Vannin’ Vibes: 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Priced from $25,520

Quick: What’s generally box-shaped, has front-wheel drive, and holds seven passengers?

If you answered “minivan,” you’re right—only you’re not. That’s the stance Ford is taking with its new Transit Connect Wagon, which looks nothing like a wagon, but a whole lot like a minivan. The automaker has even whipped up the un-clever “#unminivan” tagline for the Connect Wagon to further dispel any mommy-mobile juju. Whatever you call the Transit Connect Wagon, however, you probably won’t refer to it as expensive, based on the rig’s pricing scheme laid out by Ford.

Ford is releasing the TC Wagon in two wheelbases and three trim levels: XL, XLT, and Titanium. The short-wheelbase Wagon seats five and is available only in mid-level XLT guise, while the long-wheelbase ride has room for seven and is available in all three specifications. Every TC Wagon gets a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 169 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque standard, as well as a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy stands at a decent 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway, but better numbers (22/29 mpg) can be had by selecting the optional turbocharged, 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. Available in XLT trims, the EcoBoost motor makes 178 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.

Buyers looking at the XL and XLT models have the no-cost choice of a rear liftgate or a pair of symmetrical swing-out cargo doors, while those interested in the Titanium must settle for the liftgate. Full pricing for each model is as follows:

• XL ($25,995 – long wheelbase only): Standard equipment includes gray plastic bumpers and body-side trim, vinyl floor covering, vinyl seat coverings, fold-flat second- and third-row seats, three 12-volt power outlets, power front- and second-row windows, dual front map lights, three-row curtain airbags, remote keyless entry, and 16-inch steel wheels with wheel covers. Key options include power mirrors ($130), corner-lighting fog lamps ($125), daytime running lights ($45), rear-window defroster ($150), front and rear parking sensors ($495), cruise control ($225), and cloth seats ($100).

• XLT ($25,520 – short wheelbase; + $2000 for long wheelbase, +$795 for EcoBoost four): XLT adds body-color bumpers and body-side trim, fog lamps, power-adjustable heated side mirrors, a second-row folding armrest, a 4.2-inch color LCD display, 60/40-split folding second-row seats (short wheelbase only), cloth seats, cruise control, carpet-covered floors, one-touch up/down front and second-row windows, a backup camera, and rear-window defroster. Key options include automatic headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers ($125), daytime running lights ($45), front and rear parking sensors ($495), a windshield defroster ($300), dual-zone automatic climate control ($275), and leather seats ($1550 with required power driver’s seat).

• Titanium ($29,995 – long wheelbase only): Titanium adds to the XLT options automatic headlights, chrome exterior trim, power-adjustable heated side mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, leather seats, two additional front audio speakers, power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, Sync, and 16-inch aluminum wheels. Key options include daytime running lights ($45), front and rear parking sensors ($495), a windshield defroster ($300), a panoramic sunroof ($1295), and 17-inch aluminum wheels ($420).

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• Ford Transit Connect Research: Full Pricing, Specs, Photos, and More


• 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Photos and Info: The “Unminivan”


• 2013 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0L EcoBoost 4WD Test: A Focus on Steroids

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We’ll come right out and say that we think of the Transit Connect Wagon as a van, but we admit it’s not necessarily your run-of-the-mill Honda Odyssey. That’s because it is the passenger-friendly version of the Transit Connect commercial van, a utilitarian runabout based on the Focus that plays little sibling to the upcoming full-size Transit van. The entire Transit family has been ported over from Europe—just like the previous-generation Transit Connect—which gives the Wagon, especially, a vague sense of Continental cool.

The unminivan, or whatever, is actually quite reasonably priced for such a versatile and commodious vehicle. That said, we’d skip right over the long-wheelbase XL model, which clearly is the airport-shuttle special—with vinyl seats, manual mirrors, and a rear defroster being optional (what is this, 1982?), it’s best left for transport businesses looking to save a buck. We will say, however, that the XL’s gray plastic bumpers give it a weirdly awesome look, but otherwise, the XLT and Titanium pack a lot of crossover-trumping family-hauling capability and features for less than $30,000.

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