2019 Ford Transit 150 – Road Test

It’s been 25+ years since I last drove a full-size panel van. In this test, I spent a couple of hours driving the Transit 150 – long enough to get a feel for the vehicle, short enough that I didn’t need a week to get familiar with it. In the past 2 ½ decades the panel van has come a long way. Comfy seats, back up camera, tilt and telescopic steering, cruise control… wow, that’s stuff that wasn’t even available when I bought my new Ram 1500 back in 1991! The Ford Transit is definitely one of the best-looking full-size vans available in North America, only the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter can compete with it for looks.

What Is It?

Full-size Panel Van
130” Wheelbase
7L Ti-VCT V-6 Engine
6-Speed Selectshift automatic transmission
CNG and Propane Packages are available
GVWR – 3901 kg (8,600 lb.)
GCWR – 6123 kg (with 3.73 axle)
Conv. Hitch Trailer Tow Cap. 3,402 kg
Payload 1,488 kg
Other available engines: 3.5L EcoBoost (310 hp/400 lb-ft) and 3.2L I-5 Powerstroke Diesel (185 hp/350 lb-ft)

What’s It Like Inside?

The seats are comfortable and multi-way adjustable (Fore/Aft, Tilting seat back… and a lumbar adjustment!!)
Tilt/telescoping steering was a very welcome surprise and the size of the wheel is just perfect
Centre dash is attractive and easy to get used to with everything you need within reach
Rear-view camera monitor is high in the dash – easy to see considering it’s so small
Legroom is a bit tight, but the dead pedal for the left foot is perfectly placed for comfortable driving
The flat floor has an anti-slip mat that looks like it can take some punishment – way better than the painted steel floor of my van from back in the day
Surprisingly quiet interior at highway speed – the interior walls are probably the key to that
Cargo space is 247 cu.ft. (6985 L)

So How Quick Is It & How Does It Handle?

Off the line, it’s very smooth and the transmission shifts are imperceivable
I was expecting it to be lethargic – not so! Brisk would be a good description
Steering is nicely weighted, but had a little disconnected feel on the highway

Horsepower: 275 @ 3,731 rpm
Torque: 260 @ 4,000 rpm

What Does It Cost? For up-to-date pricing in your region visit: www.Ford.ca or www.Ford.com

To Buy…
The base price is $38,069
As Tested: $40,639

To Operate…

Rated at (L/100 km): City 16.9 / Hwy 13.1
It didn’t matter whether I was going 90 or 110 km/h, the average fuel consumption consistently varied between 8.2 and 8.7 L/100kms – exceptional!

Warranty:

Basic: 3 years/60,000 km
Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km
Roadside Assistance: 5 years/100,000 km

Noteworthy Standard Features

Remote keyless entry – FOB and key in one
Engine Block Heater
Tilt/-telescoping steering column
Intermittent Wipers
Dome/Rear cargo lights
Power points – 12V, one in the instrument panel, one in centre console, one in rear of vehicle
Cargo Area Tie-Down hooks
A/C
Full-size Spare Tire and Wheel with 4-ton jack
Audio, AM/FM stereo with audio USB input jack

Safety Features (Standard)

Rear View Camera
Power Mirrors Short Arm
Traction control
AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
ABS Brakes
Side Wind Stabilization
Driver and passenger-side airbags
Side Airbags
Safety Canopy side-curtain airbags
Door Locks, Auto-Locking Drive Away with Crash Unlocking
SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) with engine immobilizer.

Noteworthy Options On Test Vehicle
3.73 Limited Slip Axle – $370
Fixed Rear DoorGlass – $75
Exterior Upgrade Package – $360
Interior Up Package – $1,600

Vinyl Floor Covering
Am/Fm CD player with Sync3
Cruise Control
Dual Illuminated Sunvisors

The Competition
Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Nissan NV, Ram ProMaster

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good: Exceptional fuel economy
The Bad: You have to pay attention while driving on the highway – likes to “float and wander.” This will probably change if there is any cargo/weight in the back
The Ugly: Nothing

What’s The Verdict?
When I opened the door I was truly surprised, to say the least. I thought the interior of my van was impressive – even though it was more than 25 years ago, but the Transit 150 is finished like a car on the inside. I wouldn’t call it luxurious, but it’s nicely appointed. The view out the front window is spectacular compared to any other van I’ve driven in the past few years.

Tradesmen (and women) have a very nice place to spend time in 2019 and beyond. Like the F-150, there is a myriad of configurations that you can choose from and customize the transit just the way YOU want it to be.

There’s a clever little pocket in the door for storing your phone while driving. It stops the driver from accessing his/her phone while on the move. Put your mobile phone into the pocket, close the door and the phone disappears! [PICS 6&7] It works great in theory, but the company would have to force the driver to use it to make it effective (self-employed, ain’t gonna happen). If only this could be mandatory in ALL vehicles and it wouldn’t start unless the phone is placed into the pocket – that would be fantastic. Unfortunately on my drive, there were plenty of people texting and using the phone (in their hand), including transport truck drivers… think about that the next time you hear of an 18-wheeler driving into the back of a car/truck in the future!!