Ford Transit Custom van review

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More than two million Ford Transits have been sold since the original first appear in 1965. However, for its latest model it has split the range in two and this Transit Custom is the midsized model.

You can get it in two body lengths, a double cab with a second row of seats and a nine-seater mini bus. There will also be a high roof version added to the range in 2014. However, there is no tipper model.

One of the great things with the Transit Custom is that even on short wheel base versions you can fit three Euro pallets in - you can't do that on all mid-sized vans. Also if you need to carry longer loads look -- you have a through hatch in the bulkhead. This means you can carry items up to 3 meters long. There's also tie down rings in the floor are lower walls. What's not so good is that you don't get half wood paneling as standard like on some of its rivals. You can get it as an option though, and what's also useful is the optional super bright load bay lighting which helps when you are working in the dark. The load height is low but you can't get an all wheel drive version.

The Transit Customs payload ranges from 683 to 1484kg. It it has a load bay volume from 5.9 cubic meters up to 6.8 cubic meters. When the high top arrives it will have up to 8.29 cubic meters though this still less than the equivalent VW Transporter

Inside the Transit Customs cab looks more like what you'd expect from a car not a van. In fact the dash design resembles that of a Ford Focus. However, the plastics aren't as plush but then they should be harder wearing. Cubbies spaces really impressive with plenty of cup holders, big door bins, another above the instrument binnacle and storage under the passenger seats. The only problem is that all models don't get a lockable glovebox as standard.

You can get the Transit Custom with pretty much the same wide range of equipment you can get on Ford's cars and even the base models get electric windows and auxiliary in for the stereo. Security is impressive too. You can unlock the doors individually to prevent thieves from steeling your cargo when you back is turned while there are two choices of alarm. It's easy to get comfy in here too as there is an eight way adjustable seat and four way adjustable steering wheel.

You can get the transit Custom with a choice of three 2.2-litre diesel engines a 100hp, 125 and 155hp version. They drive the front wheels via a slick six speed manual gearbox and are smooth, punchy and economical capable of between 39-42mpg

A super efficient Econetic version of the 100hp engine, equipped with stop start technology, improve aerodynamics and brake energy regeneration can do up to 46.3mpg and emits just 162g/km of CO2 -- making it one of the cleanest vans in the business.

Thanks to light steering, comfy ride, grippy handling and good visibility the Transit Custom is one of the best vans to drive. It helps that all models come with a full-length bulk head which helps noise down.

This also improves safety by separating you from your cargo. In fact the Transport Custom is the first van to be awarded a full five star Euro NCAP Safety rating. What's more it comes with ESP anti skid control and as system which will warn you if it things you are loosing concentration behind the wheel. There's also blind spot and lane departure warning on the options list while hill hold control is standard to help prevent you rolling back on a slope.

Now I hope you are concentrating right now because this bit is really important. Ford has set the Transit Custom's service intervals at a market-leading two years or 30,000 miles to help keep the running cost down. What's more it's covered by a three-year/100,000-mile warranty.

So, overall, what's the verdict on the Ford Transit Custom? Well it's good to drive, all models can take three pallets and it's very safe. However problems include no wood paneling as standard, you can't get it with a lockable glovebox and there's no all-wheel drive version. Despite this though we still think the Transit Custom is the best all-round van on the market. And that's why we have named it the Auto Express Van of the Year for 2013.

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