Ford Tourneo Connect review

Pros: loads of space, efficient diesel engine, improved quality

Cons: awkward looks, lack of power, confusing tech

With the impending demise of the Galaxy and S-Max models, Ford will soon have just one seven-seat MPV on its books. It’s called the Tourneo Connect. Under the skin, it’s essentially the next-generation Transit Connect van with seats and windows, which means it’s based on the same architecture as the Volkswagen Caddy. But will it be good enough to fly the seven-seat flag for Ford?

Ford Tourneo Connect Design

Naturally, the Tourneo Connect’s design is limited by that of the Caddy on which it is based, so both vehicles have the same hard points and much the same basic shape. But Ford has worked to differentiate the Tourneo with its own lights and grille, giving it a slightly chunkier nose.

That said, there’s something necessarily utilitarian about a Tourneo’s design, and although the Active trim level seeks to address that with some chunky body cladding, bigger wheels and a slightly increased ride height, it’s still basically a box on wheels. You can choose how big a box you’d like it to be, though, with a choice of two lengths offering different amounts of interior space.

While the longer of the two versions looks a little awkward, Ford has at least given the car an air of modernity, thanks to its LED lights and standard-fit alloy wheels. Although this is still effectively a van with windows, it no longer looks like a modified commercial vehicle.

Ford Tourneo Connect Interior

The Tourneo Connect is all about interior space, and there’s certainly plenty of that. It’s available with a choice of five or seven seats, and all seven are capable of accommodating adults. Headroom is plentiful, and while legroom will be tight for taller adults in the rearmost seats, it’s fine for a shorter trip. The sliding doors are useful, too, although a little agility is still required to access the back.

Less useful is the massive rear tailgate, which requires quite a lot of space to open, making reverse parking occasionally awkward. Nevertheless, there’s plenty of space in the boot, even with all seven seats in place. The longer Grand Tourneo does help in that regard, as does the ability to fold seats more or less independently, freeing up a range of different configurations to suit your needs.

But space is to be expected from an MPV. What’s less normal for a van-based vehicle is the quality you find in the Tourneo. Admittedly, it’s a very thinly disguised Volkswagen dashboard, but that just means the Tourneo feels better built than ever before. While there are some hard plastics, as you might expect, most of the things you touch regularly feel remarkably tactile. It’s certainly a vast improvement on what’s gone before.

However, you do have to tackle a Volkswagen infotainment system that lacks some of the usability of the Ford Sync3 and Sync4 systems fitted to the brand’s other passenger vehicles. It looks great, but some of the menus are a bit fiddly and unnecessarily complex, which makes it hard to use on the move. Even worse are the touch-sensitive air conditioning controls, which make adjusting the temperature torturous.

Ford Tourneo Connect Performance & Drive

There’s a choice of two engines available: a 1.5-litre petrol with 114hp and a 2.0-litre diesel with 122hp. Both come with a choice of manual and automatic gearboxes, but the diesel is naturally the more efficient choice, using about five litres of diesel every 100km on the official economy test.

Of course, with just 122hp, it isn’t especially fast. The sprint to 100km/h from a standstill takes well over 10 seconds, and that makes it feel a bit sluggish when you’re joining a motorway. That said, the optional automatic gearbox is a useful option, shifting smoothly and making the Tourneo a relaxing thing to drive.

Admittedly, it does suffer in crosswinds and there’s quite a lot of body roll in corners, but it’s an easy car to drive around town or on a long journey. The suspension feels slightly firm, particularly when you aren’t carrying many people or much cargo, but the ride isn’t too bad for a van-based MPV, and only really nasty potholes will have a particularly noticeable impact in the cabin.

Oh, and don’t be fooled by the Active model’s extra height and chunky looks: there’s no all-wheel-drive option in the Tourneo range, so it isn’t going to make a great off-roader. That said, some winter tyres should give it respectable performance when the snow comes down and the ground clearance will help the Tourneo traverse uneven surfaces.

Ford Tourneo Connect Pricing

The Tourneo starts at just over €38,000 in Ireland, which makes it roughly the same price as the VW Caddy. Buyers can spend more to upgrade to the longer Grand Tourneo, and they have a choice of two trim levels. The Titanium comes with air conditioning, heated seats and parking sensors, while the Active model gets rugged body cladding and larger wheels.

Carzone Verdict: 3.5/5

Those familiar with the Volkswagen Caddy will doubtless spot the similarities between the VW and the Ford. But that’s no bad thing, because it just means the Ford is now more upmarket inside and out. While it still doesn’t feel as car-like as the S-Max and Galaxy, it is at least less van-like than before, and it has its own brand of charm. Whether that will be enough to keep customers knocking on Ford’s door remains to be seen.