2023 Ford Transit Custom Review

Four generations after its launch, Ford has continued to refine its recipe for the Transit Custom, which offers an accessible entry point into its van range and remains, to this day, one of the most popular.

Before a brand-new generation of the Ford Transit Custom - including a fully electric E-Transit variant - arrives here in Australia, let’s take a closer look at how the 2023 Ford Transit Custom range stacks up.

Ford Transit Custom Competition

Starting Price: $50,390

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How Much Does It Cost?

The Ford Transit Custom range kicks off from $50,390 for the entry-level Custom 340S short wheelbase, while the Custom 340L long wheelbase is priced at $52,390 and the dual-cab variant is priced at $55,390.

Opting for the Ford Transit Custom Sport 320S brings prices to $53,390, while the range-topping Custom Sport 320L long wheelbase is priced at $58,390.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Ford Transit Custom - 320S SPORT (SWB) Specifications

What Features Does the Ford Transit Custom Have?

The base Ford Transit Custom comes riding on a set of 15-inch steel wheels, and receives climate control, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera, digital speed display inside the instrument cluster, front and rear parking sensors, and automatic halogen headlights.

On the tech front, there’s an 8.0-inch infotainment system powered by Ford’s Sync3 with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto paired with a four-speaker sound system atop a decent list of safety equipment that we’ll cover later in this review.

The range-topping Custom Sport comes riding on 17-inch alloys wrapped in Michelin rubber, and receives bi-Xenon LED headlights, a set of racing stripes with a black grille finish, part-leather sports seats & steering wheel, 10-way adjustable heated seats, sat-nav and a set of heated side mirrors and windscreen.

Range Features:

• 15-inch steel wheels 

• Adaptive cruise control

• Rear-view camera

• Digital speed display 

• Front & rear parking sensors 

• 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• 17-inch alloys (Custom Sport) 

• bi-Xenon LED headlights (Custom Sport) 

• 10-way adjustable and heated seats (Custom Sport) 

• Partial leather upholstery (Custom Sport) 

• Satellite navigation (Custom Sport)

Is the Ford Transit Custom Comfortable to Drive?

With four generations of the Transit under its belt, Ford’s recipe for the Transit Custom offers buyers a super user-friendly package that is easy to pilot around town and remains impressively nimble on the road for a work-focussed van platform.

Power for the Transit Custom range comes supplied by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel that kicks out 125kW of power and 390Nm of torque, which is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels.

On the road, the turbo-diesel engine offers a decent amount of torque to help kick you up to speed off a set of lights, while the transmission itself works away in the background keeping things smooth.

The acceleration won’t set your hair on fire - nor should it in a practical, work van, though its on-road manners are very impressive for a commercial-focussed van platform.

The lightweight steering rack means that it’s easy to throw the Transit Custom into a three-point turn or to squeeze into a tight car park.

The unladen ride is very impressive, offering decent handling for hops around town and highway trips alike, while remaining tough to handle heavy loads and keep substantial body roll to a minimum, making for a remarkably easy work van for drivers new to the segment.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Fuel economy figures in the Ford Transit Custom range stand at 8.0L/100km on a combined cycle, making it reasonably fuel-efficient for a work-ready cargo van.

Is the Front of the Practical and Spacious?

The front cabin inside the Ford Transit Custom range is equal parts practical and utilitarian.

This means that there’s a tonne of headroom on offer for taller drivers, combined with seemingly endless storage options and practical touches that can swallow up loose items inside the cabin.

For those opting for the Transit Custom dual-cab variant, the second row of seating offers a decent amount of headroom, ample leg room for adults and a pair of ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts to help accommodate forward and rear-facing child seats.

How Much Cargo Can You Fit Inside the Ford Transit Custom?

The amount of cargo you can squeeze inside the Ford Transit Custom range depends on which variant you’re opting for.

The rear cargo tray of the Transit Custom short wheelbase measures 1,944mm long, stretching out to 2,400mm in the long-wheelbase variant, with all variants measuring 1,755mm wide (1,392mm between the wheel arches) and 1,406mm tall.

• Transit Custom 340S (SWB) Low Roof: 5,700L (5.7m3) 

• Transit Custom 340L (LWB) Low Roof: 6,600 (6.6m3) 

• Transit Custom 340S (SWB) High Roof: 7,200 (7.2m3) 

• Transit Custom 340L (LWB) High Roof: 8,200 (8.2m3) 

• Transit Custom Sport 320S (SWB): 5,700 (5.7m3) 

• Transit Custom Sport 320L Dual-Cab LWB: 4,300 (4.2m3)

Payload figures for the Transit Custom lineup range from 1,387kg in the 320S, decreasing to 1,330kg in the 340S long-wheelbase, and dropping to 969kg in the 320L Sport, making the base model the best option for sheer payload capacity.

Towing figures start at 2,800kg for the Custom LWB manual and drop to 2,000kg in the automatic, while the SWB are rated at 1,500kg and 2,000kg for the manual and automatic respectively, and the Transit Custom Sport is rated with a maximum braked towing capacity of 1,800kg.

Is it Safe?

The Ford Transit Custom range has an expired five-star ANCAP safety rating.

As standard, the Ford Transit Custom range comes fitted with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, hill-launch assist, lane-keep assistance, a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors and wide wind stabilisation.

Our Verdict: Is the Ford Transit Custom Worth it?

Even in the face of an impending successor, the current Ford Transit Custom range offers so much work-ready capability with user-friendly touches and a decent safety equipment list that it remains one of the best in its class.

As for whether or not you should wait around for its replacement, keep in mind that a next-generation Transit Custom range will likely be accompanied by a price increase.

If you’re shopping around for a new cargo van, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price.

Five Specs You Need to Know

• Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty 

• 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel produces 125kW/390Nm 

• 4.3 - 8.2m3 cargo specs, depending on variant 

• 8.0L/100km combined cycle fuel economy figures 

• Expired five-star ANCAP safety rating