2010 Ford Transit Connect

2010 Ford Transit Connect

Episode 2917
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Ford Motor Company is the only U.S. automaker to avoid bankruptcy.  But they’re by no means assured of long term success. Part of their plan to prosper hinges on bringing their best overseas vehicles here. First to arrive is the Transit Connect van.  Since 2003, some 600,000 Transit Connects have been sold in 58 countries.  Its compact size appeals to small businesses. But will it connect with American entrepreneurs? Well, let’s load up and find out.

The 2010 Ford Transit Connect does indeed look narrow and quirky by American work van standards. But this Turkish-made front-wheel drive hauler is clearly a Ford truck- from the sharp-edged headlight stacks and understated three-bar grille to the F-150-style stepped front windows and side mirrors.

Even in top XLT trim, work-grey fender flares surround no-nonsense 15-inch steel wheels with plastic lug-nut covers. But, while styling won’t raise any pulses, the Transit Connect’s form follows its function to a ‘T.’

Indeed, the most striking feature is its short but tall proportions. With a wheelbase of 114.6 inches, it’s only 180.6 inches long overall. That’s three feet shorter than Ford’s E-Series full size van. But at 79.3 inches tall, it’s more than 10 inches taller than Ford’s last minivan, the Freestar.

That makes it ideal for small businesses that carry bulky items, like the tasty creations from our friends at Baltimore’s Charm City Cakes.

MARY ALICE YESKEY: We got the Ford Transit about six months ago, and the whole experience was really cool for us because it was truly custom made from start to finish.  We couldn’t have designed a better vehicle to transport cakes. It’s awesome. 

There are two body styles. The base cargo Van has no glass aft of the B-pillars, but windows can be added in the twin sliding side doors, the rear swing doors, or both. Optional are 255-degree split rear cargo doors with rubber bump stops.

In passenger Wagon form, windows are standard and seating is available for two, four, or five.

There’s an impressive 78.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind that second row. But fold it up, or don’t tick the option box, and that figure swells to 135.3 cubic feet. Payload capacity is a more than adequate 1,600 pounds.

The driver’s space is also work-focused: bland but roomy. There are echoes of Ford’s first-gen Focus here, with which the Transit Connect shares platform components.

Our XLT came with an in-dash computer featuring navigation, Internet access, Bluetooth, and wireless keyboard; perfect for staying in touch with the office. And above the windshield there is a useful storage shelf.  Given the van’s limited rear visibility, the reverse-sensing system is another good choice.

While most Transit Connects abroad use diesel power, we’ll have to make do with a gasoline 2.0-liter I4 with 136 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. Our only transmission is a four-speed automatic. Still, Government Fuel Economy ratings are fine at 22 city, 25 highway. We managed 23.6 miles per regular gallon in mixed driving. 

But the economy comes with a price.  The Transit Connect strolls to 60 mph in 12.1 seconds, and covers the quarter-mile in 18.7 seconds at just 75 miles per hour. So, plan your merging and passing well in advance. On the other hand, 60 to 0 stops averaged an acceptable 129 feet, with a solid response.

Our van had optional Roll Stability Control. So, even with a simple torsion beam rear suspension, our Transit Connect felt light on its feet and never top-heavy through the slalom. Add in a tight 39-foot curb-to-curb turning diameter and the result is an easy-to-maneuver city hauler.

The base Transit Connect van starts at $21,475. The wagon begins at $21,830. Our well-equipped wagon ticketed for just under 25 grand. An electric-powered version will be coming to the States in 2010.

The 2010 Ford Transit Connect impressed us with its cargo space, efficiency, city-smart agility, and very useful, very cool job-site gadgets. And if the Transit Connect is a true indication of how other off-shore Fords will take to America, the company’s fortunes are bound to keep improving.

 

Specifications

  • Engine: 2.0-Liter I4
  • Horsepower: 136
  • Torque: 128 Lb Feet
  • 0-60 MPH: 12.1 Seconds
  • 1/4 Mile: 18.7 Seconds @ 75 MPH
  • 60-0 MPH: 129 Feet
  • EPA: 22 MPG City/ 25 MPG Highway
  • Mixed Loop: 23.6 MPG
2025 Nissan Kicks 18

2025 Nissan Kicks

More Kicks To Kick Around In

Episode 4436
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Nissan began kicking around the idea of replacing their subcompact Juke with a much more modern crossover ute more than a decade ago. But it wasn’t until 2018 that the Kicks finally stepped onto our shores. Turned out it was a smart move, one that Nissan hopes to build upon with this all-new second generation kicks. So, let’s see if it kicks up more good things for Nissan.

SUVs, “small” utility vehicles in this case, remain the hottest wheels going, with carmakers putting a herculean effort into making them as appealing as possible to as wide of an audience as possible. That brings us to this 2025 Nissan Kicks.

What started out in 2018 as a more mainstream replacement for Nissan’s funky, entry-level ute Juke, has now evolved into a fine-looking SUV with impressive substance. While even the first Kicks looked way better than the Juke ever could, this one doubles down with some upscale Murano flavor, though the wide stance and exaggerated rear fenders do pay homage to the Juke. The unique patterns and textures around the lower body are designed to resemble high-end sneakers or “kicks”. Top SR makes the most of it with available 19-inch wheels, black accents, and full LED lighting.

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This second gen is now bigger in every dimension, just under an inch taller, an inch and a half wider, and almost 3 inches longer; and even ground clearance gets a nice boost to a healthy 8.4 inches. There’s a new engine, too, staying naturally aspirated, but growing from 1.6 liters to 2.0 liters, and gaining 19 horsepower to 141. Torque gains are more impressive from 114 to 140 lb-ft. Bigger news is that all-wheel-drive is now available, as the original was front-drive only. And while we’re talking about that first gen, don’t get confused, as there is also a 2025 Nissan Kicks Play, which is actually a budget carryover of that first-gen Kicks.

Kicking off our track time, there’s a nice hit of initial spirit off the line, but then power delivery settles down and you take a slow CVT crawl down the track. It took us 10.7 seconds to hit 60 mph, a full second slower than the 2018 original. But it does seem to pick up the pace a bit further on, ending the quarter-mile at 18-flat and 78 mph. Engine noise is expectedly elevated, and even though there are simulated shifts happening in the CVT, it doesn’t really help the pace. Drive modes include Normal, Eco, Sport, and Snow, which comes only with all-wheel drive.

There was substantial grip and good balance, steering was light and it provided a respectable amount of feedback.

Now, it was a completely different experience on our handling course. Here, the Kicks kicked it up a nice notch for its class. There was substantial grip and good balance, steering was light and it provided a respectable amount of feedback. The suspension was firm and willing, with very little body roll and no notable understeer or oversteer. Overall, a quite pleasant cone trip.

All-wheel-drive models come with a suspension upgrade, replacing the rear’s simple twist beam setup with a multi-link arrangement, and adding a thicker stabilizer bar to the independent strut front. It was also quite commendable in braking with consistent, straight stops from 60 of only 106 feet.

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Bigger dimensions allow for a nice upward movement in space inside the Kicks’ five-seat cabin. Plus, a tech upgrade has definitely taken place with all but base S trim getting wireless phone charging and a new 12.3-inch touchscreen. Top SR adds a 12.3-inch gauge display; and comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, simulated-leather trimmed seats, and surround-view camera. Nissan spreads the supportive Zero Gravity seats to both rows, so even back seat dwellers get well above average comfort for this price point. AWD hardware and suspension does necessitate a higher cargo floor and a bit less cargo capacity, 23.9 cu.-ft. instead of 29.2; max is 50.1 with seatbacks folded.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings with all-wheel-drive are 27 city, 34 highway, and 30 combined. Our average was right on at 30.4 mpg of regular. While the new Kicks is certainly better to look at, it remains exceptionally affordable, beginning at $23,220; top SR starts at $27,570. All-wheel drive is available with all trims for $1,500.

The original Nissan Kicks existed almost totally as a value leader. And while the value proposition of the 2025 Nissan Kicks remains very high, it has upped its own ante to be a far more interesting and appealing small SUV to see, to drive, and to be driven in. We think Nissan put this one straight through the uprights!

Specifications

As Tested

  • Engine: NA 2.0-liter I-4
  • Transmission: CVT
  • Horsepower: 141
  • Torque: 140 lb-ft.
  • EPA: 27 City | 34 Highway | 30 Combined
  • 0-60 mph: 10.7 seconds
  • 1/4 Mile: 18.0 seconds at 78 mph
  • Braking, 60-0 (avg.): 106 feet
  • MW Fuel Economy: 30.4 mpg