The 2021 Ford Transit Connect is a small commercial passenger van that’s big on city-friendly convenience. Compared to bigger commercial vans, the Transit Connect is both more efficient and easier to maneuver. With space for up to seven people and lots of modern tech features, this Ford van can even do double duty as an inexpensive family hauler.
Exterior Features
The 2021 Transit Connect has sharp good looks, something you might not expect from a commercial passenger van. Instead of the boxy shape of a bygone era, the new Ford Transit Connect has smoothly sloping lines and Ford’s front-end flourishes, including a black grille and signature headlights. Options, including LED headlights and privacy glass windows, add a little luxury to the business of people-hauling.
Standard:
- 16-inch steel wheels with full wheel cover in painted Sparkle Silver
- 215/55R16 97H A/S tires
- Rain-sensing front wipers
- Rear liftgate with fixed glass and wiper
- Black door handles
- Black front and rear bumpers
- Black rear bumper end caps
- Automatic headlamps with configurable daytime running lamps
- Wiper-activated headlamps
- Follow-Me-Home feature
- Three-bar black grille with black surround
- Integrated spotter mirrors
- Black manual adjust exterior mirrors with manual fold
- Full-size spare tire
- Dual sliding side doors
- Rear cargo door glass with wipers
- Power front row windows with One-Touch Down on driver’s side
- Power second-row windows
- Fixed third-row side glass
- Fixed rear-door glass
Optional:
- 16-inch painted Silver Sparkle aluminum wheels
- 16-inch painted Luster Nickel premium aluminum wheels
- 180-degree swing-out rear cargo doors
- Body-color door handles
- Body-color front and rear bumpers
- Body-color rear bumper end caps
- High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps
- Halogen front fog lamps
- Adaptive cornering front fog lamps
- LED front fog lamps
- Daytime running lamps
- Five-bar black grille with chrome surround
- Black power-adjustable, heated exterior mirrors with manual fold
- Black power-adjustable, PowerFold heated exterior mirrors
- Body-color power-adjustable, PowerFold heated exterior mirrors
- Roof rack with crossbars
- Roof rails
- Front and rear splash guards
- Tire Repair Kit
- Power front-row windows with One-Touch Up/Down
- Power second-row windows with One-Touch Up/Down
- Privacy Glass Windows
- Panoramic Fixed-Glass Vista Roof
- QuickClear electric windshield defroster with heated washer jets and power-adjustable heated exterior mirrors
Power and Performance
There are two engine options available for the Transit Connect. The base engine, a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, gets you up to speed at no extra cost. For fleet shoppers, an upgrade is available, the 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, which boosts performance with its extra power.
When you’re cruising in the Transit Connect, the EcoCoach and EcoMode systems monitor performance and encourage fuel-efficient driving. Add-ons, like remote start and cruise control, help make every workday go by smoothly.
Standard:
- 2.0L GDI I-4 engine (162 hp, 144 lb-ft)
- Eight-speed SelectShift automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- Auto Start-Stop technology
- EcoMode and EcoCoach
- Power four-wheel disc anti-lock brake system
- Electric power-assisted steering
- Independent Macpherson strut front and twist-beam rear suspension
- Heavy-duty alternator (220-amp with the 2.0L gas engine)
- Heavy-duty battery (80-amp/800-CCA)
- 15.8-gallon fuel tank
Optional:
- 2.5L iVCT I-4 engine (169 hp, 177 lb-ft)
- Six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission (XL with 2.5L engine)
- Remote Start
- Cruise Control
- Engine block heater
- Standard-duty battery (60-amp/590-CCA), standard with the 2.5L engine
- Fuel Flex Capability (2.0L GDI I-4 gas engine)
Towing and Payload Capacities
With the Class I Trailer Tow Package, the 2021 Ford Transit Connect passenger van can tow up to 2,000 pounds. This tow rating remains the same, whether you select the 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy varies depending on powertrain and fuel type. Fuel-flex models with the long wheelbase and base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine earn up to 26 mpg combined with regular gasoline and 19 mpg combined running on E85. With the optional 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, efficiency drops slightly, to 22 mpg combined.
- LWB FFV, 2.0L inline-4:
- Regular gas: 26 mpg combined (24 city/29 highway mpg)
- E85: 19 mpg combined (17/21 mpg)
- LWB FWD, 2.0L inline-4: 26 mpg combined (24/29 mpg)
- LWB FWD, 2.5L inline-4: 22 mpg combined (20/26 mpg)
Interior Features
This commercial passenger van offers seating for up to seven; the Passenger Wagon comes standard with the long wheelbase, increasing extra hip room and cargo space. Seating is also very flexible, with fold-flat second and third-row seats to accommodate extra cargo. Behind the rear seats, you can load up to 24.9 cubic feet of cargo space with your clients’ gear or fold down the second row for 60.1 cubic feet to haul business supplies or family sports gear.
Besides lots of interior space, the Transit Connect also features modern comforts. Dual-zone front climate control offers two separate comfort zones; perfect for front-seat passengers who can’t agree on a temperature. Options, like leather-trimmed upholstery, heated seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel give this commercial cargo van a luxury vibe.
Standard:
- Cloth seating
- Second-row fold-flat bucket seats
- Third-row manual-sliding with two-passenger seating and fold-flat feature
- Dual-zone front auto temperature control
- Speedometer, tachometer, and trip computer
- First- and second-row carpeted floor covering
- Third-row and rear cargo carpet
- Driver and passenger front sun visors
- Front dome light
- Rear overhead courtesy lamp
- Dual front map lights
- Day/night rearview mirror
- Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
- Door pockets
- Glove box
- Premium front center closed console, with two cupholders, front and rear 12-volt powerpoints, 110-volt power converter and storage
- Rear window defroster
Optional:
- Vinyl seating
- Six-way power driver seat with manual lumbar
- Four-way manual passenger seat with manual lumbar
- Second-row manual 60/40 split-folding three-passenger bench seat
- Third-row seat delete (fleet only)
- Heated front seats
- Leather-trimmed seating
- Rear-seat climate control with rear compartment A/C and heated with manual rear controls
- Front and rear all-weather floor mats
- Front and second-row vinyl floor covering
- Third-row and cargo vinyl floor covering
- Front and second-row premium carpeted floor mats
- Cargo Net Kit
- Driver sunvisor with vanity mirror and ticket strap; passenger sunvisor with mirror
- Overhead sunglass holder and child observation mirror
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Locking glove box
- Aircraft-style mid-vehicle overhead console
- Upfitting wiring harness
Safety and Security
Every Transit Connect comes standard with many Ford Co-Pilot360 safety aids, features designed to help you avoid danger and costly damages. Available technology includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision mitigation, and a lane-keeping system.
This commercial passenger van also offers tech-savvy security features, like remote start and Intelligent Access with push-button start. The Intelligent Access system lets you unlock the doors, start the ignition, and lock the doors again with the Transit Connect key tucked in your pocket.
Standard:
- Remote keyless-entry with two key fobs
- Curve Control
- Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
- Hill Start Assist
- AdvanceTrac with RSC
- Side Wind Stabilization
- Reverse Sensing System
- Power four-wheel disc anti-lock brake system
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System
- Torque Vectoring Control
- Safety Canopy side curtain airbags
- Driver and passenger front airbags
- Driver and passenger front seat side airbags
- Emergency Brake Assist
- SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System
Optional:
- Remote Start (includes perimeter alarm)
- MyKey
- Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start
- Two additional key fobs
- Automatic High-Beam Headlamps
- Forward and Reverse Sensing Systems
- BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert
- Lane-Keeping System
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Enhanced Active Park Assist
- Engine Governor, 65 mpg speed limiter (fleet only)
- Engine Governor, 75 mpg speed limiter (fleet only)
- Trailer Sway Control
- Perimeter anti-theft
Technology
Because it’s designed for commercial use, you might not expect the Transit Connect to be as tech-savvy as it is. But this passenger wagon treats you to a standard Wi-Fi modem, USB port, and four-speaker sound system.
And you can always upgrade your infotainment setup with the Sync 3 system, which features a bigger display and complete smartphone integration via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Add the optional nine-speaker stereo system for a premium audio experience.
Standard:
- FordPass Connect with 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Four-speaker sound system
- 4.2-inch LCD multi-function display with steering wheel controls
- AM/FM Radio with Bluetooth
- USB port
- 12-volt front and rear powerpoints in center console
- 12-volt single powerpoint in rear cargo area
Optional:
- Sync 3 with 6.5-inch display
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone connectivity
- 12-volt single front powerpoint in center console
- Upfitting wiring harness
- Wireless charging pad
- Six-speaker audio system
- Nine-speaker premium audio system
- Single-slot CD player
Transit Connect Trim Models
The Transit Connect Passenger Wagon is available as three trim models: XL, XLT, and Titanium. Each model adds extra features at a slightly higher price.
XL
The base XL has a healthy list of standard features, including high-tech driver safety aids and modern infotainment gear. Features like vinyl flooring and manually adjustable mirrors are on the basic side, but the XL starting price is very friendly.
- 4.2-inch central display screen
- Bluetooth
- USB port
- Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking
- Manually adjustable mirrors
- Vinyl flooring
XLT
Upgrade to the XLT for more modern creature comforts, like carpeted flooring. You also get extra infotainment gear, including Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone connectivity and dual USB ports. This model adds extra safety gear, with blind-spot monitoring and lane departure mitigation to help you avoid on-road dangers, as well.
- Sync 3 with 6.5-inch display
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Two USB ports
- Carpeted flooring
- Automatic high beams
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane departure warning and lane keeping assist
Titanium
The top-trim Titanium offers on-road luxury, with leather upholstery and heated seats. The power-adjustable driver’s seat helps you get perfectly situated at the wheel. And smart features like remote start and keyless ignition offer time-saving convenience.
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Heated front seats
- Leather upholstery
- Integrated navigation
- Keyless entry and ignition
- Remote start
- Xenon headlights
- LED fog lights
Available Packages
Trailer Tow Package
- Trailer tow hitch
- Trailer sway control
XLT Premium Package
- 16-inch premium Luster Nickel-painted aluminum wheels
- Leather-trimmed seats
- HID headlamps
- Aircraft-style mid-vehicle overhead console
What Comes Next for the Transit Connect?
A redesigned Transit Connect has been caught in spy shots, just cruising around. However, we don’t yet know when Ford plans to release this new commercial van. As soon as we hear more details, we’ll be the first to let you know.
Ford Warranty
Your 2021 Transit Connect comes with impressive warranty coverage, including roadside assistance to help you out of an unexpected jam. If something goes wrong within the limits of your warranty, just bring your Transit Connect back to your friendly Ford dealership for a reliable diagnosis and fix.
- Bumper-to-bumper limited warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
- Limited powertrain warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: 5 years/60,000 miles