Ford->ke31’s little commercial vehicle that could, the Transit Connect, is completely fresh for 2014 with new styling, multiple length and roof sizes, and a new EcoBoost option. Another first is a seven-passenger MPV variant called the Transit Connect Wagon. The passenger model will be offered in short or long wheelbase configuration, arriving in U.S. dealers in October with prices expected to start in the $24,000 ballpark.

As useful as full-size vans are, even Ford->ke31’s brand-new, enormous 2014 Transit cargo van is not ideal for light commercial duties like doggie daycare pickup or flower delivery. Ford->ke31's elderly E-series vans are equally unsuitable for dropping kids off at school - so the latest Transit Connect Wagon has a willing market among van-deprived Ford->ke31 loyalists.

The Transit Connect Wagon is a five-seater in the short-wheelbase configuration, and up to a seven-seater on the longer length option. This is no compact car - the larger TC Wagon has a 121-inch wheelbase.

Both vans come with dual sliding doors and an available one-piece power tailgate preferred by moms. How does this hot new Ford stack up versus the Mazda5 or Nissan Quest?

Click past the jump for the full review of the 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon, with a full image gallery of the exterior design and interior layouts.

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 175 @ 6000
  • Torque: 170 @ 4500
  • Transmission: 6-speed Automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The styling of the new Transit Connect Wagon blends some familiar and well-liked cues for the car’s nose and grille. The trapezoidal bumper face is in contrasting dark grey to form the car’s lower bumper, which is ringed in chrome on the top U.S. trims. Body color bumpers and fascias lighten the design and help the TC Wagon to clearly be a fun-loving passenger model and not a work van.

Bumper-mounted halogen fog lights and a unique front headlamp appearance finish off the front end nicely, and the integrated blade blinkers at the base of the main lamps is very chic. There are many nods to the Fiesta up front, but overall the look works well in this large van shape.

In profile, the most striking addition is a large and slanted glasshouse to show off the roomy cabin – usually covered up by that dog daycare logo on the panel vans.

The sliding doors are enormous to open a wide and tall entryway into the back seats, whose headrests are visible from outside. The low glass line means kids will be able to see more out the windows than they can in the back of many crossover SUVs – especially in the third row.

Some tasteful sculpting appears in the lower trims of the TC Wagon, and the sliding door rail is not ashamed and hiding in the body. Loud and proud, this van wears its track right there for all to see.

From the rear, the most notable element are the vertical blade taillights and the extra low bumper height. The TC Wagon’s commercial roots mean this van is quite boxy from the back, but almost in a fashionable way. A pinched back window also helps bring a contemporary feel to the design.

The primary taillights are lower slashes in the vertical light assembly, with the actual brake lights being operated by vertical, high-mounted LEDs just below the corners of the roof.

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon – Exterior Dimensions:

Transit Connect Wagon

SWB (Short Wheelbase)

LWB (Long Wheelbase)

Wheelbase (in.)

104.8

120.6

Length (in.)

173.9

189.7

Width (in.)

72.2

72.2

Height (in.)

72.6

72

Track - Front (in.)

61.7

61.7

Track - Rear (in.)

61.7

61.7

Weight (Pounds)

3457, Est.

3657, Est.

Drag Coefficient

.32, Est

.32, Est

Wheelbase

2450 mm

96.5 in.

Length

3785 mm

149 in.

Width

1635 mm

64.4 in.

Height

1485 mm

58.5 in.


2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon – Standard Exterior Features (Tentative):

- Single Complex Surface Halogen Headlights

- Body Color Front Air Dam

- Front and Rear Body Color Bumpers

- Rear Step Up Bumper

- Manual, one-piece liftgate

- Battery Management System

- Solar tinted front door and windshield glass

- Acoustic-laminate windshield glass

- Heated from windshield glass (Opt.)

- Metallic Paint (Opt.)

- Bright Trim Grille, Body Side Moldings, Cladding and Body Color Exterior Door Handles (Opt.)

Interior

The Transit Connect Wagon features a huge and flexible interior layout with a completely flat and extra-low floor height. Paired with the sliding doors, the TC Wagon looks like the easiest vehicle in the segment for loading child seats. A short-wheelbase TC Wagon will be offered with seating for five people, up to a long-wheelbase model with seating for seven.

Both cars use the convenient sliding doors, but this generation of TC brings an available single-piece tailgate that hinges at the top, just like every other crossover and van out there. This is the setup moms prefer versus swing-out French doors that contractors and delivery folks like better.

The front cabin carries much of the Focus->ke31-inspired techy feel to the control surfaces and rising central dash bulge. The TC Wagon’s budget mission means the touchscreen radio is optional. Navigation functionality for MyFord Touch is an additional extra, but at least comes with a backup camera. Even so, the Focus-style standard twin info monitor setup is handy and modern - it can be controlled by the steering wheel toggle pads for all functions.

Some higher-quality plastics make an appearance for this generation of Transit Connect, with the pre-production interior images using a contemporary brown, titanium and khaki mood. Plentiful cup holders and storage areas abound, and all the rear seats are a special flip-and-fold design. Once folded, they stand vertically and can be slid toward the middle row for more cargo room.

The high interior roof looks great with the built-in cubbies above the first row of seats, or with the big glass moonroof that is optional. Power sliding doors and tailgate are also expected on the list of options.

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon – Interior Dimensions:

Transit Connect Wagon

SWB (Short Wheelbase)

LWB (Long Wheelbase)

Front Seating Capacity

2

2

Middle Seating Capacity

3

3

Rear Seating Capacity

NA

2

Headroom - Front (in.)

46.9

46.9

Headroom - Middle (in.)

45.1

45.1

Headroom - Rear (in.)

NA

41.3

Legroom - Front (in.)

40.3

40.3

Legroom - Middle (in.)

37.6

37.6

Legroom - Rear (in.)

NA

35

Shoulder Room - Front (in.)

57.7

57.7

Shoulder Room - Middle (in.)

58.8

58.8

Shoulder Room - Rear (in.)

NA

56.3

Hip Room - Front (in.)

54.6

54.6

Hip Room - Middle (in.)

58.5

58.5

Hip Room - Rear (in.)

NA

57

EPA Cargo Volume - All Seats Up (cubic-feet)

52.0, Est

18.8, Est

EPA Cargo Volume - 3rd-Row Seat Up, But Slid Forward (cubic-feet)

NA

19.8

EPA Cargo Volume - All Rows Folded Down (cubic-feet)

106.5, Est

138.0, Est


2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon – Standard Interior Features(Tentative):

- Second-row split-fold-flat bench seat with armrest and dual cupholders; Third-row 50/50 split-fold bench seat

- Ford MyKey, Keyless Entry Operated Via Key Fob, Multi-Function Remote Operates Door Lock/Unlock, Perimeter Lighting and Tailgate

-AM/FM Radio With 4 Speakers Total; CD Player, Auxiliary Audio Input Jack; Radio Scan, Speed Sensitive Volume

- Cargo hooks, Cargo net

- Power windows for first two rows, with 1-touch-up-and-down driver/passenger window; Power door locks

- Dome/map lights in all three rows

- Manual tilt/telescoping steering column

- Cruise control

- Easy Fuel capless fuel filler

- Sun visors, illuminated, with vanity mirrors

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon – Optional Interior Features(Tentative):

- 6.5-inch touch-screen display with navigation, and SYNC with MyFord Touch

- MyFord Touch Satellite Navigation with Backup Camera

- Remote power sliding doors

- SYNC Voice-Activated Navigation System with SiriusXM Travel Link

- BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert

- Inflatable rear safety belts

- Power liftgate

- Adjustable pedals with memory

- Power tilt/telescoping steering wheel

- Heated and cooled front seats

- 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar

- Intelligent Access with Push-Button Start

- Remote start

- Ambient lighting

- Universal garage door opener

- Memory driver’s seat

- PowerFold mirrors with memory

- 110-volt, in-car plug outlet

- Rear seat entertainment system

Drivetrain, Suspension and Brakes

The engines and transmission for the U.S. market are confirmed: a choice of four-cylinders paired with a standard six-speed automatic. Ford has not yet announced the horsepower and mileage stats delivered by these two engines, but the below estimates are based on the same engines used elsewhere in Ford’s American lineup.

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder is the base engine, producing 175 horsepower for an estimated 9.5-second 0-to-60 mph run. The smaller engine is actually the upgrade: this little 1.6-liter EcoBoost makes similar power levels but is much faster in all daily driving - resulting in an estimated 8.8-second sprint to 60 mph. The EcoBoost 1.6-liter option is projected to deliver 178 horsepower (just one extra) but produces much more torque at a much lower rev count – making the car feel more powerful.

The EcoBoost engine also delivers some astounding potential mileage figures. Based on how these engines perform in the 2014 Ford Fusion, the Transit Connect Wagon may be able to hit the high 30’s for its highway EPA mileage rating. Ford is performing final tweaks to ensure a good balance between mileage and power, but the engines will not fall much from the below power estimates.

The new 2.5-liter I-4 engine in the 2014 Transit Connect is available with a CNG/LPG Gaseous Engine Prep Package that makes it capable of conversion to CNG/LPG fuel systems. This package includes hardened intake valves, valve seats and bi-fuel manifold.

Once converted, the Transit Connect can run seamlessly switch between gasoline and CNG, stored in a separate tank. This is likely to be more popular on the commercial vehicles than the Wagon passenger versions.

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon – Mechanical Details:

Engine Size and Type

2.5-liter 16-valve I-4 With DOHC And VVT

1.6-liter Turbocharged 16-valve I-4 With DOHC And VVT

Peak power (Horsepower)

175 @ 6000, Est

178 @ 5700, Est

Peak torque (Pound-feet)

170 @ 4500, Est

184 @ 2500, Est

Transmission

6-Speed Auto

6-Speed Auto

0-to-60 mph

9.5 seconds, Est

8.8 seconds, Est

Top Speed (mph)

112, Est

122, Est

EPA Fuel Economy MPG (City/Highway/Combined)

22/34/26, Est

25/37/29, Est


Safety

The safety of the Transit Connect is not yet proven by testing by the NHTSA and IIHS, but other vehicles with this shared architecture bring top safety marks and equipment.

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon – Standard Safety Features(Tentative):

-* AdvanceTrac with RSC, Traction control

-* Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag, Seat Mounted Front Side Airbags, Safety Canopy System Side Curtain airbag for all rows

-* Side Guard Door Beams

-* LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children)

-* S O S Post-Crash Alert System

-* SecuriCode keyless entry keypad, SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System

-* Tire Pressure Monitoring System

-* Front and Rear Automatic Locking Retractors, Front Seatbelt Height Adjusters and Pre-tensioners, Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelts, Belt-Minder

Pricing

Pricing of the Transit Connect Wagon is not yet available from Ford->ke31, but the Wagon is promised to arrive between October and December, 2013. Ford’s timetable shows the Transit Connect cargo van arriving next, in the first quarter of 2014.

Based on the competition and offering of the TC Wagon, the projected base price of the short-wheelbase model is $21,500 and up to $22,750 for the LWB version. Top trims with every option will reach $31,000 – which is about the cut-off before large and full-featured vans like the Honda Odyssey become affordable.

Competition

Mazda5

The Mazda5 is not quite as large as the Ford TC Wagon - and roughly matches the size of only the SWB version of the Ford. The Mazda seats six but has almost no cargo room left behind the third row when all the seats are in use. On the plus side, the Mazda5 is very affordable and reliable.

Nissan Quest

The Quest is actually a larger and far more expensive van than the Ford TC Wagon, but is here because it is similarly unafraid to show its van styling. A deep-tinted glass window-line extends the full profile of the Nissan, giving it s global minibus feel that is absent from the Odyssey and Sienna - and makes them seem a bit dull as a result.

Conclusion

Ford’s van foothold really fell apart after the cancellation of the firm’s minivan lineup nearly a decade ago. In the face of declining volume and overwhelming SUV preference among buyers, the loss of the Freestar was not mourned by many at the time. It left an even bigger hole in the Ford commercial fleet sector than it did in the consumer van market, just as priorities for urban businesses started to shift toward flexibility and efficiency in cities.

It looks like the dark days of van-hating are about to turn. Just a few years ago, the word Van or Minivan were enough to make an listener's eyes glaze over in boredom.

In a world with crossovers all trying so hard to seem macho and off-road-worthy, unapologetic vans like the Ford->ke31 Transit Connect Wagon seem like the perfect antidote.

The TC Wagon's owners will also benefit from much better fuel mileage and tons more hauling space. Practice sticking out your tongue at SUV families, kids!

Category

Rating

Details

Driving

B

Quick Steering And Great Visibility, But A Bit Bumpy In Back

Performance

B

Big Power Upgrade Helps TC Wagon Haul More People In LWB Length

Look

A-

Something Refreshing And Lovable About TC Wagon's Honest Style

Value

A

No Crossover Image To Pay For Up Front Or In Higher Fuel Costs

Overall

B+

Transit Connect Wagon Looks Like 2014's Ideal Family Car