2021 Ford Transit Connect Review

Name: 2021 Ford Transit Connect Review
Brand: Ford

Price Range: $15,998 - $24,998

Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XLT w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB Cargo Minivan Exterior

The 2021 Transit Connect is Ford's small cargo and passenger van. It lacks engine power, and it's not especially comfortable, so it's not a real alternative to regular family minivans (even if its lower price is tempting). But it drives surprisingly well, with tight handling and a small footprint that make it ideal in cities. If you often move people or goods across town, it makes sense.

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Price & Payment

19 cars

$19,257 avg. price

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2021 Ford Transit Connect Review

by the Edmunds Experts

What's new

The lane-keeping system is now bundled with adaptive cruise control
Compressed natural gas/propane conversion capability available with 2.5-liter engine
Taxi prep package no longer available
Part of the second Transit Connect generation introduced for 2014

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XL 4dr Minivan w/Rear 180 Degree Doors SWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.42 per gallon for regular unleaded in Illinois.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Illinois

$169/mo

$157/mo

Avg. Compact Minivan

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3/5Average

#3 out of 24 among Commercial Vans

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Ford Transit Connect from 2008-2022.}

$740/yr

vs. $851/yr
for Average Commercial Van

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.78x/yr

vs. 1.96x/yr
for Average Commercial Van

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

14.8%

vs. 17.8%
for Average Commercial Van

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Ford Transit Connect Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.5

27 reviews

5(37%)

4(22%)

3(11%)

2(11%)

1(19%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Transmission issues again

LL, 11/14/2020

2019 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XLT 4dr Minivan w/Rear Liftgate SWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A)

This started out as a great van but after a couple a months the van would hesitate going in reverse. Than during a scheduled oil change they found a leaking transmission seal. had dealer replace it now the van has stop working altogether so dealer is replacing the transmission. Its just a year old and has spent almost 7 weeks in shop for transmission issues

Great Little Van with some imperfections

DV Synthetic Lubricants , 09/04/2019

2018 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XL 4dr Minivan w/Rear 180 Degree Doors LWB (2.5L 4cyl 6A)

I have owned this van LWB XLCargo for 15 months and 26k. Overall I like this van. I use it as a delivery vehicle to deliver oil and make sales call to my customers. Not that I'm not happy with this van but I wish I would have purchased an XLT model. I've added a backup camera. Tinted the windows. Love the tinted glass. I'll list the things that Ford SHOULD have improved upon first. LOW …

Our Party Wagon!

Brian Mac, 02/27/2019

2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon XLT 4dr Minivan w/Rear Liftgate LWB (2.0L 4cyl 8A)

Our family of 4 had a big Super Duty Diesel truck (to pull a 5th wheel) and a little Toyota Corolla. With a 15 year old in the house, we were going to need a third vehicle and we had decided on a mini van. We were constantly borrowing our parents vans. Everyone we know were buying Toyota Highlanders as they did not want to go the mini van route, but a van is so much more practical … and comfortable especially when using the third row. Most SUV's third rows are not really usable except for little kids. Anyway, I looked at every van out there, both new and used, but one day when getting my big truck serviced, I rode in a Transit Connect which the dealership was using as their shuttle vehicle. I was very impressed! Long story...short, after considering buying a used van (probably a former rental), I started looking at used Transit Connects, but I fell in love with the 2019 models with the center screen that looks like a little iPad! I ended up working out a deal with the dealer where I traded in my Super Duty for a Transit Connect and a half ton truck (a 2 for 1 trade since I still need a truck)! Anyway, we LOVE this little vehicle! We opted for the 6 seat version since that is mostly what we need it for and it is so much more convenient to getting into the rear seats. As for the seats, there is a ton of room in this thing. The third row is very comfortable for adults...the only complaint would be that your knees sit a little bit high in the third row which could get uncomfortable on a long trip. However, you can straiten out you legs if needed due to the open middle. Some random thoughts on this purchase: Love driving this as a daily driver, almost like a little sports car! Plenty of power in the little 4 banger for daily use, but you do realize it is a 4 cylinder when you have 6 or 7 in the thing, but most of the time, I do not carry that many passengers, so I can live with it. I would not buy this for fuel economy reasons...it is not that much better than a 6 cylinder full size mini van. This vehicle is fun, zippy, easy to park, but very spacious inside when we need it. I am installing a hitch receiver on the back to be able to attach a bike rack. Thinking about getting a roof rack, as ours did not come with the factory rack or the side rails. Love the color (Magnetic Gray) and have receive lots of comments and complements on it, but I may order black wheels to replace the silver factory ones. Surprises I did not realize the XLT model came with: rain sensing wipers...pretty cool. Also, remote start through Ford Connect. I install remote starts in all of the vehicles we buy unless they come from the factory and I was having trouble finding an after market one for the 2019, then the dealer showed that you just use your phone and can start it from anywhere! Final comment is Apple Car play is awesome...had it in my Super Duty and love it, just plug your iPhone in to the USB port and you have all sorts of apps available through the vehicle! I will update if I have any reliability or quality issues, but first impression is GREAT! Ford should really market these more, but I was happy to get a great deal as they really discounted it since they do not sell a lot of them and do not plan to trade or sell it any time soon.

Sidestep a minivan with this Euro-inspired Van!

Joe B., 01/10/2019

2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Titanium LWB 4dr Minivan (2.0L 4cyl 8A)

An amazing family hauler without the sticker shock of the Honda Odyssey. And while this lacks the souped up amenities of other traditional minis like backrow screens, it’s a highly versitle car with dual sliding doors and rear bucket seats that get the job done. Titanium line comes with some impressive safety features like lane assist, blind spot monitors, and frontal crash assist/auto …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Ford Transit Connect, so we've included reviews for other years of the Transit Connect since its last redesign.

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2021 Transit Connect Highlights

Trim:

Cargo Van XL

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$24,665
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$169/month
Seating	2 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	104.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Transit Connect models:

Pedestrian Detection: Detects pedestrians in your path and triggers a forward collision warning. Can automatically brake if necessary.
Side Wind Stabilization: Helps correct for strong crosswinds to keep the vehicle going in its intended direction.
Automatic Emergency Braking: Helps to prevent or mitigate an accident by automatically applying the brakes when an obstacle is detected.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
RolloverNot Rated
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

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2021 Ford Transit Connect Review

Price & Payment

2021 Ford Transit Connect Review

What's new

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Ford Transit Connect Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Transmission issues again

Great Little Van with some imperfections

Our Party Wagon!

Sidestep a minivan with this Euro-inspired Van!

2021 Transit Connect Highlights

Safety

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