The 2025 Ford Transit Custom Trend SWB (Short Wheelbase) represents a significant evolution in Ford’s line of commercial vans. Building upon a legacy of reliability and versatility, this model introduces a range of enhancements in design, performance, technology, and safety.
This review delves into these aspects to provide a comprehensive understanding of what the 2025 Transit Custom Trend SWB offers to businesses and individual users alike.
Exterior Design and Dimensions
The exterior of the 2025 Transit Custom Trend SWB showcases an evolutionary design that balances modern aesthetics with practical functionality. Key design elements and dimensions include:
- Length: 5050mm
- Width: 2148mm (with mirrors folded)
- Height: 1963mm
- Wheelbase: 3100mm
- Ground Clearance: 160mm
The front wheels have been repositioned forward, reducing the front overhang and enhancing maneuverability in confined spaces. This adjustment also contributes to a more robust stance and improved cabin space. The vehicle maintains a sub-two-meter roof height, ensuring compatibility with standard parking structures.
Access to the cargo area is facilitated by a standard kerbside sliding door with a 1030mm wide opening and rear barn doors that open to 180 degrees. An optional second sliding door is available for increased convenience.
Interior Design and Comfort
Inside, the Transit Custom Trend SWB offers a driver-focused cabin designed for comfort and practicality. Notable interior features include:
- Seating: Eight-way manually adjustable driver seat with heating functionality.
- Steering Wheel: A uniquely squared design provides enhanced legroom and an unobstructed view of the instrument cluster.
- Storage: Abundant storage solutions, including door pockets with bottle holders, a fold-out cup holder for the driver, a glovebox, and dual compartments atop the dashboard. The center seat’s backrest folds down to serve as a work desk, and the bench seat bases lift to reveal additional storage space beneath.
The cabin layout ensures ease of movement, allowing the driver to exit from either side—a practical feature for urban deliveries and multi-stop routes.
Ford Infotainment and Connectivity
The 2025 Transit Custom Trend SWB is equipped with advanced infotainment and connectivity features to support both productivity and convenience:
- Touchscreen Display: A 13-inch touchscreen angled towards the driver, running Ford’s Sync 4 operating system. This system is noted for its responsive performance and user-friendly interface.
- Smartphone Integration: Support for both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing seamless integration of mobile devices.
- Wireless Charging: A conveniently located wireless charging pad ensures devices remain powered without cluttering the cabin with cables.
- Navigation and Audio: Built-in navigation and a capable audio system that delivers clear sound quality, suitable for both entertainment and communication needs.
The digital instrument cluster features a 7.0-inch display flanked by LCD indicators, providing essential vehicle information with clarity.
Cargo Space and Practicality
Designed with versatility in mind, the Transit Custom Trend SWB offers a spacious and well-thought-out cargo area:
- Load Floor Length: 3002mm, extendable to 3450mm via a hatch in the bulkhead, accommodating longer items such as timber or piping.
- Width Between Wheel Arches: 1392mm, allowing the transport of standard pallets.
- Load Volume: 6.8 cubic meters, providing ample space for a variety of cargo types.
- Payload Capacity: 1209kg, suitable for heavy loads.
- Towing Capacity: Braked towing capacity of 2500kg, enabling the transport of trailers or additional equipment.
The cargo area is equipped with eight load-anchorage points to secure items during transit. Standard features include a moulded floor liner and side protection panels, safeguarding the vehicle’s interior from wear and damage. LED lighting ensures visibility in low-light conditions, enhancing safety and efficiency during loading and unloading operations.
Performance and Handling
Under the hood, the 2025 Transit Custom Trend SWB is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine, delivering 125kW of power. This engine is paired with a front-wheel-drive system and benefits from several performance-oriented features:
- Independent Rear Suspension (IRS): Replacing the previous leaf-spring setup, the IRS provides improved ride comfort and handling, especially when carrying varying load weights.
- Steering and Maneuverability: Rack and pinion steering combined with a reduced front overhang enhance maneuverability, making the van adept at navigating tight urban environments.
- Braking System: Equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels, ensuring reliable stopping power under various load conditions.
The vehicle’s design includes a lower cargo floor and an integrated access step, simplifying the process of loading and unloading goods.
Safety Features
Safety is a paramount consideration in the design of the Transit Custom Trend SWB. The vehicle is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety technologies:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB): Detects potential collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, applying brakes automatically if necessary.
- Adaptive Cruise Control: Maintains a set speed and distance from the vehicle ahead, reducing driver fatigue on longer journeys.
- Blind Spot Monitoring: Alerts the driver to vehicles in adjacent lanes, enhancing awareness during lane changes.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Warns of approaching traffic when reversing out of parking spaces.
- Lane-Keeping Assist: Provides gentle steering inputs to keep the vehicle within its lane.
- Driver Attention Monitoring: Detects signs of driver fatigue or inattention, prompting rest breaks when necessary.
- Parking Sensors and Rearview Camera: Aid in maneuvering the vehicle in tight spaces, reducing the risk of collisions during parking.
These features collectively contribute to a safer driving experience, protecting both the occupants and other road users.
Pricing and Value Proposition
The 2025 Ford Transit Custom Trend SWB is priced starting at $55,990, excluding on-road costs. While this represents a premium over some competitors, the vehicle offers a compelling value proposition through its combination of advanced features, robust performance, and thoughtful design. The inclusion of modern infotainment systems, comprehensive safety technologies, and practical cargo solutions positions it as a strong contender in the commercial van market.
The 2025 Ford Transit Custom Trend SWB stands out as a versatile and reliable choice for businesses and individuals requiring a capable commercial vehicle. Its blend of modern design, comfortable and functional interior, advanced technology, and robust performance make it well-suited to a variety of applications. Whether for urban deliveries, trade services, or transporting goods, the Transit Custom Trend SWB offers a comprehensive package that meets the demands of today’s dynamic work environments.