THE Ford Transit Custom is so familiar on UK roads it’s practically part of the landscape. Builders, delivery drivers, mobile workshops – it’s the van that gets the job done.
But Ford hasn’t let familiarity slip into stagnation. Over the years we’ve seen it grow from a dependable diesel workhorse into something far broader: limited editions with style, fully electric models for the future, and now this – the latest Transit Custom Sport PHEV, a plug-in hybrid aimed at those caught between diesel’s practicality and EV’s promise.
It’s a van designed for today’s split personality working life: electric-only driving for city jobs, petrol backup for the long haul, and, crucially in Sport trim, styling that makes it stand out from the sea of white boxes.
Where the standard Transit Custom melts into the background, the Sport PHEV makes a statement. Twin bonnet stripes, body-coloured bumpers, side skirts and 18-inch alloys (optional 19-inch wheels on my press car come in at £600) give it intent without looking like it’s trying too hard. The slim LED headlights and grille tie it neatly into Ford’s passenger car range – park it next to a Puma ST-Line and there’s a clear family resemblance.
The stance is purposeful, the lines sharper, and there’s a sense that this van was designed to be seen as well as used. For businesses where image counts, that’s not just nice-to-have – it’s branding on wheels.
Climb inside and the “Sport” part of the equation continues. Heated part-leather seats, power adjustment with memory for the driver, dual-zone climate, and Ford’s excellent 13-inch SYNC 4 system all raise the Transit Custom Sport PHEV above the utilitarian. The touchscreen is fast, intuitive, and big enough to make Apple CarPlay or built-in navigation genuinely useful at a glance.
Add in Alexa voice control, multiple cubbies, proper storage bins, and a flat load floor out back, and the van manages the neat trick of being both work-ready and somewhere you won’t mind spending a long day behind the wheel.
I liked the optional Smart Digital Rear View Mirror (£900) which may sound like a lot of dosh, but it also includes a front and rear facing dash cam that could save you a fortune in the event of an accident where the third-party decides to try it on – “Nah, you reversed into me mate . . .” Being able to actually see what is behind (rather than just the bulkhead) when you glance up at the rear view mirror is also a huge bonus. The image is wide and pin-sharp with the advantage that night vision is much-improved too.
Powertrain: Hybrid Meets Horsepower
Here’s where it gets interesting. Under the bonnet, the Transit Custom Sport PHEV pairs a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and an 11.8 kWh battery, delivering a combined 232 hp. For a mid-size van, that’s a serious number – and it shows.
Electric-only range is touted at 35 miles but a more realistic 22–24 miles, in mixed town driving,is enough to cover the bulk of short urban trips without touching the petrol engine. Four selectable EV modes (Now, Auto, Later, Charge) let you manage the battery depending on your route.
But the real revelation is performance. In EV mode, torque is instant and plentiful, making the van feel genuinely brisk away from the lights. It’ll dart into gaps in city traffic with a confidence no diesel Transit can match, and the silence only adds to the sense of refinement.
Switch to hybrid running and the 232 PS headline makes itself felt on faster roads. Acceleration isn’t hot-hatch sharp, but for a vehicle of this size and weight it’s impressively urgent. Overtakes are dispatched without drama, motorway slip roads feel easy, and the independent rear suspension keeps everything tidy when the pace rises.
It’s still a van – body roll and weight are there if you push too far – but compared with its rivals, the Sport PHEV edges into “fun to drive” territory. And that’s not a phrase you often use about commercial vehicles.
The independent rear suspension is a game changer. Where older Transits could feel unsettled when unladen, the Sport PHEV stays composed whether you’re bouncing over potholes or carving down a twisty B-road. Steering weight builds nicely once you’re rolling, and while it’s no sports car, it doesn’t feel clumsy either.
The CVT gearbox does flare the engine revs under hard acceleration, but once at a cruise it’s smooth and quiet. Add in adaptive cruise, lane-keeping assist, and a raft of safety tech, and long journeys are far less of a grind than you’d expect in a working van.
Practicality Intact
Importantly, none of this performance focus comes at the expense of the basics. The hybrid battery sits under the floor, so you get the same 5.8–6.8 cubic metres of load space as the diesel, a payload of just over 1,200 kg, and a 2,000 kg towing capacity. Access is easy via sliding side and wide rear doors, and LED lighting plus plenty of tie-downs keep the load bay functional.
The Bang & Olufsen sound system is an extra £625 and while it does sound very good indeed, the subwoofer placement means you can’t configure the cabin for easy access to the loadspace.
A clever feature called Delivery Assist automatically secures the van and shuts off the engine when you stop, then restarts it when you return — a genuine time-saver on multi-drop routes.
Running Costs and Charging
A full charge on a 7.4 kW wallbox takes about 4.5 hours, and while there’s no DC fast charging, the small battery means that’s rarely a problem. Over a mixed week I managed just over 30 mpg, plus 60+ miles on electricity alone – and that was without obsessively plugging in.
As with all PHEVs, the equation is simple: if you charge every night, the savings are real. If you don’t, you’re just carrying around extra weight.
Verdict: A Transit With Attitude
The Ford Transit Custom Sport PHEV isn’t just another variant in the line-up – it’s proof that a van can be both practical and enjoyable to drive. The hybrid system gives urban operators ULEZ freedom and lower running costs, while the petrol engine provides security for long-distance jobs. The Sport trim turns heads and keeps drivers happy in a way that matters more than fleet managers sometimes admit.
It’s not the cheapest option – diesels are still better for constant long-haul, and the E-Transit Custom is cleaner if you’ve got charging sorted – but for the broad middle ground of mixed-use businesses, this is the sweet spot.
And beyond the spreadsheets and specs, there’s something else: this Transit is genuinely fun. Not silly, not frivolous, but genuinely satisfying in a way you don’t expect from a van. That’s why it feels like more than just the latest evolution. It feels like Ford giving the working driver a bit of pride back – a van that works hard, looks sharp, and doesn’t mind stretching its legs when the road opens up.
- AT A GLANCE:
- Ford Transit Custom Sport PHEV L2 H1
- OTR Price: £44,384
- Engine: 2.5 Duratec petrol plus Electric Motor
- Power: 232 PS
- Transmission: CVT Automatic
- Torque: 209 Nm
- Charge rate: 10-100% in approx 4 hours
