Does Ford Make A Minivan? (What Does Ford Make?)

If you’re in the market for a new car and trying to decide what kind of ride is right for you, you might be wondering: “Does Ford make a minivan?”

Ford doesn’t currently make a minivan or a similarly sized car. Although they did make a van-style car in the Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon it was discontinued in the USA with 2022 being the last year that they produced it.

The Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon is similar to the Mazda 5 (which was discontinued in 2015) in that it is designed to fit more passengers and have sliding doors but doesn’t exactly fit the minivan mold.

So as of the 2023 model year, Ford does not offer a minivan or even a minivan-like vehicle for sale in the USA. The only thing close to a minivan that Ford makes is their larger SUVs.

So, there is no longer any small-van option in the Ford dealer’s inventory. Whether a Ford minivan will be added back to their lineup of cars in the future is anyone’s guess but as of now, since Ford discontinued the Transit they are out of the minivan business.

Ford has had a bit of a tumultuous relationship with the minivan market. Ford has dipped their toes in and out of the minivan market over the years.

And currently, they have taken their toes out of the minivan (or minivan-like) consumer market entirely.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s take a look at Ford’s history in the minivan market.

History of Ford’s involvement in the minivan market

First, let’s take a look at the Ford minivan’s vehicle history. Ford was actually one of the first automakers to jump on the family minivan bandwagon. Back in the late 1980s, they introduced the Ford Aerostar, which was in production until 1997. The Aerostar was a popular choice for families, with seating for up to seven passengers and a spacious interior.

However, it wasn’t without its flaws. The Aerostar had a reputation for being underpowered and not particularly fuel efficient. Plus it was far from the most photo-friendly minivan!

The Ford Aerostar was eventually phased out in favor of more modern family-friendly minivan options.

Fast forward to the 2000s, and Ford made the decision to withdraw from the family minivan market altogether. They instead focused on SUVs, which were growing in popularity at the time.

This decision was met with some criticism from consumers who preferred the spaciousness and versatility of a minivan over an SUV.

But fear not, minivan lovers! In 2010, Ford made a comeback with the introduction of the Ford Transit Connect. This compact van was initially marketed as a cargo vehicle, but it quickly gained popularity as a passenger vehicle as well.

And while the Transit Connect was enough of a minivan for Ford lovers for over a decade with it being discontinued now anyone who loves Ford has no choice but to look elsewhere for a minivan.

Alternative Minivan Build Options From Ford (What Do They Make?)

With the Transit Connect being discontinued in the United States as of 2022 if you only buy Ford vehicles you won’t be able to buy a minivan anymore. However, Ford does have another option for those in need of a minivan-sized vehicle.

Enter the Ford Explorer.

The Ford Explorer is a three-row SUV-style build that can seat up to seven passengers. It’s available in a variety of trims and has a starting price of around $34,000 when getting a stock model. It’s powered by a choice of four engines, including a hybrid option, and it has a towing capacity of up to 5,600 pounds.

In terms of features, the Ford Explorer has a lot to offer.

It has a user-friendly infotainment system with a standard 8-inch touchscreen, as well as available features like a panoramic moonroof and a hands-free power liftgate. Safety features include a standard rearview camera, as well as available options like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree camera system.

With all of these features the Ford Explorer can help you enjoy the many miles of your next road trip, but how does the Explorer compare to traditional minivan options?

The Ford Explorer is definitely more expensive than the Transit Connect, but it’s also more spacious and has a higher towing capacity. It also has a more traditional SUV design, which might be a plus for those who don’t want a boxy minivan.

However, it’s worth noting that the Explorer is not as fuel efficient as some minivan options.

With news of the Transit Connect Wagon no longer being offered by Ford you are really only left with a Ford SUV option if you want to get a family vehicle that is made by Ford.

However, there are other minivans made by Honda, Toyota, and Chrysler that have a price that won’t break the bank and will give you that traditional minivan space that you want.

The Ford Transit Connect Wagon: Ford’s Passenger Van

Let me tell you about the Ford Connect Wagon. This little beauty is basically a mini-van, but Ford wants you to think it’s cooler and more hip than that. I mean, it’s a wagon, not a van.

That’s like calling a hotdog a sausage sandwich. It’s still a hotdog, but it sounds fancier.

Anyway, Ford’s Connect Wagon is basically a mom-mobile on steroids. It’s got all the room and storage you could ever need for your little ones and their crap.

But it’s also got a sleek design that makes it look like you’re not just hauling around kids and groceries all day. Plus, with the available rear-view camera, you’ll never hit another minivan in the parking lot again. Score!

But let’s talk about the real selling point of this thing: the fuel efficiency. Oh yeah, you’re gonna save so much money on gas, you’ll be able to afford that fancy stroller you’ve been eyeing.

And the best part? You can tell all your friends you’re “going green” while you’re hauling around your little ones in a gas-guzzling machine. It’s like having your cake and eating it too.

The Ford Connect Wagon is a van with seating for up to seven and has everything you could want in a car: Bluetooth, Ford Connect navigation, a rearview camera, and even lane departure warning. But honestly, who needs all that fancy stuff when you’ve got a built-in cup holder for your morning coffee? That’s all you really need in life.

The Ford Connect Wagon is the perfect vehicle for anyone who wants to look cool and hip while hauling around their kids and groceries. It’s got all the features you could want, it’s fuel efficient, and it’s got a built-in cup holder for your morning coffee.

What more could you ask for?

Ford Transit Connect Cargo: The Cargo Van You Need

First of all, let’s talk about the exterior. It’s a van, so it’s not exactly a head-turner. You’re not going to be winning any beauty contests with this thing, that’s for sure.

But, I guess that’s not really the point of a cargo van, is it? It’s all about function over form. And in that regard, the Ford Connect Cargo does not disappoint.

It’s got more cargo space than you can shake a stick at. Or, you know, whatever you need to shake a stick at. Boxes? Furniture? A giant inflatable unicorn?

The Ford Connect Cargo has got you covered.

Now, let’s talk about the interior. I mean, it’s not exactly a luxury vehicle, but it’s not exactly a torture chamber either. It’s functional, plain, and simple. You’ve got your seats, your steering wheel, and your gear shift. Oh, and let’s not forget the many, many cup holders.

Because, you know, when you’re hauling cargo, the most important thing is to have a place to put your latte. Am I right?

But, all jokes aside, the Ford Connect Cargo is a solid choice for anyone in need of a reliable cargo van. It’s not going to blow your mind with fancy features or cutting-edge technology, but it will get the job done.

And, at the end of the day, isn’t that what really matters? So, if you’re in the market for a van, give the Ford Connect Cargo a look.

Final Thoughts

So, to answer the question I posed at the beginning: Does Ford make a minivan? Unfortunately, the answer is no. The only vehicle that Ford offers that can fit a lot of people as well as some extra cargo as well is the Ford Explorer.

The Ford Explorer is a three-row SUV that can seat up to seven passengers. It’s more spacious and has a higher towing capacity than some minivans on the market but it’s also more expensive and not as fuel efficient.

In the end, the decision of which minivan-like option is right for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you want a more traditional minivan experience, you might want to consider options from other automakers. But if you’re open to a minivan alternative and absolutely have to have a Ford, the Explorer is definitely worth considering.