The Ford Transit van is a relatively common sight on American roads. It effectively replaced the old E-Series of vans in the United States in 2015, but it’s been around in various forms in other parts of the world since 1965. Compared with the E-Series, the Transit is a much more modern vehicle; in place of brutish V8 engines and a truck-like body-on-frame chassis, it features efficient diesel and gasoline engines and a unibody construction. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard, and all-wheel drive (AWD) has been available since 2020.
With two wheelbase lengths offering seating for up to 15 passengers or a moving truck’s worth of cargo space and three roof heights, Ford has a Transit van to fit just about any buyer’s needs. Primary competitors include the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and the Ram ProMaster, but no other manufacturer can match Ford’s extensive and flexible van line.
Like the Sprinter and the Promaster, the Ford Transit is a popular choice for upfitters that turn the van into everything from off-road people movers to recreational vehicles. In addition to its range of traditional engines, Ford has offered the electric E-Transit since the 2022 model year.
Ford Transit Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ford Transit years are the best?
The 2020 model year brought many welcome improvements to the Ford Transit lineup, including revised powertrains, available AWD, a new 10-speed automatic transmission, smarter interior furnishings, and improved technology.
Which Ford Transit years are the worst?
As is often the case when a new model is launched, early examples of the Ford Transit have had more problems and complaints than later versions. According to CarComplaints.com, the initial 2015 Ford Transit had the most gripes from owners and the numbers went consistently down after that. RepairPal gives the 2015-2026 Ford Transit van an average reliability rating.
Is a used Ford Transit a good deal?
For those less bothered about the 2020 updates, a 2015-2019 Ford Transit in good shape and with reasonable mileage could be a solid deal. Transit Passenger Vans with mileage between 50,000 and 70,000 from the 2015-2019 model years can be found for less than $25,000, while used Transit Cargo Vans are available for less than $20,000. Those numbers are up to $10,000 or so less than the cost of a comparable used Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Multiple powertrain options
- Multiple body styles
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Fairly pedestrian performance
- Advanced safety features are not standard
- Prices have risen dramatically in recent years
Ford Transit Generations
Ford Transit First Generation (2015-Present)
Ford’s all-new Transit van replaced the long-running E-Series for the 2015 model year. It was offered in 150, 250, 350, and 350 Heavy Duty configurations, two wheelbase lengths, and three roof heights. Both Cargo Van and Passenger Van variants in base XL or plusher XLT trim levels were offered, with seating for two, eight, 10, 12, or 15 occupants. The Transit’s modern unibody structure was lighter and stiffer than the old van's truck-based chassis and, as an added bonus, removing the big metal frame under the bodywork meant there was more room for people and cargo inside. A lighter van also made for better fuel efficiency, further aided by new powertrains.
The standard engine in the 2015 Ford Transit was a 3.7-liter gasoline V6 that produced 275 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Buyers wanting more power could opt for a 3.5-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine with 310 hp and 400 lb-ft. An optional five-cylinder diesel engine with 185 hp and 350 lb-ft was available in some Transit models. All three engines were paired with six-speed automatic transmissions that, from 2015 to 2019, routed power exclusively to the rear wheels (AWD was added as an option in 2020).
According to the EPA, the 2015 Transit 150 delivered 14 mpg in the city, 19 mpg on the highway, and 16 mpg combined. While those numbers may not seem spectacular, consider that the 2014 E-150 passenger van’s most efficient offering was a 4.6-liter V8 that delivered 13 mpg city, 16 mpg highway, and 14 mpg combined.
Ford’s then-new Transit had better safety technology than the E-Series, too. Stability control, anti-lock brakes, front airbags, and side-impact airbags were standard, while a rear-view camera and a lane-departure warning system were available. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2015 Ford Transit a four-star (out of a maximum of five) safety rating for front crashworthiness and five stars for side crashworthiness.
Car-like construction techniques also resulted in more a sophisticated ride and superior handling. The 2015 Ford Transit was much easier to drive than the old truck-like E-Series, and its interior was simpler—the controls were easier to operate for the driver.
The interior volume of the 2015 Ford Transit varied by wheelbase and roof height. In its smallest form, the Transit offered 247 cubic feet of space, the long-wheelbase model paired with the highest roof opened up a cavernous 487 cubic feet, and several options existed in between. Items as long as 14 feet could be stored inside long-wheelbase Transits, and all vans with single rear wheels could fit 4x8 sheets of drywall or plywood between the wheel wells. Maximum payload ratings were between 2,990 and 4,650 pounds, depending on configuration. Properly equipped, the 2015 Transit could tow up to 7,500 pounds, though most passenger-friendly versions had somewhat lower ratings.
Base versions of the 2015 Ford Transit started around the $30,000 mark with the standard 3.7-liter V6 engine. At the top of the range, a Transit 350 HD XLT carried a sticker price near $45,000 with the turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine. The diesel engine was an expensive option, raising the price of a passenger van by nearly $10,000 over the base engine in 2015, though some more utilitarian configurations offered the diesel with a smaller premium.
A rear-view camera became standard on all Transit models for 2016, and dual sliding doors made accessing the cabin an easier affair. Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system was also new for 2016. Numerous changes were made for 2017, including available heated and power-adjustable seats and a standard LED cargo light. Minor changes were again made in 2018, and revised rear hinges allowed the cargo doors to open wider in 2019.
Ford refreshed its Transit van lineup for the 2020 model year. Inside, a redesigned interior featured either a 4-inch non-touchscreen or an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were supported. Automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and high-beam assist headlights were made standard.
A new 3.5-liter V6 engine replaced the older 3.7-liter unit in 2020, bumping power and torque to 275 hp and 262 lb-ft. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost returned with 310 hp and 400 lb-ft. A new 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine replaced the inline-five, making more power and torque at 210 hp and 369 lb-ft. A 10-speed automatic transmission replaced the older six-speed unit and, for the first time in the United States, AWD was offered in the Transit van. The system was capable of sending up to 100% of the engine’s power to the front axle when necessary.
EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings jumped to 15 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined with the new base V6 engine, while the EcoBoost option remained at 14 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined. Only 150-series vans received efficiency ratings, as the larger 250 and 350 vans were heavy enough that they didn’t need to be rated. That said, it’s likely that the smaller-displacement diesel engine in the full-size vans would be more fuel efficient than the older unit it replaced. By 2020, the Ford Transit’s base price had risen to more than $36,000, and top-of-the-line models easily crested $50,000.
Ford discontinued the diesel engine for the 2021 model year and slightly increased the van’s gross vehicle weight rating, which in turn increased its cargo carrying capability. A larger 12-inch infotainment system running Sync 4 showed up in 2022, as did adaptive cruise control.
The 2022 model year also saw the introduction of the E-Transit, an electric version of Ford’s full-size van with a 266-hp electric motor driving the rear wheels. A 68-kWh battery pack provided a range of up to 126 miles with a full charge. Offered solely as a cargo van, the E-Transit was marketed as a fuel-saving option for urban delivery and fleet use. With the appropriate charger, the 2022 E-Transit could gain 30 miles of range with a 10-minute charge.
A new Transit Trail launched in 2023 with standard AWD, lifted suspension, rugged exterior elements, and all-terrain tires. Ford marketed the Transit Trail as a factory-made base for owners looking to use their vans as a platform for outdoor adventures.
A larger 89-kWh battery for the 2024 E-Transit increased its maximum range from 126 to 159 miles. Improved charging equipment added the ability to use Tesla Supercharger stations and the new battery pack drastically improved charge times. Ford said 67 miles of range could be added to the 2024 E-Transit in 15 minutes.
Ford unveiled Electrician Trade, HVAC Trade, General Contractor, and Foldable Shelving packages for 2025, each targeting a specific group of tradespeople. The Transit Trail was dropped after just two years on the market. In 2026, Ford made its Co-Pilot360 suite of safety tech standard on all Transit models. Lane-keep assist, post-collision braking, and a surround-view camera became standard. Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 became optional and added pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, and a blind-spot monitor with cross-traffic alert.
Prices for 2027 models start at $50,795 (including a hefty $2,395 destination charge) for a two-seat Transit Cargo Van with a 3.7-liter V6 engine. Prices for E-Transit Cargo Van models start at $57,255.
Buyers looking at used Ford Transits will find plenty of options. According to CarGurus pricing data, the average selling price for a 2015 Transit passenger van in August of 2026 was $20,359, and average prices exceed $30,000 for the 2020 model year. Prices for used Transit cargo vans are generally lower than for passenger vans, with many options below $20,000.
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