Ford Transit Connect

The Transit Connect Wagon gets two new engines. The first is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that comes with automatic start/stop as standard equipment. It comes mated to an all-new eight-speed automatic. The other is a brand-new diesel engine. It’s a 1.5-liter engine that Ford says is targeted to get an EPA rating of 30 mpg in highway driving. Given diesel's rather rocky recent record, as well as an abundance of relatively inexpensive gas, the diesel is unlikely to be popular. 

Given the Transit Connect's lineage (it's based on the Focus) it drives like a well-honed European sedan. Handling is agile with quick responding steering and little body lean. The ride is firm yet complaint and very steady. 

The interior is very spacious and all seven seats have ample room. However, it's difficult to fold the rear seats and the ability to change configurations between a people mover to cargo hauler are limited. Power sliding doors aren't available. 

There’s a new center console topped with a 6.5-inch "floating touch screen" that houses the available Sync 3 infotainment system. It also comes with a standard, embedded 4G LTE modem that can provide a WiFi connection for up to 10 devices, Ford says. That's a big improvement over the current version, which we knocked in our road test because even basic electronic connectivity cost extra.