Last year, I reviewed the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter which I thought made sense to buy only if it was driven for a very long time to offset the higher cost. So does the 2025 Ford E-Transit get to the same conclusion and does it do anything better than the e-Sprinter?
Performance
Motor – Like the e-Sprinter, the Ford E-Transit is only available in a single motor configuration which powers the rear wheels. It produces 266 hp & 317 lb-ft of torque (198 kW & 430 Nm). It is fairly hefty but the electric motor doesn’t struggle to get the van up to speed from a stop light or merge onto a highway. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to fully load up the van and see how it performs when it’s heavier but I’d imaging the instant torque of the electric motor should still provide enough of a pep in the acceleration.
Battery, Range, & Charging – The E-Transit is equipped with an 89 kWh battery pack that is mounted in the floor. It provides up to 256 km (159 Miles) of range for this cargo version. The higher roof configurations have a bit less. Although this driving range is less than the Mercedes e-Sprinter, Ford says that most daily delivery commutes cover about 120 km (75 Miles). Even when the van is loaded and the overall range drops due to the heavier weight, it should still be enough. But range anxiety may set in towards the end of the day.
Recharging the 2025 Ford E-Transit takes between 6 to 8 hours from a level 2 charger, depending on the output of that charger. From a level 3 DC fast charger, 10% to 80% takes just over 30 minutes with a maximum speed of 176 kW.
Braking – Like all other EVs, the Ford E-Transit recuperates some energy through regenerative braking. The braking level cannot be adjusted but there is a strong regen mode when pushing the “L” button on the center of the round gear selector. As for the physical brakes, they never felt overwhelmed by the weight of the E-Transit. Additionally, the brake pedal feels normal without it being too light or firm.
Handling – As for driving, the E-Transit is quite easy to maneuver on North American streets. The steering is light but it does require quite a few turns when going through an intersection. The turning circle is not the best but it’s also not horrible. In a well sized cul-de-sac, the van can easily turn around but in smaller ones or in tighter situations, a 3-point turn will be required. Additionally, you have to be mindful of the length of the van. It’s about the same length as a full-size pickup truck so you’ll have to take slightly wider turns than in an SUV.
Capability – The 2025 Ford E-Transit is available in this cargo configuration, a chassis cab or a cutaway configuration. The cargo configuration is available with a low, medium, and high roof configuration along with either a long or extended length. The payload ranges from 3,249 lbs for this low roof, long body configuration to 2,799 lbs for the high roof, extended body configuration. The maximum towing is 7,500 lbs. Both the maximum cargo capacity and maximum towing ratings are higher than the eSprinter.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – When it is unloaded, the ride of the Ford E-Transit can be quite bumpy. It has independent front & rear suspension with coil springs in the back but over rougher roads, bumps can easily be felt in the seat. Granted, usually cargo vans, and even trucks, tend to have suspension that is tailored towards a loaded vehicle so perhaps the ride does marginally improve when the E-Transit is carrying more than just a 6’4” person in the driver’s seat.
Interior Space – Starting with the front, there are two seats with not too many adjustments. But even so, there is ample legroom and headroom for my tall stature. There are quite a few small cubbies for small items and a number of cup holders and water bottle holders across the dashboard and door panels. There is no center console so one can easily lift up the arm rest and walk into the cargo area.
Speaking of which, this low roof/long body configuration has 8,832 L (311.9 cu-ft) of maximum cargo area. Opt for the high roof/extended body configuration and the maximum cargo area jumps to 15,189 L (536.4 cu-ft). In this latter configuration, it is more than the Mercedes eSprinter. The rear doors can be opened up to 253 degrees and they have magnets that hold them in place on windy days when fully opened. Unlike the eSprinter, this E-Transit is only available with a single passenger side sliding door and a driver’s side is not available.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – The Ford E-Transit does not have a well insulated cabin like a normal SUV. You hear everything that is going on outside and underneath the van. The electric motor produces different sounds depending on whether the van is accelerating or slowing down, rain drops are almost like ping pong balls hitting the windshield, and noises from every other vehicle around the E-Transit are very noticeable. So this is a noisy vehicle to be in.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – The 2025 Ford E-Transit starts at $72,600 CAD ($51,000 USD). By comparison the gasoline version starts at $58,500 CAD ($47,400 USD). That’s a $14,100 CAD ($3,600 USD) difference so you’d have to drive the E-Transit for a long time before the fuel and maintenance savings match the lower cost of the gasoline version.
Gadgets – For that money, you’re not paying for the latest convenience features. This van doesn’t have very many. It has a single zone automatic climate control, a 12” infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation and wireless CarPlay & Android Auto, there are optional surround view cameras with parking sensors, keyless entry with push button start is standard and there are standard HID headlights. The E-Transit can also be optioned with various different shelves for trades people and it has Ford’s Pro Power on board. This provides 120-Volt outlets for tools and other equipment while on a remote job site without the need for a separate generator.
The infotainment system is SYNC4 but it’s not the latest iteration which incorporates Google Maps and Google Assistant. Nevertheless, it works just fine with the native navigation system providing up to date traffic information, quick and easy to use functions, and wireless CarPlay & Android Auto.
Interior Design – The cabin of the 2025 E-Transit is pretty basic. The 12” touchscreen is the main focal point of the dashboard with almost no physical controls. There are individual buttons on the steering wheel which makes it easy to turn up the radio volume or change the cruise control, but there are no controls for HVAC. They’re integrated into the touchscreen. But at least you won’t be left without cupholders because there’s one in the middle of the dash, one to either side of the dash, and bottle holders at the bottom edges of the dashboard. There’s also plenty of storage space on top of the dash along with a USB-C port and 12-Volt port on the driver’s side. The materials are typical for a cargo van with a lot of grey plastics and cloth upholstery.
Safety – The E-Transit doesn’t have very many standard safety & driver aids. It has a couple of airbags, TPMS, ABS, seat belts, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and lane keeping system. Blind spot sensors, lane keeping system, reverse braking system, surround view cameras, and a rear camera mirror are optional features. It should be noted that the rear camera mirror is not available on this low-roof configuration.
Warranty – The 2025 Ford E-Transit is covered by a 3 year / 60,000 km basic and 5 year / 100,000 km powertrain warranty. The electrical components and the high voltage battery are covered for 8 years / 160,000 km. For more information on Canadian warranty, click here. For USA warranty, click here.
Conclusion – Compared with the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter, the 2025 Ford E-Transit can’t match it for driving range nor front occupant comfort. But it has more power, it can carry & tow more, it has more cargo capacity, and it’s less expensive. Is the right van for your business? That is a harder question to answer because it depends on how often it will be driven and for how long. The more an electric van is driven, the more it’ll save costs due to less maintenance & lower cost of fuel, or in this case, electricity. So it depends on your business needs whether this is a better option than the gasoline version.
Thank you to Ford Canada for providing the E-Transit. www.Ford.ca
2025 Ford E-Transit Gallery
