Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

Two people are loading planters and plants into the side of a blue 2021 Ford Transit Connect van.

The Ultimate Guide to the 2021 Ford Transit Connect

If you have been thinking about expanding your business, then you may want to take a look at the new 2021 Ford commercial vehicles on the market. Consistently rated as America’s best-selling commercial vehicle for the last 35 years, you really have nothing to lose here. Whether you need a cargo or passenger van for your business, Ford has the perfect fit. Today, we are going to focus on the 2021 Ford Transit Connect and all of its wonderful features that can help you grow your company.

Configurations

The new 2021 Ford Transit Connect comes in two basic configurations. One is a cargo van, and the other is a passenger wagon. The cargo van has two front seats and comes in short and long wheelbases. The short style offers 104.8 cubic feet of room, and the longer version provides 127.4 cubic feet. If you don’t need the front passenger, you can even fold it down to expand the area up to 145.8 cubic feet. As for the passenger wagon, it offers seating for seven people. You can also fold any unused seats to accommodate luggage needs.

Upfits

If you opt for the 2021 Ford Transit Connect cargo van, then you will be amazed at how many upfits there are. No matter what type of business you are in, your new ride can be customized to suit your specific needs. These include plumbing, landscaping, construction, electricity, and so much more. This cargo van can even be upfit to suit the needs of a florist shop. The sky’s the limit with the Transit Connect.

Powertrain

As for power and performance, these full-size vans come with one of two engines. The first is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder motor that produces 162 hp and 144 lb-ft of torque. The second is a slightly more powerful 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that pushes out 169 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. The average fuel economy for these units is about 26 MPG combined (24 city/29 highway), which is stellar for a van of this size. Equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission, these 2021 commercial vehicles can handle a payload of up to 1,550 pounds.

The multiple rows of gray seats are shown in a popular 2021 Ford commercial vehicle, a Ford Transit Connect.

Ford Co-Pilot360

The mid-level and top-tier trims for the 2021 Ford Transit Connect both come with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features. This includes a rearview camera to assist with parking and reversing. It also comes with automatic high beams, a lane-keeping system, pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, blindspot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. All of these systems work in unison to help prevent accidents everywhere the vehicle goes. Your drivers won’t have to worry so much, and your insurance company will be very happy as well.

Ford Telematics/Data Service

Another great feature of these 2021 commercial vehicles is Ford Telematics. This helps you take your company’s productivity levels to the max. As a software program, Ford Telematics provides you with vehicle and driver insights to help improve your business operations.

GPS tracking is part of this suite, which allows you to improve asset utilization. Meanwhile, vehicle health alerts will let you know when maintenance or service is needed. You can easily monitor the vehicle’s fuel consumption and the behavior of your drivers as well.

If you are wondering how Ford Telematics works to send your notifications in real-time, meet the Ford Data Service. Designed to help enhance your commercial vehicle fleet’s performance, this data plan is run on the Transportation Mobility Cloud platform. You can quickly and securely gain access to your vehicle’s information without worry.

The XL Trim

When it comes to the 2021 Ford Transit Connect, both the cargo van and passenger wagon are available in the same trim levels except for the top-tier. Starting with the XL, this is the base model. It’s very affordable and a great way to start investing in your new business. Inside, you will find vinyl flooring that is non-slip and very easy to clean. Your employees won’t have to worry about falling or spilling coffee. Even if something gets spilled, it can be wiped down or hosed out with no problem.

As for tech features, the infotainment interface is displayed on a 4.2-inch monitor that is located on the central stack. Although the system does not have advanced smartphone integration, it does come with Bluetooth compatibility for phone and audio and a USB port for charging. This means that you can keep in touch with your drivers without them ever having to take their hands off of the steering wheel. It also means that they can listen to your preferred playlist via audio streaming.

This entry-level trim does not come with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, but it does come with two advanced safety features that you will love. These are pre-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Using front-facing sensors and cameras, the pre-collision warning system will detect if an accident is impending. If no evasive action is taken by the driver, the system will trigger the automatic emergency braking function. Taking over the brake, this feature will bring the Transit Connect to a complete stop before impact is made.

The seats are folded down in the back of a 2021 Ford Transit Connect and shown from the front of the vehicle.

XLT Trim

The mid-level XLT mode is where the magic starts happening. Not only does this trim come with the aforementioned Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, but it gets several other upgrades as well. It’s a great investment for businesses that are expanding.

First, the vinyl flooring has been replaced by carpet. Although this takes more time to clean, it is a lot nicer than vinyl. A second USB port has been added as well as the Sync 3 infotainment system. Displayed on a 6.5-inch touchscreen, this new interface adds compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Dual-zone climate control has also been installed for the comfort of both employees.

Titanium Trim

If you really want to put your best foot forward, the top-of-the-line Titanium trim is the way to go. This trim is only available on the 2021 Ford Transit Connect passenger wagon, and you will see why in just a moment. This upgraded model is quite impressive and ideal for transportation companies.

Inside the cabin, you will find subtle leather upholstery and heated front seats. The driver’s seat is power-adjustable to suit the person’s height, and the vehicle comes with remote start technology. Other tech upgrades include keyless entry/ignition and an integrated navigation system. This is perfect for shuttle companies and can cut down on time wasted due to routing issues. On the exterior, xenon headlights and LED fog lamps provide optimized visibility and give the van a more futuristic look. You really can’t go wrong with this trim level.

Build Your Commercial Fleet

If you are in the market for 2021 commercial vehicles, then now is the time to invest. There isn’t another model out there that is as comprehensive and customizable as the Ford Transit Connect. Plus, with a van like this comes the potential for marketing real estate. Use prepared templates and designs, or submit one of your own and show off your business while you drive through your day. Whether you need a cargo van or a passenger wagon, you can find the perfect model for your business in the 2021 Ford Transit Connect.