Ford Transit Custom 2015 Review

Ford's Transit Custom won trucksales.com.au's 2014 medium van comparison test, defeating top-sellers like Toyota's HiAce and Hyundai's iLoad, among others. But, like most reviews, that test was conducted over a week – allowing just a brief taste of life behind the wheel. We were keen to spend more time with the Transit Custom so when a short-wheelbase example became available for a six-week stint, we jumped at it.

Manufacturers tread a difficult path with vans: buyers want reliability, payload, features and comfort (probably in that order) but ultimately a van is a workhorse and the bottom line – i.e. purchase price and running costs – is crucial.

In this respect Ford's Transit Custom strikes a good balance. Yes, there are cheaper vans out there but nothing with anything like the Transit Custom's lengthy list of features, while for sheer comfort and safety it's hard to top.

Despite this the Transit Custom has failed to ignite the sales chart, with just 621 examples sold to the end of November (FCAI data) for a market share of 4.2 per cent. While the Transit Custom didn’t go on sale until the end of February, that figure is miles off the 5856 Toyota HiAces sold over the corresponding period. It takes time to regain trust and momentum in the LCV sphere, and the lack of an automatic transmission isn't helping the Transit Custom's cause.

Those sluggish sales just don't do the Transit Custom justice. The drive experience is about as good as it gets in a van; in fact the level of comfort and refinement is on par with your average SUV. The 2.2-litre engine is lively once you've risen above 2250rpm, a planted foot then seeing the tacho race around the dial, the van pulling strongly to around 4250rpm – just shy of its 4500rpm indicated redline.

It's a bit sluggish below 2250rpm, which perhaps isn't ideal for city delivery work, but we acclimatised soon enough – you just can't be as lazy with the throttle as you can with some vans.

In sixth gear at 100km/h the engine is pulling a relaxed 1600rpm, which will pay off at the pump. Ford claims an impressive ADR Combined fuel economy figure of 7.1L/100km for the Transit Custom, but we averaged 8.0L/100km – largely unladen but in city traffic. It's a healthy figure, in any case, and the 95-litre tank gives a superb working range of over 1000km.

It's a quality ride too, with only a hint of harshness without a load. With 600kg in the back – a bit over half of the van's maximum payload – the ride is smooth, compliant and well balanced; it feels as secure through the bends as your average SUV.

The six-speed manual is a slick and precise affair, and enhanced by hill-hold assist, while the throttle action is light. The clutch is also on the lighter side, with a short take-up and good feel.

The steering has a pleasing weight to it while in tight confines the excellent 10.9-metre turning circle will impress. A reversing camera and parking sensors also aid manoeuvring, although the digital display on the centre stack doesn't offer as fine a sense of distance as we'd like. The camera, sensors, electrochromatic mirror with camera display and front fog lights are all part of the optional ($1500) City Pack.

The four-wheel disc brakes do a superb job, offering strong initial bit, plenty of power and sufficient modulation at the pedal.

The Transit Custom truly excels when it comes to comfort. Yes, it could do with some A-pillar grab handles but it's not too arduous to climb through the large door aperture into the cab and once there couriers will realise they've never had it so good.

The dark cloth-upholstered seating appears durable and the seats offer good support. The driver's seat has plenty of adjustment and a fold-down armrest, while the leather-trimmed steering wheel – bristling with inset controls – is adjustable for tilt and reach.

Cab storage options abound. We love the large double-deck door side pockets, the well-placed cup/bottle holders and the concealed dash-top bin on the driver's side. The latter has a 12-volt socket and USB/3.5mm inputs, but it could do with a spring or hydraulic strut to hold it open once the catch is released.

There's a cavernous storage bay beneath the two passenger seats (accessed by tilting the seat bases forward) and the centre seat back has a fold-out work tray with document strap and two more cup holders. The non-locking glovebox is on the smaller side, however.

The factory steel bulkhead is a ripper; it helps reduce ambient cabin noise to passenger car levels and boosts the performance of the heating and air-conditioning. Its small window with mesh grille does impinge on vision to the rear (as do the 50:50 barn doors), but it's not such an issue with the reversing camera and parking sensors and the split standard/convex side mirrors work well.

The menus for Ford's SYNC Bluetooth-equipped telephony/audio system are easy enough to navigate and the DAB+ digital radio is an excellent inclusion.

The tinted weathershields are another nice (optional) touch but beware their edges, which are quite sharp.

In general the cab has a modern, durable feel, with a pleasing mix of sturdy plastics of various colours and textures – and tough, hard-wearing vinyl flooring.

The Transit Custom's 1032kg payload is down the smaller end of the scale in this class but its 5.9 cubic metre load capacity places it towards the top of the heap, while its 2500kg (braked) towing limit leads the way.

The load bay can be locked/unlocked independently of the cabin (a neat feature) and it is equipped with a side grab rail, eight sturdy tie-down anchor points and two lights. The side walls feature internal protection and the floor is fitted with a tough plastic liner. The latter is textured but it's still fairly slippery – partial loads will need securing to prevent them sliding about.

Access is via a single all-steel sliding nearside door and the rear barn doors, the latter with wipers, washers and demisters. They can swing out to 180 degrees.

We measured the load bay as 2470mm long by 1800mm wide by 1450mm high, with a width between the wheel arches of 1350mm – enough to take a standard Australian pallet.

We love the hinged hatch, secured with magnets, that can be flipped up to allow longer items to be fed into the space beneath the passenger seats, as well as the folding roof racks and the 12-volt socket in the load bay – all thoughtful, clever stuff.

The Transit Custom comes with a three-year/100,000km warranty plus 12 months of roadside assistance and an 84-month/100,000km capped-price service scheme. Service intervals are pegged at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

While there's no compulsion for manufacturers to have commercial vehicles assessed for safety under Australia's ANCAP scheme, the Transit Custom received a five-star safety rating under the EuroNCAP scheme when tested in 2012.

Ford's Transit Custom deserves to do better than initial sales indicate. Practical, comfortable, safe and efficient, it also lavishes its occupants with a level of comfort and amenity not previously seen in light commercial vehicles. As word spreads of the Transit Custom's charms, we should see increasing numbers on Aussie roads – and especially if Ford's long-promised auto version ever makes an appearance.