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Ford's E-Tourneo Courier brings the market for small van-based electric MPV is right up to date. It's practical affordable to run and surprisingly stylish. Put this one down as surprisingly likeable.
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Background
Ford has been slow off the mark bringing electric cars to market. Even this one, the E-Tourneo Courier, arguably isn't really a car but a passenger-carrying MPV version of the E-Transit Courier van. Still, it's undeniably a very thoroughly engineered product and is far more practical for family use than most sensibly-sized EVs. Considering its origins, it also looks surprisingly un-LCV-like.
The Tourneo Courier also comes with a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, but even that fossil fuelled version is based on the all-electric platform that undergirds this BEV variant. Ford wants us to see this new model line as 'fun and fuelled by a restless need for adventure'. You might merely see it as an alternative to the small van-based MPVs produced by Stellantis Group brands like Vauxhall, Citroen and Peugeot.
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 30000 | 35000 |
| Electric WLTP-Rated Driving Range (miles) | 230 | 230 |
| Min | Max |
| Length (mm) | 1803 | 1803 |
| Height (mm) | 1253 | 1253 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 570 | 570 |
Driving experience
Obviously you'll have to have an auto (the usual EV 1-speeder) if you choose the E-Tourneo Courier. This model has a 134bhp electric motor mounted on the front axle. There's no dual motor AWD version. Expect a battery size around 54kWh and a range of around 200 miles - about 37 miles more than rival Citroen e-Berlingo or Peugeot e-Rifter competitors. Top speed is 90mph and there's 290Nm of pulling power.
Smooth, efficient all-electric journeys are enabled by the E-Tourneo Courier's selectable one-pedal driving mode. And the most comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems in class also helps makes light work of daily driving and longer road trips. Drivers can select from Normal, Eco and Slippery drive modes. If you really decide you really don't want to be limited by the EV charging network, and there's a 1.0-litre EcoBoost mild hybrid petrol version with 123hp which can also be ordered with a 7-speed dual clutch auto.
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Design and build
Though the E-Tourneo Courier is a van-based compact MPV, Ford hopes you'll view this model as more than just a van with windows. Hence all the outdoorsy-style dressing that the brand thinks will see it appeal to folk who might otherwise be considering a small SUV. Which is why the car features big wheels in black plastic-clad arches, rails framing a contrast-coloured roof and faux skid plates. It's much more spacious than a small SUV though, aided not only by the squarical profile but also by practical exterior dimensions in every direction.
You immediately get a feel for this behind the wheel, where a glance at the centre console reveals an enormous storage bin big enough to hold a laptop bag or a handbag. Passengers bound for the rear aren't offered the option of a third seating row (unlike with some Stellantis Group competitors). But there's plenty of shoulder room in this model for those on the back seat. And a huge boot with a conventional tailgate (so owners have something to shelter under in the rain). The trunk is 570-litres in size. The boot trims feature a fold-out storage bin (for muddy shoes), an area also offering enclosed shelves for smaller items. This E-Tourneo Courier also gets a 44-litre storage area beneath the bonnet, ideal for holding charging cables.
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Market and model
Expect the E-Tourneo Courier to be priced in the £30,000 to £35,000 bracket and you won't be far out. Obvious rivals include the Vauxhall Combo Electric, the Peugeot e-Rifter and the Citroen e-Berlingo. To give you some perspective for the price increase over the petrol version of this Ford, in 1.0-litre EcoBoost guise, this model costs from around £26,000.
Across the range, the so-called 'onboard digital experience' is centred around the striking 'digiboard' instrument panel that features a full digital instrument cluster and SYNC 4 infotainment controlled via a large 12-inch touchscreen. The fully-connected cabin features wireless 'Android Auto' and 'Apple CarPlay' integration, as well as a phone charging pad to stay connected on the go. Over-the-air updates can improve functionality over time without the need to visit a dealership. Air conditioning and a heated windscreen will also be standard-fit. The E-Tourneo Courier is available with a range of stylish series choices, including the distinctive 'Active' model with contrast roof colour, wheel arch mouldings, roof bars and unique seat fabrics.
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Cost of ownership
As we told you in our 'Driving' section, this E-Tourneo Courier's 54kWh battery offers a range of around 230 miles. The car can DC charge at up to 100kW. The vehicle offers both 11kW AC and 100kW DC charging options, and charge management is made easier with Ford's end-to-end home charging solution, handy app and scheduling capability to take advantage of cheaper energy tariffs where available. A typical overnight AC charge from 10-100 per cent takes 5.7 hours. At a DC fast charger, customers can add 54 miles of range in just 10 minutes, and charge from 10-80 per cent in under 35 minutes when needing a fast top-up away from home.
Whatever your choice of trim variant, the car's connected navigation system will identify up-to-date public charging locations during trips and prompt owners to charge at the most convenient points on each drive - all to help ensure they don't have to be anxious about how much range they have. The brand also gives customers access to the FordPass Charging Network, Europe's largest network of more than 125,000 public charging stations in 21 countries. An E-Tourneo Courier owner will be able to access any of these and pay for their power from a single account.
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Summary
We can't help thinking that this is the small EV that families wanting a second car that's fully electric should be choosing. Instead, they're so often opting for an impractical small SUV that might look 'lifestyle' but when it comes to family excursions may actually inhibit your lifestyle. There's so much more room for everything in an E-Tourneo Courier than you'd get in one of those.
We still can't help thinking though, that right here, right now, the much cheaper petrol version of this model might be a better bet, at least until the public charging infrastructure improves. But if your compact family car must be electric, then this one is certainly well worth a look. As you'd expect, this design feels the generation on from its Stellantis Group brand competitors that it is. And there are some clever interior touches and personalisation features that the target parental market will like.
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