Review of the Ford E-Transit Custom

The Ford E-Transit Custom is a mid-sized electric version of the iconic Transit van. Appealing to a range of drivers, from tradespeople to families, the E-Transit Custom comes with a pleasant drive, a generous payload, and up to 209 miles of range. 

Rivals to the E-Transit Custom include the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, Renault Trafic E-Tech, Citroen e-Dispatch, and Volkswagen e-Transporter. 

Our Ford E-Transit Custom review covers:

• Sporty exterior design 
• Comfortable interior with loads of tech
• Up to 6.8m3 of load volume and a payload of just over a tonne 
• 64kWh battery paired with a single electric motor 
• Four trim levels 

Pros:

• Great to drive 
• Versatile interior 
• Generous load space 

Cons:

• Real-world range not great 
• Infotainment system could do with more physical buttons 
• Might be too sporty for some 

If you're looking for a sleek and cool-looking van, look no further than the E-Transit Custom. Ford's designers have really gone to great lengths to make it stand out from its far too similar Stellantis rivals. At the front, there's an oval-shaped front grille that runs off into the slick headlights, and down the side, there are neat creases that give it a sporty feel. 

Climb inside the E-Transit Custom, and there's enough room for three passengers. The driver gets their own seat while the two passengers share a double-seat bench. As you'd expect, the e-Transit Custom comes packed full of practical features, and the highlight has to be the mobile office option pack that tilts the steering wheel to create an angled desk when parked. 

Open the rear doors, and the E-Transit Custom can carry a load of up to 6.8m3 and a payload of up to just over a tonne. It also has a low-load floor, making loading heavier items easier than the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric and Citroen e-Dispatch. 

After a hard day's work, you want your van's cabin to be comfortable and pleasant, and this is exactly what the cabin of the E-Transit Custom is. All the seats are comfortable, there are plenty of premium materials, and the dashboard has been built to withstand the hustle and bustle of a busy business. 

On the dash, there's a huge 13-inch infotainment system that features Ford's SYNC 4 system and Alexa built-in. It's pretty good to use, displays sharp and clean graphics, and also features a built-in sat-nav, which will certainly come in handy. Ford doesn't stop there with the tech; there's also a 12-inch digital cluster behind the steering wheel that can be used to control some of the driver assistance systems.  

Four trim levels are available for the E-Transit Custom: Trend, Limited, Trail, and Sport. 

Trend has 16-inch steel wheels, electronic automatic air conditioning, a front and rear view camera, under-seat stowage, and a load-through bulkhead. 

Limited has LED headlights, an optional mobile office pack, a heated driver's seat with four-way adjustment, wireless charging, and keyless entry. 

Trail has optional 17-inch black alloys, all-wheel drive, a unique trail grille and skid-plate, and a full-height load space trim. 

Sport has 17-inch sport alloy wheels, exterior racing stripes, a six-way adjustable driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, and LED tail lights. 

The E-Transit Custom comes with a 64kWh battery paired with a single electric motor. You can choose between 135PS and 217PS for the single-motor versions, while an exclusive 281hp version is available. 

Electric range comes in at up to 209 miles, which is competitive for a medium-sized electric van, albeit slightly less than the Renault Trafic E-Tech. 

For charging, using an 11kW home charger takes just under seven hours. However, using a 125kW DC charger, you can add 50 miles of range in just ten minutes. 

The Transit range has been long known for its superb drive, and the E-Transit Custom is no different. It drives more like a car than a van, which is certainly nothing to complain about. 

If your business largely operates around town, you'll have no qualms about the E-Transit Custom. It accelerates smoothly and quickly from stationary, even with a full load in the rear. If you are in start-stop traffic, the regenerative braking comes in really handy, further extending your range and enhancing efficiency. 

On the motorway, the E-Transit Custom is a competent long-distance cruiser. Ride quality is good at 70mph, and the range of driver assistance features includes cruise control and lane-keeping assist. It's worth noting that for long-distance cruising, it's unlikely you'll get near the official range of 209 miles, so we'd plan a route with a few EV chargers on the way. 

On a country lane, the E-Transit Custom really stands out from the crowd. The low centre of gravity ensures controlled cornering, and the accurate steering provides plenty of confidence. We'd go as far as saying it's one of the best medium-sized vans for having a bit of fun on a country lane. 

Prices for the new Ford E-Transit Custom start from £52,056.00 OTR* or to lease from £465.71 per month.

Looking to get behind the wheel of the Ford E-Transit Custom? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.

Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.

*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.