Ford Transit 12 Passenger Van Review - Is it good for Family Trips? 

Seats do recline. Just pull the side strap.

We rented one of these for a 2-week, 4,800+ mile road trip from Texas to California and back. We are a family of two adults and three kids aged 10-14. We removed the next to last row, which gave each kid tons of room. We put two ice chests plus a tote of snacks in the space where the missing row was. The cargo area behind the back seats is huge. Our road trip included camping about half the time, so we had a lot of gear (tents, sleeping bags, about 2 weeks worth of food, etc.), and all of that easily fit behind the last row of seats. The driver seat was very comfortable, and that included a few 10+ hour days of driving. The front passenger seat was also comfortable and reclines almost completely flat. There are a lot of cup holders and storage pockets easily accessible to the driver and front seat passenger. I would highly recommend for long trips, although I could see where adults in the back would be cramped if all rows were left in.

We bought a 2016 in July of 2017 and love ours. It is great for our family with 5 kids and a dog. We love the room that the 12 passenger configuration gives you. We also like the low roof setup on the longer wheel base. It gives you great storage options behind the rear seat. We have put tens of thousands on it over the last two years and have no complaints. When it was time to replace the tires, we changed from the factory Continental tires to Firestone Transforce tires and like them much better. Also, I have the regular V6 engine as well and have had no problem passing anyone on the interstate. Push the gas pedal down farther! ;)

i remembered watching this video back in 2019 with one of my other accounts and it takes me back to the day of 8/20/2019 and i still remembered the day even when i'm in the year 2024 and it is shocking how fast these years go and then i'm in 2019 then i'm in 2021 then i'm in 2022 and now i'm in 2024 and it is a little frightening that it would still go that fast feeling like the 2010s and it's nuts how far back i can remember??

Thank you for the review. I will be renting one for a family trip and this video really helped me with some questions I had about the cargo area.

Thank you so much for the review. I loved how you stayed on topic and was in depth showing us everything. It's just what I needed on making my decision to rent one for a family trip coming up.

Thank you so much. Got all the answer I need. Really appreciated. You the best 👍🏻👍🏻

I lol’d when you commented on the cup holders 🤣 my husband’s first question is always “how many cup holders does it have” lol!

Thank you for this helpful demonstration. I have some questions you may help me with. I’m planning to visit US with my family ( 5 adults, 3 children and 1 infant) and make our trip start from Orlando, FL all the way to Niagara, NY then back to DC where we leave US thru Dulles airport. The whole trip may take a month. There will be trips between the destinations taking 3-6 hours. We will be traveling with our luggage on board the whole trip. The questions are, will Ford Transit 12-passenger be the solution for my trip? Are there any alternatives that I can rent? What’s the best rental company for vans in term of price, options and after sale services? I’m planning to make it the trip of the life. So I need the best vehicle for the maximum comfort.

Thanks for posting. I'm looking at renting one for a vacation next year.

Thanks for making this. Great info! I didn’t realize the 12 and 15 seater were actually the same size.

thanks for this review, I have a trip planned next yr from Michigan to Tennessee and have 6 children going lol. I was considering renting this.

Hello & Thanks Buddy!! :) Great and informative Video. Everything I needed to know. As am Renting one of these vans this summer.

and i have watched the video with a desktop back in 2019 but with a laptop now!!! but things have stayed the same in 2019 vs. now 2019: i have watched this video in the morning and do it as my morning routine 2024: i have watched this video in the night and do it as my nightly routine and i can't believe that it has been almost five years since i've watched this for the first time and then it feels like a teleportation system that can go into 5 years into the future and it seems like i have been blown into the future kind-of???

Good info sir....Good stuff.....

nice ride Matt..enjoy

Good to be the designated driver.

Thank you for sharing... family trip coming up and never drive a 12 passenger

Thank you so much for the review. I am looking for a van or shuttle bus to transport elderly parents on long road trips for vacation. Your review is very helpful.

Do you think this engine is powerful enough to run it up the Berthoud Pass in Colorado during December? He mentioned it didn’t have any passing power, makes me feel like it would run at a snails pace.

I'm thinking of renting one of these 12 passenger vans for a family trip next year to Pigeon Forge, TN. Main goal would be to use this when we're on the way to the destination of the day. I do plan on having at least another person to split up driving duties.

you have Bluetooth for your phone, you do not have the Sync 4 Multifunctional Navigation System that came later on with the 2022 Transit XLT Vans. I'm just before getting one myself to live in full time after selling my house. I'm looking so forward to this! I'm an old truck driver so Van Life is something I'm getting into.

Great video, looking to rent this for long family trip to Toronto from NYC. Video definitely helped

Great video - thanks! Question - you mentioned you wouldn't take on a long trip - was that because of the number of adults on he trip and limited leg room? We're thinking of taking this thing cross country but with only three adults and two kids. Would love your thoughts, thanks!

loved this van for my 29 kids not enough seats but it was fun ig my wife is morbidly obese so this van was an OKAY size… ❤🎉😮😊

Portable Snake pit. Boom! Happy 4th Cobra family

I was wondering how this compared to my 15 passenger Chevy Express Van. I did get the 6 liter v8 and it has a lot of get up and go. Passing no problem. We took out the Front row of passenger seat for lots of leg room and for sticking in a large cooler and the groceries. We took out the Rear seat to have some storage for tools and gear. I was getting 16-18 mpg last winter and now with summer it dropped to 14-16. The Driver seat is not that comfortable (I am 6-3) and my left leg gets real cramped. No telescoping steering wheel, but tilt. I wondered about Ford using a 5 lug wheel on a 3/4 and 1 ton transit, it just don't seem right. I can pull my 14 foot stock trailer and 14 foot utility trailer just fine with my chevy.

Im renting 2023 to make 18 hour trip from ohio to texas. Only 7 passenger's so just thinking take out a row of seats between this and chrysler pacifica just not sure chrysler would have enough bag room

Great reviews, the 12 should be able to go forward or back for each seats in the back. And recline , electric and liquid cup holder should not be in the same area

this is a good review sir

Can I put more seats to a ford transit of 12 passengers to convert on 15 passengers??

I'm looking at renting one of these for a cross country move, because big truck rentals cost $1500 more than getting a transport van. Do the seats fold down (I know they can be removed, but that doesn't really work for a rental that I need to return to a different location 1000 miles away)? Do you think a queen sized mattress would be able to fit inside?

Are the seat/floor bracket locations the same for the second row bench and the third row 2 seat bench? I am curious if you can remove the 2nd row and place the short third row in the second row.

Good info.....

Are we able to take out the rear 2 seats because we only need the first row including the driver seats :))? Also where did you rent your van from?

Nice info, can you fold or removethose second and third row seats

Thanks Great Video

Too bad he's been missing the recline function. But a great vid; it's been a big help. Thanks.

Has transit got same towing package as the Ford E series? Also looking for a 4X4 van I know Ford E series use to have a 4X4 van

I have 3 young kids, we are looking at 17 hours in the car, I'm thinking that removing the 2nd row would give them more opportunity to stretch out, and not fight each other. What do you think?

Thanks for this video. You mentioned the seats would fit a carry on size luggage....what about a ski bag? If I wanted to run a ski bag up the left side would it go under each row? I only need 6 seats and two of those are for kids so we could stick them over the bag where we don't need room. I am trying to figure out if I should go this route or try to get a large suv and ski rack or something

Do the seats fold down flat so you can load up the inside with household items? Thinking about renting this vehicle for a cross country move

Do the seats fold flat to put dry wall in there? I have a 13 ram 1500. It got the hemi tick now i'm looking to get a van because trucks now days start at 70k, which is ridiculously high. Before you could get a nice work truck for 25k out the door, now they cost 2 times the cost in 4 years.

Nice 👍

For driving on snow, you did not need any tire chains? Is that correct? Thank you for the great video.

Do the rear seat fold down in some way to put some trunks with clothes in?

I planing on renting one to go from one airport to my house. So it would be a one way. 9 people are traveling. Could I fit 7 big luggage bags on the cargo area and maybe on the last row. I think all the passengers will fit on the first 4 rows.

Good for range trip

Renting a 2017 transit 350 clt for my family this weekend in Orlando, will it fit in one parking spot? We are staying at a Disney hotel and I’m thinking finding parking will be tough enough.

Nice review. 3.7...wow..it's a wonder it could get out of its own way.

How tall is it? Would it fit into an 8 foot parking garage clearance? Thanks.

I'm going on a trip with 12 people or more I don't know yet if it is just 12 people which do y'all think would be best a 12 passenger van or a 15 passenger van?

You said you wouldn't recommend it for a long road trip. So what would you recommend for a longer trip?

How is the drivers seat/area? Being a big guy myself. Little concerned about renting one for family get away and being comfy behind the wheel

I may need to rent one for a trip to Canada for a group of 10 adults. How does this Ford Transit van ride? It is like driving a large van or does it feel like driving a truck or bus?

can all seats be folded down? I don't want to have to take them out just fold them down for extra cargo space

Thank you!

Any reviews using car seats with this vehicle?

How would it work with 8 people? How best to configure it with a few 6'3" boys. Long 12 hour trip. Two vehicles or this one?

Me and my fam which in total is 8 people (including me) we are taking this to Disney springs so yeah I’m excited

Do you think Is this thing safe to take into the Rocky Mountains? Want to bring my family of 11 there.

I would like rent this van next summer. Avis and Budget says 4 luggages in back area. Do you think is true ? Thanks

Thx for the video. Looking at a 15 hour drive each way. Was wondering if the length makes it harder to drive

Is it a 4wd ? Would I be able to rent one and take it to Colorado

Do you know if there a was a receiver hitch?

We have the base model at work it runs good we have the ecoboost.

What year is this? & how many total charging ports are there?

Nice job 👍 bro Tow good

That would be good if you had a load of kids. Great review.

How many hours could you drive before needing to refuel?

Could you easily take it through a drive-thru?

It would be good for lots of beer!

B.I.G! If you took out all the seats you could ALMOST fit all your collections inside.

How much is it to rent one for a week

can you put all the seats down?

Its like airplane seating.

Is there car chargers

(Passenger POV)Ok I’m 13 and I like planes so this is bacisly a road plane in my opinion and I love it and when I look out the window I feel like I’m on a plane and it is so cool

How big is it in length feet and inc qnd height ?

I use your youtube videos as my white noise to help me sleep at night. also I am autistic. i like 15 passenger vans, and Airbus A321 aircraft as a hobby. i also like Yamaha stereo equipment.

What year is this?

Does this drive like truck or car?

I want one

Did the seats go down?

👍👍👍👍👍

How much to rent one

How much was the price?

Its great for road trips ,but don't drive it on wet grass ...it has the power of a golf cart .

I want a BIG YELLOW ONE!!

Now this reminds of bible people driving this around

I feel like this van Is Competing with Nissans NV

In the UK police use it as a riot van to carry the police to a rioy

Me 16 hour drive

Automatic Door opener? Here is alternative option for Ford Transit by AdorUSA.com Compliment greatly to the vehicle use and comfort! Automatic Electric Power Sliding Door opener for side door. Works for all Ford Transits, years and versions. Easy to install even for DIY. Made to last (-50C to +-50C). Affordable! around $1000 Designed for commercial use - 800 openings/closing a day for life time of the car! You can control speed and distance to door operation. Works from buttons, handle and remote keys. They are also working on great automatic PowerStep. Pretty Cool!

How can I rent this

Price ? Conpay ?

Location nyo po.

I wish I wasnt snipped.

Nice content! Keep up the good work. If you have a moment you could take a look at my account 😃🙌

tata winger