Why Lease The Transit Connect Double Cab?
by: Alex BradleyAlex Bradley is a skilled writer and digital content specialist focusing on automotive and sports. He has a degree in Multimedia Journalism and previously worked for The Northern Quota as Head Sports Editor.
Ford Transit Connect Double Cab Review 2024
The Ford Transit Connect Double Cab is a compact panel van that's versatile and good to drive. Ideal for businesses needing to ferry their team from job to job, the Transit Connect Double Cab has an extra row of seats to accommodate five people.
Rivals to the Transit Connect Double Cab include the Vauxhall Combo Crew, Fiat Doblo Crew, Renault Kangoo Crew, Toyota ProAce Crew, and Peugeot Expert Crew.
Our Ford Transit Connect Double Cab review covers:
Ford Transit Connect Double Cab Key Features
- Modern exterior design
- Practical interior with space for five people
- Up to 1.6m3 of load volume and a maximum payload of 952kg
- A 1.0-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine available
- Two trim levels
Ford Transit Connect Double Cab Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Space for five people
- Decent payload
- Good engines
Cons:
- Only two trim levels
- Not much technology on board
- Load volume falls short of rivals
Design, Practicality and Boot Space
The Transit Connect Double Cab has a really nice exterior. Similar to the standard version, it has a sporty front end, eye-catching alloy wheels, and neat creases from front to back.
Climb inside, and there's enough room for five passengers. The driver and front passenger have plenty of room to get comfortable, while three passengers can fit on the rear bench. In the rear, things are a bit basic, and it's worth noting there are no side windows for the passengers.
The Transit Connect Double Cab is available in two body lengths: L1 and L2. We'd recommend going for L1 if you plan on having your crew in the van most of the time, with 1.2m3 of cargo volume and a payload of up to 952kg.
L2 is for those who need cargo space over crew space, with 1.6m3 of cargo volume and a payload of up to 776kg. However, even in the L2 version, it falls way short of the 3.5m3 offered in the Vauxhall Combo Crew.
Interior and Trims
The Double Cab cabin is pretty much the same as the standard Transit Connect. Those in the front get two comfortable seats, and the dashboard uses a black plastic trim that looks good and is built to last. It will undoubtedly serve you well for your lease term, but it's not as advanced as the interior of the Vauxhall Combo Crew.
The Transit Connect Double Cab comes standard with a DAB radio with MP3 capability, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. It's a basic system, but it works well. Upgrade to the Trend trim, which we'd recommend, and you get a 4.2-inch TFT display with voice control, audible text messaging, and four speakers.
Two trim levels are available for the Transit Connect Double Cab: Leader and Trend.
Leader includes 16-inch steel wheels, dual side load doors, electrically-operated front windows, an adjustable steering column, overhead stowage, and a DAB radio with MP3 capability, Bluetooth and USB connectivity.
Trend adds 16-inch sparkle silver wheels, body-colour front and rear bumpers, front fog lights, electrically-operated and heated door mirrors, a heated windscreen, a 4.2-inch TFT display and voice control, height adjustable driver's seat, and a front interior light with two map-reading lights.
Power and Performance
A petrol and diesel make up the engine range for the Transit Connect Double Cab. The entry-level unit is the 1.0-litre petrol with a six-speed manual gearbox, labelled the EcoBoost 100. With a power output of 100PS that produces 170Nm of torque, it's a more than capable engine for around-town cruising. Our only qualm with the petrol is that its fuel economy could be better, returning a combined 38mpg.
We'd recommend going for the diesel engines for the Transit Connect Double Cab. With the extra weight three additional passengers add, it packs more of a punch to help keep performance at a decent level.
A 1.5-litre unit labelled the TDCI EcoBlue 100 returns 100PS and is available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. It's capable both around town and on the motorway and returns a much better fuel economy of around 50mpg.
Get behind the wheel of the Transit Connect Double Cab, and you'll be pleasantly surprised. Its handling is responsive and composed, and the suspension deals well with uneven roads.
Around town, the Transit Connect Double Cab is excellent to drive. The petrol and diesel engines return nippy performance and accurate steering, making urban driving pretty straightforward. The suspension system also deals well with potholes, and although it can be a little jumpy with not much weight on board, filling up the van with cargo or passengers makes it very comfortable.
Increase to cruising speed, and the Transit Connect Double Cab is a reliable cruiser. It opts for safety over performance, and it's suited to inside-lane driving rather than zooming past others in the outside lane. If long-distance driving is something your business requires, we'd recommend going for the diesel engine, which is more powerful and more economical than the petrol.
Leasing vs Buying
Prices for the new Ford Transit Connect Double Cab start from £29,382.00 OTR* or to lease from Price On Request per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the Ford Transit Connect Double Cab? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest van leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.