2010 North American Truck of the Year – Ford Transit Connect
The 2010 Ford Transit Connect, an all new small truck, was named 2010 North American Truck of the Year by a jury of 49 independent automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. The Transit Connect beat 16 trucks from other manufacturers to win the award. Vehicles must be new or substantially updated to be eligible for the award.
“The little Transit Connect may not look as impressive as a Super Duty pickup, but it’s a serious work vehicle and should be perfect for a wide variety of businesses, large and small,” said Mitch McCullough, one of the voting automotive journalists and editor of New Car Test Drive. “A small truck by U.S. standards, the Transit Connect reminds us of the small delivery trucks popular in European cities. By the same token, its small size is an advantage in big American cities, allowing it to be more easily parked and maneuvered in tight quarters. It also gets good fuel economy, making it a
compelling choice for small business owners no matter where they are. This truck offers lots of utility and is available in a variety of configurations, making a powerful tool.”
“With the 2010 Transit Connect, Ford hasn’t created a benchmark in a segment, it has created a new segment,” observes Christopher Jensen, freelance auto journalist and former automotive editor for The Cleveland (Ohio) Plain Dealer.
The Transit Connect boasts a maximum cargo volume of more than 135 cubic feet. By comparison, the 2010 Ford Explorer’s cargo capacity is just 86 cu. ft., and the 2010 Ford Expedition EL (the long wheelbase version) holds 131 cu. ft.
“The Transit Connect will find itself right at home slipping into tight parking spaces when it’s running errands around town for small delivery services,” said NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Tom Lankard. “Don’t be surprised, either, to see hyper efficient RV conversions showing up in campgrounds this summer.”
“When I first saw the Transit Connect, I gasped,” said Jayne O’Donnell, freelance automotive writer. “I’m driving THAT? By the end of my test drive, I was trying to come up with a small-business idea to justify buying one. Flowers, anyone? It may not be fast, but it is fun and affordable.”
Powered by a 2.0 liter, four cylinder engine, the Transit Connect lists at a starting price of $21,475, including destination ($695), and delivers an EPA estimated fuel economy of 22 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.
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