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30 September 2025 (updated) Ford Transit engines
Since its introduction in 1965, the Ford Transit has become one of Europe's most successful transportation vehicles, offering a diverse Ford Transit engine range across four generations. Each generation has brought new technologies and different strengths and weaknesses, with technological evolution ranging from simple naturally aspirated engines to modern EcoBoost and hybrid powertrains.
Ford Transit engines: Historic generations I-III (1965-2013)
The first three Ford Transit generations shaped almost five decades of commercial vehicle construction and were characterized by robust, but not yet technically mature engines. Mileage varied greatly depending on engine type and maintenance: while the tried-and-tested 2.4 TDCi diesel engines easily reached 400,000 to 500,000 kilometers with proper care, the early petrol engines often required costly repairs between 200,000 and 300,000 kilometers. The absolute top engine of the historical generations was the 2.4 TDCi with 140 hp from the third generation (2000-2013), which optimally combined power, reliability and moderate economy. This era was characterized by continuous further development: Generation I (1965-1978) mainly offered petrol engines, Generation II (1978-2000) introduced the first diesel engines, and Generation III (2000-2013) perfected common rail technology.
Ford Transit gasoline engines: Historic generations I-III (1965-2013)
The Ford Transit gasoline engine range underwent a remarkable evolution from simple naturally aspirated engines to modern fuel injection systems. Generation I was dominated by the robust 1.6 and 2.0 liter engines with 53-78 hp, which were economical but weak-chested. Generation II brought more powerful 2.0 and 2.5-liter units with up to 100 hp, while Generation III introduced modern 2.3-liter engines with fuel injection and up to 145 hp. The best historic Ford Transit gasoline engine was the 2.3 Duratec with 145 hp (2006-2013), which offered a good balance between performance and reliability. However, these Ford Transit engines suffered from typical problems of older gasoline units: high fuel consumption when fully loaded, ignition coil problems and occasional head gasket damage when overheating.
Ford Transit diesel engines: Historic generations I-III (1965-2013)
Ford Transit diesel development only began in Generation II with the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated diesel (69 hp), which was loud and sluggish, but extremely durable. The breakthrough came in Generation III with the introduction of TDCi technology: the 2.0 TDCi (85/100 hp) and especially the 2.4 TDCi (100/115/140 hp) became legends of reliability. The Ford Transit 2.4 TDCi with 140 hp became the absolute favorite for tradesmen - it offered sufficient power for heavy loads, consumed a moderate 8-9 liters per 100 km and regularly achieved mileages of over 500,000 kilometers. These Ford Transit TDCi engines already met the Euro 4 standard and offered an excellent combination of power, fuel consumption and reliability, with only the high-pressure pump occasionally causing problems.
| Ford Transit engine | Power output | Fuel consumption | Typical weaknesses | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6/2.0 petrol engine (Gen I) | 53-78 HP | 10-12 l/100km | Weak-chested, outdated | Average |
| 2.3 Duratec (Gen III) | 145 HP | 11-13 l/100km | Ignition coils, head gasket | Good |
| 2.5 Diesel (Gen II) | 69 HP | 8-9 l/100km | Loud, sluggish, but robust | Good |
| 2.0 TDCi (Gen III) | 85-100 HP | 7-8 l/100km | High pressure pump | Good |
| 2.4 TDCi (Gen III) | 100-140 HP | 8-9 l/100km | Very robust, durable | Very good |
Ford Transit engines: Generation IV (2013-2019)
The fourth Ford Transit generation marked a revolutionary new beginning with completely new architecture and state-of-the-art engine technology. Most engines of this generation can easily reach 300,000 to 400,000 kilometers with proper maintenance, whereby the 2.2 TDCi diesel engines are considered to be particularly durable. Major engine failures have become rare, with only the early EcoBoost petrol engines exhibiting teething troubles. The absolute highlight was the 2.2 TDCi with 155 hp - a technical masterpiece with an optimum balance between power and efficiency. This generation also introduced EcoBoost technology to the gasoline engines for the first time and offered significantly improved noise insulation as well as modern emission control with Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards.
Ford Transit petrol engines: Generation IV (2013-2019)
The Ford Transit petrol engine range was completely revised and was now based on modern EcoBoost technology. The 3.5 EcoBoost V6 with 290 hp offered sports car-like performance in a van for the first time, while the 3.7 V6 with 305 hp acted as the top engine. These Ford Transit EcoBoost engines proved to be significantly more efficient than their predecessors, with fuel consumption of 10-12 liters per 100 km despite a significant increase in power. The Ford Transit 3.5 EcoBoost developed into the most interesting gasoline engine of this generation, with impressive pulling power and moderate fuel consumption. However, occasional turbocharger damage under high load and the complexity of the direct injection system, which could lead to coking problems, were problematic.
Ford Transit diesel engines: Generation IV (2013-2019)
The Ford Transit 2.2 TDCi (Puma engine) was offered in various power levels from 100 to 155 hp and became the backbone of the range. This Ford Transit diesel had modern common-rail injection with up to 2000 bar pressure and SCR catalytic converter for the Euro 6 standard. The Ford Transit 2.2 TDCi with 125 hp proved to be the most reliable and efficient engine of this generation, with a test consumption of only 6.8-7.5 liters per 100 km and high reliability - ideal for tradesmen and frequent drivers. The more powerful 140 and 155 hp variants offered additional reserves for heavy loads, but occasionally showed problems with exhaust gas recirculation in urban driving profiles.
| Ford Transit engine | Power output | Fuel consumption | Typical weaknesses | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 EcoBoost V6 | 290 HP | 10-12 l/100km | Turbocharger, coking | Good |
| 3,7 V6 | 305 HP | 11-13 l/100km | High consumption | Average |
| 2.2 TDCi | 100-155 HP | 6.8-8.2 l/100km | EGR valve, very robust | Very good |
Ford Transit engines: Generation V (2019-today)
The current Ford Transit generation relies on proven technology with targeted improvements and represents Ford's focus on reliability and efficiency. The EcoBlue diesel engines offer improved emission control and fuel efficiency, while the EcoBoost petrol engines have been further developed. As the generation has only been on the market since 2019, long-term experience is not yet available, but initial tests show promising results. The top-of-the-range engine is the 2.0 EcoBlue with 185 hp, which combines sporty performance with high efficiency. EcoBlue technology promises a service life of over 400,000 kilometers, as the optimized combustion and improved thermal management protect the engine.
Ford Transit petrol engines: Generation V (2019-today)
The basis of the Ford Transit petrol engine range is the further developed 3.5 EcoBoost V6 with 290 hp. This Ford Transit engine features optimized turbocharger technology and improved direct injection. The Ford Transit 3.5 EcoBoost with 290 hp is considered to be significantly more mature than its predecessor and is developing into the best gasoline engine of this generation - it offers smooth power delivery over a wide engine speed range and has so far been free of major series production problems. The tendency to coke has been significantly reduced by optimized injection strategies.
Ford Transit diesel engines: Generation V (2019-today)
The Ford Transit EcoBlue engine family comprises 2.0-liter units with outputs from 105 to 185 hp. These Ford Transit engines combine modern bi-turbo technology with optimized emission control and meet the Euro 6d standard. The Ford Transit 2.0 EcoBlue with 130 hp is developing into the all-rounder of the series - it offers sufficient power for most purposes, consumes only 6.5-7.2 liters per 100 km and has so far shown no series problems. The more powerful variants with 170 and 185 hp use bi-turbo technology for maximum pulling power, but are technically more complex.
Ford Transit hybrid drive: Generation V (2019-today)
From 2022, a Ford Transit mild hybrid with 48-volt technology was offered for the first time. This combines the 2.0 EcoBlue with an electric starter generator and offers moderate fuel savings of around 5-8 percent.
| Ford Transit engine | Power output | Fuel consumption | Typical weaknesses | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 EcoBoost V6 | 290 HP | 10-11 l/100km | No series problems so far | Very good |
| 2.0 EcoBlue | 105-185 HP | 6.5-7.8 l/100km | Robust, proven | Very good |
| 2.0 EcoBlue Mild-Hybrid | 130 HP | 6.2-6.8 l/100km | Complex but efficient | Good |
Conclusion: The best Ford Transit engines of all generations
The development of Ford Transit engines clearly demonstrates Ford's focus on reliability and practicality. While the Ford Transit diesel engines have been the benchmark for longevity across all generations, the petrol engines have also developed into respectable alternatives. The new fifth-generation EcoBlue technology promises a promising continuation of the diesel tradition for drivers who value efficiency and reliability.
- Best Ford Transit gasoline engine:
The Ford Transit 3.5 EcoBoost V6 (290 hp, Generation V) combines modern turbo technology with high performance and significantly improved reliability over its predecessors.
- Best Ford Transit diesel engine:
The Ford Transit 2.4 TDCi (140 hp, Generation III) remains the gold standard for reliability and durability, followed by the modern 2.0 EcoBlue (130 hp, Generation V) as the best current alternative.
- Best Ford Transit hybrid engine:
The Ford Transit 2.0 EcoBlue mild hybrid (130 hp, Generation V) with its moderate but noticeable increase in efficiency with proven basic technology.
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