It doesn't have the kind of creature comforts you'd find in a Honda Odyssey, but there are plenty of third-party upfitters that could customize the interior to your specifications.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon XL 4dr Minivan w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB (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

　　$148/mo  for Transit Connect Passenger Wagon XL

　　Transit Connect Passenger Wagon XL

　　XL 4dr Minivan w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $34,360 MSRPXL 4dr Minivan w/Rear Liftgate LWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A) - $34,360 MSRPXLT 4dr Minivan w/Rear Liftgate LWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A) - $36,475 MSRPXLT 4dr Minivan w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A) - $36,475 MSRPTitanium 4dr Minivan (2.0L 4cyl 8A) - $38,560 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Compact Minivan

　　If you have the need for a Transit Connect Passenger Wagon, we suggest you act quickly since it's set to be discontinued at the end of the 2023 model year. Your choices in the class are also few, with the Mercedes-Benz Metris following Transit Connect out to pasture and the Ram ProMaster City's discontinuation last year. So far, it's not clear if there will be a replacement from Ford. For 2023, the Transit Connect Passenger Wagon lineup has also been narrowed. The previous 2.5-liter engine has been dropped, along with Flex Fuel and natural gas options.

　　If you're deciding between the Mercedes-Benz Metris and the Transit Connect, there are advantages and drawbacks to both. The Metris is more powerful, can seat up to eight passengers and is nicer on the inside. The Transit Connect, on the other hand, is cheaper to purchase and operate. Either will adequately fulfill duties as a business shuttle, but if you're looking for a more typical family minivan, check out the Honda Odyssey or Kia Carnival.

　　

Which Transit Connect Passenger Wagon does zzdcar recommend?

It's not often that we recommend a top trim, but the Titanium gets our vote since it significantly improves the overall impression of the Transit Connect. Upgrades include leather upholstery, alloy wheels, premium audio and a native navigation system.

　　

Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon models

The 2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon is available in three trims: XL, XLT and Titanium. All are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (162 horsepower, 144 lb-ft). An eight-speed automatic transmission drives the front wheels. The Transit Connect also has dual sliding side doors and either a rear liftgate or rear cargo doors that open 180 degrees. Second- and third-row bucket seating allows for six-passenger seating, though a second-row bench seat is optional to boost seating capacity to seven. Standard feature highlights include:

　　XL

　　Starts off the Transit Connect Passenger Wagon lineup with:

　　16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers Black bumpers, grille and body trim Rear liftgate Air conditioning Power door locks with remote keyless entry Cloth seating surfaces Second- and third-row bucket seating (six-passenger seating) Height-adjustable driver's seat Rain-sensing wipers Bluetooth audio and one USB port 4.2-inch center display Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Rearview camera XLT

　　Builds on the XL model by adding:

　　Body-color bumpers Foglights Dual-zone automatic climate control 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system Two USB ports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration Power-adjustable driver's seat 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 keeping assistance (steers the van back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)Titanium

　　Highlights of the top-spec Titanium model's standard equipment list includes:

　　Keyless entry and push-button start HID headlights 16-inch alloy wheels Premium audio system Navigation system Leather seat surfaces Heated front seatsDepending on the trim level, significant available options for the Transit Connect include:

　　Tow package Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Second-row bench seat (seven-passenger seating) Panoramic fixed-glass roof

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