2023 Ford Transit Expert Review
Reviewed by Zach Gale
Ford hopes you'll rethink the commercial van with the new 2023 Transit Trail. No longer just for businesses and hotel shuttles, the 2023 Transit Trail van is the big news this year. When a capable SUV isn't cutting it for your adventuring needs, the Transit Trail could be just the (pricey) starting point.
The 2023 Transit's key rivals are the Ram ProMaster and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
What's New
- The Transit Trail van is a new trim with AWD and a V-6 engine. It's designed to attract those who enjoy spending time off-road and outdoors and want a vehicle to support those interests.
- More than just a trim-and-stickers package, the Transit Trail features functional upgrades that might actually help the large van take its occupants farther off the beaten path.
What We Think
Low ownership costs may be top on the priority list for commercial van buyers, but we think drivers will also appreciate how the 2023 Ford Transit operates. Solid powertrains help, as does a comfortable ride.
You expect the 2023 Transit to offer tons of configurations, from different wheelbase lengths to higher roof options. What you might not anticipate among its commercial and passenger-shuttling versions is the new Trail van. The Trail's design accents may be over the top, but the Ford backs them up with actual upgrades beyond what the Transit has offered in the past. It's an interesting package that aims to take a piece of a booming overlanding market, but, crucially, with a manufacturer's warranty.
Otherwise, the 2023 Transit is the same capable van it's been with wide-opening doors, tough-wearing materials, and enough available tech to make the job or camp site more livable. Perhaps our only real issue isn't the Trail's near-$70,000 starting price, but the electric E-Transit's sub-150-mile driving range. That may work for a daily delivery route, but we hope Ford can increase range and charging speed in the future.
Power and Fuel Economy
Depending on how much payload you're hauling, you can't go wrong with either 2023 Transit engine. The standard powertrain is a 275-hp 3.5-liter V-6 with 260 lb-ft of torque while the upgrade engine gets you 310 hp and 400 lb-ft from a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6.
Both engines use a 10-speed automatic. With RWD, fuel economy should match the 2022 model's 15/19 mpg city/highway and AWD model's 14/18 mpg. Don't be surprised if the Trail model comes in a little lower than those figures in the real world.
2023 Transit Trail: What Upgrades Does It Have?
Let's start with one key figure: The 2023 Transit Trail comes with Ford's basic three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. That may sound like a strange place to begin with the new Trail model, but it's a key way Ford can differentiate its own offering against any number of aftermarket options. Getting down to business, the 2023 Transit Trail attempts to justify its near-$70,000 starting price with the 310-hp EcoBoost V-6 and standard AWD. Five drive modes include one for Mud/Ruts, Tow/Haul, and Slippery.
An enormous Transit van is still not going to be the ideal off-roader, but those upgrades should help keep it going, wherever its driver is headed. Ride height is up 3.5 inches compared to the normal Transit, the track is wider by 2.8 inches, and the van rides on 30.5-inch Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse all-terrain tires with 16-inch black alloy wheels. Put it all together, and towing capacity with the Heavy-Duty Trailer package is a respectable 6,500 pounds.
Upgrades don't just come for the driver, though we appreciate the 12.0-inch touchscreen up front. Elsewhere in the cabin, the 2023 Transit Trail attempts to help the buyer who sees the model not as an end point but just the beginning of a long customization. Ford notes that drillable areas throughout the cabin can handle shelving and much more.
As you'd expect of a commercial van like the Transit, the Trail model can be ordered in medium- and high-roof cargo configurations.
2023 Trail vs. 2022 Adventure Prep Package
This isn't the first time Ford has dipped its toe in these waters. Just last year, the 2022 Transit offered an Adventure Prep package with similar appeal. But that model lacked the 2023 Trail's increased ride height, wider track, and standard all-terrain tires. For better or worse, it also didn't shout its adventuring intentions as loudly in terms of styling updates.
On that 2022 model, AWD was optional and power came from the more powerful 310-hp EcoBoost V-6. The 2023 Transit Trail gets the same upgraded engine with standard AWD and five drive modes.
Configuration Options
So you're delving into the 2023 Transit's wide array of build options? Here are the basics. There are low, medium, and high roof options, with three wheelbase lengths, as well. Seating options range from the basic (two- or five-seat configurations) to the more shuttle-friendly (eight-, 10-, 12-, 14-, or 15-seat configurations).
