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2015 Ford Transit Review: Losing The Econoline Just Got A Whole Lot Easier


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2015 Ford Transit Review: Losing The Econoline Just Got A Whole Lot Easier

AutoBlog / Ben Wojdyla

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As a segment, fullsize vans are stealth-fighter invisible on most consumers' radar. Visit a dealership for any of the four brands that offer them and you'll be lucky to find even one on display. These are commercial vehicles primarily, even more so than pickup trucks. Vans are the shuttles for plumbers, caterers, carpenters, concrete layers, masons, electricians, florists and flooring, and a huge part of this country's productivity is accomplished using them. At the moment, Ford is the 800-pound gorilla in that room – fully 41 percent of commercial vehicles wear a Blue Oval. So when Ford announced three years ago it would be ditching its commercial bread-and-butter E-Series, it meant the Transit that would be replacing the Econoline had huge, 53-year-old shoes to fill.

We were still a bit nostalgic about Econoline vans going away until going directly from the Transit first drive in Kansas City to an E-350 airport shuttle. Climb up through the Econoline's tiny double doors and bang your head on the opening, crouch all the way to your seat then enjoy a loud, rattle-prone, creaky, harsh ride on beam-hard seats while struggling to see out the low windows. This is an experience nearly every traveler has had. By comparison, the Transits we'd just spent two days with were every bit of the four decades better they needed to be. It cannot be understated just how much better the Transit is in every single way. The load floor is barely more than knee high. There's a huge side door, and hitting your head on a door opening is nearly impossible. Stand up all the way if you're under six-foot, six-inches – no more half-hunching down the aisle. There are windows actually designed to be looked out of. The ride is buttery smooth, no booming vibration from un-restrained metal panels and no squeaks. Conversations can be held at normal levels rather than yelling over the roar of an ancient V8. The seats are comfortable. The AC is cold. There are cupholders.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Our dealership finally received our first two 2015 Transit Vans late this morning... Transit 150 MR & Transit 350 MR... Medium Roof, 148" Wheelbase, Rear & Passenger Side Glass. No question that these are BIG vans but very impressive as to design, quality, etc. They're definitely a worthy or even better than expected successor to the E-Series. After finally getting to see the vehicles in person I think our primary sales market is for the Transit 150 w/Low Roof, 130" & 148" Wheelbase, Reverse Sensing System, Rear View Camera.

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