The verdict
A struggling full-size van, strong on value and held back by efficiency.
Overall 1.41 (D) across 10 graded subjects. Its strongest is value & market position at 2.19 (C), its weakest efficiency & range at 0.00 (F). 5 of 10 subjects grade at C− or better.
Jump to scoresStrengths
- Value & Market Position
- Driving Experience
- Use-Case Fit
What holds it back
- Efficiency & Range
- Technology & Infotainment
- Safety
Top alternatives
Cars shoppers cross-shop with the Ford Transit
2.22C
Mercedes-Benz SprinterFull-Size VanBetter at: EfficiencySpend more up front for a better-driving, far more efficient van whose diesel economy can claw back the price difference over a high-mileage life.
Compare
1.47D
Ram ProMasterFull-Size VanBetter at: City maneuveringIts front-drive layout delivers a lower load floor and a much tighter turning circle, which is the right trade for dense urban delivery routes.
Compare
2.04C
Volkswagen ID. BuzzMinivanBetter at: Family useIf the van is really a family vehicle rather than a work tool, the electric Buzz offers a genuinely pleasant cabin and no fuel cost at all.
CompareHow it's evolved
10 scored model years · 2017–2026
Subject scores by year
Hover or tap a score to see what moved it versus the year before. A corner mark flags a big swing.
| Year | Performance | Efficiency | Safety | Space | Cost | Reliability | Tech | Use-case | Driving | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 50 | 28 | 56 | 57 | 40 | 51 | 67 | 64 | 64 | 65 |
| 2025 | 50 | 28 | 54 | 57 | 41 | 58 | 51 | 61 | 59 | 71 |
| 2024 | 57 | 22 | 52 | 52 | 38 | 49 | 51 | 62 | 59 | 64 |
| 2023 | 53 | 27 | 48 | 57 | 39 | 54 | 47 | 61 | 56 | 65 |
| 2022 | 49 | 27 | 41 | 55 | 45 | 56 | 37 | 59 | 61 | 62 |
| 2021 | 45 | 41 | 48 | 55 | 50 | 67 | 42 | 62 | 58 | 66 |
| 2020 | 45 | 41 | 46 | 54 | 52 | 61 | 40 | 62 | 58 | 67 |
| 2019 | 46 | 42 | 41 | 54 | 52 | 57 | 33 | 59 | 54 | 63 |
| 2018 | 46 | 39 | 27 | 54 | 54 | 56 | 29 | 56 | 55 | 61 |
| 2017 | 46 | 42 | 25 | 54 | 52 | 58 | 29 | 53 | 60 | 61 |
Compare two years
Best fit & conditions
Higher scores mean a better fit for that use case. Learn more about use-case fit →
Subject profile
Detailed scoring by subject
1Performance & PowertrainGrades below the middle of the scale.1.29D
The base 3.5L V6 is the standard, volume powertrain across Cargo Van, Crew Van and Passenger Van XL/XLT for the 2022 model year, the first year of the current Transit generation to also offer the all-electric E-Transit.
Peak torque of the standard 3.5L V6, the volume powertrain for 2022; the EcoBoost option and E-Transit both deliver substantially more torque but are not the base configuration.
Ford does not publish 0-60 times for the commercial Transit; instrumented tests of EcoBoost-equipped Transits from this generation cluster around 6.7-7.5s, with the lower-output base V6 estimated meaningfully slower given the 35 hp/140 lb-ft deficit.
The naturally aspirated 3.5L V6 delivers smooth, predictable power with no turbo lag; the optional EcoBoost V6 adds strong mid-range pull but occasional boost lag under heavy load, per commercial-van reviews of this generation.
The standard 10-speed automatic shifts smoothly and decisively across both engine options, well regarded in commercial-van reviews with no notable hunting or harshness reported.
Maximum conventional towing rating for this Transit generation, achieved with the EcoBoost V6 in the lightest RWD configuration and factory tow package; some aggregator sites round this up to 7,500 lbs but Ford's own towing guides for this generation top out near 6,800-6,900 lbs.
Intelligent AWD is available (not standard) on Cargo Van, Passenger XL/XLT and Chassis-Cab across roof heights and wheelbases, pairing with either V6 — broad availability but a single, basic on-demand system with no low-range or terrain modes.
No off-road package exists for the 2022 model year — the Trail package (raised suspension, all-terrain tires, skid plates) was not revealed until November 2022 for the 2023 model year, so 2022 buyers get only optional AWD with no other off-road hardware.
2022 is the launch year for three distinct powertrains: base 3.5L V6, optional 3.5L EcoBoost V6, and the all-new E-Transit's 266 hp/317 lb-ft electric motor with a 68 kWh battery and 126-mile EPA range — solid breadth including a brand-new EV option, though no diesel or hybrid.
2Efficiency & RangeThe Transit's lowest-graded category.0.00F
The 2022 Transit Cargo Van (250 Medium Roof, the volume work-van configuration) is exempt from EPA fuel-economy testing at its rated GVWR, so Edmunds and fueleconomy.gov list it as 'Not EPA Tested'; real-world owner data for the unchanged 3.5L PFDi V6/10-speed powertrain lands around 15 mpg combined.
No official EPA city rating exists for the cargo van at this GVWR class; real-world owner-reported data for the 2022 model year 3.5L V6 clusters around 14 mpg city.
The cargo van is not EPA highway-tested; real-world owner data and independent fleet reporting put the RWD 3.5L V6 around 17 mpg on the highway for the 2022 model year, in line with the same generation's later figures.
The 2022 Transit's standard fuel tank is 25.1 gallons; combined with the ~15 mpg real-world combined figure for the RWD 3.5L V6 cargo van, that yields roughly 376 miles of range on the standard tank.
At the standard 15,000 mi/yr assumption and ~15 mpg real-world combined, the gas cargo van burns roughly 1,000 gal/year; at 2022's elevated average regular-gasoline price (~$3.80-4.00/gal amid that year's fuel price spike), annual cost lands near the top (worst) of the van cost band.
The 3.5L PFDi V6 runs on regular 87-octane unleaded with no premium requirement, and the new-for-2022 E-Transit supports standard Level 2 AC home/depot charging, so the lineup has no costly or complicated fuel/energy requirements.
3SafetyOne of the Transit's weakest categories.0.69F
NHTSA has never published an overall star rating for any Ford Transit generation, including the 2022 model year; full-size cargo/passenger vans of this GVWR class are not part of the New Car Assessment Program's regular test pool. Scored conservatively at segment-low absent any test data.
IIHS did not evaluate commercial/full-size vans at all until it launched a dedicated program starting in 2026, so the 2022 Transit has no crashworthiness ratings or award status of any kind — no Good/Acceptable/Marginal test results exist to cite.
Ford made Co-Pilot360 standard across the Transit lineup with the 2020 model refresh, carrying into 2022: Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Auto High-Beam headlamps, Lane-Keeping System, and a standard rearview camera. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise remained bundled in an optional Co-Pilot360 Assist package rather than standard.
Standard Pre-Collision Assist with AEB detects vehicles and (per Ford's spec) pedestrians, but no IIHS front-crash-prevention test (day/night, vehicle/pedestrian) has ever been run on the Transit, so real-world performance grading is unverified.
BLIS with cross-traffic alert is offered only as part of the optional Co-Pilot360 Assist package on 2022 Transit, not standard on cargo or base passenger trims, and lacks the trailer-aware coverage Ford would later add to later Co-Pilot360 revisions.
Standard Lane-Keeping System provides departure warning and a corrective steering nudge, but the 2022 Transit does not offer true lane-centering — that capability was added to the Transit's driver-assist suite in later model-year updates.
Adaptive cruise control with Stop-and-Go is available on 2022 Transit only through the optional Co-Pilot360 Assist package, without the Predictive Speed Assist or integrated lane-centering that later Transit updates bundled in; reviewer commentary on this generation's ACC is sparse.
Ford BlueCruise launched in 2021 limited to Mustang Mach-E and F-150, and had not been extended to the Transit by the 2022 model year — no hands-free highway driving option exists on this van.
Halogen headlamps remain standard on lower Transit trims for 2022 with LED headlamps optional on upper trims; auto high-beam is standard via Co-Pilot360, but IIHS has never rated Transit headlights, leaving Good/Acceptable/Marginal standing unverified.
The upright driving position and large windshield give good forward sightlines typical of a cab-forward van, but windowless cargo configurations rely on the standard rearview camera and optional BLIS to compensate for large rear blind spots.
Passenger Wagon bench seating carries LATCH lower anchors at a limited number of outboard positions with tether anchors elsewhere, and reaching anchors on rear bench rows from the wide sliding doors is workable but not effortless.
4Space & ComfortMid-pack among this car's ten categories.1.72C-
The Passenger Wagon volume configuration is offered standard with 12-passenger seating and can be configured up to 15, far above the van norm band ceiling; Cargo Van variants are 2-seat commercial haulers.
The 2022 Transit shares the unchanged body/cab architecture of this generation (carried through the 2026 model year with no structural redesign); the Medium Roof volume trim clears the van norm band ceiling by a wide margin thanks to the Transit's tall, upright cab, while the Low Roof variant sits much lower.
Front legroom is unchanged by roof height and sits in the lower half of the van norm band — the flat-fronted cab keeps the driver closer to the wheel wells than a car-like footwell.
Ford does not publish a per-row headroom spec for the Medium Roof Passenger Wagon, but the cargo box has a continuous flat roofline front to rear, so second-row headroom sits close to (slightly under) the front-row figure and clears the van band ceiling comfortably.
Second-row legroom sits mid-band; the multi-row, 15-passenger layout packs rows tighter than lower-capacity rivals configured with fewer, more spread-out rows.
Rows 2-5 of the Passenger Wagon offer genuine adult headroom and walk-in access through the tall sliding door on Medium/High Roof builds, though the tighter per-row bench spacing (built for up to 15 occupants) trails the segment-leading legroom of lower-capacity rivals like the Sprinter Passenger Van.
With all seats installed, remaining cargo space behind the last row is well above the van norm band even at the low end of the published range; no single official figure was found for the exact Medium Roof/LWB trim for the 2022 model year specifically.
Even the mid-size Cargo Van configuration dwarfs the van norm band ceiling; the largest Extended Length High Roof build tops out near 487 cu ft.
Ford's upfitter ecosystem (shelving, ladder racks, factory upfit-friendly wiring) is class-competitive for commercial buyers, but the stock 2022 cab keeps door pockets, console bins, and overhead storage fairly conventional rather than a standout design — the later Vehicle Integration System 2.0 upfit tech had not yet arrived for this model year.
The driver's seat is consistently rated supportive and comfortable over long stints despite a slightly awkward driving position, but rear bench seating is flatter and less contoured — acceptable for a heavy-duty van but behind car-like or premium-van competitors.
Reviewers note a surprisingly composed ride even loaded near capacity, soaking up most bumps with only the sharpest impacts intruding; unladen and on rough pavement some busier secondary motions typical of a commercial-van chassis remain.
Road and wind noise are noticeable given the tall, boxy body — average for the segment rather than class-leading — and some owner reviews of this model year flag noticeable drone/vibration at highway speeds, pulling the score to the lower half of the average band.
Manual air conditioning and a cooling system rated for the cavernous cabin are standard, and heated front seats are available as an option, but they are not standard even on the XLT trim, and dual-zone/rear climate control is limited — comfort equipment is optional add-on rather than broad-based.
5Cost of OwnershipGrades near the bottom of the scale.0.97F
Entry price for the cheapest 2022 Transit configuration, the 150 Low Roof on the standard 130" wheelbase.
The 250 Medium Roof on the long 148" wheelbase is explicitly cited by dealer listings as the most-popular 2022 configuration, balancing stand-up cargo height with widely-usable box length for commercial buyers.
Projected from RepairPal's per-model annual repair/maintenance cost figures for the Transit lineup, extended to a 5-year total; commercial-duty use raises costs versus a comparable passenger van but the proven V6/10-speed drivetrain (carried over from the prior facelift) keeps parts and service widely available.
Now roughly 4 model years old, the 2022 Transit-150 Cargo Van has actual depreciation data showing a 48% loss (52% retention) at 3 years; extrapolated forward two more years of typical commercial-van depreciation lands around 43% retained at 5 years, the weakest band in the segment.
Standard Ford New Vehicle Limited Warranty term for the 2022 Transit, at the bottom of the segment normalization band.
Standard retail powertrain term sits at the low end of the band; commercial buyers with a Ford Fleet Identification Number can extend the mileage cap, but that is not the default retail term.
No complimentary scheduled maintenance is standard on the Transit; Ford includes roadside assistance (tow, jump-start, lockout, fuel delivery) with the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, which covers the basic-roadside-only band. Ford Pro Protect extended service/maintenance plans are available for 2022-and-newer Transits but are a paid add-on, not included at purchase.
$43,020 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (43% retained, or about $18,499) leaves about $24,521 in depreciation. Add the projected $4,850 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $29,371 in total.
6Reliability & QualityMid-pack among this car's ten categories.1.73C-
Consumer Reports rates the 2022 Transit's reliability as about average for the model year; owner-reported issues include isolated transmission and electrical complaints but nothing systemic. J.D. Power's brand-level VDS score was above the industry average, but model-specific predicted-reliability data for this generation is thin.
Ford's brand standing was mixed in 2022: Consumer Reports ranked Ford 18th of 24 brands (lowest brand still rated 'average'), down four spots from the prior year, while J.D. Power's 2022 Vehicle Dependability Study put Ford at 188 PP100, above the industry average and 16th among brands. Net is solidly mid-pack.
The 2022 Transit carries roughly 11 NHTSA recalls for the model year (including a rearview-camera-display default recall), a heavier-than-typical count even for a body-on-frame commercial platform with many upfit configurations. No recall was for fire or major powertrain failure, but the volume of campaigns is notable.
The volume 3.5L PFDi/EcoBoost V6 paired with the 10-speed 10R80 automatic (standard on 2022 Transit) has documented owner and forum reports of turbocharger wear, intercooler hose cracking/delamination, carbon buildup from direct injection, and torque-converter shudder/harsh downshifts. These are known-issue patterns rather than a catastrophic failure mode, but they weigh against the powertrain's durability reputation versus a fully proven family.
Cabin materials are work-truck grade — durable, wipeable surfaces and hard plastics throughout, which is expected and competitive for a commercial van rather than a luxury shortfall. No reviewer flagged the interior as class-leading or notably cheap for the segment.
Cab assembly is generally tight with consistent panel gaps and no squeaks reported, but multiple owner accounts note inconsistent cargo-area finishing (stray adhesive, rough edges), pulling the overall score down from top-tier.
Ford Pro backs the Transit with 650+ dedicated Commercial Vehicle Center dealers (extended service hours, growing to include large-bay Elite Service Centers) plus a large and expanding mobile-service fleet — among the strongest commercial-van support networks in the US market.
As the top-selling full-size van in the US, the Transit benefits from wide parts availability and a mainstream dealer parts network, though EcoBoost turbo/intercooler work and 10-speed transmission repairs can run more expensive than a simpler naturally-aspirated drivetrain.
7Technology & InfotainmentOne of the Transit's weakest categories.0.46F
For 2022, Ford dropped the previous 8-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen option; the volume Cargo Van/XLT configuration reverts to a base 4-inch SYNC 3 multi-function display, with the all-new 12-inch SYNC 4 screen offered as a mid-year option on many configs (standard only on Passenger Van XLT with the 360-camera package).
Volume-trim vans still shipping with the base 4-inch SYNC 3 display and old-generation menu structure feel dated and cramped next to rivals' larger standard screens; the optional 12-inch SYNC 4 is a big step up but is a costly upgrade rather than the norm.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto require the optional SYNC 4/12-inch upgrade; the standard SYNC 3 4-inch system on volume trims only supports wired projection.
Base SYNC 3 voice recognition is dated and basic; built-in navigation with live traffic/weather only arrives with the optional SYNC 4 package, so most volume-trim vans rely on phone projection for routing.
No branded premium audio system is documented for the 2022 full-size Transit; base speaker counts are modest and function-first, consistent with a commercial-van audio setup with no upmarket option.
The 2022 Transit retains an analog gauge cluster with a small monochrome/color driver information LCD rather than a full configurable digital cluster — that upgrade did not arrive until the 2024 refresh.
The 2022 Transit predates Ford's Fully Networked Vehicle architecture (added for 2026); FordPass Connect provides a modem for map/traffic data and remote functions, but there is no evidence of whole-vehicle software OTA updates for this model year.
FordPass Connect is standard, giving owners free remote start/stop, lock/unlock, vehicle locate, scheduled start, and vehicle-health status through the FordPass app at no subscription cost.
The 2022 Transit offers only a pair of USB-A ports up front with no USB-C and no wireless charging pad documented — modest device power for a commercial van, though 12V/120V auxiliary outlets are available as upfit options.
An exterior keypad for keyless entry has long been available, and 2022 introduced an optional Intelligent Access push-button start feature for the first time — but it remains an option rather than standard, and no phone-as-key exists.
A standard backup camera is complemented by an optional 360-degree split-view camera system and front/rear parking sensors, giving reasonable parking-aid coverage though the high-res surround view is an upcharge rather than standard.
No head-up display is offered on the 2022 Transit on any trim; Ford's HUD availability in this era was limited to passenger-car/SUV nameplates like Explorer, Escape, and F-150.
8Use-Case FitOne of the Transit's strongest categories.2.00C
Passenger Wagon's sliding side doors and huge cabin volume ease loading gear, but the high step-in height, commercial-van bench seating (no captain's chairs on affordable XL/XLT trims), and lack of published LATCH-position detail make it an awkward daily family hauler versus a minivan or three-row SUV.
Ford Co-Pilot360 (forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, crosswind assist, automatic high beams, backup camera) is standard across the 2022 Transit lineup including the base Cargo Van, a strong safety proposition at an affordable price point, though no independent IIHS/NHTSA crash ratings exist for the commercial van body style.
The Passenger Wagon offers vast interior space for occupants and gear, but XL/XLT trims keep amenities utilitarian — no rear entertainment, basic single-zone climate on lower trims — fine for medium trips but thin on the comfort features that make long family road trips pleasant.
The standard 3.5L V6 with 10-speed automatic is smooth and predictable in daily traffic, and the backup camera with trailer-hitch assist helps, but the tall, truck-like driving position and large footprint add fatigue versus a car-based commuter vehicle.
EPA-rated around 15/19/17 mpg city/highway/combined for the T-150 Wagon, well below typical commuter-vehicle economy, and a roughly $40,000 base MSRP for the Cargo Van pushes total cost of ownership meaningfully above sedans/crossovers used for the same commuting role.
Full-size van footprint (130-148 in wheelbases, up to 3 roof heights) is large for urban parking, though the standard backup camera and available front/rear sensors partially offset the size; low- and medium-roof, regular-wheelbase configurations are noticeably easier to thread through the city than long/extended, high-roof builds.
Solid work-van fundamentals for 2022: up to 3,494 lbs payload and 4,600 lbs max towing per widely cited spec aggregators, with the optional 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (310 hp/400 lb-ft) pushing tow ratings toward 6,900 lbs in the lightest RWD configuration — capable but not class-leading against heavier-duty full-size van/cutaway rivals.
The Transit carries a strong fleet-proven reputation from prior model years of this generation (launched 2020), with a well-established powertrain and body/frame; 2022 brought no major mechanical changes, so durability track record is inherited rather than fleet-tested at this specific model year.
Best-in-class upfit ecosystem for 2022: three roof heights (low/medium/high) and multiple body lengths (regular/long/extended) combine into dozens of cargo/chassis-cab/cutaway configurations, with cargo volume spanning 246.7-487.3 cu ft — a genuinely work-focused feature set and one of the deepest upfitter networks in the segment.
Gas V6 models offer adequate highway range on the standard fuel tank and Co-Pilot360's lane-keeping assist reduces some driver fatigue, but the newly launched E-Transit's EPA-rated ~126-mile range makes the electric variant a poor long-haul choice, and base-trim road noise/seat comfort are utilitarian rather than tourer-grade.
Not off-road-oriented — no Trail package existed until the 2023 model year — but optional AWD and the Transit's status as the dominant base platform for camper-van conversions (medium/high-roof standing height, deep upfit ecosystem) give the 2022 model genuine adventure-enabling credentials beyond pavement.
Cargo volume from 246.7 up to 487.3 cu ft across roof-height and wheelbase combinations, plus rear barn doors and dual sliding side doors, make the 2022 Transit an exceptional gear-hauler with few practical limits for bulky equipment.
9Driving ExperienceOne of the Transit's strongest categories.2.12C
Reviewers of the 2022 Transit consistently describe it as secure and composed for a full-size van, with several calling it 'surprisingly fun to drive' given its size — ahead of the segment norm but still trailing more car-like rivals.
Steering is light and accurate enough to make tight-space maneuvering easier than expected for the size, with a decent sense of center, but it offers little genuine road feedback — solidly mid-pack for the segment.
No instrumented stopping-distance test for the 2022 model year was found; period reviews note adequate, unremarkable pedal feel for the class and standard automatic emergency braking, consistent with typical full-size van performance.
The standard 3.5L PFDi V6 (275 hp/262 lb-ft) is smooth and linear if unhurried, and the optional twin-turbo 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (310 hp/400 lb-ft) adds stronger, well-modulated response; the 10-speed automatic shifts cleanly. The debut E-Transit's electric motor (266 hp/317 lb-ft) offers instant, smooth response on the volume gas trim's rival powertrain.
Road and wind noise are noticeable given the van's large frontal profile, though reviewers note it is quieter than some rivals; some owner reports cite highway-speed vibration, keeping this a middle-of-the-pack result rather than a standout.
The 2022 Transit's tightest turning diameter on the standard 130-in wheelbase is just outside the van normalization band (34-42 ft) — a size penalty inherent to full-size vans of this footprint.
High seating position gives excellent forward visibility and a commanding view of traffic, controls are within easy reach, and the well-sized wheel and pedals suit a wide range of driver sizes — ingress/egress is straightforward for the segment.
Mostly appliance-like as expected of a work van, but multiple reviewers specifically call out the 2022 Transit as more engaging than its size suggests, nudging it a notch above the segment's utilitarian norm.
10Value & Market PositionThe Transit's best-graded category.2.19C
Base XL cargo trim is work-grade: cloth/vinyl seats, manual windows/locks on lower grades, basic radio — typical commercial-van austerity, not a standout versus Sprinter or ProMaster base specs.
Strong capability-per-dollar versus rivals — segment-leading configurability, a punchy twin-turbo EcoBoost option, and available AWD undercut Sprinter's much higher as-tested pricing for comparable capability, though 2022 pandemic-era pricing eroded some of that advantage.
Broadest lineup in the segment: 150/250/350 series, three roof heights, three lengths, cargo/passenger/crew/cutaway/chassis-cab body styles, choice of 3.5L V6 or twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, and FWD/RWD/AWD drivetrain options.
Clear US full-size van sales leader in 2022, well ahead of Ram ProMaster and Chevrolet Express.
Ford carries a solid, trusted commercial/fleet reputation but lacks the premium halo Mercedes-Benz brings to the Sprinter in the camper-conversion and lifestyle-van niches; image is workhorse-neutral rather than aspirational.
2022 fell squarely in the chip-shortage inventory crunch — Transit demand outstripped supply, incentives were largely suspended, and many units sold at or with dealer markups above MSRP rather than discounts.
Fourth-generation Transit dates to 2014, but a substantial 2020 mid-cycle refresh (updated fascia/dash, revised EcoBoost powertrain lineup, new AWD option, debut of E-Transit) keeps the 2022 model current rather than stale, with no redesign imminent.
Respected as the practical, versatile segment leader but not a frequent outright comparison-test winner in 2022; owner satisfaction is mixed (about two-thirds recommend) with quality/reliability cited as the weak point, and headline 2022 awards went to the smaller Transit Connect rather than the full-size Transit.
