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2018 Ford Transit Connect

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Make
Ford
Model
Transit Connect
Year
2018
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Ford Transit Connect OEM Exterior Primary Photo
OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior Standard
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2018 XL Cargo Van
most popular
Price:   -  From $23,215
2018 XL w/Rear Liftgate Cargo Van Price:   -  From $23,215
2018 XL Cargo Van LWB Price:   -  From $24,215
2018 XL w/Rear Liftgate Cargo Van LWB Price:   -  From $24,215
2018 XLT Cargo Van Price:   -  From $24,740
2018 XLT w/Rear Liftgate Cargo Van Price:   -  From $24,740
2018 XLT Cargo Van LWB Price:   -  From $25,740
2018 XLT w/Rear Liftgate Cargo Van LWB Price:   -  From $25,740
2018 XL Passenger Wagon LWB Price:   -  From $25,900
2018 XL w/Rear Liftgate Passenger Wagon LWB Price:   -  From $25,900
2018 XLT Passenger Wagon Price:   -  From $25,905
2018 XLT w/Rear Liftgate Passenger Wagon Price:   -  From $25,905
2018 XLT Passenger Wagon LWB Price:   -  From $27,905
2018 XLT w/Rear Liftgate Passenger Wagon LWB Price:   -  From $27,905
2018 Titanium w/Rear Liftgate Passenger Wagon Price:   -  From $28,530
2018 Titanium w/Rear Liftgate Passenger Wagon LWB Price:   -  From $30,530

Overview

The 2018 Ford Transit Connect is a highly versatile commercial van or passenger vehicle. Starting at $24,420 (including a $1,120 destination charge), the Transit Connect is available as a cargo van or passenger wagon, with a standard or extended wheelbase, and five unique trims. The multiple configurations make the 2018 Ford Transit Connect one of the better options for a business or individual looking to use this vehicle for commercial applications on the market.

What's New for 2018

The Transit Connect has gone through multiple changes in recent years, both cosmetically and under the hood. However, for 2018 both the cargo van and passenger wagon are mainly unchanged. One item improved on all trims is an upgraded 6.5-inch screen with rearview camera in the XLT Cargo Van and Passenger Wagon. Ford introduced an updated 2019 Transit Connect at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show – it will arrive in dealers later this year.

Ford Transit Connect

Choosing Your Ford Transit Connect

There are two different Ford Transit Connect models, the cargo-focused Van or the passenger-friendly Wagon. The Van is best suited for commercial or business owners looking to transport freight, while the Wagon works for both personal or commercial transportation.

All Ford Transit Connects have the same powertrain, featuring a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that delivers 169 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is also standard in all trim levels. Ford offers a CNG/Propane conversion kit that can be added to the cargo van for an additional $315. The Ford Transit Connect Van returns an EPA-estimated 20 miles per gallon city and 27 mpg highway, while the Wagon drops slightly, with 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.

Ford offers the Transit Connect in either 104.8-inch or 120.6-inch wheelbases. Go with the short-wheelbase Van and there's 103.9 cubic feet of cargo space, while the long-wheelbase variant offers 128.6 cubes. The big difference between the short- and long-wheelbase Transit Connect Wagon focuses on passenger hauling – the LWB features a third-row of seats.

The Van is available in two trim levels, XL and XLT. The Wagon offers consumers three trim levels – the aforementioned XL and XLT, and a better-equipped Titanium.

Ford Transit Connect

XL Van

The base XL Van starts at $24,240 (including an $1,120 destination charge) and is available as a regular (which has a payload of 1,470 pounds) or long-wheelbase for an additional $1,000 (that increases the payload to 1,610 pounds). The XL comes with dual sliding doors and a rear liftgate or barn-style doors for no additional cost. Standard interior features include a roll stability control system, electric power steering, an AM/FM stereo, an anti-theft system, air conditioning, and are front wheel drive.

There are several a-la-carte upgrades available for the base XL Van including cruise control for an additional $225, a rear-view camera for an additional $525, or a CD player and a rearview camera for an additional $970.

Ford Transit Connect

XLT Van

The XLT Cargo Van starts at $25,765. This trim offers standard cruise control, six-way adjustable driver seat, rear window privacy glass tint, heated mirrors, 16-inch wheel covers, and an AM/FM stereo with CD player. The XLT offers a few different upgrade options such as a navigation system with rearview camera package for $1,360, a trailer towing package for $395, and a reverse sensing system for an additional $295. The XLT Cargo Van is available in five exterior colors and two interior color patterns.

Ford Transit Connect

XL Wagon

The XL Wagon is only available with the longer wheelbase and starts at $26,925. This seven-passenger van is available in nine exterior colors and is the only passenger wagon trim that can be upgraded to the CNG package. The XL Passenger wagon offers second-row 60/40 split-folding seating for three passengers and third-row seating for two. A four-speaker audio system, cruise control, power door locks and windows, and a vinyl or cloth interior are all standard features. The XL can be upgraded with the same options as the cargo van at the same price.

Ford Transit Connect

XLT Wagon

Starting at $26,930, the XLT Wagon is available as a five-passenger regular cabin or seven-passenger extended cabin for an additional $1,000. The XLT Passenger Wagon comes with similar standard features as the XLT Van along with automatic headlights and wipers and roof rack side rails. The XLT Wagon is available with the XLT Premium Package for an additional $3,030. This package includes the rearview camera with navigation, dual-zone climate control, an overhead console, leather seats and 16-inch aluminum wheels. A panoramic fixed-glass roof can also be added to this trim for an additional $1,295.

Ford Transit Connect

Titanium Wagon

The premium trim of the 2018 Ford Transit Connect is the Titanium Passenger Wagon. With a starting price of $29,555, the top-of-the-line Transit Connect is also available as a standard or extended wheelbase. Standard features include cornering fog lamps, 16-inch alloy wheels, leather interior, dual-zone climate control, and the rearview camera with voice-activated navigation. The Titanium Premium Package can be added for $2,325 extra and includes a cross-traffic alert system, a forward and reverse sensing system, the panoramic glass roof, and 17-inch black-painted aluminum wheels.

CarsDirect Tip

The 2018 Ford Transit Connect is an incredibly diverse cargo or passenger van that can be used for commercial or personal applications. Due to the lack of advanced technology and safety features, consumers looking for a passenger van for kids might want to pass up on this vehicle. However, if shuttling people or cargo is important, the compact Transit Connect is a smart buy.

Get your price on a Ford Transit Connect »

author image
Automotive Editor
Read Less

Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Writer

Earning points for car-like styling and handling as well as a wide range of features and bodies, the 2018 Ford Transit Connect also disappoints with an interior that can't hide its commercial roots, subpar payload ratings, and active safety features that are nowhere to be found.

Best Value

The 2018 Transit Connect ranges in price from $24,335 for a regular wheelbase XL Cargo Van with only two front seats to over $35,000 for a fully-optioned, long-wheelbase Titanium Passenger model. All are front-wheel drive and equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The usual power features are present along with a reverse sensing system, keyless entry, front and rear air conditioning, overhead shelf storage, and seven-passenger seating on long wheelbase models. On the safety front, a rearview camera is standard while blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are optional. Advanced features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning are unavailable.

With an eye toward value, we'd pick the standard-wheelbase Transit Connect XLT Passenger Wagon fitted with the rear liftgate for better visibility, and additional equipment that includes a rearview camera, fog lights, body-color bumpers and door handles, power outside mirrors, roof rails, privacy glass, cloth seats (replacing vinyl), a power driver's seat, a 4.2-inch touchscreen with Sync infotainment system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a carpeted floor (again, replacing vinyl).

  • Model: 2018 Ford Transit Connect XLT Passenger Wagon
  • Engine: 2.5-liter four-cylinder
  • Output: 169 hp / 171 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Six-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
  • MPG: 19 City / 27 Hwy
  • Options: 17-inch Premium Alloy Wheels ($695), BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert ($575, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert), Panoramic Fixed-Glass Vista Roof ($1,295), Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control ($275).
  • Base Price: $27,025 (including a $1,120 destination charge)
  • Best Value Price: $29,170

Performance

Ford Transit Connect

Based on underpinnings from the Focus sedan with passenger car-like driving, the Transit Connect is quiet and comfortable, offers decent acceleration and – especially the lighter five-seat model – nimble handling, for a fairly enjoyable driving experience.

Although it's able to keep up with traffic, the Transit Connect is no speed demon, while payload capacity is a middling 1,270 pounds – a figure that drops considerably with passengers aboard. In addition, active safety features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning are unavailable.

Style

A boxy exterior gains style points with a car-like front end that surrounds a roomy interior with plenty of storage options, decent visibility, and a modern and functional dash with lots of buttons that's also suited for more rugged commercial use.

At the same time, the ambience quickly goes downhill as the lines and styling behind the front seats reveal the Connect Wagon's more pedestrian commercial origins.

The Best and Worst Things

Nimble handling and van versatility makes the Transit Connect an intriguing value proposition, but that means putting up with budget-grade rear accommodations and a lack of advanced safety systems.

Right For? Wrong For?

Ford Transit Connect

The Transit Connect's car-like handling and van practicality should appeal to families.

A lack of active safety features will have safety-focused buyers taking a pass.

The Bottom Line

Despite the lack of advanced safety features, middling payload ratings, and low-rent interior bits behind the front seats, the Transit Connect's range of bodies and features, nimble handling, van practicality, and comfortable ride make it a solid contender in its class.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L I-4 / 169 HP / 171 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd SelectShift w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
19 / 27 / 23 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L I-4 / 169 HP / 171 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
19 / 27 / 23 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Semi-independent Torsion Beam Beam
Spare Tire And Wheel
Full-size Steel
Fuel Tank
15.8 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$60
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
77.1 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
121 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
173.9 "
Exterior Width
72.2 "
Exterior Height
72.6 "
Front Headroom
46.8 "
Rear Headroom
45.1 "
Front Legroom
41.5 "
Rear Legroom
37.6 "
Front Shoulder Room
57.7 "
Rear Shoulder Room
58.5 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,650 Lbs. / 3,651 Lbs. / 3,675 Lbs. / 3,653 Lbs. / 3,663 Lbs. / 3,652 Lbs. / 3,668 Lbs. / 3,657 Lbs.
Wheel Base
105 "
Turning Radius
18.1 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
16.0 " Steel / 16.0 " Silver Aluminum / 17.0 " Silver Aluminum / 17.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated Convex Spotter
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Gray
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth / Leather
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(6-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
(6-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
Removable 60-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm, Clock, Seek-scan / Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Clock, Seek-scan / Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan / Clock
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
3
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Blis Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Rear / Front And Rear
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Securilock
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months

Used 2018 Ford Transit Connect for Sale

4 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Ford
XL
Color: White
Price

$17,995

Mileage

90,369 mi

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K 1 Motors (19 mi)

Phone: (818) 232-7275
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XLT
Color: Gray
Price

$18,995

Mileage

71,089 mi

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Pacific Auto Center - Costa Mesa (33 mi)

Phone: (949) 359-4135
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XLT
Price

$23,900

Mileage

34,919 mi

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Star Ford (17 mi)

Ford
XL
Color: White
Price

$29,995

Mileage

94,599 mi

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Norco Truck Center (48 mi)

Phone: (951) 372-0354
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