For drivers who haven’t been behind the wheel of the Transit Connect Cargo van, the attitude is typically ho-hum. But this cargo-hauler is far from boring, and a week-long test drive simply hammered home that message. First off, the 2019 model brings new powertrains: a 2.0-liter gasoline direct injection 4-cylinder and a 1.5-liter EcoBlue diesel turbocharged engine. Transit Connect Cargo is sold in a 104.8-inch short wheelbase (SWB) and a 120.6-inch long wheelbase (LWB). The tested SWB cargo hauler provides 123.2 cubic feet of storage space with front passenger seat folded/104.8 cubic feet with front passenger seat upright. (Cargo space spreads to 145.8 cubic feet on the LWB with passenger seat folded.)

When fitted with the gasoline engine, the cargo van is capable of 150 horsepower at 6200 rpm/ 144 pounds-feet of torque at 4500 rpm. Both the gas engine and diesel engine mate to an 8-speed automatic transmission with auto stop-start technology. The available features list (lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, blind spot information system, etc.) is similar to that of most passenger vehicles. Transit Connect Cargo can be fitted with optional rear and side glass. The tested 2019 Transit Connect Cargo van with gasoline engine collects estimated mpg of 24 city/27 highway and carries a base MSRP of $26,045.