Ford Tourneo review: Blue Oval extends line-up with new people-mover
This maker’s local vehicle line-up is dominated by its popular workhorse ute and family 4WD but a new arrival aims to change that.
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Ford wants to muscle in on the people mover market with its new Tourneo, due late this year.
Based on the recently arrived new generation Transit Custom delivery van, the family-focused wagon will sell from $65,990 plus on-road costs (about $73,000 drive-away), placing it at the premium end of a market segment dominated by Kia.
The Tourneo, which shares its underpinnings with the upcoming Volkswagen Transporter, will have eight seats, one more than most large SUVs.
The cheapest Active model combines loads of space with power sliding side doors, tri-zone ventilation, heated front seats, parking sensors front and rear, wireless phone charging, a digital driver display and 13-inch central touchscreen incorporating wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
A Titanium X model will cost about $78,000 drive-away and adds powered front seats, a 360-degree camera, artificial leather, panoramic sunroof and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel making 125kW and 390Nm.
Down the track the E-Tourneo will bring a 160kW/415Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels.
For now, the diesel’s understated but grunty nature is well suited to the task, even though it lacks in excitement.
It needs to be wound up to tap into the respectable mid-range pull. In stop-start traffic it takes a while to build the engine to its optimum revs.
The engine, which is teamed with an eight-speed auto transmission and front-wheel drive, has a leisurely feel that suits the 2.3-tonne van, provided you’re not trying to set any lap records.
Powering out of a tight corner will occasionally induce front-wheel spin but the electronics quickly restore traction.
The Tourneo also benefits from the engineering efforts put into the core Transit, which is among the best driving delivery vans.
It feels solid and stable and the steering is well weighted, inspiring confidence through the corners.
Unusually for the van market, it has four-wheel independent suspension.
By people mover standards it’s not the most comfortable ride but it deals adeptly with bumps, albeit with some old school shudder over larger hits.
It’s well shielded from outside noises, making for quiet progress, although the diesel rumbles away when driven harder.
Inside, the digital screens are clear and crisp but many of the plastics are old-school grey and hard.
Shiny black around the two screens and silver highlights in the air vents add some spice but it lacks the visual appeal of the best in the segment.
That’s perhaps a hangover from its commercial vehicle genes, which also incorporates the dual-level wing mirrors that give a good view of the surrounding traffic.
There are plenty of storage options in the cabin, including bins in the sliding doors and pockets for phones.
The rear seats are on rails so can be slid forward and aft to trade off cargo area for legroom. You can also remove them completely, although their bulkiness means it won’t always be a one-person job.
Even with all three rows of seats in play there’s a ton of luggage space, so you can take the tribe and their gear. Just remember to leave room behind to raise the swing-out tailgate.
The three individual middle-row seats can be spun to face backwards for a conference-style layout.
It’s difficult to see the Tourneo toppling the class-dominating Carnival, which has a more car-like layout.
But its clever van genes, cavernous cabin and sound driving manners will appeal to some.
VERDICT
Three and a half stars
Big and spacious with clever seating flexibility, but its price will limit its appeal to budget-conscious families.
AT A GLANCE
Ford Tourneo
PRICE: From about $73,000 drive-away
WARRANTY/SERVICING: Five yrs/unlimited km, TBA
SAFETY: Six airbags, auto emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert with braking, driver monitoring, exit warning, speed-sign recognition
ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel, 125kW/390Nm
THIRST: About 8.1L/100km
SPARE: Space-saver
LUGGAGE: 1152 litres
Originally published as Ford Tourneo review: Blue Oval extends line-up with new people-mover
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