The Ford Transit has been in production since 1965, and it is immensely popular, being the 3rd most sold van of all time. Ford's 2021 Cargo Transit Van provides a two-seater front cab with dedicated cargo space in the back. There are thousands of different ways the Ford Transit can be equipped for custom work duty.
Ford's 2021 Cargo Transit Van provides a two-seater front cab with dedicated cargo space in the back. There are thousands of different ways the Ford Transit can be configured for custom work duty which is also one of the key reasons for its constant popularity even after all these years and in the presence of newer competitors. Priced at $35,270, it offers a 3.5L V6 engine with two assist technologies that vary the power and delivers 275 hp and 310 hp.
Even though the Transit is very successful, it still is challenged by the Nissan NV Cargo Van, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van, and GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van. Ford has been fine-tuning this purpose-built machine over an extended period of time because of which the anomalies are rather less and it is almost perfect in its purpose.
"For maximum people and cargo hauling in a vehicle with the blue oval, look no further than the Transit." - Motor Trend
The 2021 version of the Transit Cargo van comes in a single trim offering. The actual offering has four trims, a cargo trim, a Crew Trim, and two Passenger Van trim, XL and XLT. The Price of the 2021 Transit Cargo van is at MSRP $35,270. The engine options are limited to a single-engine capacity of 3.5L but based on two technologies, you can choose between a PFDi or an EcoBoost.
You could have a low, medium, or high roof with regular, extended, or long body lengths. The models have two drivetrain configurations – rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The 2021 model will be equipped with a standard naturally aspirated 3.5L V6. Still, there’s also going to be an option for a second transit engine, namely the turbocharged 3.5L V6, and a third option, a turbocharged diesel four-cylinder.
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Model |
Basic |
|---|---|
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MSRP (Expected) |
$35,270 |
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Key Features |
16-inch wheels |
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Four-inch infotainment screen |
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Ten-speed automatic gearbox |
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8 available configurations |
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If you’re looking to own a van, look no further than America’s most popular one, the Ford Transit. We suspect that the 150 models should be satisfactory for most buyers since the 2020 edition came standard with all safety features, such as lane keep assist, forward collision warning, lane departure warning.
Also, you should add the optional Driver-Assistance Package for $595 to seal the deal. Unless you want bigger towing and payload capacity, or a higher roof, the 150 should fulfill most of your requirements. It should cost you around $34,510. You could also browse through the eight different configurations to suit your needs.
"Ford's Transit is offered with two powertrains. The base engine is a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 that provides 275 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque." - Car and Driver
The base engine is a naturally aspirated 3.5L V6, which churns out 275 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, priced at an MSRP of $35,270. Next up, we have a more powerful option, a turbocharged 3.5L V6 that belts out 310 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, at $37,075. These two variations have been the staple across the wide line-up as it offers for a commendable performance and hauling capabilities.
It is to be noted that Ford offers all the options with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can choose either a rear-wheel drive or an all-wheel-drive option. The Ford Transit tops the chart with a 0-60 MPH figure of 7.5 seconds, followed quite closely by the GMC Savana. Nevertheless, Ford is a pretty fast van if you decide to take it out on the street.
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Model |
2021 Ford Transit Cargo Van |
2021 Nissan NV Cargo Van |
2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Cargo Van |
2021 GMC Savana Cargo Van |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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MSRP |
$35,270 |
$31,000 |
$35,000 |
$33,000 |
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Engine |
3.5L Naturally Aspirated V6 |
4.0L Naturally Aspirated V6 |
2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 |
4.3L Naturally Aspirated V6 |
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Drivetrain |
RWD |
RWD |
RWD |
RWD |
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Transmission |
10-Speed Automatic |
5-Speed Automatic |
9-Speed Automatic |
8-Speed Automatic |
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Power (hp@RPM) |
275 hp @ 6,500 RPM |
261 hp @ 5,600 RPM |
188 hp @ 5,000 RPM |
276 hp @ 5,200 RPM |
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Torque (lb-ft@RPM) |
262 lb-ft @ 3,750 RPM |
281 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM |
258 lb-ft @ 2,500 RPM |
298 lb-ft @ 3,900 RPM |
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0-60 MPH (Seconds) |
7.5 secs |
9.6 secs |
11.2 secs |
7.8 secs |
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Quarter mile (Seconds) |
15.9 secs |
17.4 secs |
18.3 secs |
16.5 secs |
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Top Speed (MPH) |
65/75 mph (electronically limited) |
N/A |
96 mph |
85 mph |
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60-0 MPH |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
As we can see, the Transit outputs the highest horsepower at the highest RPM. The GMC comes close, but the Transit is more versatile while driving which gives its rivals a run for their money. The GMC does cost less, providing $116 per horsepower whereas the Transit sits at $130 per horsepower. The Merc comes in at last in terms of performance but is high on luxury, which is not so relevant in a cargo van, but it's there, nevertheless.
The braking performance isn't exactly good in vans, but it does not matter since vans aren't meant to go flat out on the corners. But Ford has equipped the Transit with 12.1-inch rotors on all four wheels and also comes equipped with ABS for a more sure-footed experience.
The steering is direct and the inputs are instantly reciprocated on the tarmac thus giving you a sense of confidence even in tight driving situations. High-speed runs, as much as possible, are also comfortable and the brakes provide ample stopping power as well.
"Full-size vans such as the Transit are exempt from federal fuel-economy standards." - Car and Driver
The full-size vans are not EPA rated for their fuel economy numbers. Hence, their precise mpg figures remain unknown. Transit, being the most popular van, has numerous tests conducted, which returned an estimate of 15/19/17 mpg figure for city/highway/combined driving, respectively. This is also with the standard powertrain options.
Apart from this, the difference between RWD and AWD layouts is very minimal as well. However, to beat the existing majority share that Ford is vested with in this segment, the Mercedes has a better EPA offering as per official reports. The Merc delivers a combined mileage of 22 while the Ford Transit offers only 17 MPG.
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Model |
2021 Ford Transit Cargo Van |
2021 Nissan NV Cargo Van |
2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Cargo Van |
2021 GMC Savana Cargo Van |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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MPG (City) |
15.0 |
N/A |
21 |
N/A |
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MPG (Highway) |
19.0 |
N/A |
24 |
N/A |
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MPG (Combined) |
17.0 |
17.6 |
22 |
17.0 |
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Fuel Capacity |
25 gallons |
28 gallons |
22 gallons |
31 gallons |
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Range (City/ Highway/ Combined) (mi.) |
375/ 475/ 425 |
N/A/ N/A/ 493 |
462/ 504/ 484 |
N/A/ N/A/ 527 |
Taking into account their average gas mileage, the Nissan NV1500 marginally surpasses the Ford and GMC ever so slightly by a 0.6 MPG margin. The GMC has the biggest tank capacity of 31 gallons. The Transit offers a range of 425 miles on a full tank but is triumphed by the massive 527-mile range offered by the GMC Savana. But the MPV here is the Mercedes-Benz Splinter with its turbocharged engine that puts out impressive mpg ratings.
"As a full-size van, interior space is the best reason to buy a Transit." - Motor Trend
The 2021 Ford Transit's interior looks and feels quite premium especially considering that it’s a cargo van. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats, along with utilities like a USB port, 12V outlet, small storage options, cupholders make it all the more remarkable. Seating capacity is obviously 2, with a cargo area in the back but that can also be tweaked about to add an extra row of seating as an additional.
There are numerous configurations to choose from and the owner can set everything according to his needs. Where the Ford further shines is its huge cargo capacity, ranging from 246 cu ft to 487 cu ft from a low regular to a high long model. There are split open doors at the back and sliding doors to access the cargo area. All internal walls and the load floor have a protective lining. Again, there’s an option to customize each spec according to your needs.
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Model |
2021 Ford Transit Cargo Van |
2021 Nissan NV Cargo Van |
2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Cargo Van |
2021 GMC Savana Cargo Van |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Seating Capacity |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
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Front Row (Head/ Shoulder/ Leg) (in.) |
40.8/ 67.9/ 41.3 |
42.8/ 65.7/ 42.0 |
38.3/ 54.8/ 42.3 |
40.9/ 68.9/ 41.4 |
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Cargo Capacity (cu. ft.) |
246.7 |
234.1 |
319.0 |
239.7 |
The Ford comes second only to the Mercedes in cargo capacity but with the available options, the cargo area can easily be extended for the Transit. But when it comes to seating comfort for the occupants the rather dull-looking Nissan NV Cargo van is the one that prevails as the better one of this bunch. GMC Savanna resembles closely to the Ford Transit in terms of the seating layout and actually surpasses it marginally. Notable interior features of the 2021 Ford Transit Cargo Van are:
Transit has an optional 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is more robust than even some luxury cars. A 4-inch touchscreen is standard, but there is a 4G LTE modem with a WiFi hotspot capable of supporting ten devices at a time. The optional 8-inch unit comes with Ford's SYNC 3 infotainment software that pretty much keeps you connected with various features.
It also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system doesn’t have to be top of the class for a van, but Ford made sure you still have plenty. And the premium you pay for the optional equipment is well worth it. Audio controls along with Bluetooth interface controls for calls are present on the steering wheel as well. Notable infotainment features in the 2021 Ford Transit van are:
"Whether you’re looking for an entry into the van life or you need a well-equipped cargo van for business purposes, the 2021 Ford Transit can handle nearly anything you throw at it. " - Car and Driver
There aren’t any visually attractive exterior design elements in vans to talk about. The Ford Transit has low/medium/high roof options with a regular, extended or long body length option. The wheelbase ranges from 129.9 to 147.6” options and Ford has managed to keep the basic form factor intact despite having a plethora of body lengths. The front grille can also be customized along with the many other options on offer.
The largest version of the 2021 Ford Transit offers a vast 487.2 cu ft cargo area with a maximum payload capacity of 4,030 lbs and a towing capacity of 6,500 lbs, which are pretty impressive figures. Plastic cladding all around the van helps it to be driven about carefree. The form factor also makes it easy to be driven in tight spaces and its tall boy layout also helps achieve it without any compromises on the functionality front. Three new exterior shades have also been added, namely- Abyss Gray, Avalanche, and Carbonized Grey.
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Model |
2021 Ford Transit Cargo Van |
2021 Nissan NV Cargo Van |
2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Cargo Van |
2021 GMC Savana Cargo Van |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
4,985 |
5,817 |
4,696 |
5,261 |
|
Length (in.) |
219.9 |
240.6 |
233.5 |
224.1 |
|
Width (in.) |
81.3 |
79.9 |
92.3 |
79.3 |
|
Height (in.) |
82.2 |
83.9 |
96.3 |
84.3 |
|
Ground Clearance (in.) |
N/A |
8.1 |
N/A |
8.6 |
|
Wheelbase (in.) |
129.9 |
146.1 |
144.0 |
135.2 |
The Mercedes is about 300 pounds lighter than the Ford. It is also the tallest van, but different configurations have different heights. The Transit 350 HD model has dual rear wheels for better grip and also comes in with the highest towing capacity. Nissan NV cargo van is the heaviest of this bunch and it also translates a wider and bigger form factor. Various exterior features of the 2021 Ford Transit Cargo Van are:
"Ford includes a host of driver-assist active safety features on every Transit." - Car and Driver
Safety has surely not been left unattended to and that is a good sign which also helps push the competition to provide better technology and safety tech. All models of Ford Transit Cargo Van come standard with driver safety features, such as lane keep assist, forward collision warning with emergency braking, high auto beams, and a blind spot monitoring package that can be added for $595.
Even though IIHS or NHTSA have not tested the Ford Transit, it suffices to say that Ford has made sure that the cargo van is kept safe and away from any danger. Also, this is backed by Ford's reliability which is pretty easy on the pocket and thus makes for a very smooth ownership experience. Notable safety features of the 2021 Ford Transit Cargo Van are:
Read about the safety offering of the 2021 GMC Savanna Cargo Van
The Ford Transit is a faster van than the Nissan and also less powerful. In their base variants, Ford has better payload capacity and also offers more cargo capacity. The only factor saving Nissan is its higher range and exceptional reliability, and it is also priced the least among the four. It is one of the quirkiest-looking vans out there and sure stands out because of this. Nissan upholds its reliable nature in the NV cargo van which stands as a very crucial point for this segment as well. But it's the Transit that has more brawn.
Again, Ford triumphs over the Mercedes in performance, power output, and also fuel economy. The base variant of the Mercedes does offer better cargo capacity than the base variant of the Transit because it’s a bigger vehicle in general. The Germans simply can’t compete with the popularity of the Transit but it doesn't excel in terms of fit and finish and luxury even in the Sprinter van which frankly doesn't make much of a bummer when it comes to vans.
The GMC Savana is solely inclined towards purpose and it is clearly evident from its decade or even older design language. It has a lot of commoners with the Ford Transit as both follow the same formula. But Ford has evidently updated its offering to fall in line with the latest technology wave. GMC still is old school which is what certain consumers are well content with but with the competition leaping bounds ahead, it's high time for GMC to ramp up on its van game! But till then, our choice will be the Ford Transit van that offers an equally impressive list of body styles but with better engine and technology options.
It’s hard to see why the 2021 Ford Transit Cargo Van wouldn’t be as popular as it is today, it’s because of the unmatched and unrivaled offerings made by Ford to the consumers. Overall, it’s a great commercial van for businesses and moving stuff around. Prices are a tad bit higher but there’s also enough flexibility with a plethora of configurations that the owner can choose to suit his specific needs for his particular use case. It might as well be the best cargo van in the market today, and you should look no further if you require one.