When Ford introduced the Transit Connect Wagon in the U.S. market it created a completely new segment. Being alone in the market, the model was overly successful which attracted competitors in the like of Nissan NV200, Ram ProMaster City and Chevy City Express. To improve the minivan’s competitive edge in the market, Ford has decided to give the model a slight refresh for 2019. The exterior changes are scarcely noticeable as the automaker has been careful not to spoil an already successful design. The new 2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon changes include slight touches on the front fascia, more technologies in the cabin and new engines including a first-ever diesel mill. The minivans are available in XL, XLT as well as Titanium trims.
2019 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Exterior
The exterior design features slight changes, most of which are concentrated on the front fascia. The grille is new but still bears a huge resemblance to that of the Ford Fusion or Focus. The headlights and LED DRLs have been revised. Bi-xenon headlights and LED fog lights are offered as options. At the rear, the taillights are slightly different while buyers can choose between split doors and conventional single hatchback-like lift-gate. On the sides, van-like sliding doors carry over without any changes.
Overall, the model has a tall roof and upright cabin that enhances visibility. The minivan can be had in short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase versions. In addition, buyers get to choose between a cargo van and a passenger van depending on each individual buyer’s needs.
Interior
There are no major changes in the cabin. Going by the industry trends, Ford has offered the model with a 6.5-inch tablet-like touch-screen as an option. The screen is mounted on the middle of the dash. The touch-screen comes with the Sync 3 infotainment system which enhances connectivity. The automaker has also added a 4G LTE connection that enables the model to offer a Wi-Fi hotspot that can support 10 devices. The model also gets new safety systems such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring featuring rear cross-traffic alert as well as high-intensity-discharge headlights.
Passengers get to enjoy comfortable rides thanks to plenty of room, especially for the first and second rows. The seats also offer excellent adjustability. Long-wheelbase models come with a three-row seating arrangement but the third row is only suitable for short distances for adults, otherwise, it should be used by kids.
The interior finish is however still not pleasant as still hard-plastic components are used for the doors and the dashboard. However, the materials are much better than those offered by competitors.
Engine and performance
As earlier revealed, the Transit Connect Wagon has a new diesel mill, a turbo-diesel 1.5 L, 4-cylinder unit that Ford calls “EcoBlue”. Ford did not reveal details about the mill’s output figures during the minivan’s debut at the Chicago Auto Show, but sources from the automaker revealed that the engine will produce around 120 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. The engine will have a fuel economy of more than 30 mpg on highway drives.
Ford has also replaced the 2.5 L, 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 2.0 L, 4-cylinder engine. Like the diesel mill, Ford did not reveal performance figures of the new gasoline mill but our sources reveal the new engine will have lower horsepower and torque. The current 2.5 L, mill is good for 169 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque.
Both engines will use a new 8-speed automatic gearbox that features auto stop/start technology to help improve the model’s fuel economy. The system also minimizes loss of performance compared to the current unit.
Price and release date
The 2019 Transit Connect Wagon will arrive in Ford dealership in the second half of 2018. Expect a modest price hike compared to the current model that starts at $26,925 for the base XL trim and goes up to $31,555 for the Titanium trim.
Competitors
The Nissan NV200, Ram ProMaster City and Chevy City Express are the Transit Connect Wagon’s top rivals.
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