Ford Transit Custom Sport: The van that dresses like it’s going to a track day
Key topics:
Ford Transit Custom Sport blends van practicality with sporty, bold styling.
Loaded interior tech and comfort make it a standout in the work van segment.
Strong diesel engine with a unique Sport mode offers enjoyable driving dynamics.
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By Miles Downard
There are few vehicles on South African roads that make you do a double take and then say, “Wait, was that a van with racing stripes?” But that’s exactly what happened with the new Ford Transit Custom Sport, which rolled into my life like it was late for a Nürburgring lap time.
Let’s not beat around the barn doors – this is not your average white goods courier. The Custom Sport is Ford’s attempt to inject a dose of style and street cred into the working van category. It’s still a van, yes, but it’s wearing a tracksuit that suggests it knows a thing or two about the gym – and probably enjoys a protein shake.
Looks that slap (for a van)
Visually, the Transit Custom Sport is a bit of a show-off – and I mean that in the best possible way. Dual racing stripes run the length of the body, like war paint for blue-collar warriors. A honeycomb grille, a front splitter, side decals, rear spoiler, and 17-inch matte black alloys complete the look. It’s got more swagger than a bakkie with a lift kit at a Pretoria car meet.
It’s only available in short wheelbase form, which keeps the proportions squat and purposeful. And while no one’s going to confuse it for a hot hatch, there’s something strangely satisfying about driving a van that looks ready to throw hands with a Golf GTI at the robots.
Interior: Where work meets weekend
Climb inside and the Transit Custom Sport reveals an interior that’s about as far from spartan as a van gets. Blue-striped sports seats, piano black trim, and a 13-inch touchscreen running Ford’s SYNC 4 system (with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) all help elevate the experience. A wireless charging pad and USB-C ports make it practical for the modern tradesperson, influencer, or kite-surfer – all of whom Ford seems to be targeting here.
The driving position is surprisingly comfortable – a heated, 10-way adjustable seat with dual armrests feels more SUV than LCV. There’s even dual-zone climate control and a clever glovebox with USB ports for device storage.
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Practicality hasn’t been sacrificed on the altar of style either. With a payload of just over a tonne (1,023kg), space for three Euro pallets, and barn doors that open to 180 degrees, it’s still a proper workhorse. The load area is lined and lit, and those tie-down points mean your mountain bike (or drill press) isn’t going anywhere.
Behind the wheel: Sport mode, because why not?
Under the bonnet is Ford’s trusty 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine, here tuned to 125kW and 390Nm. That’s a healthy bump over the base model and more than enough grunt to make highway merges brisk and overtaking less of a nail-biter.
Power goes to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic that does a fine job staying smooth and unobtrusive. Ford added a fifth drive mode to the usual mix – Sport. Yes, Sport. In a van. It sharpens the throttle response and holds gears a bit longer, making roundabouts a little more exciting than they have any right to be.
While it’s no canyon carver, handling is composed, steering is nicely weighted, and body roll is well controlled. It’s genuinely enjoyable to drive – which is an odd sentence to write about a commercial vehicle.
Safety and tech galore
As you'd expect at nearly a bar, the Transit Custom Sport is loaded with tech. There’s a suite of active safety gear that rivals some luxury sedans: adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and even evasive steering assist – for when that rogue pallet tumbles off a truck on the N1.
Add to that keyless entry, remote start via FordPass, and a reverse camera with 180-degree view, and you’ve got a van that feels more Range than Ranger.
Final thoughts
At R932,500, the Transit Custom Sport isn’t cheap, but it’s not trying to be. This is a van for people who want to make a statement – whether they’re delivering artisan coffee beans or hauling dirt bikes to the coast.
It’s still practical. It’s still a van. But it’s also fun, flashy, and loaded with kit. It’s the mullet of the commercial world: business in the back, party in the front. And honestly? I’m here for it.