2025 Ford Transit Custom 320 Sport AWD Review

Motoring writers love vans. When they need them that is. Most of the year it is not something that crosses their minds, until they have a house to move, team to transport or are planning a camping trip. And so the latest AWD version of the Ford Transit Custom Sport earned its keep with us the traditional way: by helping empty the last of our old garage.  

Years of accumulated clutter, odd lengths of timber, forgotten boxes and rusty shelving, exactly the sort of task to sort poseurs from genuine load movers. 

The base model itself is no stranger to New Zealand roads; this second-generation Custom has been on sale for over a year now and it quickly set a new benchmark for refinement and cabin comfort in the mid-size van world. What is new is the arrival of all-wheel drive, giving the Custom extra traction and broadening its appeal to buyers operating on gravel, grass or the perpetually damp driveways of suburban Aotearoa. 

Van life

The cab remains one of the standout features of the current Transit Custom. Ford has pushed the design towards car-like familiarity and it works. The twin displays are crisp, the ergonomics well considered and the driving position is upright without feeling bus-driver tall. Visibility is excellent and the wheel and seat offer enough adjustment to make long stints tolerable. 

In Sport trim, the cabin gains upgraded seats, some extra soft-touch surfaces and a variety of hard-wearing plastics where you need durability. Wireless smartphone mirroring and Ford’s clean SYNC interface mean day-to-day operation is fuss-free. 

It also looks a little different with a spoiler and subtle body kit (yes, still a van), and sports stripes that would please Mr Baracus.  

The specs quote between 5.3 and 5.8 cubic metres of load space depending how you measure it and it feels every bit that roomy. The floor is notably lower than many rivals, reducing the lift required when shifting heavier items. During our clear-out, everything from awkward shelving frames to sagging banana boxes went in without ceremony. 

Side access is excellent, the square load area makes stacking simple and the top-hinged tailgate, while not as versatile as barn doors in tight confines, offers a useful canopy once open. The powered sliding side doors deserve praise. When you are juggling awkward loads, being able to tap a button and watch them open is a genuine productivity booster. 

The Sport does sacrifice a little payload compared with more basic Transit models, around 1160kg here, but that still places it firmly in the useful end of the medium-van class. 

AWD makes its case

The Custom platform has impressed since launch, largely due to its independent rear suspension and much improved ride quality. The AWD variant builds on that, offering the sort of traction advantage that commercial users appreciate without altering the Transit’s manners. 

Where a front-drive van can scrabble on loose gravel or wet grass, the AWD simply digs in and gets on with it. On inclines, including our own steep, awkward driveway it delivered smooth, drama-free progress even with weight onboard. 

The 2.0-litre turbodiesel’s 125kW and 390Nm are not headline grabbing but paired with the slick eight-speed auto, performance feels right for the job. In town it is responsive without being gruff; on the motorway it settles into a relaxed cruise. Noise levels are well controlled for a van, with just the expected low-frequency resonance from the cavernous rear. 

Learn more about the Ford Transit line up

Interestingly this engine is a hint of what to expect from next-year’s updated (but essentially downgraded) four-cylinder Ranger. It is a solid unit.  

Ride comfort is a clear step above the previous generation. Part-loaded, the Ford Transit absorbed bumps without shaking the cabin into a shudder. Steering is light but consistent and the turning circle is helpful for a vehicle of this size. 

There is a Sport mode, though its real contribution is slightly sharper throttle response. Eco, Slippery and Tow/Haul are also available, the latter suited for making use of the 2500kg braked tow rating. 

Living with it

Fuel use in the real world sits in the high sevens to low eights depending on load, which is reasonable for a mid-size AWD diesel van. AdBlue is required but used sparingly. The Custom’s reputation for durability should carry over here and service intervals ought to keep business operators content. 

The AWD variant does not materially change the user experience inside or in terms of daily practicality; instead it expands where and how you can use the Transit. 

Ford Transit Custom – Verdict

The Ford Transit Custom has already proven itself over the past year as one of the more sorted medium vans on the market. The arrival of all-wheel drive simply rounds out the package. It does not turn the Van Formerly Known as Workhorse into a lifestyle machine, but it does give buyers meaningful added capability. 

For our garage purge, the Sport AWD was exactly what you want a van to be; spacious, comfortable, composed and hassle-free. Those needing maximum payload or barn doors may prefer other variants, but for anyone who works on varied surfaces, tows regularly or just wants a more confidence-inspiring van, the AWD Sport hits a broad, attractive middle ground. 

A year into this model’s lifecycle, the AWD version feels less like an afterthought and more like the configuration many buyers have been waiting for.  

Ford Transit Custom Sport AWD

$77,990  /  7.7L/100km  /  202g/km
Engine  1995cc  IL4 / TDI 
Max power  125kW@3500rpm
Max torque  390Nm@1750-2500rpm
Drivetrain  8-speed auto, AWD
Weight (claimed)  2065kg