Call, text, email, or send smoke signals to family, friends, and neighbors looking for a vehicle that’s a very capable cargo hauler and people mover. And, it’s fun-to-drive (seriously). A week-long test drive showcased the Ford Transit Connect’s allure. This vehicle’s 2019 mid-cycle refresh reveals a revised rear suspension, new powertrains, and a slew of driver assist technologies, including a rear view camera, side wind stabilization, blind spot information system with cross traffic alert, automatic high headlamp, and lane keeping system.

The tested front wheel drive Transit Connect wagon with long wheel base (120.6 inches) was powered by a 2.0-liter gasoline-fueled 4-cylinder with auto stop/start technology that produces 150 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 144 pounds-feet of torque at 4500 rpm mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. A 1.5-liter EcoBlue 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine is slated to join the line-up in early 2019. (The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with six-speed automatic transmission carries over for fleet Transit Connect XL models that run on CNG/LPG.) Estimated mpg for the tested vehicle is 24 city/29 highway. The test driven Transit Connect Titanium 6-passenger wagon carries a suggested base MSRP of $31,595.