This is basically a bigger than average MPV which is based on the much loved Ford Transit but in such a way that it retains its impressive van abilities but also incorporates excellent passenger car comfort and equipment. When I originally bought it there were not a lot of them on the roads, ... Read review
Advantages: Seating, car like and space Disadvantages: Insurance and access
...based on the much loved Ford Transit but in such a way that it retains its impressive van abilities but also incorporates excellent passenger car comfort and equipment. When I originally bought it there were not a lot of them on the roads, but now they are being seen more and more.
With all the creature comforts that the Tourneo offers, I feel that it is in a strong position to win over the traditional MPV drivers who have a VW Touran, ... ...reveals its origins from the Ford Transit - cup holders, big useable glove box etc. The Tourneo is about versatility as well as looks.
The power is fed through a five speed gearbox to the front wheels - something that saves space as the usual rear drive tunnel through the middle of the vehicle is simply not there. Wear on the front tyres is heavy, with a set lasting about 10000 miles, with the rear tyres lasting twice as long.
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This is basically a bigger than average MPV which is based on the much loved Ford Transit but in such a way that it retains its impressive van abilities but also incorporates excellent passenger car comfort and equipment. When I originally bought it there were not a lot of them on the roads, but now they are being seen more and more.
With all the creature comforts that the Tourneo offers, I feel that it is in a strong position to win over the traditional MPV drivers who have a VW Touran, a Ford Galaxy, a Vauxhall Zafira or a Fiat Multipla. Features included in my vehicle are:-
Tinted passenger glass Air conditioning Stereo radio/CD player Fully carpeted floor Eight-way adjustable driver's seat with armrests Power operated front windows Alloy wheels Heated front seats Metallic paint Power steering Remote central locking ABS Traction Control
Not only do I see many of these vehicles in private hands (it's an ideal vehicle for the school run), but now I see many business using them too. These range from businesses looking to ferry customers from hotel to airport, or office to function suite to many taxi firms..
The version I have is an 8-seater t(2.3.3) with the seats themselves being comfortable, and rear access is excellent thanks to two huge sliding doors, although you can only get into the very back seats from one side due to the fact that only one side has collapsible seats to enable to get into the back.. The only thing that I would say at this point that getting in to the middle or rear seats can be a bit difficult for elderly people, as it is a high step up to get into the vehicle - I have had to purchase a collapsible caravan step to help in these instances
Drivers and passengers can sling plenty of gear in the boot, and the tailgate lifts upwards rather than the conventional twin slide-hinged door format. The only problem here is that the tailgate itself is heavy, so when you come to close it, you need to put some weight behind it. The rear seats also fold down which gives a huge luggage capacity. We used it on our latest camping holiday and it managed to carry the following with no problem:-
4 adults 2 big tents 4 suitcases 4 adult mountain bikes Usual camping equipment e.g. gas cylinders and cookers and coll boxes.
From the driver's seat things are remarkably car-like, and once you get used to it, you forget that you are basically driving a van, as it feels so much like a car. The dash is clearly laid out and the controls are well marked.
There are loads of storage spaces too, but this is where the Tourneo reveals its origins from the Ford Transit - cup holders, big useable glove box etc. The Tourneo is about versatility as well as looks.
The power is fed through a five speed gearbox to the front wheels - something that saves space as the usual rear drive tunnel through the middle of the vehicle is simply not there. Wear on the front tyres is heavy, with a set lasting about 10000 miles, with the rear tyres lasting twice as long.
If you're looking for a people mover with more than your usual seven seats, the Tourneo is one of the few practical choices.
Reversing into a tight parking space can be a bit hairy, as it does not have rear proximity sensors, although after a while you get to 'sense' the space left behind you.
Annual service costs are reasonable, and to date nothing has gone wrong apart from one time, when an orange light came on and when I took it to the garage, was advised that the 'electronic brain' was wrong and would take one week to fix, as they have never known for this to happen and the part had to be imported from abroad. It was covered under warranty however and they supplied me with a free service car in the meantime, but was informed that if it was not covered under warranty it would have cost me over £900.
The biggest problem with the vehicle is not the vehicle itslef. Trying to get insurance for it is a nightmare, as the majority of insurance companies either do not recognise it, or will not insure it because it has more than seven seats. Even Ford Insurance will not insure it, which sounds completely stupid, purely because it has more than 7 seats.
