Ford Transit Connect

The Transit Connect Wagon gets a new engine.  A 2.0-liter four-cylinder that comes with automatic start/stop as standard equipment. It comes mated to an all-new eight-speed automatic. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with a six-speed automatic, is also available and can run on natural gas.

Given the Transit Connect's lineage (it's based on the Focus) it drives like a well-honed European sedan. Handling is agile with quick responding steering and little body lean. The ride is firm yet complaint and very steady. 

The interior is very spacious and all seven seats have ample room. However, it's difficult to fold the rear seats and the ability to change configurations between a people mover to cargo hauler are limited. Power sliding doors aren't available. 

There’s a new center console topped with a 6.5-inch "floating touch screen" that houses the available Sync 3 infotainment system. It also comes with a standard, embedded 4G LTE modem that can provide a WiFi connection for up to 10 devices, Ford says. That's a big improvement over the current version, which we knocked in our road test because even basic electronic connectivity cost extra.