Ford’s new range of commercial vehicles encompasses some of the most modern (and newest) light-duty models on the market, which not only look quite modern, but also deliver in the key areas that matter to customers. Last year, they even won the International Van of the Year trophy, thanks to the Transit Custom model that received an impressive 117 points out of the total 133 that were available, and spread equally among the judges that made up the panel.
This year, it’s Ford again that takes the title for making the world’s greatest van, though, this time, it accomplished it with the smaller Transit Connect. It managed to accumulate 130 points of the 163 available, fighting off the two closest models, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Renault Kangoo.
Key points that made the Connect stand out were its great overall fuel efficiency, boosted by the availability of a modern 1.0-liter EcoBoost turbo petrol engine, and the practical and roomy interior that can fit a Euro-pallet, in the L2 configuration, along with the fold-up passenger seat that frees up even more room.
Last on the list was the van’s very good safety rating that’s boosted by the availability of Active City Sop, which, as its name suggests, can actively stop the vehicle in the city, if an unwary pedestrian, dog or bicyclist wanders into its path.
By Andrei Nedelea
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