2014 Ford Transit and Transit Connect Unveil

Ford’s Transit family of vans grows for the 2014 model year with the introduction of the 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon. It joins the fullsize Transit cargo van and midsize Transit Connect commercial van in offering space-and fuel-efficient family transportation in a vehicle segment Ford hasn’t occupied since it ceased production of the Freestar in 2007.

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Front Seats

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Rear Seat

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon 3rd Row Seats

That’s a long time to be out of a market, and during those years the competition has evolved quite a bit. To reestablish itself in the marketplace, Ford set its sights high with the Transit Connect Wagon. When it goes on sale near the end of 2013, the 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon will be gunning for better fuel economy than the Toyota Sienna and a higher payload capacity than a Dodge Grand Caravan -- or even Toyota’s Double Cab pickup truck. All this will be available in a vehicle that’s smaller than you’d expect. Even in its long-wheelbase, seven-passenger configuration it’s shorter than a Sienna or Caravan. The five-passenger, short-wheelbase model is sized more like a compact crossover, but is still shorter than, say, Ford’s Edge. But the Transit Connect Wagon is wider and taller than any of those competitors, its high roof and squared-off back half are key in providing passenger and cargo room within a small overall footprint.

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon

The Transit Connect Wagon’s layout is like that of a traditional minivan, with sliding rear doors, fold-flat second and third seating rows, and access to the rear cargo area via either a top-hinged liftgate or side-hinged cargo doors. Ford is promising more than 100 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats, a payload capacity of up to 1,200 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds.

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Cargo Area

To get the hauling chores done, the Transit Connect Wagon will be available with two different engines. Standard is a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder, while a 1.6-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine will be optional. The EcoBoost will be tuned to achieve more than 30 mpg on the highway, predicts Ford, and get better city and highway fuel economy than the Sienna. Both engines will be backed by six-speed automatic transmissions driving the front wheels. The standard wheel-and-tire package will have 16-inch steel wheels; 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels will be optional.

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Interior

The 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon will be offered in three trim levels: XL, XLT and Titanium. Interior amenities will run the gamut from easy-clean vinyl upholstery to leather seating surfaces, a panoramic sunroof, 6.5-inch touchscreen display, navigation and a backup camera. Connectivity and infotainment will be handled by Sync with MyFord Touch.

On paper, at least, the 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon looks to be a worthy competitor in a crowded, and well engineered, vehicle segment. We’ll have to get our hands on one to see if Ford really delivers on its efficiency promise. It will also be interesting to see how traditional van and crossover customers take to the Transit Connect Wagon’s very non-traditional styling.

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon

Ford also rolled out its new Transit full-size vans that will replace the longstanding (and long-in-the-tooth) Econoline models. With a more aerodynamic shape, more efficient drivetrains and more advanced safety technology these new full-size models will transition Ford's van line into the 21st Century.

2014 Ford Transit and Transit Connect Wagon Unveil

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon

2014 Ford Transit Cargo Van

2014 Ford Transit Cargo Van

2014 Ford Transit Passenger Van

2014 Ford Transit Passenger Van

2014 Ford Transit Passenger Van

Photos Courtesy of Ford Motor Company (with additional photography by Total Car Score).