Ford Transit Connect Family One Concept

• Looks like: Nearly identical to the commercial version of this boxy delivery van going on sale this summer
• Defining characteristics: Boxy shape, kid-friendly features
• Ridiculous features: Partition between front and rear seats
• Chance of being mass-produced: Slim, simply because families will want something with better mileage and/or more seating

When Ford said its first European product to hit the States would be the Transit Connect work van, we were not too enthused. We cover cars for the general consumer, not businesses. Therefore, we should be excited about this concept of the same Transit that’s built especially for families. However, despite lots of nifty features like built-in hand sanitizer dispensers, the concept grossly misses the mark.

For one thing, the base Transit going on sale this summer costs $22,475, including a destination charge, and gets 22/25 mpg city/highway. Ford calls this a “green” family vehicle. If you bought a Toyota RAV4 for about the same $22,000, you’d get a four-cylinder that’s good for 22/28 mpg.

Ford says the Transit Connect is for the “coolest mom” and touts its looks. Yes, you read that right, its looks.

Before I finish bashing this concept, there are some useful features shown here. Namely, the under-floor storage that’s large enough for a stroller is brilliant, however, it looks like a specific three-stage stroller is being used and larger, longer ones might not fit. The carpet-less floors are also a great idea because crumbs and spills could be wiped up easily.

Built-in dispensers for hand sanitizer and sunscreen in the rear cargo area; RFID tags that you can attach to bookbags, strollers and other items to track on the Transit’s onboard computer; a built-in changing table; and hooks for scooters all seem a bit less necessary.

We’re also unsure of the practical use of a Plexiglas partition between front- and rear-passenger compartments, but one mom on staff said a full divider would be a godsend on long trips. So would the large-screen TVs.

Is there a market for a $22,000-plus vehicle like this? Doubtful. There are plenty of better looking compact SUVs for the price as well as a handful of affordable minivans that can do a similar job. Then there are vehicles like the Mazda5 and Kia Rondo for less money.

On the positive side, Ford has a terrific family van that could actually make you the “coolest mom.” It’s called the S-Max and it is one of the top-rated vehicles in Europe. Perhaps the company could bring that to the U.S. instead of trying to make this concept a reality.

Ford’s S-Max