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Review Of The Ford Grand Tourneo Connect Diesel Estate
The new Ford Grand Tourneo Connect Diesel Estate is a more spacious and affordable alternative to the Ford C-MAX. However, the price is lower for a reason, and while the C-MAX looks slick, the Tourneo Connect looks like a van.
Those van-based looks won’t be a deal breaker to everyone, though. Moreover, it’s not derived from a van, and has more in common with MPVs. Visibility is excellent, you can get seven seats if you want, and sliding rear doors make access easy.
OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our 2017 Ford Grand Tourneo Connect Diesel Estate review.
On The Road
The Grand Tourneo Connect has vague relations with the Ford Transit, but its driving dynamics are car-based. This means that its steering is responsive and sharp, and you feel connected to the road. However, a stiff suspension setup is a drawback, and it’s not as comfy as a hatchback.
In terms of the engines, the two diesels suit the car best. They are both 1.5-litre engines. The smallest of the two delivers up to 98bhp, while the biggest can produce 118bhp. Neither one is what we’d describe as performative, with the 118bhp taking 14.0 seconds to do 0-62. But we’re sure that anyone looking at this car isn’t interested in hair-raising speeds.[vc_single_image image=”56045″ img_size=”article-image”]The 98bhp is paired up with a 5-speed manual transmission, while the 118bhp gets a 6-speed manual. As such, it’s quieter and feels more relaxed at higher speeds.
Although we’re looking at the diesel version here, there are also two petrol engines available if you want to look at these. A tiny turbocharged 1.0-litre 99bhp is the entry level unit, and packs a bigger punch than you’d expect. With just the driver, one passenger and some shopping, it copes admirably. On a full load, though, it will feel overwhelmed. Especially if there are seven people in here!
A 1.6-litre 148bhp petrol engine is your best bet if you want more power. It’s paired up with an automatic ‘box, and is easily the quickest engine in the range. It’s also the costliest to run and buy outright.
Ford Grand Tourneo Connect Diesel Estate Interior, Design & Build
[vc_single_image image=”56046″ img_size=”article-image”]From the outside, the Grand Tourneo Connect doesn’t exactly look super attractive. Its design is functional, and there are strong hints that it’s based on a van. Inside, though, Ford have seen fit to bring its design up to date with its other models.
This means you get a smart layout that includes a modern dashboard with easy to read dials. The materials, on the whole, are of a good quality, but there are harder plastics here and there. They’re not exactly nice to touch.If you look beyond the entry-level, you get a driver’s seat that adjusts in various ways. It’s easy to get the driving position you want. The rest of the car’s seats are less accommodating, and look comfier than they actually are.
Insulation is a bit of an issue, thanks to the Tourneo Connect’s boxy shape and its lack of sophisticated soundproofing. Sharp winds will whistle through your doors, and the diesels will be noisy.
The car is at least very spacious and practical. Without a sloping roofline, headroom is excellent. In fact, it’s so good that smaller adults could probably stand up without banging their heads! Sliding doors make access easy, especially in tight parking spots.
Five adults can sit in comfort, while two extra seats can be specified. However, the seven-seating arrangement is a bit of a hassle, and the extra seats have to be manhandled into position.
Boot space is good. With seven seats, you can get up to 1,264-litres of boot space. With five seats, you can get 1,305-litres.
Equipment & Safety Of The Ford Grand Tourneo Connect Diesel Estate
Ford have dispensed with their usual entry-level model here, which means the well-equipped Zetec model opens the range. Standard kit includes electric door mirrors, electric windows rear and front, air conditioning, washer jets, and a heated windscreen.
The Titanium model tops the range, and comes with electric folding mirrors and automatic headlights. It also gets dual air-conditioning, cruise control and automatic windscreen wipers.
The car is reassuringly safe. It scored 5/5 on its EuroNCAP crash test, was praised for adult occupant protection. It was also praised for passenger and child safety. Its standard safety kit includes rear and front airbags, and electronic skid control. Options include a £54 70mph speed limiter.
Costs Of The Ford Grand Tourneo Connect Diesel Estate
Prices for the new car start out from £17,000 and rise to £24,000. Compare to rivals, that’s slightly on the more expensive side. If you prefer to lease, you can pick up a deal from as little as £330 + VAT. For more information on our leasing deals, you can check out our page here.
In terms of its running costs, the car fares well. The diesel engines are unsurprisingly the cheapest to run, with the 98bhp variant able to return 61.4mpg. However, emissions are significantly higher than they are in the regular Connect. Compared to the Connect, which can cost just £30 a year to tax, the cheapest tax bill here is £105. The most you’ll have to pay each year to tax a diesel is £125.
Pros and Cons Of The Ford Grand Tourneo Connect Diesel Estate
Pros:
Practical
Thanks to its no-nonsense boxy shape and 1,305-litre boot in the 5-seater, it’s a super practical MPV.
Durable
Seven people will want a car that can deal with everyday life on the road. This one looks like it’s got the materials to last.
Lots Of Interior Space
For once, even adults can sit in the extra row of seats.
Cons:
Ungainly Looks
Not the fairest in the land. The rear in particular looks like a van. Your kids won’t love it.
Big Tailgate
The boot is big, but so is the tailgate. It will make loading heavier items a real chore.
Ford Grand Tourneo Connect Diesel Estate vs Nissan NV200 Combi vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
Let’s see how the car fares against its rivals in the comparison section of our 2017 Ford Grand Tourneo Connect Diesel Estate review.
Ford Grand Tourneo Connect Diesel Estate vs Nissan NV200 Combi
The new Nissan NV200 Combi sounds like it’s named after a robot. Despite that, it has more in common with a commercial van than Artificial Intelligence. But while this dampens its looks, it’s good news if you want lots of usability.
The 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine that powers the can develop up to 88bhp. It’s a noisy old engine that releases all its power in one go. It takes a fair bit of time to get going, but once it’s up to speed it comes into its own.
Whatever speed it’s at, though, it will rattle.[vc_empty_space height=”42px”][vc_empty_space height=”42px”][vc_empty_space height=”42px”][vc_single_image image=”56047″ img_size=”article-image”]Nissan has designed its suspension so that the NV200 Combi can deal with full loads. However, they’ve not quite staged the perfect balancing act, and the car will bounce on poorer surfaces. And despite having a tight turning circle and light steering, it’s more cumbersome than nimble-footed.
Inside, OSV really likes how clean the dashboard is. There is no button clutter, all the controls are logically arranged, and visibility is excellent.
There are criticisms, though. The steering wheel doesn’t adjust for rake, and lies at a bizarre angle. The driver’s seat doesn’t allow for much adjustability either, and the Nissan is uncomfortable on the whole.
It does have seven seats, but no one will be especially cozy. The seats are narrow, small and unsupportive.
However, while rivals have removable seats, this Nissan has seats that fold for more space. This makes freeing up extra space much easier, and won’t put your back out. There is a caveat, though – seats that can be folded instead of removed free up less space.
When all seats are folded, you get 2,900-litres of space. That’s competitive.
Price:
Ford – £17,000 – £24,000
Nissan – £19,800 – £20,200
Ford Grand Tourneo Connect Diesel Estate vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
[vc_single_image image=”56048″ img_size=”article-image”]The new Citroen Grand C4 Picasso is a modern, stylish MPV that looks better than the Ford. But is it just as useful?
With the Grand C4, Citroen is proving that this traditionally boring sector is only boring by choice. With slick looks and a tasty driving experience, it’s an MPV that has a refreshing sense of fun.
Sure, it’s a big car. But that doesn’t mean it drives like a big car. With large windows, and an excellent wraparound panoramic windscreen, visibility is good. This is important for a large car like this.Moreover, supple suspension contributes to a relaxed driving experience, and the car deals with broken roads well.
However, its handling isn’t as sharp as a hatchback. There is also a fair amount of body lean. Still, there is lots of grip on offer, and the car always feels safe and secure.
In terms of the engines, even the smallest diesel has more acceleration than the Ford. This 1.6-litre unit develops just 99bhp, but that’s enough to get it from 0-62 in 12.7 seconds. Go for the bigger, equally affordable 118bhp and you cut that time to 11.3 seconds. Even on a full load, this engine will be just fine.
A 2.0-litre 148bhp diesel engine is quicker still, and does 0-62 in under 10.0 seconds.
Only one petrol engine is available, a turbocharged 1.2-litre power plant. It delivers 128bhp, does 0-62 in 10.8 seconds and is quiet and smooth. In many ways, it’s the ideal engine: Compliant, quick and relaxing. It’s economical too, and can return 56.5mpg.
If you’re working on a strict budget, though, the 1.6-litre 99bhp diesel is your best bet. It’s free to tax, and returns 74.3mpg.
We can’t fault the Grand C4 Picasso’s interior. It’s excellent. The large windows improve visibility and brighten up the cabin. The dashboard looks futuristic and eye-catching, and we love how uninhibited Citroen have been with their use of colours and shapes. If the Ford’s interior is too boring for you, this is a fun alternative.
There are a few criticisms, though. Some of the controls are awkward to use, while diesel clatter is noticeable, especially on start-up.
In terms of how practical it is, the Grand C4 gets 5/5 from OSV. It has seven seats, oodles of storage space, and max boot space of 2,181-litres. That’s bigger than the Ford’s, and is as much as you’ll get in a van. With all seats up, though, the boot measures only 165-litres.
Unlike the Ford, the Citroen doesn’t get sliding rear doors. Kids will still be able to access the third row of seats easily, but adults might find that it’s a bit of a struggle. Folding the third row of seats to increase boot space is a piece of cake, and can be done with one hand.
Price:
Citroen – £22,600 – £30,000
Verdict Of Our 2017 Ford Grand Tourneo Connect Diesel Estate Review
First impressions matter. If you don’t mind boxy, functional looks, you won’t mind this car. If, however, you want your car to look good for the neighbours, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere.
Despite its van-based looks, the new Grand Tourneo has a lot going for it. It’s swathed in cabin space, has a refined drive, and is as practical as you need it to be. Its boot measures 1,305-litres, it comes with seven seats, and it drives almost like a hatchback. Despite not being a looker, the new Ford Grand Tourneo Connect Diesel Estate will have plenty of admirers.JTNDY2VudGVyJTNFJTNDJTIxLS1IdWJTcG90JTIwQ2FsbC10by1BY3Rpb24lMjBDb2RlJTIwLS0lM0UlM0NzcGFuJTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJocy1jdGEtd3JhcHBlciUyMiUyMGlkJTNEJTIyaHMtY3RhLXdyYXBwZXItZTgwOTBkNDQtZjZkMS00MGYzLWIzMGEtZGJmMGRiMTI5ZmJmJTIyJTNFJTNDc3BhbiUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyaHMtY3RhLW5vZGUlMjBocy1jdGEtZTgwOTBkNDQtZjZkMS00MGYzLWIzMGEtZGJmMGRiMTI5ZmJmJTIyJTIwaWQlM0QlMjJocy1jdGEtZTgwOTBkNDQtZjZkMS00MGYzLWIzMGEtZGJmMGRiMTI5ZmJmJTIyJTNFJTNDJTIxLS0lNUJpZiUyMGx0ZSUyMElFJTIwOCU1RCUzRSUzQ2RpdiUyMGlkJTNEJTIyaHMtY3RhLWllLWVsZW1lbnQlMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZkaXYlM0UlM0MlMjElNUJlbmRpZiU1RC0tJTNFJTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRmN0YS1yZWRpcmVjdC5odWJzcG90LmNvbSUyRmN0YSUyRnJlZGlyZWN0JTJGMjM4MTQ5MiUyRmU4MDkwZDQ0LWY2ZDEtNDBmMy1iMzBhLWRiZjBkYjEyOWZiZiUyMiUyMCUyMHRhcmdldCUzRCUyMl9ibGFuayUyMiUyMCUzRSUzQ2ltZyUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyaHMtY3RhLWltZyUyMiUyMGlkJTNEJTIyaHMtY3RhLWltZy1lODA5MGQ0NC1mNmQxLTQwZjMtYjMwYS1kYmYwZGIxMjlmYmYlMjIlMjBzdHlsZSUzRCUyMmJvcmRlci13aWR0aCUzQTBweCUzQiUyMiUyMHNyYyUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGbm8tY2FjaGUuaHVic3BvdC5jb20lMkZjdGElMkZkZWZhdWx0JTJGMjM4MTQ5MiUyRmU4MDkwZDQ0LWY2ZDEtNDBmMy1iMzBhLWRiZjBkYjEyOWZiZi5wbmclMjIlMjAlMjBhbHQlM0QlMjJVbmRlY2lkZWQlMjB3aGljaCUyMGNhciUyMHRvJTIwY2hvb3NlJTNGJTIwT3VyJTIwc2VsZWN0aW9uJTIwb2YlMjBpbmRlcGVuZGVudCUyMGNhciUyMHJldmlld3MlMjBpcyUyMGElMjBncmVhdCUyMHBsYWNlJTIwdG8lMjBzdGFydCUyMSUyMiUyRiUzRSUzQyUyRmElM0UlM0MlMkZzcGFuJTNFJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwY2hhcnNldCUzRCUyMnV0Zi04JTIyJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZqcy5oc2N0YS5uZXQlMkZjdGElMkZjdXJyZW50LmpzJTIyJTNFJTNDJTJGc2NyaXB0JTNFJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwdHlwZSUzRCUyMnRleHQlMkZqYXZhc2NyaXB0JTIyJTNFJTIwaGJzcHQuY3RhLmxvYWQlMjgyMzgxNDkyJTJDJTIwJTI3ZTgwOTBkNDQtZjZkMS00MGYzLWIzMGEtZGJmMGRiMTI5ZmJmJTI3JTJDJTIwJTdCJTdEJTI5JTNCJTIwJTNDJTJGc2NyaXB0JTNFJTNDJTJGc3BhbiUzRSUzQyUyMS0tJTIwZW5kJTIwSHViU3BvdCUyMENhbGwtdG8tQWN0aW9uJTIwQ29kZSUyMC0tJTNFJTNDY2VudGVyJTJGJTNF[vc_row content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1464089844166{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1494257310211{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]
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