Ford Transit Custom Trail 2026 Review

The 2026 Ford Transit Custom Trail is only available with the long wheelbase (LWB) platform. It also uniquely gains all-wheel drive (AWD) and is powered by a four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. Don’t expect it to replace the dual-cab ute or a camper, but it does make an interesting quasi all-rounder.

Being based on the Trend, rather than Sport model grade, the additional Trail kit adds to the purchase price. Before on-road costs (ORCs), the adventure-focused Transit is $62,290 – or $4400 more expensive than the LWB Trend. Yet those who’ll see value in the curated additions within the Trail package are less likely to baulk at the extra outlay.

Given the Blue Oval has generated quite a niche offering, there isn’t really a direct rival that mixes lifestyle with work in quite the same way. Which means the usual suspects such as the top-selling Toyota HiAce and the Hyundai Staria Load are competitors.

However, Volkswagen plays amongst the home-on-wheels template with the likes of the California and Crafter Kampervan. 

Ford has also added electrification to the Transit range with the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and fully electric E-Transit Custom. However, it’s a monetary jump, with either starting at $67,890 and $77,890 (+ORCs) respectively.

So, what makes this humble van an answer to a question you might not have asked?

The 2026 Ford Transit Custom Trail LWB is easy to spot, with visual add-ons like the bespoke yellow graphics, 30mm raised ride height and twin-spoke 16-inch Matte Black alloy wheels. It also gains its own grille, skid plates, wheel arch mouldings and side strips as well as Matte Black roof racks.

Oh, and of course, the fitment of AWD. And in case you do decide to turn onto an unsealed trail, underbody protection has also been added. It extends to steel bash and skid plates to cover vulnerable areas and add credence to its name.

Inside, the Custom Trail gains synthetic leather and eight-way manual adjustment for the driver only. Seat heating, single-zone climate control, keyless entry with push-button start are also standard fitment.

Frozen White is a no-cost option, while the remaining four hues are $700. They include Grey Matter, the colour of our test van, as well as Agate Black, Magnetic and Moondust Silver.

Our Trail also ticks the box for a single passenger seat ($150) and the dual sliding load doors ($1000). If you want to swap out the barn doors at the back for a single liftgate, that’s $700.

Ford’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty applies with a year of roadside assistance also included. Servicing periods are lengthy at 12 month or 30,000km (whichever comes first), with the first five dealership visits totalling $2530.

The Blue Oval hasn’t skimped in this area for the 2026 Ford Transit Custom Trail LWB. It even crams in six airbags and has been awarded a ‘Platinum’ medal under ANCAP’s safety comparative van testing.

It gains loads of active tech as a result, which includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control with stop/go functionality, lane departure warning, active lane keeping, blind-spot monitoring, driver fatigue monitoring and road sign recognition.

Aiding parking are front and rear sensors, a reversing camera with 180-degree split view as well as rear cross-traffic alert. LED headlights with daytime running lights show the way ahead at night, while the taillights are halogen items.

The safety tech is generally well calibrated, with a dedicated Driver Assistance menu button located on the dash to switch certain systems on or off.

If you think vans are rudimentary and archaic, the tech packed into the two-seater cabin of the 2026 Ford Transit Custom Trail LWB proves otherwise.

The dash is a sea of digital acreage with a central 13.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.0-inch instrument cluster. The former packs wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the latter houses all the important information in a concise manner.

Ford’s SYNC 4 multimedia is a little plain visually, but it’s easy to navigate with in-built satnav if smartphone mirroring isn’t your thing. There’s also Bluetooth, DAB+ digital radio, voice-activated control, USB-A and USB-C ports, a 12V power outlet and wireless charging pad.

Further proving the Transit Custom Trail is a contemporary van is the fitment of a 5G modem, while it can also receive over-the-air updates (OTA) and FordPass Connect is included.

While the driveline is different, the 2026 Ford Transit Custom Trail LWB retains the same 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel that powers the front-wheel drive (FWD) range. Its 125kW and 390Nm is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

With a muscular amount of torque on tap, there’s decent load-lugging ability (more on that later) with a relatively unfussed nature. Highway overtakes also don’t cause too much stress and for a commercial application, the acoustics aren’t too gruff.

Where the Trail differs is with the addition of active AWD, allowing it to not only apportion drive forward and aft, but it can also anticipate slip and transfer torque between the rear wheels. So, it’s safe to say that traction isn’t an issue on sealed surfaces, even when they’re wet.

Due to drive being sent to the back axle, the official fuel-consumption average for the 2026 Ford Transit Custom Trail LWB is 8.5L/100km – or 0.5L/100km more than the FWD version.

During unladen testing we saw a real-world average of 9.3L/100km. That’s significantly better than what we achieved in the Toyota HiAce.

While overall range (301-307km) could be a limiting factor and reason not to opt for the E-Transit, the PHEV version is appealing with the headline 1.7L/100km claimed consumption. Yet, as with all plug-in hybrids, the official claim is virtually impossible to achieve. 

With a 70-litre tank, the Trail has a potential average distance of 824km to a fill, while the 20-litre AdBlue tank requires replenishment every 9-10,000km according to Ford.

On top of AWD, the 2026 Ford Transit Custom Trail LWB continues with independent rear suspension instead of the more basic live axles you’ll find in other vans. Because of this, it has a surefooted nature and handles surprisingly well.

Our testing is completely unladen, and as such the ride quality at slow speeds is on the firmer side. Bump absorption improves out on country roads and the big LWB body is kept in check surprisingly well thanks to the well-tuned dampers. The steering lacks a little feel, but its ratio is quicker than you expect, resulting in on-road dynamics that are far more competent than you expect – for a van.

There are drive modes, too, which include Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Tow/Haul and Trail. The reality is you’ll be sticking to Normal for most conditions, as Sport only adds artificial weight to the steering and sharpens throttle and gearbox responses.

The oversize exterior mirrors help with sightlines for changing lanes, while the window within the bulkhead aids vision straight out the back. Still, you really do rely on the monitoring and sensor technology for reward visibility.

And while the diesel engine is relatively refined, the hollow rear compartment does result in higher levels of noise, vibration and harshness – but this is a van, after all.

The short answer is yes, but with caveats. While there is 30mm extra ground clearance and some underbody reinforcements, the gap to terra firma is still the limiting factor.

A tool to help you get through rough stuff is Trail mode, which manipulates the traction control for greater purchase. An electronically controlled clutch within the rear axle is also said to mimic a locked 4x4 system and provide vital grip when required.

Speaking of traction, the 2026 Ford Transit Custom Trail LWB is fitted with ‘light-terrain’ commercial-grade Bridgestone Duravis tyres (with a space-saver spare). And while they certainly aren’t meant for tricky, rock-covered trails, they are appropriate for dirt roads and mild terrain.

Again, the lack of ground clearance is going to be the limiting factor, so choose your campsite wisely. Still, with AWD traction, the Transit Custom Trail is more capable than any other Transit if getting out into the bush is important to you.

Considering the 2026 Ford Transit Custom Trail LWB can be used as a work vehicle as well as fulfilling #vanlife fantasies, this is important.

For the tradies, a European pallet can fit in the back and there’s a 6.0-cubic-metre load volume when you factor in the bulkhead. The cargo area is 3002mm long, 1392mm wide (between the wheelarches) and 1425mm tall.

Keeping the figures rolling, based on a kerb weight of 2046kg, the payload is 1179kg, while the Gross Combined Mass (GCM) is 5725kg and the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) comes to 3225kg. 

The load bay comes standard with a bed mould, but the roof is left clear for a wide range of fit outs. There are six tie-down points at ‘ground’ level and a D-hook on each side. There’s hidden storage under the seats, which can be accessed through the back, and hard-grain protection covers the walls. The loading lights can be turned on or off via a switch near rear door.

A braked towing capacity of 2500kg is enough to lug around a trailer or small boat if required, but it is 300kg less than the FWD Trend.

This is all about getting the job done... or so you’d think. Being a lifestyle-focused van, the 2026 Ford Custom Trail LWB is a bit fancier thanks to the synthetic leather seats that have ‘Trail’ embossed into them as well as yellow stitching. It’s not a huge change, but it adds up.

Everything else is a little more hardwearing and fit for purpose. Apart from the leather-wrapped steering wheel, no other surface is soft-touch. Yet the build quality is sound, as is the level of storage with a dual-section cubby on the passenger side and ample cup/bottle holders. The floor is vinyl, but you can option all-weather mats.

Grab handles and a flat-bottom steering wheel makes it easier to slide in and out of the cabin, with the four-way adjustable steering column affords a comfortable seating position. And while there aren’t any physical buttons for the climate control, they are constantly present at the bottom of the infotainment screen.

It’s a comfortable place to be for long trips, with the dedicated two-seat layout of our test van featuring fold-down armrests instead of a centre console. Head and legroom are generous, while the Custom Trail doesn’t offer the option of a second row of seats. However, if you’re planning on turning it into a house on wheels, this matters less.

Ford is aiming squarely at Toyota’s HiAce with the second-generation Custom, rolling out a range bristling with diversification to draw in more punters.

The 2026 Ford Transit Custom Trail LWB’s purpose is to garner more personal purchases and business buys with attributes that appeal to both. And while it doesn’t totally nail the brief for those who want to get truly lost off the beaten track, there’s plenty to like for ‘vanlifers’ and tradies alike.

 Regardless of whether #vanlife is passing fad, the Transit Custom Trail is a worthwhile addition to the lineup.

2026 Ford Transit Custom Trail LWB at a glance:
Price: $62,290 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Output: 125kW/390Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.5L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2: 223g/km (ADR combined)
Safety rating: Unrated

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