Ford Transit Crew Van

The 2021 Ford Transit Crew is a relatively new entry among full-size vans, one that aims to split the difference between the dedicated cargo and passenger versions already within the Transit lineup. The five-passenger Transit Crew offers two seats up front and a second-row three-person bench seat. It's a clever solution for buyers who want ample cargo space but still need the ability to seat a few passengers. The Transit Crew is well suited to business use or as the foundation for a camper or adventure van conversion.

The Transit Crew offers a no-frills set of standard features — vinyl seats and floors, air conditioning and Bluetooth phone connectivity among them — but it's really the options that make the Crew your own. If your priorities lean more toward passenger comfort and convenience, you'll find upgraded infotainment, an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation and cloth upholstery. There are also multiple custom upfitter packages available for business use.

The Transit Crew doesn't skimp on standard safety, and it includes side curtain airbags, automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning. Other driver assist tech, such as blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors and adaptive cruise control, are available options.

Changes for 2021 are minor but, of note, the turbodiesel engine has been dropped, leaving a choice between two V6 engines. Either is robust enough to move the Transit Crew with authority, although in our test of the similar Transit Passenger Van, we were disappointed in the EcoBoost turbo V6's fuel efficiency.

You can get a diesel on some of the Transit's competitors, including the Chevrolet Express and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. But for an all-around competent commercial or recreational van with plenty of utility at a reasonable price, the Transit Crew is a strong pick.

Which Transit Crew Van does MatoCar recommend?

Since the Transit Crew doesn't come in traditional tiered trim levels, we don't have one to recommend. Here you basically buy a blank canvas and add options to taste. Your primary decisions start with engine, roof height and body length. If the ability to stand upright in the cabin is important, consider the medium-roof (8.4 feet) or high-roof (9.2 feet) option. And if you plan to tow or regularly haul heavy cargo, you might want to upgrade to the EcoBoost turbo V6 engine.

The Transit Crew Van is itself a trim within the Transit lineup, which also includes the Cargo and Passenger vans (reviewed separately). As such, there are no Crew Van trim levels, only a variety of configurations and options to suit individual needs.

The Transit Crew Van offers two rows of seats for five passengers. The rest of the room is given over to cargo space, splitting the difference between the two-passenger Cargo Van and the Passenger Van, which seats up to 15 people. The Transit Crew is available in three roof heights (low, medium and high) and in regular, long and extended lengths. It also offers three payload capacities (150, 250 and 350).

The Transit Crew comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine (275 horsepower, 262 lb-ft of torque) or an optional turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 (310 hp, 400 lb-ft). Both engines pair with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.

Standard features are basic, but highlights include:

• 16-inch steel wheels
• 180-degree-opening rear doors
• Running boards
• Keyless entry
• Power windows and door locks
• Automatic rain-sensing wipers
• Vinyl flooring
• Vinyl seat coverings
• Air conditioning
• Four-speaker audio system
• Bluetooth
• Two USB inputs

Safety and driver assistance features include:

• Forward collision warning (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front)
• Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
• Crosswind stabilization
• Hill start assist
• Automatic high beams
• Rearview camera with trailer hitch assist

The Transit Crew is all about finding the options that best suit you. Highlights include:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Engine stop-start system
• Extended-range fuel tank
• 253-degree-opening rear doors
• Xenon headlights
• Foglights
• Heated side mirrors
• Adaptive cruise control
• Cloth upholstery
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Sync 3 infotainment with voice command
• Satellite radio
• Six-speaker audio system
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
• Parking sensors
• Front and rearview camera