Ford Tourneo Courier 1.0 EcoBoost Active 5dr Auto

Ten Second Review

Ford re-invents it's Tourneo Courier small van-based MPV for a new era. But still offers it with the more affordable option of mild hybrid petrol combustion power, as well as in full-EV form. Either way, it's practical, affordable to run and surprisingly stylish.

Background

So what does the affordable end of Ford's passenger car range look like after the era of Fiesta and Focus? Well here's one initial answer to that question, the Tourneo Courier which, as its name suggests, is a passenger-carrying version of the current generation Transit Courier van. It's made in Craiova, Romania alongside the brand's other small car offering, the Puma small SUV. These two models now represent the first step on the rung of Ford ownership. The Tourneo Courier model line didn't use to be as important to Ford as this. Hardly anyone noticed the launch of the first generation model back in 2018, but seven years on, this second generation model's availability in EV as well as combustion form garnered it a few more headlines. Particularly when the EV version became one of the first two cars in the UK to gain the highest £3,750 level of government Electric Car Grant. Ford wants us to see this model line as 'fun and fuelled by a restless need for adventure'. You might merely see it as an alternative to the small van-based MPVs produced by Stellantis Group brands like Vauxhall, Citroen and Peugeot. Either way, this might be the second family car you actually need, particularly in the full-EV form we're going to try here.

Driving Experience

Even though this Tourneo Courier is based on an all-electric platform, its sales prospects were going to be pretty limited if Ford had only offered it in full-EV form. If the car's intended outdoorsy lifestyle vibe is to be realised in ownership, customers are going to need to be able to travel decent distances. Potentially, longer than the ones they can comfortably travel using the current public charging infrastructure. Which is why the DNA of the Fiesta this model basically replaced lives on in the engine most initial Tourneo Courier customers will choose; the 1.0-litre EcoBoost mild hybrid petrol engine we've been familiar with in various Ford models since the beginning of this decade, here provided in 123bhp form. It's not a proper self-charging Hybrid (the tiny battery can never solely drive the car); but it can be had with either 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed dual clutch auto. Obviously you'll have to have an auto (the usual EV 1-speeder) if you choose the E-Tourneo Courier. This has a 134bhp electric motor mounted on the front axle. There's no dual motor AWD version. Expect a battery size around 54kWh and a range of up to 177 miles. Top speed is 90mph and there's 290Nm of pulling power.

Design and Build

Though the Tourneo Courier is a van-based compact MPV, Ford hopes you'll view this model as more than just a van with windows. Hence all the outdoorsy-style dressing that the brand thinks will see it appeal to folk who might otherwise be considering a small SUV. Which is why the car features big wheels in black plastic-clad arches, rails framing a contrast-coloured roof and faux skid plates. It's much more practical than a small SUV though, aided this time round not only by the squarical profile but also by exterior dimensional increases in every direction. You immediately get a feel for this behind the wheel, where a glance at the centre console reveals an enormous storage bin big enough to hold a laptop bag or a handbag. Passengers bound for the rear aren't offered the option of a third seating row (unlike with some Stellantis Group competitors). But there's more shoulder room in this new generation model for those on the back seat. And a huge boot with a conventional tailgate (so owners have something to shelter under in the rain). The trunk is now 570-litres in size (175-litres bigger than before). The boot trims feature a fold-out storage bin (for muddy shoes), an area also offering enclosed shelves for smaller items. The E-Tourneo Courier also gets a 44-litre storage area beneath the bonnet, ideal for holding charging cables.

Market and Model

Prices for this car in petrol form start from around £28,500. There are two trim levels - base 'Titanium' and lifestyle-orientated 'Active'. You'll need around £1,200 more if you want automatic transmission. The official price for the E-Tourneo Courier EV version is from just under £34,000, but from that you can subtract the highest level of government Electric Car Grant - £3,750. Across the range, the so-called 'onboard digital experience' is centred around the striking 'digiboard' instrument panel that features a full digital instrument cluster and SYNC 4 infotainment controlled via a large 12inch touchscreen. The fully-connected cabin features wireless 'Android Auto' and 'Apple CarPlay' integration, as well as a phone charging pad to stay connected on the go. Over-the-air updates can improve functionality over time without the need to visit a dealership. Air conditioning and a heated windscreen will also be standard-fit. The Tourneo Courier is available with a range of stylish series choices, including the distinctive 'Active' model with contrast roof colour, wheel arch mouldings, roof bars and unique seat fabrics.

Cost of Ownership

If you choose the 1.0-litre mild hybrid petrol version, the official stat is 42.2mpg on the combined cycle and 153g/km of CO2 for the manual version; and 40.9mpg and 156g/km for the automatic. On to the battery version. As we told you in our 'Driving' section, the E-Tourneo Courier's 54kWh battery offers a range of up to 198 miles (or 196 miles in this 'Active' form). What about battery replenishment? A typical overnight AC charge from 10-100% takes around 7 hours 30 minutes, which you can improve to 5 hours 40 minutes if you're able to three-phase charge using an 11kW wallbox. Ford helpfully provides a charging port light. At a DC fast charger, the car replenishes its battery at an unimpressive fastest rate of 100kW, but customers can add 54 miles of range in just 10 minutes, and charge from 10-80 per cent in under 35 minutes when needing a fast top-up away from home. What else? Well there's a 'Vehicle Maintenance' read-out on the instrument display and for this EV, the first service interval is recommended at 2 years or 25,000 miles, with a second service needed at four years or 50,000miles. The petrol version needs servicing every 18,000 miles or every two years, whichever comes first; ideally you'd buy Ford's three year service plan at point of purchase. Benefit-in-Kind taxation is rated up at 37% for the petrol version. As usual with EVs, there's low BiK tax to pay on the E-Tourneo Courier - 4% at the time of our test until Spring 2027, then 5% in the '27 to '28 tax year and 7% in the '28 to '29 tax year. Across the Tourneo Courier line-up, depreciation after three years and 36,000 miles is expected at about 45%.

Summary

This revitalised Tourneo Courier certainly offers a more energetic take on the usual van-based compact MPV formula. Whether it's actually as 'fun' as Ford believes is another question. It's interesting that the brand is offering it with the Fiesta's old 1.0-litre EcoBoost mild hybrid petrol engine as well as in full-EV form: clearly, Ford thinks we're still some way off a full- electric future. When that finally arrives, this car will be ready for it. As you'd expect, this design feels the generation on from its Stellantis Group brand competitors that it is. And there are some clever interior touches and personalisation features that the target parental market will like. These people may, quite rightly, see this Ford as an ideal second family car. Just as it was designed to be.