What's New in the 2018 Ford Transit Connect?
Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert becomes available, and the Sync 3 infotainment system upgrade comes with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration.
Which Transit Connect is the Best?
It might seem like hedging one's bets to recommend the middle-range XLT trim, but the XL is a bit on the sparse side. Once we get to the Titanium price level, something like a Honda Odyssey minivan might be a smarter call, not only from an equipment point of view, but also from a resale value angle.
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How Much Does a 2018 Ford Transit Connect Cost?
The 2018 Ford Transit Connect Wagon is a passenger vehicle based on the Transit Connect cargo van with full windows all around, dual sliding side doors and a choice of rear cargo doors (that open 180 degrees) or a tailgate. It's offered with a short wheelbase (104.8 inches) or a long wheelbase (120.6 inches).
The short-wheelbase Wagon has five seats, while the long-wheelbase Wagon adds a third seating row for 7-passenger capacity. Both the second-row and third-row seats fold flat and can be removed.
XL trim ($27,020) comes only with the long wheelbase, along with three seating rows, power second-row windows, rear climate controls and rear parking sensors. Other equipment includes 16-in steel wheels, remote keyless entry, cruise control, power windows, air conditioning, vinyl upholstery and floor covering, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, a folding front passenger seat and an AM/FM stereo with an auxiliary input, plus a couple of rear speakers.
XLT comes with either the short wheelbase ($27,025) or long wheelbase ($29,025). It has a self-dimming rearview mirror, fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, roof rails, a 4.2-in driver information display with steering wheel controls, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth upholstery, cruise control, a CD player, four speakers at the front, Ford MyKey with programmable usage restrictions, voice control, a rearview camera and an upgraded driver's seat with manual lumbar adjustment. There are no rear climate controls with the short-wheelbase XLT.
Titanium, available as a short-wheelbase ($29,650) or long-wheelbase model ($31,650), brings 16-in alloy wheels, adaptive fog lights that follow the steering, power-folding side mirrors, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, separate manual rear climate controls, Sync voice command functionality and the Sync 3 infotainment system with a 6.5-in touchscreen.
Some of the higher-end standard features are available as options on lesser models. Other options -- depending on trim and configuration -- include navigation, 17-in alloy wheels, a fixed panoramic sunroof, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, satellite/HD radio and front parking sensors.
When the second-row seats in the short-wheelbase version are folded down, cargo space measures 77.1 cu ft. If the seats are in place, there's still a considerable 46.9 cu ft.
Long-wheelbase versions can accommodate 104.2 cu ft. of cargo space behind the front seats. Behind the second row, it's 58.9 cu ft. With the third row set as far forward as it will go, there's 19.8 cu ft.; when it's moved back as far as possible for legroom, there's 15.7 cu ft.
In both versions, the back seats fold down to form a completely flat load floor.