MPVs are still alive: Ford’s spacious family cars come from the world of vans, but drive like passenger cars

There was a time when every car manufacturer had several MPVs on offer. Ford once had three: the compact B-Max, the medium-sized C-Max and the large S-Max/Galaxy. Suppress a tear, those golden days are over, yet despite the end of traditional models and the flood of SUVs (which, however, will not completely replace the honest MPV), the Ford automaker still offers three spacious family cars. They just come from the delivery world…

But that’s not quite true anymore, because two of the three models (Courier and Connect) stand on a completely personal platform, and the largest Custom is so equipped and comfortable that you wouldn’t guess its utility base. But to make it really clear, let’s go through them all in more detail, because the difference between them is not just centimeters in length and liters of interior space.

Even the smallest hatchback offers plenty of living space, comfortably accommodating five adults and adding a trunk with a basic volume of 1,188 liters, which can be expanded to a respectable 2,162 liters by folding down and flipping the rear seats. So if you’re looking for a family car that you can use even as a mover (or if you have space-consuming hobbies or want to sleep in the car sometimes), the basic Tourneo Courier will suffice.

At the same time, behind the wheel you will feel like you are in an ordinary passenger car. The technical basis was provided by the Puma crossover, which means sufficient comfort even on long journeys and pleasant driving characteristics, in addition to the latest technology and economical engines – that is, if you like three-cylinder gasoline engines. The one-liter EcoBoost with 125 horsepower is the only option for the personal Courier so far (it will eventually be supplemented by a purely electric version, but you have to let the taste for diesel go), you can only choose between a six-speed manual and an automatic dual-clutch transmission.

The 50,000 that Ford claims for an automatic, but feel free to save, because the manual shifts accurately and smoothly and it is a joy to drive the brave three-cylinder across the tachometer. And if you put in the effort, you can reduce the consumption to five liters in small towns, but in combined traffic including highways, you will be more like seven to eight liters.

The Courier’s bigger brother is also built on a personal platform (MQB in cooperation with Volkswagen), but unlike it, it offers two body lengths and the possibility of transporting up to seven passengers. Its second/third row seats can also not only be folded down and flipped forward, but can be removed straight away to maximize cargo space.

Compared to the Courier, the Connect also has the advantage of a choice of four-cylinder engines – both gasoline (114-horsepower 1.5 EcoBoost) and diesel (2.0 EcoBlue with 75 or 90 horsepower). You can choose between manual or automatic transmission, and for the more powerful diesel you can even have four-wheel drive. Hot news is the plug-in hybrid variant.

Even behind the wheel of the Connect, you feel like you are in a regular passenger car, but you are more aware of the larger dimensions of the car (especially in the extended version, which can be measured in length with luxury limousines). On board you also have more comfort, digitalization (up to 10″ touch infotainment with wide mobile connectivity and online functions) and equipment, with a powerful and economical diesel you can also drive more confidently and at the same time gently.

The largest Tourneo Custom is the only model with a “van” basis, which is easy to recognize at first glance. He’s just a real piece of shit. It benefits from a huge interior space (in addition, it is available in two sizes) and extraordinary variability – you can fold, fold, rotate, remove or move the seats inside on the rails. There are two or three separate seats in the second row and a 1 : 3 / 2 : 3 split in the third bench, but this year the offer will also include a choice of three individual seats for the third row as well.

At the same time, the brand new generation Tourneo has brought another significant shift in the comfort of the crew, so you still sit high behind the wheel, but it’s easier to make yourself comfortable. You have such goodies as SYNC4 13″ touchscreen infotainment, Bang & Olufsen premium audio with 15 speakers including a subwoofer or electric side sliding doors. Naturally, the Nugget residential version is also available.

An honest two-liter turbodiesel with a power of 150 or 170 hp takes care of the drive, which is combined with a six-speed manual (for the 150 hp engine) or an eight-speed automatic transmission (for a more powerful engine, which you can also indulge in with four-wheel drive). Alternatively, you can go for a plug-in hybrid or straight pure electric variant.

But most customers will probably stay with the diesel for now and they won’t make a mistake, it has enough power and refinement (you can hear it under the gas, but it calms down to a distant rumble at a steady speed) and is perfectly matched with the automatic transmission. Thanks to this and the package of driving assistants, you can handle even long routes in complete peace and comfort.

As you can see, there is still plenty to choose from. However, it is necessary to choose carefully, because individual models differ not only in terms of space and price, but also in terms of engines, equipment and interior variability.

However, based on personal impressions behind the wheel, we can confirm that driving them is no longer a pain, as you would expect from “van” type cars – this trio provides comfort (almost) like on board a regular passenger car. So you really don’t have to worry about this new kind of MPV.