Ford's New Electric Tourneo Makes Hauling People And Stuff Sexy Again

Nov. 23, 2022 9:31 AM ET by Jared Rosenholtz Reveal / 13 Comments

We really need this in the US.

The American-spec Transit may be too large to serve as a private vehicle, but Ford has a new van in Europe that would fit perfectly for a large US family.

Introducing the Ford Tourneo Custom, which arrives with a new, all-electric E-Tourneo variant. Ford teased this vehicle a few months ago, and we already want it to come stateside. Unlike the E-Transit, the E-Tourneo offers seating for up to eight passengers plus sleeker, easier-to-park proportions.

The 2023 Ford E-Transit Cargo Van is already hard at work across America, delivering packages for companies like FedEx. Ford is busy filling over 300 orders for more than 10,000 vans, but as of now, the E-Transit is only available in two-seat cargo configuration for fleet customers.

The E-Tourneo uses a single 215 horsepower electric motor powered by a 74 kWh useable battery pack. That enables a 370-kilometer (230-mile) range, likely on the European WLTP cycle. On the EPA cycle, that would roughly equate to around 204 miles. When it comes time to recharge, the van can replenish at 125 kW, meaning it can go from 15% to 80% charge in around 41 minutes.

For van customers who aren't ready to go all-electric, the Tourneo Custom offers a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that uses a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine. An 11.8 kWh battery allows it to travel around 27 miles (EPA) on electric power. This option sounds excellent for delivery routes involving highway stints and city driving.

There is also a range of EcoBlue diesel engines producing between 134 and 167 hp. The diesels will reach customers in 2023, while the E-Tourneo won't arrive until 2024.

Ford will offer the Tourneo in standard and extended wheelbase form, each offering three rows of seating for up to nine passengers (up to eight for E-Tourneo).

A new flexible track-mounted seating system in the second and third rows lets owners configure the van for passengers or storage and lift the seats out entirely for a full cargo mode. Available creature comforts include power-operated sliding doors, a 13-inch touchscreen, a 14-speaker B&O sound system, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, a surround-view camera system, and a Digital Key system.

Sadly, there are no plans to offer the Tourneo in the US.