Sector: MPV Price: €14,160 – €24,280 (approx) Fuel: 4.6 – 8.0l/100km CO2: 120 – 184g/km

Ford’s array of MPVs is impressive – B-MAX, C-MAX, Grand C-MAX and Galaxy – suggesting that it has all the five and seven-seat possibilities covered. So you might ask why it is that the company is adding a further two models to the MPV range?

Ford’s explanation is that MPV buyers have different needs and desires and the Tourneo Connect, based on the just-launched Transit Connect light van, offers a more practical model than the C-MAX or Grand C-MAX, which shares the same platform. The boxy van body offers a high degree of practicality with all second and third-row seats folding down to offer a flat loading floor. It is aimed at drivers, mostly older people, who rate practicality higher than design or the driving experience.

That might define retail buyers but fleets will be drawn to its practicality too. Tourneo Connect is likely to appeal to taxi fleet owners and possibly hotels where there is a need for a practical shuttle vehicle that can be driven easily by car drivers.

As we have said, the model is available with five or seven seats. Five-seat models are based on the L1 short wheelbase model and seven-seaters on the L2 LWB version. The rear overhang is the same length for both so the additional length is all added between the front and rear axles, benefiting legroom in the third row for the seven-seater.

Not surprisingly the engine range is also shared with the Transit Connect. The entry-level, L1-only engine is Ford’s award-winning EcoBoost 100hp 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, fitted with auto Stop/Start as standard. The 1.6-litre 95hp and 115hp diesels are available with both L1 and L2 models and are likely to be the most popular engines. The lower-powered diesel comes with a five-speed gearbox as standard and the 115hp version, like the 1.0-litre petrol engine, comes ith a six-speed manual transmission.

Then there is a 150hp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, only available with a six-speed automatic transmission. The car will be sold in Europe and North America and this engine/transmission arrangement is likely to be more popular in the latter.

The prize for refinement goes to the impressive 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine – which is sweet and smooth unless revved hard. Then it becomes a growl, but without being rough and unpleasant. Considering that the vehicle is neither small nor light, the 1.0-litre engine’s performance is impressive. For drivers who do not seek performance, the 5.6l/100km combined fuel consumption is a possibility if driven gently. For low consumption the choice is the 95hp 1.6-litre diesel with optional auto Stop/Start. This model will push combined fuel consumption down to 4.60l/100km and the engine has a good reputation for low consumption in everyday driving.

If the car is driven by those who are not interested in driving dynamics, they will miss out on one of the Tourneo Connect’s strengths. Ford has established a good reputation for chassis design and the car’s platform, shared with the C-Max range, is derived from the Focus. The Tourneo Connect drives like a good car, offers low noise levels for such a high volume body and plenty of comfort for driver and passengers. Controls and instruments are all shared with the Focus.

In design terms, it looks good against the van-derived VW Caddy, Fiat Doblo/Opel Vauxhall Combo, Citroën Berlingo and Peugeot Partner competitors. Some might think it even looks good beside a C-MAX.

Verdict

The new Tourneo Connect is a big step forward compared with its predecessor. It’s practical, looks good and drives very well too.