Let’s be honest, as a dad to five kids, practicality is my middle name. School runs, weekend soccer, quick dashes to the grocery store…life’s a constant shuffle. So when Ford handed us the keys to the new Transit Custom Sport, I knew two things. One, I’d still have to do the school run twice (we’re a family of seven, after all), and two, this van was about to stir up some street presence like few others.
When the Ford Transit Custom Sport arrived for its week-long test, the first thing I did was to whip out my phone, fire up The A-Team theme song, and make an X (formerly Twitter) video. Why? Because this thing looks exactly like the A-Team Van’s younger, sleeker cousin. With blacked-out alloys, racing stripes, and a sporty body kit, you simply can’t ignore it. I posted the clip and, modest influencer stats aside (we’ll work on that), the Custom Sport itself had no problem attracting far more attention than my social media game.
NOT JUST A WHITE VAN
Ford’s new Transit Custom Sport isn’t your typical slab-sided delivery box. It’s got flair, attitude, and, dare I say, street cred. It sits exclusively in short wheelbase guise, dressed to impress with matte black 17″ multi-spoke alloys, a honeycomb grille, rear spoiler, and dual racing stripes running the length of the body. Side decals remind you this is no garden-variety van.
Europe’s best-selling one-tonne van now boasts an aesthetic worthy of attention, featuring advanced LED headlights, signature daytime running lights, and rear LEDs that complete the look. And it’s not all show, as Ford’s also squeezed in clever practicality under the skin.
INSIDE THE COMMAND CENTRE
Hop in, and the cabin tells the same sporty story. Blue-accented sport seats, premium piano black trim, and a layout that feels more SUV than workhorse. The driver gets six-way power seat adjustment (with lumbar support, thank you), seat heating for chilly mornings, and a commanding view over traffic.
The 13.3″ touchscreen, angled toward the driver, runs Ford’s SYNC4 system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Add in USB-A and USB-C ports galore, a 12″ digital cluster, and clever touches like hidden storage for your laptop or A4 files.
Oh, and this Custom Sport has one of the coolest steering wheels ever. Tilt it forward, and it becomes a stand for your laptop or a flat tray for grabbing lunch on the go. Genius.
PERFORMANCE MEETS PRACTICALITY
Don’t let the looks fool you; this van works hard. Beneath the bonnet, Ford’s updated 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel churns out 125 kW and a meaty 390 Nm of torque. The eight-speed auto gearbox keeps things smooth whether you’re navigating city traffic or gunning it in Sport mode (because yes, it has one).
And with selectable drive modes including Normal, Eco, Slippery, and Tow/Haul, it’s ready for real-world family chaos or business hustle alike. Load-wise, there’s 5.8m³ of space, seating for two upfront, and a payload of over a tonne. Twin barn doors at the back, soft-close sliding side doors, integrated steps, everything’s designed to make life easy.
Sure, I had to do the school run twice, but I did it in style. The parents in the drop-off lane? Watching. The guy at the filling station? Watching. My kids? Already asking if we can keep it.
LAST WORD
Ford’s Transit Custom Sport adds muscle and character to the van world, blending load-lugging ability with head-turning style. With ample power under the hood, a cabin full of technology, and styling that draws attention, it’s a lifestyle statement for the working class.
If you’ve got R938,000 to spare and need practicality wrapped in attitude, this one’s worth a test drive. And trust me, post the video. Your X game might not blow up, but your driveway definitely will.
Report by BRYAN KAYAVHU | Images © FORD SOUTH AFRICA
