2022 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon

The Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon was designed to fill a gap in the market between the popular full-size Ford Transit and a traditional minivan. To do so, it required an interesting duality of purpose that is hard to engineer. With only a long-wheelbase option, the small van offers a pretty spacious interior that can accommodate up to seven passengers while still offering a decent amount of cargo space. As commodious and practical as the Passenger Wagon is, it's still more than compact enough to maneuver around town with relative ease. It isn't lacking in features, either, with a capable infotainment suite and a number of standard safety features. Both can be upgraded significantly, just by going up a trim level. Still, it's not a particularly nimble vehicle, and isn't as luxurious as some of its pricier rivals like the Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van. It also doesn't get any engine options aside from a rather weak pair of four-cylinder engines. The Transit Connect is far from perfect, but it manages to do enough things well to make a name for itself in the market. Our Transit Connect review can help you determine if this is the right van for your needs.

Passenger vans aren't designed to look pretty, so it's not surprising that the new Ford Transit Connect isn't a head-turner. It gets plain 16-inch steel wheels as standard, with utilitarian black front and rear bumpers. The XL gets a three-bar black grille with black surround, while the upper trims get a five-bar black grille with chrome surround. Automatic halogen headlights curve upwards from the grille, with halogen fog lights embedded low within the bumper on the XLT. The fog lights are upgraded to LED variants on the Titanium. The top-tier trim also gets HID headlights with chrome bezels, and chrome bumper molding. The XL and XLT offer a choice of a rear liftgate or symmetrical rear doors, while the Titanium is restricted to a liftgate.

While smaller than the regular Ford Transit, the Connect still has fairly considerable dimensions. The Passenger Wagon doesn't get the option of the short wheelbase found on the Transit Connect Cargo Van, so the length for all models is 190 inches with a 120.6-inch wheelbase. Without accounting for mirrors, the small van is only moderately girthy at 72.2 inches wide. Only one roof height is available, too, with the Transit Connect standing 71.6 inches tall. It weighs in at 4,019 pounds with the base 2.0-liter engine, while the 2.5-liter engine adds around 32 pounds. The ground clearance isn't overly high at 5.7 inches, making loading passengers and cargo a little easier.

There are nine colors available for the Transit Connect Passenger Wagon in 2022. Sedona Orange and Solar Silver were added last year and the selection of colors has remained untouched this year. The other color choices are Frozen White, Dark Blue, Race Red, Magnetic, Agate Black, Silver, and Blue Metallic. None of these colors will add anything to the cost of the Ford. The mid-range XLT and pricier Titanium lose access to Dark Blue. The darker shades give this rather plain-looking van a classier appearance.

Ford's small passenger van is not a great performer, but it does get the job done. The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine only develops 162 hp and 144 lb-ft of torque, while the larger 2.5-liter variant doesn't raise these figures all that much, developing 169 hp and 171 lb-ft. Neither powertrain is particularly quick, but there is enough torque there to give the illusion of some agility when keeping to low speeds around town. Try to accelerate up to 60 mph too rapidly, though, and you'll find the engines running out of breath.

When properly equipped, the Transit Connect can tow up to 2,000 lbs. This is on par with rivals like the Ram ProMaster City Passenger Wagon, and should be enough for the Ford to handle luggage trailers when hauling a full complement of seven passengers. Front-wheel drive is the only option when it comes to small passenger vans, so it's not surprising that the Transit doesn't offer an alternative.

As standard under the hood of every Transit Connect is a 2.0-liter GDI inline-four-cylinder engine, delivering 162 hp and 144 lb-ft to the front wheels only. The engine comes mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and offers an Eco mode. Even on a smaller van like the Connect, the powertrain doesn't supply enough power to pull it around quickly. There is enough low-end torque to get you and your passengers around town, but try to pass even slower vehicles on the highway, and the engine will run out of steam quickly.

The 2.5-liter i-VCT four-cylinder engine is available on the XL trim only. Mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, this powertrain develops 169 hp and 171 lb-ft. The extra torque certainly helps the engine lug heavier loads around, making it more suitable for passengers with lots of luggage.

Thanks to its car-based platform, the Transit Connect handles better than its more truck-like rivals. The steering is light enough to make maneuvering around town easy enough, and the boxy body remains composed when driving at reasonable speeds. Apply some pressure to the gas pedal, however, and the Passenger Wagon's limits quickly come into view. If the whine of the engine isn't enough to convince you to slow down, the rattle of the body as it struggles to keep straight on the highway will. Try to take a corner at anything higher than a crawl and the body rolls significantly.

Stay within the low limits of the van, though, and ride quality remains acceptable. The basic abrasions you're likely to encounter around town are absorbed without too much fuss, while the constant wind and road sounds melt into a sort of white noise. All this is exacerbated to unbearable levels if you need to get somewhere in a hurry.

Large, unwieldy vehicles like vans are not known for their impressive fuel economy, but the Transit Connect manages to be quite economical. Equipped with the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the 2022 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon is able to get 24/28/26 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles on regular gas or a much less impressive 16/21/18 mpg on E85 gas. By comparison, the 2.4-liter Ram Promaster City Passenger Wagon gets 21/28/24 mpg. The Ford's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is stronger but it drops in efficiency to 20/26/22 mpg. The fuel tank can hold up to 15.8-gallons of regular gasoline, enough to carry the 2.0-liter version of the Transit Connect across 411 miles before needing to refuel.

The small 7-seater passenger wagon boasts minimalist, functional styling inside the cabin. The materials aren't the highest quality, but the construction is rugged and durable. There aren't that many features as standard, with only a few more to be had, so the controls don't clutter up the dashboard. The infotainment is pretty straightforward, with smartphone integration available on the upper trim levels, along with voice-activated navigation. Despite being a passenger-centric van, Ford's passenger wagon still offers a fair amount of cargo space.

The interior of the Ford Transit wagon is capacious thanks to the long wheelbase. In its standard configuration, the van is a 7-passenger vehicle. By comparison, the Ram ProMaster City is a less versatile 5-passenger van. If you need a bigger 15-passenger van, consider the larger Ford Transit. In the Transit Connect, the middle-row bench can be swapped out for captain's chairs, reducing capacity to six passengers. There is plenty of headroom, no matter where you are seated, thanks to the high roof, but legroom is only average in the rear two rows. The driver gets pretty good forward visibility due to the high seat position, but rear and blind-spot visibility is poor. A six-way manual driver's seat with manual lumbar is equipped to the XL, while the XLT and Titanium get a six-way power driver's seat. The wide-opening rear sliding doors make it easy for passengers to get in and out of the van.

The cabin focuses on function over comfort, with middling materials used throughout. Construction is hardy, with plenty of hard plastics on display. This also means that there is some rattling at higher speeds. The base-level XL trim comes upholstered in Ebony vinyl, but buyers can swap this out for Ebony cloth at no extra cost. The XLT gets the cloth upholstery as standard and expands the palette with Palazzo Grey in either cloth or leather, with the latter being a $1,550 standalone option that includes a six-way electrically adjustable driver's seat. The Titanium trim gets leather as standard but only in Palazzo Grey. This model is also enhanced with a leather gear shift knob and a soft door armrest in vinyl, small but meaningful upgrades that make it feel less utilitarian inside.

For a small van focused on hauling passengers, the Transit Connect still provides a decent amount of cargo capacity. With the third-row seats in place, a minimum of 16.3 cubic feet of space is supplied, but this can be expanded to 24.9 cubic feet by moving the rear seats as far forward as possible. While not enough space for seven people's luggage, it's more than enough for their hand-luggage, the kids' sports bags, or a full day's shopping. If you need more than the standard amount of cargo space, the third-row seats can be folded down flat to free up 60.1 cubic feet, while lowering the second-row seats opens up an impressive 106-cubic-foot area to store even larger items. This turns the passenger hauler into a functional cargo van, of sorts. The maximum payload capacity of the Transit Connect is 1,436 lbs.

Small-item storage around the cabin isn't amazing, but it is creative. There is a passenger-side glove compartment and pretty spacious door pockets up front. There are also two cupholders and a modestly-sized armrest storage bin. The rear seats don't offer much in the way of nooks and crannies to store your knick-knacks with only two small cupholders in the very rear and quasi door pockets in the middle row. However, there is an overhead storage compartment above the front dash. A mid-vehicle aircraft-style overhead console with additional storage space can be optioned in.

The base model of the Ford Transit Connect Passenger van comes with only the bare minimum of features, but it's still great value for the price. Buyers can choose between vinyl or cloth upholstery, but they are limited to a six-way manual driver's seat with manual lumbar settings, paired with a manual tilt-and-telescoping steering column. Dual-zone climate control keeps the cabin comfortable, while two 12-volt power outlets and a 110-volt power outlet keeps passengers' devices charged and connected. Cruise control and remote keyless entry comprise the standard convenience features, while the basic safety suite comprises forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, a rearview camera, and rear sonar.

The XLT enhances this with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and driver alert. It also upgrades the driver's seat with six-way power-adjustability. The top-tier Titanium gets intelligent access and keyless ignition, leather upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter. Adaptive cruise control and front sonar can be optioned on the upper trims, along with remote engine start and a panoramic vista roof.

The infotainment suite on the van manages to be both simplistic and surprisingly modern at the same time. The standard 4.2-inch LCD screen is a bit on the small side, but it comes equipped with Bluetooth accessibility and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. A single USB port is supplied to charge your devices, and the standard sound system consists of four speakers. If you want Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you will need to upgrade to at least the XLT, which also adds SiriusXM and a larger 6.5-inch LCD screen. Furthermore, the XLT comes with an extra USB port, a six-speaker sound system, and a wireless charging pad to keep even more devices connected. At the top of the range, the Titanium adds voice-activated controls, navigation, SiriusXM Traffic, HD Radio, and a nine-speaker premium audio system.

J.D. Power has not rated the 2020, 2021, or 2022 Transit Connect, but the authority scored the almost-identical 2019 iteration at 67 out of 100 overall and only 63 for quality and reliability. The NHTSA recalled the Transit Connect three times in 2020 and twice in 2021; the 2021 recalls were for the vehicle possibly rolling away unintentionally due to a detached shift cable and for a malfunctioning seatbelt locking retractor. The latter problem also carries over to the 2022 model.

Ford offers a 36,000-mile/36-month bumper-to-bumper warranty on new purchases, along with a powertrain and roadside assistance plan, both of which are valid for 60,000 miles/60 months.

The 2022 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon attained a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA for crashworthiness. Broken down further, this includes four stars for the frontal and rollover tests and the maximum five stars for the side crash test. The IIHS hasn't evaluated the Transit Connect.

The Transit Connect comes standard with ABS, stability and traction control, side-wind stabilization, hill start assist, a rearview camera, and six airbags: dual front, front side, and side curtain. Forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, rain-sensing wipers, and rear sonar are also included. Available features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.

As a more compact version of the class-leading Ford Transit, the Transit Connect has quite a legacy to live up to. Unfortunately, it's held back by lackluster gasoline engines with no alternative options offered. But there is more to a good van than just a bit of zip around town.

The Passenger Wagon supplies plenty of cargo space without sacrificing on passenger space along with a decent array of available safety features. The Sync 3 infotainment suite is pretty comprehensive, especially at the mid-tier level, and remains easy to use across the range.

The Ford Transit Connect is among the best small vans available on the market with impressive handling dynamics for its size, but it will never be as nimble as non-commercial minivans. Then again, that's perhaps missing the point; for its intended purpose, the Transit Connect fulfils the brief.

Elevated pricing for the Ford Transit Connect, at least compared to its direct rivals, have not stopped it from being popular. While sparsely equipped, the entry-level XL is reasonably priced at $27,920. The mid-tier XLT only asks for slightly more at $30,035, but it is more customizable than the base model. Getting behind the wheel of the top-of-the-range Titanium will cost you $32,120. These prices are $520 up for each trim compared to last year's and exclude tax, registration, licensing and Ford's $1,395 destination fee.

The Ram ProMaster City Wagon begins at a slightly more affordable $26,330 in the USA.

Just like last year, the 2022 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon is offered in three trims: XL, XLT, and Titanium. All trims share the same drivetrain, which is to say a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four engine with 162 hp and 144 lb-ft of torque driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Only the base XL trim is optionally available with a 2.5-liter engine with 169 hp and 171 lb-ft connected to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The XL trim runs on 16-inch steel wheels with hubcaps and comes as standard with halogen headlights, configurable daytime running lights, and rain-sensing wipers. The seats are upholstered in black vinyl and other standard features include a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat, remote keyless entry, dual-zone climate control with rear-seat controls, and cruise control. The infotainment system has a 4.2-inch LCD screen and incorporates a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, one USB port, two 12-volt power outlets, a 110-volt power outlet, and a four-speaker audio system. The base XL trim gets only a few of the Ford Co-Pilot360 features, namely forward-collision avoidance with automatic braking, pedestrian detection, and rear sonar. Standard safety tech also includes a backup camera.

The XLT is the mid-range trim and looks just like the XL on the outside, except that the exterior mirrors gain power adjustment and power folding. On the inside, it adds to the XL's feature count cloth upholstery and a six-way electrically adjustable driver's seat. The infotainment system is usefully upgraded to the Sync 3 setup with a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and SiriusXM. Additional safety and driver-assistance features include an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Titanium trim gets all of this and adds 16-inch alloy wheels, HID headlights, LED fog lights, and body-color exterior mirrors. On the inside, leather is added on the seats, steering wheel, and gear shifter and other additional features include keyless ignition and an improved Sync 3 infotainment system, now including navigation, voice commands, SiriusXM Traffic, and a nine-speaker audio system.

For the most part, the trim levels for the Ford Transit Connect are self-contained, with access to more features and creature comforts requiring you to upgrade to higher trims. However, there is some wiggle room, with a few packages offered to enhance each trim. The Trailer Tow Package ($395) can be equipped to any model and adds a Class I trailer hitch receiver, trailer sway control, a trailer wiring module, and a four-pin connector, unlocking the full towing potential of the van. The XLT gets access to a six-way electrically adjustable driver's seat and leather upholstery for $1,550. Other standalone extras include a mid-vehicle roof-mounted storage compartment for $95, a choice between a second-row bench (seven-seater) or captain's chairs (six-seater) at no additional cost, and 16-inch alloy wheels for between $395 and $495 for the lower trims.

The XLT is the trim we would recommend from the range, as it gets Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a power driver's seat. It also gets advanced safety features like blind-spot assist and rear cross-traffic alert. If you're going to be using it as a family hauler, then the Trailer Tow Package may be worth it to help you haul trailers (so you don't have to fold down rear seats for extra cargo capacity). This trim can also be upgraded with leather upholstery and a power-adjustable driver's seat.

While it may be, in many regards, perhaps the most direct competitor to the Ford Transit Connect, the Ram ProMaster City Wagon isn't quite as versatile. It gets a more potent powertrain, with 178 hp and 174 lb-ft at its disposal, but it can carry no more than five passengers in its optimal configuration. The stronger engine does result in slightly worse fuel efficiency, with the Ram getting 21/28/24 mpg. On the more technical front, the Ford wins out again, with a more capable infotainment suite and more standard and available safety features. Due to the reduced number of seats, the ProMaster City does supply more cargo space, while it offers comparable towing capabilities. With a price difference of just $1,590, the ideal van for you will come down to whether you need more passenger or cargo space. Still, the Ford Transit Connect is the better all-rounder.

As you'd expect from any vehicle bearing the Mercedes-Benz logo, the Metris is quite a bit pricier than its rivals, at around $9,000 more than the well-balanced Ford at entry level. But this extra investment comes with some benefits, such as seating for up to eight passengers and impressive cargo capacity. The Mercedes badge also means that the interior is far more upscale than you'll find in more traditional commercial vans. Even the entry-level models come with a fair number of convenience and comfort features. The Metris gets a much more capable engine, developing 208 hp and 258 lb-ft, which allows it to tow an impressive 5,000 lbs, but this also means it is far less fuel-efficient. If you have the money to spare, the Metris is certainly tempting, but if it's value you're after, then the Ford Passenger Wagon makes more sense.