Keen on spending R1 million on a panel van and considering the Ford Transit Custom Sport? Charlen Raymond drives this award-winning Blue Oval model to unearth its high points and quirks.
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Ford Transit Custom Sport 2.0 SiT Panel Van SWB Fast Facts
- Price: R938 000
- Engine: 2.0-litre single-turbodiesel
- Power: 125 kW @ 3 500 r/min
- Torque: 390 N.m @ 1 750-2 500 r/min
- Gears: 8-speed automatic
- Drive: FWD
- Fuel Economy: 8.0 L/100 km (claimed)
- Tyres: 215/60 R17C
- Load volume capacity: 5 200 L
- Towing capacity (braked): 2 500 kg
- Service plan: 6-years/90 000 km
- Warranty: 4-years/120 000 km
What are we driving and why is it significant?
The Ford Transit Custom Sport SWB (short wheelbase) arrived in South Africa earlier in 2025, coming in hot with several accolades to its name. In Europe, it is the country’s best-selling one-ton van and a five-time International Van of the Year winner. The most recent win came in 2024 with this very derivative. Having spent a few days with the newcomer, a few things came to light on how we perceive it, as well as a particular niggle that, we think, should be addressed either with the facelift or the all-new generation.
What is the Ford Tourneo Custom Sport 2.0 SiT Panel Van SWB like to drive?
Let’s start with the powertrain. The Transit Custom Sport is powered by Ford’s single-turbo 2.0-litre EcoBoost diesel engine. With 125 kW and 390 N.m, the motor pulls strongly, making light work of the panel van’s 1 971 kg kerb weight. There is ample pull from as 1 750 r/min as the torque kicks in. The power is channelled to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the gear lever/transmission stalk located on the right of the steering column. This adoption comes from Volkswagen, with whom Ford has an alliance. For an added sense of involvement, drivers can select the following driving modes: Normal, Eco, Slippery, Tow/Haul, and Sport.
Related: Road Test: Ford Tourneo Custom 2.0 SiT Trend LWB
Ford claims a fuel economy of 8.0 L/100 km, but our average of 10.1 L/100 km is a clearer picture of what to expect in real-world conditions. This means that, theoretically, drivers should see a driving range of just over 500 km when the 55 L fuel tank is filled to the brim. However, this figure will alter when the Transit Custom Sport hauls loads. A reality we think will be at the order of the day.
Active and passive safety features aiding the driving experience include Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring and Assist, Driver Alert with Impairment Monitor, Lane Keeping Aid, Roll Over Mitigation, Intelligent Speed Assistance with Speed Sign Recognition, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.
What is new on the Ford Transit Custom Sport 2.0 SiT Panel Van SWB?
The Ford Transit Custom Sport is a two-seater panel van, with the driver seat featuring six-way power adjustment and the passenger seat four-way manual adjustment. Both pews are fitted with seat warmers. There is also an array of storage compartments throughout the cabin, along with a dashboard compartment big enough to fit a laptop. Speaking of, Ford also included two USB-C ports in the laptop-size storage compartment ahead of the passenger, and a few more, including USB-A, across the cabin. There is also a 12-volt power socket.
Related: Ford Everest Platinum – A Logical Family Van?
Access to the loading compartment is gained via the two sliding doors on the side or by opening the 180-degree barn doors. But it is the sliding doors that are the party trick. These power-operated waymakers can be opened or closed via the door handles, or buttons on the remote control and dashboard. Once accessed, the load compartment offers a maximum load volume of 5.8m3. It can also house up to three standard Euro pallets with a payload up to 1 023 kg. There are six tie-down loops to keep cargo in place.
While some might not see it as that big of an issue, we noticed that the 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system reflects off the little window positioned between the two seats. This is not particularly troublesome during the day, but the glare can become obtrusive in low-light conditions or when driving at night. Yes, the screen is angled towards the driver for ease of use, but the reflection is a distraction. Granted, seeing the barn doors in the rear-view mirror is a given, but a double obstruction is, in our opinion, a no-go zone.
Despite this, the multimedia system is very intuitive. It features Ford’s SYNC4 communication and infotainment system, and incorporates wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – of which connection is an absolute breeze. A 12-inch instrument cluster is positioned ahead of the driver, and the displays can be configured to the driver’s liking.
How much does the Ford Transit Custom Sport 2.0 SiT Panel Van SWB cost?
Ford managed to price the Transit Custom Sport at under R1.0 million, with the retail price pegged at R938 000. It compares well to the rest of the ‘Custom’ family. Its panel van brethren, the Transit Custom Sport 2.0 SiT Panel Van LWB (long wheelbase), comes in at R761 000, while the family-orientated Tourneo Custom 2.0 SiT LWB surpasses the bar-mark at R1 050 000 and R1 076 000 for the Active and Trend derivatives, respectively.
The Transit Custom Sport’s R177 000 premium over its LWB sibling is justified with additions such as a sport body kit, honeycomb sport grille, rear spoiler and distinctive 17-inch multi-spoke matte black alloy wheels. There are also dual racing stripes that extend from the front bumper over the bonnet, along the full extent of the roof and down the rear twin barn doors.
The price includes a 6-years/90 000 km service plan (which can be removed optionally under Right-to-Repair) and a 4-years/120 000 km warranty.
What are the Ford Transit Custom Sport 2.0 SiT Panel Van SWB rivals?
Given the market conditions, few automakers offer panel vans in their portfolio. Especially ones that cost more than R600 000. However, the Transit Custom Sport SWB is not without rival, with Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Toyota putting up a challenge against the Blue Oval’s offering.
In Hyundai’s corner, the Staria 2.2D panel van acts as the entry point to this futuristic-looking MPV line-up, coming in at R669 500 – some R91 500 below the Transit Custom Sport LWB and R268 500 more affordable than the Transit Custom Sport. The Staria’s 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine offers 130 kW and 430 N.m and is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The load volume capacity is 4 935 L.
VW’s Transporter LWB is available with both a manual and automatic gearbox, fixed to the automaker’s 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine. Power is rated at 81 kW and 250 N.m in both instances, but the load volume capacity bests that presented by the Ford and Hyundai: 6 700 L. Pricing for the manual and automatic VW Transporter LWB is R678 600 and R724 200, respectively.
The Toyota Quantum also finds itself in this company. Several models make up the panel van line-up, priced from R741 000 to R793 500. The range comprises LWB and SLWB (super-long wheelbase) derivatives, all powered by Toyota’s 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 130 kW and 420 N.m. A six-speed manual gearbox channels power to the rear wheels.
Perhaps an unlikely – yet genuine – rival is the Mercedes-Benz Vito 114 CDI Panel Van. Priced between R907 212 and R969 311 (excluding the crewcab models), the line-up is powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that offers 100 kW and 300 N.m, with drive sent to the rear through either a manual or automatic gearbox. Mercedes-Benz claims a load volume capacity of 6 000 L for its offering.
Verdict
Ford has done a good job with its Transit Custom panel van, and the Sport derivative adds substance to an already impressive product. Putting it all into one, though, the Transit Custom Sport must be applauded for its sporty aesthetics, modern tech, and punchy 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine. Add the well-appointed cabin and power-operated rear sliding doors, and you have a van that does what is expected of it with the added bells and whistles. The R938 000 asking price is a premium over some of the mentioned rivals, but you get the benefit of flair mixed with practicality.
