Ford Transit Custom crowned WhatVan? Medium Van of the Year 2019
The UK's best-selling new van, the new Ford Transit Custom started 2019 in style winning the Medium Van of the Year 2019 prize at the annual WhatVan? Awards. Vansdirect takes a closer look at the factors which set the Ford Transit Custom apart in the UK medium van segment and UK new van market as a whole!
New Ford Transit Custom - WhatVan? Medium Van of the Year 2019
The Ford Transit Custom has dominated the medium vans segment since its introduction into the market in 2012, with excellent levels of style, driving dynamics and forward-thinking load-carrying solutions. The Transit Custom received Euro 6 engines in 2016 and then underwent an extensive facelift in the first half of 2018.
The facelift cemented the Custom's position at the top of the tree, with a sleeker looking three-bar upper grille which coincides with the design of the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus cars. Ford vans have pointed to the design modifications leading to enhanced aerodynamics and durability, however it is on the inside of the new van where Ford vans made the most significant changes, with more storage space and a host of new technology from the passenger car range.
The driving position of the new Ford Transit Custom is as good as you'll find in a van, whilst rake and reach steering adjustment is present on all Custom models and the short gear stick easily in the vicinity of the driver. The cabin of its predecessor was scrutinised for a lack of stowage space, Ford vans believe they have rectified this with the facelifted model offering 25 litres of storage within the instrument panel alone.
Ford vans have also focused on making the interior user-centric, revealing that consumer use of smart devices was an influence behind this. Top of the range models get a floating tablet-inspired eight-inch colour touchscreen with Ford Sync 3 infotainment and communications system which can be operated with pinch and swipe gestures.
The facelifted new Ford Transit Custom van is the first of Ford vans to get the brand's Intelligent Speed Limiter, allowing automatic adjustment of maximum speed to remain within legal limits via the Traffic Sign Recognition system. Other new safety features include the Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, warning drivers reversing out of spaces of vehicles set to cross behind them.
The engine line-up of the Custom is based on the 2.0-litre Ecoblue diesel engine with outputs of 105ps, 130ps and 170ps, whilst an Econetic model joined the range in the summer based on the 105ps model delivering an impressive 49.6mpg, 6% more efficient than any other model in the range, 2019 will see the introduction of a Ford Transit Custom PHEV model as the Custom will be looking to stay at the very top of the UK new van market.
Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert & Toyota Proace - Highly Commended
Joint winners of the award in 2017 and 2018, it's a real testament to the quality of the new Ford Transit Custom van that the new Citroen Dispatch, new Peugeot Expert and new Toyota Proace had to settle for second place in the 2019 awards. Each of the three are based on the same modular platform which will also be used by the new Vauxhall Vivaro van in 2019 and are distinguished by styling differences. Each offer class leading carrying capacity up to 1400kg and are available in three van lengths with a single uniform roof height.
New Ford Transit Custom vans for sale
At Vansdirect we offer all makes and models of new vans and cheap van finance options including van leasing, contract hire and hire purchase. We have new Ford Transit Custom models in stock and ready to go, with FREE UK Wide delivery in as little as 5 days on selected models and prices from ONLY £209pm! Interested? Simply fill in a contact form or call us on 0800 169 69 95 to get the ball rolling today!