2022 Ford Transit Connect

The 2022 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van is offered in two different trim levels: XL trim and XLT trim. The base XL Cargo Van, priced at $25,175, is plentifully equipped. It gets 16-inch steel wheels, manually adjustable front seats, vinyl trimmed flooring, air conditioning, and so on. It also marks a 4.2-inch screen for the infotainment that features Bluetooth, AM/FM Radio, a USB port, and Wi-Fi. Although the list is a pretty long one, it lacks the power-assists that could have made it a much better prospect. But the presence of FordPass Connect and optional MyKey units are some of the inspiring virtues that are much appreciated.

The XLT trim, on the other hand, gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Ford’s Sync3, which includes smartphone integration as well. The black bumper in the XL is replaced with body-colored bumpers in the XLT version. Not just that but the manual air conditioning can also be replaced by the optional Dual-Zone Front Auto Temperature Control on offer. There are other assets as an option like the 911 Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Trailer Tow Package that can make an impactful variation on a daily basis commute. Apart from all these, you’ll get to see an array of standard driver-assistance features including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, hill-start assist, side-wind stabilization, etc. Therefore, one must bow to what all Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van can serve within such an affordable price tag.

Which Trim should you buy?

The XLT trim would be the worthier choice between the two. XLT gets you almost all the comfort features that one shall demand during day-long drives. Be the climate control or the infotainment features, the XLT trim packs everything for you at just a marginal price hike. The entire line-up gets every safety and driver-assistance feature as standard, so that also evens the case for the elder sibling.

2022 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van Release Date

There is so much speculation regarding its booking and start of sale by the end of 2021 but it is driven by Covid responses at the same time.

The Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van would be equipped with the same 2.0L 4-cylinder Inline engine that develops 162 horsepower and 144 lb-ft of torque for the 2022 model. An 8-speed automatic transmission would be appointed to send this power to the front wheels. One can also opt for an optional 2.5L 4-cylinder Inline engine which is mated to a 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. This optional engine generates 169 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque. The 2.5L optional engine takes up CNG/LPG supplements with the factory settings configured as per the buyer’s directions.

Both the engines are capable of hauling 2000 pounds and take up a payload of 1570 pounds. The base engine is punchy and easy in the city. However, the underpowered powertrain hinders your highway travel. The 2.0L engine lets the van sprint to 60MPH within an estimated 10.6 seconds and completes the quarter-mile race within 16.2 seconds.

The Mercedes-Benz Metris gets the maximum power and torque figures in the class, thanks to the turbo mill. It is also the fastest in 0-60 MPH sprints and quarter-mile drag races clocking 8.1 and 15.9 seconds, respectively. Nevertheless, these vans are meant to haul cargo & equipment and not to compete in drag races. Moreover, Metris is the only van to come in RWD layout while the rest of them come in FWD configuration. In relevance to the above context, dynamically speaking, the already loaded van when having a backward weight transfer becomes heavily prone to oversteer, with the RWD, at corners while speeding. Meanwhile, the Nissan comes with CVT which can be a smooth gear shifting transmitter and helps in edging out others in fuel economy. 

The fuel economy is surely a serious factor for consideration when it comes to the fleet. And for those buyers, the 2022 Ford Transit Connect Cargo van offers the best-in-class fuel efficiency with uncompromised comfort. EPA estimates the Transit Connect to return 24 MPG in the city, 27 MPG on highways, and 25 MPG combined. The sufficiently big fuel tank holds 15.8-gallons of fuel which assures 379 miles in the city and 427 miles on highways. So, you shall have to have only fewer stops at the gas station.

The 2022 Ford Transit Connect is not to have any changes in the mechanical section, which means the figures are going to be the same as that of the 2021 MY. In that case, Transit Connect Cargo is the best in terms of efficiency figures. However, the Mercedes-Benz Metris gets the largest fuel tank which assures good range figures too. But it is that 5000 lbs towing prowess, which is nearly 3000 lbs more than the rest, that one gets along with 425 miles by the Merc that puts it right at the top in this category. Both the Nissan and RAM are equally efficient as the Ford, however, the NV200 does get a less voluminous tank that grants a combined range of just over 360 miles, which is the lowest in the class. 

The 2022 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van offers an elegant interior layout. The cabin uses a lot of hard plastics, but the level of perfection, fit, and finish, makes it a standout piece of art. The windshield and large windows allow maximum light and air to get in, which is aided by the large panoramic sunroof, exclusive in the XLT trim. The cabin is kept comfortable with dual-zone climate control. The seats are spacious and offer maximum convenience with leather coverings. Though the seats fail to offer good support for the thighs, there is immense space to keep them as per your wish. However, they are somewhat positioned low, which makes it a bit difficult for shorter drivers.

The cabin features a long list of values that includes the wireless charging setup, 4-spoke steering wheel with mounted controls, and several storage spaces. 

In addition to that, the cabin is well-insulated as well and offers 104.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity for the short-wheelbase model, which is ample enough for hauling your workloads. At the same time, the long-wheelbase model receives an upgrade and can carry 127.4 cubic feet of space behind the seats, which can further be increased to 145.8 cubic feet with the passenger seat folded. The van gets 9.8-inches of cargo height too, which makes it suitable to accommodate taller items side by side.

In terms of comparison of cargo volume, the Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van is surely the least impressive whereas the RAM ProMaster City Cargo Van steals the show with its cargo space of 131.7 cubic feet. As far as seating number is concerned, it turns out to be 2 for each of them but Ford and Nissan offer a more balanced arrangement. There is no doubt that the Mercedes-Benz Metris Cargo Van could have gone for better legroom but their priorities for 5000 lbs of loading take away that mentality. However, it is also true that the Merc sets the benchmark for accents and touches that is unlike the mainstream.

Standout interior features:

• Steering wheel with mounted controls
• Vinyl/Cloth and leather upholstery
• Manually adjustable seats
• Dual-zone Climate Control
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Wireless charging

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2022 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van comes equipped with a 4.2-inch touchscreen in the base trim as standard. The XLT trim has a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Ford's Sync3. The system is paired with a 4-speaker audio unit by default, which can be upgraded to an 8-speaker format. Further, it has other standard equipment such as Bluetooth, Wireless charging, USB connectivity, AM/FM Radio, etc. 

The Sync3 infotainment features smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system also features a 911 Assist and App-link. The van gets SiriusXM Traffic & Travel-link, and satellite radio, functioning in sync with each other, on offer. All the information related to the vehicle and its running is mapped on the instrument cluster, which features two analog dials on either side of a central digital display. Thus, Transit Connect is a wholesome package as per its segment.

Standout infotainment features:

• 4.2-inch touchscreen infotainment (XL trim)
• 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment (XLT trim)
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 4-speaker sound system
• 8-speaker sound system (Optional)
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio

The 2022 Ford Transit Connect Cargo is boxy and unattractive in looks. The front fascia seems the same as the predecessors, which is somewhat outdated. However, the van is not meant to impress any eyeball with its appearance or stunning style. Yet there are some recognizable variations that can be visualized across this trim tree. The base XL trim gets black bumpers, which improves to body-colored ones in the XLT trim. By default, the Transit Connect Cargo Van gets rain-sensing windshield wipers but exclusivity knocks with that huge panoramic sunroof for the XLT trim only. 

Apart from that, the wide grille resembles the EcoSport while the sleek headlights make it look similar to the Ford Fusion. The “Dark Sparkle” 16-inch alloy wheels, which are new for the 2022 model year, also improve its illuminance from the isometric view with a subset of different coloring options such as the Frozen White, Agate Black, Race Red, Dark Blue, and Silver. 

Mercedes-Benz Metris is the longest and tallest in the segment, while Transit Connect is the widest. Now what that translates in simple terms is the vulnerability one is exposed to with such body styles. Such a tall height with a laden mass of 2000 lbs, at the least, guides the calculation of a higher center of gravity from the ground level. Then the 2WD layout, either FWD or RWD, stains the remaining portrayal as the traction and contact patch required from those corresponding smaller wheels get challenged. As all have been maintained within the same dimensional box, so each of them can be rated to be at par. But talking of practicality brings the Mercedes-Benz Metris Cargo Van into the spotlight for its highest cargo capacity both in volume and load.

Standout exterior features:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Front fog lights
• Daytime running lights
• Auto On/Off headlights
• Roof rails

Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has conducted the crash tests on the 2022 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van. However, the 2019 model has earlier scored 4 out of 5 stars in a frontal crash and 5 out of 5 stars in a side-impact NHTSA test. But it is not just the ratings that are subject to be noticed, the frame design is in itself engineered to make sure that the load is uniformly distributed because of which the ladder-based joints are the fundamental groundworks that vouch for dissipating the impact quite easily. 

The realm of its safety strength expands with added passive and active features such as the Pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The Safety Canopy Side-Curtain Airbags are also part of this inspiring suite and accompany Driver and Passenger Front Airbags on the inside. The traction and vehicle compass are maintained with the help of other assists such as the Torque Vectoring Control and Curve Control. Its reach further extends when one intends to have an extra luggage loading with the optional Trailer Sway Control. The Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van ends this section with its SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System which is pretty apt in its algorithmic operation.

Standout safety features:

• Ford Co-Pilot360
• Pre-collision assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Blind-Spot Monitoring
• Lane Keep Assist
• Lane-Departure Warning
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Automatic High-Beam Headlamps

2022 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van vs 2021 Nissan NV200 S Cargo Van

The Nissan NV200 S Cargo Van is one of the least expensive cargo vans in the segment. Being cheaper than the rest of the competitors, NV200 gets smaller engines and smaller power figures but manages to accelerate pretty well, competitive with the rest of them. But if you are looking for a comfortable and practical Van in the market, suiting all your work requirements along with ample safety then spending some more on the Ford Transit Connect Cargo would be advisable.

2022 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van vs 2021 RAM ProMaster City Cargo Van

The RAM ProMaster City Cargo Van is much more powerful and faster than the Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van. But RAM lacks driver-assistance features or safety equipment. Moreover, Ford offers better interior and infotainment features. Despite being powerful as Transit Connect, RAM ProMaster has the same towing capacity, which makes it impractical. With the dependability of Ford and the practicality offered, the Transit Connect Cargo van would be a better choice over the RAM ProMaster City.

2022 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz Metris Cargo Van

Mercedes-Benz Metris is one of the strongest competitors to Transit Connect. With better looks, impressive ride quality, a powerful and capable engine, a long list of features, and better hauling capacity, the Mercedes-Benz Metris makes a clear win over the Transit Connect. However, the Ford offers an assured safety side and comfortable commutes at a lower price tag and also features better brakes and efficiency ratings. Conclusively, Metris would be your choice if you prioritize the mechanical side.

The 2022 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van is an easy pick for any buyer in this segment. At an affordable price tag, Ford assures decent performance and ride quality, with impressive cabin equipment and safety features. While Ford aims at comfortable and economic drives for the buyers, it never tends to compromise with quality or safety. It isn’t the best in terms of power or towing, but is sufficient enough to carry your workloads. The flexible cabin can be customized as per your needs to make it worthier. Ford is a dependable brand, and would never disappoint you with this purchase.