I’m writing this from a secluded cabin in Montagu, having driven two-and-a-half hours from Cape Town. There’s little competing for my attention, which makes it a good place to consider an unexpected development: I looked forward to getting here almost as much as I looked forward to being here.
The Ford Tourneo Custom Sport deserves some credit for that.
I’ve had it long enough now for the novelty to settle and fair impressions to form. Some review vehicles make long journeys feel like an invitation. Others make you investigate flight prices. I hadn’t expected an eight-seater van to land so comfortably in the first camp.
Yet here we are.
It helps that this particular van has swagger. The stripes, dark grille and imposing stance give it an attitude that appeals to me. There’s something pleasing about a vehicle that can accommodate a sizeable school lift club while looking like its driver might have interesting weekend plans.
I can imagine plenty of people finding themselves in it: the dad whose expanding family hasn’t extinguished his sense of cool; the creative entrepreneur who wants their transport to reflect their business; the rugby mom collecting her son and, apparently, half his teammates.
Then there’s me: single, with sports bags, luggage, friends who join adventures, and an American Bully whose travel requirements carry considerable weight in my decision-making.
Inside, the styling is more restrained. Anyone expecting lavish finishes and a boutique-hotel atmosphere should adjust their expectations. The cabin is smart and understated, with enough polish to make time aboard pleasant and a practical character that suits its purpose.
Comfort matters more to me than decorative flourishes, anyway. On longer drives, the supportive seat and settled ride have meant arriving without a bamboo back. There’s room to get comfortable, and the elevated driving position becomes familiar surprisingly quickly. If you don’t regularly drive a van, allow yourself a little adjustment time.
The infotainment also belongs in the conversation. Ford’s 13-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, covers the essentials of navigation, communication and music. It gives me what I need for a road trip without making the cabin feel technologically second-rate.
Much of the Tourneo’s appeal, though, sits behind the front seats. The rear seating can be repositioned or removed, while the second row can face backwards for a more sociable arrangement. You can adapt the space to the trip rather than plan every trip around a fixed interior.
More friends this weekend? Keep the seats. More luggage, equipment or dog bedding? Make room.
Out on the road, the 2.0-litre turbodiesel produces 125 kW and 390 Nm through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Those figures translate into enough urge to overtake confidently when a safe opportunity presents itself. I haven’t found myself wishing for more power on the journeys I’ve undertaken.
The drive to Montagu reinforced how easily it settles into longer distances. There’s comfort in finding a rhythm, watching the scenery change and letting the kilometres pass without feeling that you’re managing a cumbersome vehicle.
Cabin noise hasn’t bothered me, either, although the volume at which I’m playing Biggie may compromise my credentials as an acoustic assessor.
Around town, its dimensions require more consideration. I won’t pretend parking is effortless. You pay attention to the space available and learn where the corners are. But familiarity makes a considerable difference, and manoeuvres that initially demand concentration gradually become routine.
Fuel economy is another pleasant surprise. Ford quotes a combined figure of 7.4 L/100 km, an impressive claim for something with this much carrying capacity. Actual consumption will depend on your load, route and right foot, but its economy has strengthened the appeal for me.
My favourite feature, however, doesn’t appear on the specification sheet.
For longer trips, I’ve removed the last row of seats and put Roxy’s bed in the back. She sleeps through the journey, then joins me for a play at our stops. Having space for her makes taking her along easier, and that changes how I feel about leaving home.
I wrote previously that she brings me peace. That feeling has only deepened: the Tourneo gives that peace somewhere to travel.
I’ve driven a clutch of seven-seater SUVs this year. For my life, my luggage and the company I want to keep, I struggle to find a compelling reason to choose one over this Ford.
Even if an eight-seater has never appeared on your shortlist, spend some time with this one. You may find yourself planning a longer route home.
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