2015 Ford Transit Expert Review
Reviewed by Stefan Ogbac
The 2015 Transit is a new commercial van that replaces the E-Series as Ford's full-size offering.
Vehicle Summary
The 2015 Ford Transit is a full-size commercial van sold with a choice of two body lengths, three engines, and two wheelbases. Passenger variants, known as the Transit Wagon, have the capacity for up to 15 passengers.
Overview
The 2015 Transit is available with two V-6 engines: a 3.7-liter with 275 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque or a twin turbocharged 3.5-liter making 320 hp and 400 lb-ft. A 3.2-liter turbocharged diesel I-5 producing 185 hp and 350 lb-ft is also available and can run on biodiesel. All engines are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is respectable at 14/19 mpg city highway for both V-6 models. The EPA has not tested diesel-powered Transits as of this writing. Power is "consistent and smooth" on Transits equipped with the turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 with immediate power and "the arrival of all 400 lb-ft of torque at just 2,500 rpm." Good maneuverability is a high point for the 2015 Transit, allowing drivers to easily control it.
Interior space is cavernous with up to 487.3 cubic feet of space for cargo on long-wheelbase, high-roof variants. Build quality is another strong point with solid materials, soft-touch plastics, and heavy-duty cloth upholstery. Additionally, features such as leather, SYNC, heated mirrors, and cruise control make the van's cabin a pleasant place to be. The 2015 Transit also offers a lot of flexibility for businesses with available overhead storage on high-roof models and doors that swing open up to 270 degrees on long-wheelbase models.
UPDATE: The NHTSA gave the 2015 Transit high- and medium-Roof variants a four-star frontal crash and five-star side crash safety score while low-roof models have a four-star overall rating (out of a possible five stars).
What We Think
The 2015 Transit is an excellent entry in the full-size commercial vehicle segment, with its flexibility, well-equipped cabin, maneuverability, and powerful engines. In a 2015 First Drive review, we said that "comfort was clearly emphasized at early engineering meetings" due to the cabin's plush feel and cushy seats. Handling was also another strong suit since it helps make the Transit "highly maneuverable and easily controllable." Ride quality, however, remains rough but "lacked a harshness or loudness that's characteristic of such vans." The twin turbocharged V-6 and diesel I-5 stood out as the best engines offered on the 2015 Transit with plenty of low-end torque to bring the van up to speed. However, the $6,040 ($9,690 for the Wagon) premium for the oil burner may turn off potential buyers.
Key Competitors
- Chevrolet Express
- GMC Savana
- Nissan NV Series
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
- Ram ProMaster
