The South African MPV market has recently seen the arrival of new models, including the Volkswagen Caravelle and Renault Trafic Passenger. These additions have bolstered a vibrant segment that already includes popular people carriers such as the VW Transporter, Toyota Quantum, and Mercedes-Benz Vito. With so many options available, choosing the right vehicle can be challenging. The Ford Tourneo Custom Sport was recently put to the test over several months to see how it measures up in terms of space, practicality, and modularity.
The Ford Tourneo Custom Sport was chosen for its unique combination of frugal diesel engine, multi-seat practicality, and sporty styling. Priced at R1,232,000, it sits between the baseline Trend variant (R1,117,500) and the luxurious Titanium X flagship (R1,278,500) in Ford's three-model Tourneo family. The vehicle's sporty design, complete with racy stripes, sets it apart from more conservatively styled competitors in the segment. This distinctive look was a major factor in the decision to test the Tourneo Custom Sport.
The eight-seater Ford Tourneo Custom Sport has proven to be an immensely practical companion on long road trips. It has been used for trips to Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Karoo, and even handled a 2,600km round trip to the Afrikaburn festival in the Tankwa Karoo. For this trip, the rear seats were removed, and the Tourneo was converted into a two-seater van that successfully hauled a large amount of camping gear and food for a week-long stay.
The Tourneo Custom Sport's design makes loading and unloading easy, thanks to its three large portals: a manual tailgate and two electrically operated sliding doors. With the rear seats removed, the vehicle has enough space for two people to sleep in and can serve as a mobile home if needed. The Tourneo's build quality was put to the test on the rough 150km dirt road to Tankwa, which it handled without issue.
The Ford Tourneo Custom Sport delivered a comfortable ride on its compliant suspension and high-profile tyres, even on scarred roads. Its long-distance comfort is enhanced by comfortable seats that are adjustable for legroom and backrest angle, as well as folding armrests. Passengers in all three rows have their own USB ports to keep devices charged, which helps maintain family harmony on long trips.
The Tourneo Custom Sport's user-friendly features, such as lane-keeping assist, were appreciated during long-distance trips. However, the frequent reminder to keep hands on the wheel was found to be bothersome, even when hands were on the wheel. The vehicle's fuel efficiency was also impressive, averaging 8.1 l/100km and sometimes dipping into the sevens.
After spending time with the Ford Tourneo Custom Sport, its practicality, stretch-out space, and shape-shifting interior will be missed. While it did not come with a towbar for attaching a bicycle rack, the bikes were easily carried inside the vehicle. The Tourneo Custom Sport proved itself as an enormously practical long-distance workhorse, with its Sport styling adding a welcome touch of personality.
Key points
- The Ford Tourneo Custom Sport offers a unique blend of practicality and style in the MPV market.
- The vehicle's sporty design and comfortable ride make it well-suited for long-distance trips.
- The Tourneo Custom Sport's fuel efficiency and user-friendly features add to its appeal.
