Ford Tourneo Connect Review & Prices

The Ford Tourneo Connect is a van-based MPV that is part of a small group of cars that don’t follow the SUV trend to carry lots of people about. It’s like a pair of standard green wellington boots – not the most stylish, but it gets the job done in the same way a pair of expensive Hunter wellies does.

As with bog-standard boots, the Tourneo Connect is not the most exciting-looking car around. With its van-like styling, there’s little to inspire – with minor design changes offered between the different trim levels.

The Sport version gets funky stripes over the bonnet alongside some sporty tweaks like an all-black grille and a more angular front bumper, while the Active trim gets SUV-like features, including extra cladding around the wheel arches. The current entry-level Titanium gets more silvery trim pieces.

One thing that you should know is that the Tourneo Connect is effectively a rebadged Volkswagen Caddy Life. It looks enough like a Ford to be different from the VW though, thanks to a new grille and minor styling tweaks.

The look of the cabin isn’t the most inspiring, with lots of darker materials used throughout. Surfaces also feel a lot more hard-wearing, which will suit families for long-term wear and tear, but it’s not the nicest for some of the common touchpoints, like around the door bins and in the centre console.

Space throughout the cabin is excellent. Although some of the cubbies, like in the door and under the central armrest, are a little tight, you get additional places to store things you wouldn’t expect. For example, there’s an area above the front seats that spans the width of the cabin, while you also get storage under the front seats too.

You certainly won’t be found wanting with the boot either. You get 1,213 litres with five seats in place, while choosing the Grand Tourneo Connect – which makes the body longer and adds two further seats – increases the boot space to 1,720 litres. A similar van-based MPV, the Volkswagen Multivan, can’t get close to that figure, offering up to 763 litres at best with the five-seat version, and just 469 litres with the seven-seater.

Being a van-based car, you can take out the seats entirely to give you a flat floor and increase the overall storage capacity to 2,556 litres in the standard Tourneo Connect and 3,105 litres for the Grand.

With the underpinnings of the Tourneo commercial vehicle, the Connect isn’t the most refined to drive. In town, a lot of bumps and vibrations can be felt throughout the cabin and with the echo chamber-like interior, you can hear a lot of exterior noises too. That being said the steering is light and manoeuvring is simple enough.

Having the large windows all-round means visibility is very good, and that helps with moving through traffic on the motorway. The 114hp four-cylinder petrol engine isn’t the punchiest to get you up to speed but it’s okay. The six-speed manual is smooth enough, though you can choose a seven-speed automatic for a more relaxing drive.

If you dare attack a twisty road, the Tourneo Connect feels out of its element, that’s for sure. With a high centre of gravity, you do get a fair amount of lean going through a corner at speed, and even though the ride is comfortable most of the time, it jolts a lot over bumps.

On the whole, the practicality of the Tourneo Connect is the biggest draw and for families or those needing lots of space, it is certainly a model that should be looked at.

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Compared to other MPVs, the Tourneo Connect is on the affordable end, especially when a lot of alternatives have switched to electric power alone – something that doesn’t suit all MPVs.

Volkswagen’s ID Buzz is the standout EV example, which on the whole is an excellent option. However, compared to the Tourneo Connect it is much more expensive – more than double the price in some cases.

Against the models that are closer in price, like the Citroen e-Berlingo, Peugeot e-Rifter and Vauxhall Combo Life Electric, the Ford makes much more sense overall, with the battery technology of those models not worth the extra expense as their ranges are so small.

However, as it’s based on the Volkswagen Caddy and Caddy Maxi, so storage and overall comfort is the same. The Ford is slightly cheaper to buy though, so choosing between the two will probably come down to personal badge preference and what deal you can get.

The Tourneo Connect manages to be comfortable on a longer cruise, but some bumps and knocks are felt at slower speeds

In town

With more of a comfort-based setup, the Tourneo Connect does suffer from being jolty over bumps and through potholes at times. When that happens, the noises can reverberate through the cabin a lot, while you can feel the vibrations to the back as well – making the van-based origin of the Tourneo Connect obvious.

Outside of that, the steering weight is light, making manoeuvring fairly simple. Sensors and cameras help to deal with the longer Grand Tourneo model, while the large wing mirrors and rear window work well for both versions to ensure you can get around town easily enough.

The manual transmission that was tested is smooth enough, while the petrol engine alongside it has just enough grunt to get in and out of junctions. The pedals can feel a bit spongey though, which doesn’t offer the most assurance.

On the motorway

That pedal feel – or lack thereof – continues when you’re on faster roads, as the brakes can have a little bit of travel before providing some stopping force, which can be disconcerting. Tyre noise and wind noise from the roof rails enter the cabin, too.

That being said, the Tourneo Connect manages to be very pliant and comfortable over longer distances, with the cruise control helping you settle into further distances easily. You can get the automatic versions with adaptive cruise control to further enhance comfort on journeys.

On a twisty road

Van-based models certainly aren’t made for exciting driving, so the Tourneo Connect won’t set your heart ablaze. There’s some lean when turning in at higher speeds as the centre of gravity is quite high and the light steering doesn’t offer the most confidence on turn-in.

The 114hp petrol engine isn’t the best at getting you up to speed under hard acceleration either, so the Tourneo Connect is much better suited to those with a relaxed style of driving to give all occupants the most comfort.

Luggage space is truly excellent with the Tourneo Connect, but some of the front spaces could be better

Where the Tourneo Connect majors is in practicality. Up front though, there is some disappointment. The door pockets, though big, could be bigger and the opening isn’t as large as you might expect. Under the central armrest, the storage isn’t the best either.

But above you there’s a shelf to provide further space – just be careful not to put too much in there in the case of emergency braking, which could send items flying forward. 

The front seats are well-cushioned and the steering wheel has plenty of adjustment, so as a driver you can get in a good position for longer distances. 

Space in the back seats

To further emphasise the people carrying credentials of the Tourneo Connect, passenger space in the back is excellent. The back row (middle row for the Grand Tourneo Connect) offers loads of leg and headroom, while the van’s width helps make it more than suitable for seating three adult. 

Door bins on the sliding doors are okay but not spectacular, while you also get picnic tables on the back of the front seats, which is a neat touch. 

For those wanting the Grand Tourneo Connect, the two rearmost seats are also spacious, although not quite as much as the middle row. There are a couple of small storage areas, so those sitting in the back at least have a place for a drink and any other bits and bobs they have. 

Boot space

Further staking its claim as one of the most practical cars you can buy, the Tourneo Connect’s boot is 1,213 litres – more than the on-trend VW ID. Buzz’s 1,100 litres and most other alternatives. Going for the Grand Tourneo increases that advantage to an impressive 1,720 litres. 

You can remove, roll forward or fold down almost all the seats to make the most of the space. In two-seat format, the Tourneo Connect has up to 2,556 litres, while choosing the Grand Tourneo gives you up to 3,105 litres. You can opt to remove the rearmost seats on the Grand Tourneo if you only need the middle row and want to have a larger boot. 

The boot opening is wide and tall, so loading furniture or lots of luggage won’t be an issue, however, the lip is quite low down – much like the van. The door is also a liftgate instead of a barn door style, so make sure you have enough space behind when opening it up.

Ford has managed to make VW’s infotainment system more user-friendly here, but the styling isn’t that inspiring on the whole

Because the Tourneo Connect is based on the Volkswagen Caddy, that means you get the German firm’s infotainment setup. Unfortunately, that includes the unlit sliders and touch-sensitive controls that are too fiddly to operate on the move. 

Ford has implemented its own software on the system to help integrate it into the aesthetic of the Tourneo Connect, and it actually feels simpler to use than VW’s system. It’s still not easy when you’re driving – one of modern motoring’s worst missteps – but Ford’s graphics are clear and the screens are simple enough to navigate. 

You get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard with the 10.0-inch touchscreen, which is generally easier to use than the standard Ford setup. Sport models also come with a 10.25-inch configurable driver’s display, instead of the 3.5-inch display between analogue dials found on the other two trim levels. 

Van-based MPVs don’t offer the most stylish interiors – unless it’s a VW ID. Buzz – so the Ford is as you would expect – simple and inoffensive. With darker materials used on most surfaces, the cabin isn’t exciting or overly enticing, but it’s built on hard-wearing fabrics and plastics. That means whatever you’re using it for, the Tourneo Connect can take a fair beating. 

Active versions do get some bright blue accents to help lift the grey and black surfaces, while the Sport model gets red contrast stitching and suede-like fabric on the seats. 

You can add a power-closing boot lid, heated steering wheel, a panoramic roof and detachable trailer coupling as part of the options list, although there aren’t many others to personalise your Tourneo Connect further from the equipment fitted as standard – though this is pretty reasonable anyway, so you don’t miss much.

You have the option of either a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 114hp or a 2.0-litre diesel engine that develops 122hp. Both units can be paired to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission. 

Depending on the trim you spec, the Tourneo Connect with the petrol can return up to 52.3mpg, while having the extra bodywork on the Grand Tourneo drops that to 50.4mpg. Those figures are achieved with the manual transmission; the automatic offers 1mpg less with both units. 

On the diesel offerings, the Grand Tourneo can achieve 67.3mpg with the manual, while the Tourneo Connect returns up to 68.9mpg. Again the manual offers improved efficiency over the seven-speed auto. 

Emissions-wise, the diesel unit has better figures, emitting 140g/km CO2 at its worst. The petrol emits up to 156g/km with the Grand Tourneo Connect. With the lower level of emissions, the diesel engine is marginally cheaper to tax in the first year compared to the petrol motor.

With the stringent Euro NCAP tests, the Tourneo Connect scored the full five stars when tested in 2021. It achieved around 80% in adult and child occupancy alongside safety assists, while vulnerable road users scored 69%.

As standard, you get pre-collision assist with emergency braking, forward collision warning, evasive steer assist, lane-keeping assist and cruise control. You also get keyless start and an immobiliser with all versions of the Tourneo Connect.

The VW Caddy that the Tourneo Connect is based on has had a recall due to a control arm fault, so if you’re looking for a used version it’s worth checking it was fixed.

As standard, you get a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, but before registration, you can opt to extend that to either four-years/80,000 miles or five-years/100,000 miles for additional peace of mind.