The Ford Transit Connect, likely in its last year here in the U.S., is essentially unchanged for 2023. But some features are no longer available. These include the optional 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, the 6-speed SelectShift transmission, a heavy-duty battery, and a flex-fuel version of the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine.
Big picture, this detracts only slightly from the Transit Connect and its primary mission: offering customers a compact and fuel-efficient alternative to larger vans and crossover SUVs.
As before, the Ford Transit Connect is built in Spain and is available as a Cargo Van and Passenger Wagon. The Cargo Van, offered in short- and long-wheelbase versions, is a perfect little city delivery vehicle for, say, a florist or a baker. It also works well as the basis for a compact camper van.
The Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon is a 7-seat microvan based exclusively on the long-wheelbase chassis. As such, it can carry a generous cargo load while having many of the conveniences you expect in a modern passenger car or SUV.
Similar in mission and size to its main competitor, the Dodge Ram ProMaster City, the 2023 Ford Transit Connect is offered exclusively with front-wheel drive. No all-wheel-drive version is available, but the front-drive configuration works remarkably well in snowy conditions because the weight of its engine is over its drive wheels.
2023 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XL: $31,290
The Cargo Van XL is the most basic Transit Connect. It’s equipped with sliding doors on both sides and a conventional liftgate or rear cargo doors that swing out 180 degrees. You can also choose between a short wheelbase (104.8 inches) or a long wheelbase (120.6).
Regardless of the wheelbase, a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine sends 162 horsepower and 144 lb-ft of torque to the 16-inch steel front wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. With its 15.8-gallon fuel tank and EPA combined fuel economy of 26 mpg, the 2023 Ford Transit Connect can travel about 400 miles between fill-ups.
While the base Cargo Van has standard sliding side doors and swing-out rear doors without windows, you can order this compact Ford workhorse with glass in both rear doors and one or both sliding side doors.
A forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking highlights the safety hardware. Other safety equipment includes frontal and side-impact airbags and a torque vectoring system that promotes vehicle-turn stability. Also notable: The headlights come on automatically when the windshield wipers are activated.
Although the XL is a base model, it has a decent smattering of comfort and convenience items. Besides power windows, the XL Cargo Van gets air conditioning and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel as standard, along with vinyl-covered seats and a 4-speaker stereo with Bluetooth, FordPass Connect, a 4.2-inch display, and a USB port.
Among the available options on the XL are the QuickClear electric windshield defroster, heated power-adjustable side mirrors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, cruise control, adaptive cruise control, a wireless charging pad, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Buyers may also select Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system, which features a 6.5-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. You can also get an upgraded version of SYNC 3 that has built-in navigation and SiriusXM satellite radio. Also available are a single-slot CD player and a composite bulkhead separating the 2-seat cockpit from the cargo area.
Fitted with the optional tow package, the 2023 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XL can tow up to 2,000 pounds.
With the $1,395 destination fee, a base 2023 Ford Transit Connect XL Cargo Van costs $32,685. On a 60-month loan at a 3% interest with zero down, the monthly payment comes to $587. Find 2023 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XL models for sale near you
2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van XL includes:
- Automatic emergency braking — This system applies the brakes automatically if it senses an impending collision.
- Dual-sliding side doors — These large doors provide excellent access to the cargo compartment from either side of the vehicle.
- Tilt/telescopic steering column — Drivers of all sizes can find a comfortable spot behind the Transit Connect steering wheel.
2023 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XLT: $33,465
The 2023 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XLT has all the equipment of the XL plus several upgrades. In addition to body-color front and rear bumpers and heated power-folding mirrors, the XLT gets fog lights and the SYNC 3 infotainment system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen.
Other upgrades include front carpeting, cloth seats, USB charge ports, a wireless charging pad, and cruise control.
More significantly, Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard. This safety suite bundles a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic high-beam headlights and lane-keep assist.
Options for the XLT not offered on the XL include dual-zone automatic climate control, LED fog lights, adaptive cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors.
With the $1,395 destination fee, the XLT Cargo Van has an out-the-door price of $34,860. On a 60-month loan at 3% with zero down, the monthly payment comes to about $626. Find 2023 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van XLT models for sale near you
2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon XL: $34,360
All 2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon models employ the long-wheelbase chassis. They also have side and rear door configurations like those of the Cargo Van, with one exception: owners can lower and raise the windows in the Passenger Wagon’s sliding side doors.
The Transit Connect Passenger Wagon is a people hauler with three rows of seats. While this little Ford van can be ordered as a 7-seater with a center bench and a 2-3-2 seating arrangement, the 2023 Passenger Wagons comes standard as 6-seaters with center-row captain’s chairs in a 2-2-2 seating configuration.
As with the Transit Connect XL Cargo Van, the XL Passenger Wagon comes with black bumpers and mirror caps, auto on/off headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and manual side mirrors. Cloth upholstery is standard (vinyl is optional), along with dual-zone automatic climate control and power windows.
With the cloth seats, the Transit Connect Passenger Wagon gets carpeting. If you order easily cleaned vinyl upholstery, you get vinyl flooring. Also standard on the XL: cruise control, a rear defroster, and rear parking sensors.
Options for the XL include tinted privacy glass, the QuickClear electric windshield, a wireless charging pad, front parking sensors, SYNC 3 (with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto), and SiriusXM with built-in navigation. Also available: are the MyKey programmable key fob and an overhead storage console.
The 2023 Ford Transit Connect XL Passenger Wagon with a $1,395 destination fee costs $35,755. On a 60-month loan with no money down and a 3% finance rate, the XL Wagon will cost about $642 a month. Find 2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon XL models for sale near you
2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon XL includes:
- Dual-zone automatic climate control — Gives the front passengers individual temperature control. The rear of the Passenger Wagon has manual a/c controls.
- Six cupholders — There are six cupholders in the Passenger Wagon — two for each row of seats.
- Canopy airbags — Transit Connect Passenger Wagons all get canopy airbags that deploy from the headliner to provide side-impact head protection for all three rows of seats.
2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon XLT: $36,475
Naturally, the XLT has a few more standard features than the XL.
Visually, it’s color-key bumpers and door handles, along with a 5-bar grille with a chrome surround. You also get power-folding heated side mirrors.
Ford’s Co-Pilot360, with automatic high-beam headlights, lane-keeping assist, a blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert, is standard. So is the SYNC 3 infotainment, which includes two USB charge ports, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. We also appreciate the 6-way power driver’s seat and one-touch up/down power windows.
Options on the 2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon XLT include a massive (but fixed) panoramic glass Vista Roof, adaptive cruise control, HID headlights, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a push-button starter.
Using our same 60-month loan at 3% with zero down, a 2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon XLT Wagon with the $1,395 destination fee lists for $37,870. The monthly payment will be about $680. Find 2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon XLT models for sale near you
2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon XLT includes:
- Privacy glass — From the rear doors rearward, the XLT is fitted with deep-tinted glass to give the interior a bit of privacy.
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel — This power-adjustable steering wheel complements the XLT’s optional leather upholstery.
- Full-width overhead shelf — This front shelf, above the front passengers, incorporates grab handles, a sunglasses holder, and a child observation mirror.
2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon Titanium: $38,560
As its name suggests, the Titanium is the top Transit Connect Passenger Wagon. Apart from HID headlights, a premium 9-speaker audio system, and unique 18-inch alloy wheels, most of the Titanium’s standard equipment is optional on the XLT.
This list includes leather upholstery (with heated front seats and a 6-way power driver’s seat), SYNC 3 with navigation, LED fog lights, the Co-Pilot360 safety suite, and a push-button starter.
Notable: The Titanium trim level isn’t available with swing-out rear cargo doors; it comes exclusively with a liftback sporting a fixed window.
The options are much like the XLT, but the Titanium is the only Transit Connect available with Enhanced Active Park Assist, which includes front and rear parking sensors.
With the $1,395 destination fee, the 2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon Titanium totals $39,955. Based on a 60-month loan at 3% with no money down, that works out to about $718 a month. Find 2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon Titanium models for sale near you
2023 Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon Titanium includes:
- Adaptive cruise control — This system maintains a safe distance to the vehicle ahead in your lane, even as traffic varies in speed.
- SYNC 3 — This standard infotainment system in the Titanium includes an AM/FM stereo, SiriusXM satellite radio, voice-activated navigation, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with two smart USB charging ports.
- Leather seating — These comfortable leather seats, heated in front, add a touch of class to this compact but space-efficient Ford.
