The new Ford Transit Connect is a plug-in hybrid van with 68 miles of EV-only range

Back in 2021 Ford unveiled the Tourneo Connect, essentially its take on the Volkswagen Caddy Life people carrier after the two companies agreed a deal to share commercial vehicle bits. Strangely though, it didn’t actually get round to turning it into a proper van until now.

So, the new Transit Connect is finally here, and the headline is a plug-in hybrid version that can travel up to 68 miles on electric power alone. Intriguing.

We’re told the PHEV version will pair a 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine with an as-yet unspecified battery and an electric motor for a combined 148bhp and 258lb ft of torque. It’ll be available in both short and long wheelbase versions (as will all Transit Connects) and it’ll have a payload of 770kg and a maximum towing capacity of 1,400kg. There’ll be 50kW DC fast charging capability too, plus rather self-explanatory EV Now, EV Auto and EV Later drive modes.

There won’t be an all-electric Transit Connect, because the small EV van base will be covered by the slightly cheaper E-Transit Courier in Ford’s range. There will however be diesel versions. Both will be powered by a 2.0-litre EcoBlue turbo engine but one will have 120bhp (and the choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed dual clutch auto) while the other makes do with just 101bhp and a six-speed manual ‘box. Max payload will be 820kg and the load volume will be 3.1m3 or 3.7m3 depending on your choice of wheelbase. Four-wheel drive will also be an option, and top spec trim will be ‘Active’ which adds “SUV-inspired styling” in the form of black plastic arches and roof rails.

And if you’re split between the Tourneo people carrier and the Transit van, you might want to consider the Kombi version of the Transit. That adds a rear bench seat with an extremely clever new folding mechanism that turns said bench into a full-height bulkhead in seconds. Plus, you’ll still be able to fit two Euro pallets in the back if you spec the longer wheelbase Kombi.

In the front seats of all these third-gen Transit Connects you get a 10-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch infotainment screen, while perhaps the most enticing option is seats that are certified by AGR – the German campaign for healthier backs. We’ve tried seats that have their approval in a few Stellantis products and they’ve all been mighty comfortable.

What do we think then folks. Could the new Transit Connect do a job for you?