Ford Transit Courier Review: Small Van, Big Improvements
What is it?
One of the best small vans you can buy right now? Quite possibly.
At a Glance
- Available with petrol, diesel or electric power
- Carries two Euro pallets – a first for the Courier
- Easy to drive and packed with safety kit
- Prices from around £18,000 (ex VAT)
The latest Ford Transit Courier has had a proper glow-up. Still the baby of Ford’s van line-up, it’s grown in size, gained clever features and now comes with the option of fully electric power. Whether you’re running a small business, making last-mile deliveries or just need a compact van for city jobs, the Courier’s got plenty going for it.
Performance & Range
The Courier drives more like a small car than a van – and that’s a big plus. That’s largely thanks to it being based on the Ford Puma, which helps it feel nimble around town and surprisingly stable on twistier roads.
There’s a choice of petrol (1.0-litre EcoBoost), diesel (1.5-litre EcoBlue), or full electric (E-Transit Courier). The petrol engine is the sweet spot for most – especially the 125PS version with the six-speed manual gearbox. It’s smooth, nippy and doesn’t feel strained even when fully loaded.
The automatic gearbox, however, feels a bit sluggish and hesitant. If you want the simplest, most responsive drive – especially in traffic – the electric version is worth a look. It’s got instant acceleration, handles urban routes with ease and offers up to 187 miles of range, depending on how you drive and spec it.
Comfort & Interior Features
Inside, it feels more like a well-kitted-out family car than a van. Even the entry-level model gets a digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment. Mid-range trims bring in Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and handy touches like heated seats and rear parking sensors.
There’s loads of storage too – with clever shelves, big door bins, and a phone mount near the screen. One small niggle: climate controls are mostly touchscreen-based, which isn’t ideal when you’re on the move.
If you’re going electric, you’ll also get a 12-inch digital display and Sync 4 infotainment, plus a button to ramp up regenerative braking. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it works well once you’re in the groove.
Practicality
This is where the Transit Courier has really stepped up. It’s now big enough to carry two Euro pallets, thanks to a wider rear load area. With up to 2.9m³ of load space and a longer cargo length than before (1,802mm standard, or 2,661mm with the optional load-through bulkhead), there’s more room for tools, deliveries or gear.
Access is easy, with wide rear doors that swing out to 180 degrees and optional side loading doors. Payloads vary depending on the model – petrol and diesel versions carry up to 854kg, while the electric model tops out at 698kg.
Trim Levels & Pricing
There are four trims to choose from:
- Leader – surprisingly well equipped for a base model
- Trend – adds air con, sliding doors and heated seats
- Limited – the sweet spot with alloy wheels, climate control and touchscreen nav
- Active – adds SUV-style rugged touches
Prices start at around £18,000 (ex VAT) for petrol models, and about £28,000 (ex VAT) for the electric version.
Safety & Running Costs
Ford’s taken safety seriously here. The Transit Courier is loaded with driver assists, from lane-keeping and pre-collision braking to adaptive cruise and reverse brake assist on higher trims. It’s been given a Platinum safety rating by Euro NCAP – impressive for a small van.
Running costs are reasonable too. The electric version should be the cheapest to run day-to-day, and Ford claims maintenance bills are 35% lower than the petrol or diesel versions. The battery is backed by an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Verdict
The new Ford Transit Courier is no longer just the cheap and cheerful option in the Ford van line-up – it’s become a seriously capable all-rounder. It’s more practical, better to drive, and comes with loads of standard tech and safety kit.
Whether you go petrol, diesel or electric, there’s a version to suit most small businesses or urban delivery needs. It might be the smallest Ford van, but it punches well above its weight.
