The Ford Transit Connect PHEV might not be Ford’s first plug-in hybrid commercial vehicle, but the plug-in hybrid van is arguably the most relevant to operators working in and around towns and cities. With a strong zero-emission range, sensible payload capacity, and a familiar style, it’s a bridge between diesel vans and full electrification, and will make a lot of sense to many drivers.
You might be familiar with the van already. It’s been around for some time as the passenger-carrying Tourneo Connect, and badged as a Volkswagen Caddy panel van. Yes, like the Ford Ranger and Transit Custom commercial vehicles, and the Capri and Explorer cars, these are built in collaboration with Volkswagen as part of Ford’s commercial vehicle alliance.
While Volkswagen has borrowed the Ranger and Transit Custom underpinnings for the Amarok and Transporter, the partnership has gone the other way here — the Connect PHEV sits on the same platform as the Volkswagen Caddy Cargo and is built on the same production line in Poznań, Poland. That shared DNA brings some big wins in refinement, design, and comfort, while Ford-specific styling and support through Ford Pro help the Connect feel like a true Blue Oval product.
Ford Transit Connect PHEV: Interior
Step into the cabin and, if it weren’t for the Ford badge on the steering wheel, you’d have no idea this wasn’t the Caddy. That’s no bad thing, as the Caddy’s layout is impressive, and unless you jump between a Caddy and a Connect frequently, you’ll never know how much is shared.
The design is clean and car-like, with a practical layout. You get a mix of physical controls (lights, some sensor switches, defroster, and so on) and proper buttons and switches on the steering wheel to control the digital instrument panel ahead of the driver.
This replicates much of what’s on the infotainment system, and it may be an easier way to access important information rather than prodding the screen. The 10.0-inch screen is decent enough once you’ve set it up to your preferences, but some functions seem well hidden, and it’s rather sluggish and dated. Happily, it supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
What is infuriating is the touch-sensitive controls underneath the screen for cab temperature and audio volume. Trying to make any adjustment is like trying to play a theremin during an earthquake. To make matters worse, it’s not even lit, so nighttime operations become a game of pot luck.
Storage is well thought out, with the Limited model tested here, including a clever wireless charging pad placed ahead of the gear selector. There’s also the added benefit of preconditioning the cab while charging, which can be a welcome bonus on cold mornings.
Ford Transit Connect PHEV: On the road
The driving experience is a definite highlight. Like the diesel model, the Connect PHEV benefits from its car-based underpinnings, sharing much with the Skoda Octavia
, Volkswagen Golf, and even the Audi TT. Ok, you won’t get sportscar handling, but the steering is light and accurate, visibility is excellent, and the turning circle is tight, making it well-suited to urban routes and tricky car parks.
The plug-in hybrid powertrain pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to produce a combined 150hp and very useful 350Nm of torque. That’s enough for brisk performance around town, and it’ll stick to electric-only power all the way up to motorway speeds. A six-speed automatic gearbox handles shifting smoothly, although you’ll notice a slight clunk when the petrol engine cuts in, particularly at lower speeds.
Having the auto box does make urban traffic a stress free experience, though. Silently edging forward under electric power with no clutch or vibrations to worry about will leave any driver feeling more relaxed.
While it doesn’t feel particularly quick, it is consistent and composed. Brake feel is good, the ride quality is supple, and motorway cruising is surprisingly refined for a van this size.
Ford Transit Connect PHEV: Payload, practicality and towing
The Connect PHEV is available in two lengths — L1 and L2 — with our test vehicle being the shorter L1. That provides 3.1m³ of load space, stretching to 3.7m³ in the longer L2 version. Both options beat most rivals for space, particularly those from the Stellantis stable — that’s the Citroen Berlingo, Fiat Doblo, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo — although the PHEV model’s payload is slightly compromised by the battery pack.
The L1 PHEV can handle up to 741kg, depending on trim, which is, surprisingly, better than the Volkswagen Caddy but still falls short of the near one-tonne capability offered by some diesel-powered Stellantis alternatives, although is on par with its battery-powered vans.
Even so, it’ll still accommodate two Euro pallets (in L2 form) and comes with wide-opening barn-style rear doors and a passenger-side sliding door as standard. The L2 adds a second sliding door for extra flexibility.
The doors reveal a useful space measuring 1,797mm long and 1,628mm wide, with the L2 model increasing the length to 2,150mm and gaining a second sliding door on the other side of the van.
If that’s not enough, the Transit Connect PHEV will tow up to 1,500kg.
There’s also a FlexCab variant that adds a second row of seats, folding flat to switch between crew and cargo use.
| Kerb weight | 1,661 kg |
| Gross vehicle weight | 2,400 kg |
| Payload | 691 kg |
| Gross train weight | 3,900 kg |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,500 kg |
| Load bay length | 1,797 mm |
| Load bay width | 1,628 mm |
| Load bay height | 1,263 mm |
| Load bay capacity | 3.1 m3 |
| Towing capacity (unbraked) | 750 kg |
Ford Transit Connect PHEV: Economy and running costs
The plug-in hybrid powertrain is powered by a 19.6kWh battery, giving the Connect PHEV an official electric-only range of 73 miles. We saw 48 miles of real-world EV driving in urban conditions in the midst of a cold snap, which is reasonably impressive, and more than enough for most people’s daily use. Expect far better results in warmer temperatures with careful driving.
Once the battery is depleted, the petrol engine takes over. Economy drops, of course, with the van returning around 30mpg on engine power alone. Across a mixed-use test over many hundreds of miles, we averaged 53.7mpg, which included draining the battery on a long motorway run — still a strong result.
Charging speeds are reasonable for a plug-in hybrid, with support for up to 50kW rapid charging, allowing a meaningful top-up in a lunch break.
Importantly, the Connect PHEV qualifies for the government’s Plug-in Van Grant. That knocks £2,500 off the L1 model and £5,000 off the L2 — enough to make it cheaper than the equivalent diesel model in some cases. You’ll also avoid clean air zone fees in many cities.
Ford Transit Connect PHEV: Verdict
The Transit Connect PHEV fills an important niche in the van market and fills it well. It offers a real electric range that’s genuinely usable for urban operators, without committing businesses to a complete switch to battery-only power. And with Ford’s Pro network backing it, fleets can expect strong support and integration.
While the payload is a little underwhelming and the transition between EV and petrol isn’t quite seamless, there’s no denying that the PHEV is a smart, well-equipped, and good-to-drive van. For many businesses, it’s not just a stepping stone to electric — it might be the perfect endpoint.
Model tested: Ford Transit Connect SWB PHEV Limited
Professional Van rating: ★★★★☆
| Basic price | £30,550 |
| VAT | £6,110 |
| On the road inc VAT | £38,000 |
| Range exc VAT | £23,500–33,050 |
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