In this instalment of Drive Time, John gets behind the wheel of the Ford Tourneo Courier van based MPV and learns how Chinese giant BYD is about to launch a seven-seater into the UK market.
Ford’s Tourneo Courier is a van-based MPV that offers incredible space and practically as well as good value and the latest tech.
It also drives very well thanks to its Puma derived underpinnings and I sampled it with the 1.0L EcoBoost engine mated to a nice 6-speed manual gearbox. It produces 125 PS and delivers its power smoothly.
Most buyers may have moved away to SUVs these days but the Tourneo gives you a lot of vehicle for the money and is ideal for families or those with an active lifestyle.
You get lots of equipment on this Titanium model, including a 8-inch infotainment screen with the latest smartphone connectivity, a wireless charging pad, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, keyless start, power windows, air-conditioning and 16-inch alloys.
It also comes with halogen headlamps, daytime running lights, a Quickclear heated windscreen, front fog lamps and silver painted roof rails.
Prices start at £28,320 for this model and you certainly get a lot of car for the money.
Large sliding doors provide easy access to the spacious cabin which offers a massive amount of head and legroom for all passengers. All rear seats can fold and the all-round vision is impressive.
For a van based product it provided excellent performance with quick and smooth gear changes and a refined tried and tested engine.
The steering offered lots of feedback and the handling and comfort levels were up to scratch.
For a car of this size there was only a little body roll and the suspension coped well with all types of road surfaces.
For its size it is a sound performer, and is fuel efficient with up to 48.7 MPG possible
View 3 ImagesThe plush interior of the Ford Tourneo Courier
The Titanium model is also crammed with all the kit you would expect from a normal top of the range car and it also boasts all the latest driver and safety aids.
The large sliding rear doors and huge tailgate make it really practical and it can take impressively large loads.
Even with all five seats in use the luggage space is huge and in metallic Cactus Gray paint it is even quite good looking.
If you are in the market for a great family holdall the Ford Tourneo Courier is well worth a look.
FAST FACTS:
Price: £32,696.
Mechanical: 12ps, 1.0-litre petrol engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox.
Max speed: 108mph.
0-62mph: 13 seconds.
Combined mpg: 36.7-48.7.
Insurance group: 13.
CO2 emissions: 154g/km.
Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles.
BIK rating: 33 per cent.
Meanwhile, Chinese manufacturer BYD is to introduce a seven-seater called the Ti7 to the UK.
The SUV, which is already a hugely successful model globally for the company, will become the largest and most versatile BYD to date, catering perfectly for larger families and those with an active lifestyle.
Measuring 5,146mm long, 1995mm wide and 1865mm tall, the Ti7 carves out an assertive presence on the road.
View 3 ImagesBYD now offer a seven-seater in their range
At the front, a prominent lower bumper section in a contrasting titanium finish sits beneath a dual-layer LED lighting signature, to lend the new BYD flagship for the UK a face befitting of its bold attitude.
Aligning with its strong presence, the Ti7 features BYD’s Dual Mode Performance (DM-p) plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Drive comes courtesy of two electric motors driving all four wheels, plus a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which translates into a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds and an electric combined range of 79 miles.
Further details, including pricing and specifications, will be released in the coming weeks.
Article continues below
*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.