Some vehicles leave an impression not because of high horsepower numbers or blistering 0-100 sprints, but because they make life a little easier, a little smoother, day in, day out. That’s exactly the kind of impression the Ford Tourneo Connect left during my extended test in the Baumberge. This tranquil, rolling hill region in North Rhine-Westphalia, with its winding roads, lush farmland, and sleepy villages, proved to be the ideal backdrop to put this high-roof station wagon through its paces.
But make no mistake, beneath its family-van silhouette lies the soul of a VW Caddy. Yes, this Tourneo Connect is essentially a rebadged fifth-generation Caddy, built on the same MQB platform, powered by VW engines, and it even smells a little like Wolfsburg inside. Ford’s touch, however, is more than just cosmetic. Let’s dig in.
High-roof station wagon with seven seats
You don’t buy the Tourneo Connect for attention. You buy it because you’ve got stuff, kids, bikes, bags, dogs, camping gear, and you need to move it efficiently. And in that regard, this vehicle delivers. My test model came in the long-wheelbase configuration, which brings a massive cargo volume of up to 3,100 liters when fully cleared out. Even in everyday configuration with the third-row stowed, I still had between 635 and 2,140 liters at my disposal, enough to fit a double mattress and a week’s worth of outdoor gear.
On our test route through the Baumberge, through Havixbeck, Nottuln, and along the crest road with sweeping views over Münsterland,I had the chance to use the flat-folding front passenger seat. I managed to slide in two 2.8-meter long fence panels diagonally. A three-meter ladder? No problem.
The sliding rear doors made loading at the roadside a breeze. The third row, while a bit tight for anyone over 1.75 meters, is good for kids or occasional short trips with adults. I took my two nephews and their bikes to the forest edge, and there were no complaints, until they discovered I hadn’t packed snacks.
Ford Tourneo Connect: The assistants
You’d expect a van-like vehicle to skimp on driving aids. Not here. Even the base trim gets a generous safety suite. My Titanium test car came with Pre-Collision Assist, which detects vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. On a damp stretch downhill from Billerbeck, I tested the emergency brake assist, on purpose, but only once. It engaged promptly and without drama. The flash of hazard lights made sure the car behind knew something was up.
Cruise control with limiter, lane-keeping assist, hill-start assist, and front/rear park sensors are all standard. The adaptive cruise control was an optional extra on this car, and it worked smoothly, adjusting to traffic changes fluidly.
What stood out most, though, was the Blind Spot Monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. It came in handy reversing out of a narrow gravel parking lot near Steverquelle, warning me about a speeding cyclist just in time.
Ford has also included a speed limit recognition system, quite helpful in this region where the transition between village and open road can be abrupt. It beeped and displayed signs accurately, something VW’s system sometimes lags on.
Consumption in the test: 7.6 liters of super
Under the hood of my test car was the 1.5-liter EcoBoost petrol engine, producing 114 hp and 220 Nm of torque, mated to a seven-speed DSG automatic. It’s the same engine you’ll find in several VW Group cars, and it behaves here as you’d expect: quiet, refined, and unfussed.
From 60 to 100 km/h, the Tourneo pulled with decent pace,7.5 seconds in our own tests, and overtaking a tractor on the twisty country roads was never nerve-wracking. The 0-100 km/h sprint in 11.9 seconds won’t win races, but this isn’t that kind of car. Top speed is 182 km/h, which I only touched briefly on a de-restricted autobahn section.
Real-world consumption? Ford claims 6.8 liters per 100 km on the WLTP cycle, but the Ecotest result of 7.6 liters felt much closer to what I experienced. Over the course of 600 kilometers around the Baumberge, including hilly terrain and urban detours through Münster, I averaged 7.4 liters per 100 km. With careful driving and light load, you might see high sixes. But throw in some passengers and use the DSG as intended, and you’ll be sipping high sevens.
Despite that, the EcoBoost engine excels in low NVH levels. It’s so quiet that more than once I caught myself wondering if it had a stop-start glitch, only to realize it was just idling that smoothly.
Technical Specification
We get all technical info directly from Ford official websites to keep it accurate and reliable.
| Category | Specification |
| Model Tested | Ford Tourneo Connect 1.5 EcoBoost Titanium AT |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged petrol (EcoBoost) |
| Displacement | 1,498 cc |
| Power Output | 114 hp (85 kW) |
| Torque | 220 Nm @ 4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) |
| Drive Type | Front-wheel drive |
| 0–100 km/h Acceleration | 11.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 181 km/h |
| WLTP Combined Consumption | 6.8 l/100 km |
| Test Consumption | 7.6 l/100 km |
| CO₂ Emissions (WLTP) | 154 g/km |
| Trunk Volume (normal) | 1,213 liters |
| Max Trunk Volume (rear seat down) | 2,556 liters |
| Max Payload | 578 kg |
| Braked Towing Capacity (12%) | 1,500 kg |
| Unbraked Towing Capacity | 750 kg |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 4,500 x 1,855 x 1,833 mm |
| Base Price (May 2024) | €36,750 |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Conclusion
The Ford Tourneo Connect 1.5 EcoBoost isn’t an exciting car. It’s not designed to thrill. But spend a week with it in the real world, loading it, driving it, parking it, and you start to appreciate its honesty. It’s a van, yes, but it’s clever. It’s based on a Caddy, sure, but Ford’s tweaks make it slightly more user-friendly and characterful.
It hauls kids, groceries, furniture, and bikes without a fuss. The tech works reliably, the ride is composed, and there’s enough modularity inside to adapt to all but the most extreme family logistics. That said, it’s not cheap, and real-world fuel economy is average at best.
If you can look past its commercial DNA and accept the price tag, the Tourneo Connect is one of the most usable seven-seaters out there, and in the Baumberge, it proved itself as a quiet workhorse ready for whatever everyday life throws at it.
Is the Ford Tourneo Connect just a VW Caddy with a different badge?
Yes and no. It’s built on the same MQB platform and uses VW engines, transmissions, and much of the same interior layout. However, Ford has customized the styling, infotainment interface, and some trim details, making it slightly more user-friendly in daily life.
Can you really use it as a seven-seater regularly?
Yes, but with caveats. The third row is best suited for children or short adults. For long trips, it gets cramped quickly. Still, for school runs or weekend outings, it’s perfectly functional.
Is the 1.5 EcoBoost petrol engine enough for a loaded car?
It’s not a powerhouse, but it delivers smooth, quiet performance and sufficient torque for everyday driving. Fully loaded with passengers and luggage, uphill stretches might feel sluggish, but on flat terrain, it handles comfortably.
