Petrol engine

The Tourneo Connect is offered with three engines. The least powerful of the bunch is a 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine that produces 115hp and 220Nm of torque. It’s the least accelerative, taking 12.4 seconds to 62mph from zero, which is deathly slow even by the low end of modern standards.

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We’ve not tested this petrol but given our experience with the more power PHEV – also aided by electric drive – we’d probably steer clear of it to avoid getting caught out by excruciatingly slow acceleration in potentially dangerous situations.

Diesel engine

Next up is a 2.0-litre diesel, also paired to a seven-speed automatic gearbox. Diesel Tourneo Connects start from £35,780 – roughly a £1200 hike over the base-spec petrol – and produce 122hp. Slightly more potent than the petrol but only by a faction. It can reach 62mph from zero in 11.8 seconds. Again, only fractionally better than petrol. We haven’t yet tested this engine, but we’ll report our findings back here when we do. 

Plug in hybrid

At the top of the Tourneo Connect food chain is the plug-in hybrid petrol. It’s the most powerful option, producing a total system output of 150hp and 350Nm of torque, while also the quickest to 62mph from zero – 10.5 seconds. Our test car was a PHEV and we enjoyed its quiet and self-effacing character on the road. It’s no rocket but with the help of the electric motor, it can get away from a standstill with decent urgency. 

Switching between driving modes, EV only or hybrid, was no bother at all. The engine dealt with handover between electric and combustion drive smoothly, though seemingly all the while with an extra kick of torque in reserve. For what this vehicle is, a people-lugging MPV with a few practicality tricks up its sleeve, it felt as powerful as we could’ve wanted with three passengers onboard. Though we didn’t get the chance to test the engine when seven up, we’d still recommend opting for the most powerful if you’re looking to maximise on passenger capacity regularly.   

What’s it like to drive?

As it’s based on VW’s MQB architecture – the same platform that underpins various hatchbacks like the VW Golf and Audi A3 – the Tourneo Connect handles well for what it is. The ride is excellent, serving up a relaxing degree of float as it fends off intrusion from road imperfections through the cabin. 

The steering is also well-judged. Unlike the latest Puma wheel which ironically appears plucked from a van, the wheel in the Tourneo Connect is small and round, and thus easy to manage. The steering is light but direct, allowing for effortless inputs. 

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Around bends you can sense the car-like underpinnings, and it’s a huge boon to the driving experience. Go flying into blind A road corners at your own peril, but you likely wont feel as though you’re hanging on for dear life in the Connect either. There’s a little bit of disconnected waft when taken at speed but body roll is generally well contained. 

The gearbox is pleasantly responsive, too. The Tourneo Connect refrains from hanging onto gears for too long when merging onto motorways, and it feels a little more astute. Too many modern automatic gearboxes will keep your engine at the red line until you adjust your pedal input, which not only sounds awful but also drinks fuel. The Tourneo Connect, meanwhile, offers up power when you need it but will also change up a gear to relax again just as swiftly.