Ford Transit Custom Nugget review

“Right folks, we’ve designed a new campervan based on the Transit Custom, but we need a name that captures the spirit of adventure and makes potential customers want to get out into the wilderness…”

That was presumably the conversation starter in Ford’s recent focus group. So, how on earth did this thing end up being christened the Ford Transit Custom Nugget?

We’ve got no idea, but we’re all for it. Power to the madcap car names.

Other than the moniker, the Custom Nugget is an easy thing to explain. Transit campervan conversions have been around for years in a non-official sense, so it’s no surprise to see Ford itself getting in on the action. It’s come at a fortunate time too, given that the world has now fallen back in love with camping and holidays at home.

Although how harrowing does the completely empty campsite setup look in the images above? We’re aware that we often complain about those terribly lifestyley press shots, but at least they don’t make it look like the Custom Nugget and its camping chairs have survived the apocalypse untouched.

Anyway, this is pretty much a direct rival to the Volkswagen California and comes in either short or long wheelbase forms. Both of those seat five and sleep four adults, whilst also having fully functioning kitchens. The only real difference between the two is that the LWB version gets a khazi next to the kitchen. Yep, it’s a toilet onboard a Transit.

There’s only one trim level, a couple of optional extras and one engine with two different power outputs.

Ford’s crack at the Transit campervan is a very good effort. There’s genuine space inside, even in the short wheelbase version, and it’s well laid out for short trips away.

We’d love to see a few more options for customisation and some slightly more premium interior materials at this price point – especially when you consider that the Mercedes Marco Polo is also a direct rival – but the Ford is honest and provides all of the camping kit you could ever need.

Now if you could please just stop laughing at the name.