The added fold out flaps on the rear 3rd row are not for protection, when you fold down the seat all the way, you fold those out and it makes the entire rear completely flat. The seats all go down and converts to a full cargo van. I put a matress down and camp in mine.
Minivans are vehicles like Dodge Caravans Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacfica, they are a lot larger and have V6 engines, the Transit Connect is a lot different. People who want something different and smaller might appeal to the Transit. Ford doesnt even call it a minivan they call it a passenger wagon.
