The arrival of the all-new Ford Transit Custom in the New Zealand market also heralded the arrival of the Tourneo nine-seat minibus. Currently, it is offered solely with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel powertrain and eight-speed automatic transmission.
Plug-in Hybrid and battery-electric versions are available in Europe, and those may be considered for the New Zealand market. Still, Ford remains non-committal at this time. Recognising New Zealand’s small and fragmented market for van-based people movers, Ford New Zealand is solely marketing a long-wheelbase low-roof version of the Tourneo Custom in Trend specification.
The Tourneo Trend costs $73,490 while its closest rivals are the $62,990 10-seat Toyota Hiace ZX Minibus, and the $88,000 eight-seat Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer.
The Tourneo Trend offers comfortable cloth upholstery and easily cleaned surfaces throughout the vehicle. It’s a practical workhorse rather than a luxury people mover.
Up front, the Tourneo shares the same dashboard as the Transit Custom, with the same 13-inch touchscreen powered by Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment system. The driver’s seat is easily adjustable and offers a heating function, but the person sitting in the middle seat of the front row will find little leg room.
However, the second and third rows offer plenty of legroom and flexibility when it comes to the seating layout. The seats are removable and come on sliding rails. Four of the six are individual seats, so the cabin can be configured to suit. For example, the second row can be turned around so passengers can face the rear rather than the front. Alternatively, the four individual chairs can be removed completely, leaving a two-bench seat and huge luggage space.
The automatic Tourneo has a column-mounted drive selector to the right of the steering wheel. This means the wipers and indicators are operated by a single stalk on the left side, which can take some time to become familiar with.
Amenities include a wireless phone charging tray, cupholders on each dashboard side, tri-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, USB-A and USB-C ports, and a 12-volt socket. The door pockets are enormous, with plenty of space for bottles. Under the infotainment screen is a cupholder, a rubberised key fob or coin slot, and dual gloveboxes.
In spite of its commercial vehicle dimensions (more than five metres long and two metres wide) the Tourneo Trend is surprisingly refined, easy to drive, and quiet. One passenger in the third row asked if a hybrid powertrain powered it, such was the lack of engine noise in the rear passenger compartment.
The large windscreen, side mirrors, and onboard cameras offer the driver a great view of the world when manoeuvring and parking, as does the commanding seating position. Shuttle operators will be happy to know the Tourneo Trend offers a braked towing capacity of 2500kg, which should be more than adequate for luggage trailers.
On the motorway, the long-wheelbase Tourneo feels solidly planted. There is very little wind and road noise at highway speeds, as proven by the number of occupants in the second and third rows who dropped off to sleep in the climate-controlled comfort of the rear cabin.
The eight-speed automatic efficiently harnesses the 2.0-litre turbodiesel’s output of 100kW and 360 Newtonmetres of torque through the front wheels. With a whole load of people and luggage on board, the performance can be described as adequately brisk.
Ford quotes the Tourneo’s combined fuel consumption at 8.4L/100km. It is equipped with a 55-litre diesel fuel tank and a 20-litre tank for the AdBlue additive required for its selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. C02 emissions are quoted at 219g/km.
Once you’ve acclimated to the Tourneo’s size, it’s a friendly vehicle to drive. It has good handling and responsive steering and offers a supple and comfortable ride over most New Zealand road surfaces.
Overall, it’s an excellent package, and the Tourneo Trend’s pricing and specifications will make it attractive to tourism operators, shuttle operators, fleets, and daily rental companies.
Price: $73,490
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Transmission: 8-speed auto, FWD
Power: 100kW @ 3250rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1500rpm
Fuel consumption: 8.4L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 219gm/km
Weight: 3225kg (gross vehicle mass)
Warranty: Five-year, 150,000km
Occupant capacity: 9 people
Towing capacity: 2500kg
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