Written by Alan Taylor-Jones Updated: 18 June 2024

Overview

Whenever you’re building something, it always pays to start with a solid base. Given that the Ford Transit Nugget campervan is based on the best-selling and award-winning Transit Custom, it would appear Ford’s first attempt to entice UK buyers into sleeping with it rather than more established rivals in the camper class has foundations hewn from granite.

The Nugget’s layout is a little different to the norm, with a kitchen at the rear instead of down the side of the van. This means twin sliding doors and a standard three-seater bench to give greater accessibility and flexibility than the competing Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo and Volkswagen California. We’ve plenty of experience with all three models, and there are pros and cons to the Nugget’s setup, something we’ll cover in more detail below.

How we test goes beyond cars with these vehicles, too, as any campervan needs using as its makers intended to get a full evaluation.

Equally unusually for a mid-size campervan, the Nugget is available in two lengths, with the larger model adding a toilet compartment next to the kitchen in the rear. The aforementioned rivals don’t have that facility, although the much larger VW Grand California does. Unlike that and the regular California, the Nugget doesn’t get the option of four-wheel drive, while only the most potent diesel engine is available with an automatic gearbox.

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What’s it like inside?

Open one of the front doors, and the view will be familiar to anyone that’s spent some time in a regular Transit Custom. The good news is that you’ll find plenty of useful storage areas, with loads of easily accessed cubbies and shelves, big cupholders and USB sockets in places you’re likely to leave your phone. Compared to the Volkswagen California, it’s a bit too utilitarian and is starting to feel its age in places.

Where the California is available with fully digital instruments and gets a touchscreen infotainment system as standard, the Nugget makes do with analogue dials and an optional infotainment system. We found those dials easy to read, but we’d recommend the 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment that oddly also includes adaptive cruise control.

It’s not the flashiest looking system, but the menus are clear and it’s easy to use. That’s thanks in part to a number of physical controls beneath the screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as is sat-nav, something that’s an option on lesser versions of the California.

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There’s no doubt the Nugget’s interior will be hardwearing, but it doesn’t feel as upmarket as the California’s and nowhere near the quality on offer in the (now nearly £90k) Marco Polo. The seat fabrics, leather on the steering wheel and other materials used by Ford don’t feel as nice to the touch, and it’s more obviously derived from a van, too. You certainly sit high with a commanding view past the truncated nose and big mirrors to help rearward visibility.

A reversing camera and rear parking sensors are optional and well worth having. The high-set but well equipped kitchen at the back and a cupboard block much of your view making parking tricky. We find that the Nugget feels wider than the California and Marco Polo on the road, making it harder to squeeze into a regular parking bay.

As with both rivals, the Transit Nugget’s front seats swivel to face the rear bench. Unfortunately, the table doesn’t just slide and fold into position as those in the alternatives do. Instead you’re required to attach the base to the floor via a central pole. Similarly, it requires plenty of physical effort to shift the rear bench into position to create the lower bed while the roof is manually operated, not electric like some versions of the California and the decidedly luxurious Marco Polo.

The kitchen needs you to stand to use it, meaning the roof needs to be raised if you don’t want to crouch. This being positioned at the back of the van means its fully separated from the lounging area, which may make it safer to use when camping with children.

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We found the top bed to be the most comfortable, although a California is even better as we found when we direct compared the two in our VW California versus Ford Transit Custom Nugget twin test. Ford does provide a ladder to access this area, however – whereas rivals make you climb up using the front seats. Awkward but at least you stay dry if the weather is inclement.

Comfort

The Nugget’s front seats are supportive and have lots of adjustment, although the upholstery isn’t as plush as the California’s At least you can have heated front seats while the rear bench is much wider than in both the California and the Marco Polo, which both only seat four people as standard.

However, the Ford’s rear bench is not as comfortable as a proper passenger vehicle’s seats, and you’ll notice plenty of engine, road and especially wind noise, too. The latter is partially down to the large door mirrors but mainly because of the fold out awning bolted to the side.

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Safety

Euro NCAP crash tested the Transit Custom all the way back in 2012, with it getting the top five-star rating. Standards have got tougher since then, although Ford has updated the van over the years to improve safety tech.

For example, in addition to load-adaptive electronic stability control (ESC), the Transit Custom gets crosswind assistance technology (what Ford calls Side Wind Stabilisation) as standard. All models also get a Roll Stability Control system and Trailer Sway Stabilisation.

Optional extras include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and a forward distance monitoring system that alerts you to dangers ahead, handy should your attention start to wander at the end of a long day.

The 2018 facelift added further safety options, including Intelligent Speed Assist – which can automatically adjust the speed limiter to make sure you stay legal (protecting your livelihood in the process) – and a new Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert.

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What’s it like to drive?

So far we’ve only sampled the top spec 185hp model with six-speed automatic, although a six-speed manual and lesser 130hp engine are available. The most potent version gives respectable performance for the size and weight of the Nugget. The California is available with up to 204hp, however, and the Marco Polo has 237hp – making both considerably faster, but especially the Mercedes, which does 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds. All three vehicles are exclusively powered by 2.0-litre turbodiesels in the UK.

The Ford’s automatic gearbox is a little dim-witted, with slower changes than the California’s dual-clutch auto and nowhere near the smooth eagerness of the Marco Polo’s nine-speed automatic. Our extensive experience driving the Transit Custom van suggests the manual gearbox should be better, with a satisfying shift action and well-chosen gear ratios.

We’re big fans of the Transit’s reassuringly weighted and precise steering, and the motorway ride is good, too. Things fall apart somewhat if you try to drive briskly, the rear end of the Nugget getting quite bouncy over undulations. It’s bad enough when you’re travelling in a straight line, but add some cornering forces and it starts to feel quite wayward.

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You’ll have to hammer along to to trouble the crockery, but the California is significantly better in the bends. That said, it does have a firmer ride because of it.

Ownership costs and maintenance

The claimed WLTP fuel economy figure of up to 36.2mpg wasn’t achieved during our time with the Nugget; we found high 20s/low 30s more realistic. But none of these vans are especially efficient.

What models and trims are available?

Once you’ve picked your engine and gearbox, there are two main types of Nugget to pick from. L1 is the shorter of the pair, but it’s still a five-seat four-berth camper with a fitted kitchen. The L2 has more distance between its front and rear wheels, providing space for a small toilet at the very end of the van.

Replacement due in 2024

Final thing to note at this stage is that an all-new Transit Custom Nugget is due to reach UK dealers in summer 2024. We’re expecting this to build on all areas of the current model.

Keep reading for our full verdict on Ford’s mid-sized campervan.