KILDARE MOTORING REVIEW: Ford Transit Tourneo Custom is a true team player

The Ford Transit Tourneo Custom provides multi-dimensional practicality for the driver and up to 8 passengers.

You can take a crew to the work site, then fold or remove the rear seats for maximum load carrying space, or use it as a van during the week, and install the seating to transport family and friends at the weekend. Whatever the requirements are, the robust Transit Tourneo Custom offers outstanding versatility for family or business life.

Well-Proven Underpinnings
Based on the award-winning Transit Custom Panel Van, the Tourneo Shuttlebus comes as standard with dual-side load doors and a rear tailgate door that provides unhindered access to the loadspace. There are 6 individual seats fitted in the rear of the Tourneo Custom, and you can opt to have 2 front-facing rows or have 2 rows facing each other in a conference
style set-up.

However, if the need arises, you can even remove individual seats completely to open up the rear cabin to accommodate large cargo, and the seatbacks can also be folded down if necessary. The centre seatbacks in the rear are fitted with cup/bottle holders and a flat surface that can act as a temporary desktop or table when required. With the maximum number of seats in place, there is an impressive 2.0-cubic metres of cargo space available behind the rearmost seats, and with the third row of seats removed, the space available increases to a hugely-impressive 3.8-cubic metres.

Thanks to a 1.38-metre floor-to-roof measurement, and a 3.3-metre wheelbase, the Tourneo Custom provides occupants with
masses of space in every direction, while its 1.92-metre overall external height is low enough to access most underground and multi-storey carparks.

Test Vehicle Details
 My test vehicle was a Transit Tourneo Custom 320L ‘Limited’ Shuttlebus, which was finished in striking Orange Glow metallic paintwork for maximum visual impact. Power is supplied to the front wheels courtesy of an advanced, high-performance Ford EcoBlue 2.0-litre turbo- diesel engine that delivers extra power and torque necessary to enhance Gross Train Mass (GTM) and braked trailer plate mass without compromising emissions.

Producing 130PS and385Nm of torque, the powerful, clean and refined powerplant enables the Tourneo Custom to achieve a fuel consumption figure as low as 6.7l/100km on a WLTP combined driving cycle, and it provides sufficient performance to conduct its carrying duties (people or cargo) in a comfortable and relatively refined manner. The steering is impressively direct for such a large vehicle and it has a turning circle that is on par with many family cars.

The six-speed manual transmission is smooth and precise, and its high-mounted location on the dash adds to the overall driving experience, as does the absence of noticeable wind and road noise at speed. The suspension strikes a good balance, as it is firm at low speeds and remarkably adept at handling direction changes at speed too. Exclusive ‘Limited’ specification includes full body-colour painted bumpers, bodyside mouldings and door handles, chrome front grille surround, 16” alloy wheels with locking wheel nuts, DAB radio, SYNC 3 Infotainment System with an 8” touchscreen display, Voice Control, AppLink, USB port, four speakers, heated front seats, leather-trimmed gearshift knob, air-conditioning, front passenger’s airbag with deactivation switch, and a load area protection kit.

This is in addition to standard equipment such as: front fog lights, front & rear parking sensors, auto lights & wipers, cruise control with adjustable speed limiter, Quickclear heated windscreen, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel, along with the option of a dual front passenger seat to bring the total number of seats to nine (including the driver). The vertically-orientated fascia has a premium look to it thanks to strategic chrome detailing and the overall build quality is
impressive.

Comfort levels inside the Tourneo Custom are relatively high, and luxury features such as the standard heated front seats and adjustable armrests are major highlights.

Verdict and Pricing
The Ford Transit Tourneo Custom is a spacious, versatile and practical people-carrier that offers car-like drivability, impressive payload rating, and terrific visibility for the driver and up to 8 passengers. My test vehicle specification is priced from €77,100 (ex-delivery).