Ford Transit Custom Trail

Ford Australia has expanded the Transit Custom offering in Australia with the addition of an all-wheel-drive, long-wheelbase Transit Custom Trail model. It should suit tradie buyers, in addition to DIY and professional campervan customers.

The Transit Custom Trail brings improved capability to the Transit Custom range that includes the Trend, Sport and Double Cab variants. Despite constant requests over many years to introduce 4WD versions of previous Transits, Ford Australia stubbornly refused – until now.

The absence of a 4WD Transit made no sense to us, given that Ford’s Ranger is a 4WD and right at the top of the Australian new-vehicle sales charts.

We suspect that Ford Australia’s hand was tipped by Volkswagen, which will release the Transit as a badge-engineered MY2025 VW Transporter. VW insisted on having a ‘4Motion’ variant for this market and Ford Australia would have been embarrassed by not being able to match it, given that the vans are otherwise mechanically identical.

The Trail’s engine and gearbox remain unchanged from the rest of the diesel-powered Transit Custom range, with a 125kW/390Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

The transfer between front and rear drive uses a single-speed, all-wheel drive system that responds to wheel slip between the front and rear axles. This active system can anticipate wheel slip and transfer torque to the rear wheels before slip occurs, via an electronically controlled clutch in the rear axle.

Now, before you get excited about the Custom Trail as a weekend warrior or Outback touring machine, take note that the standard ground clearance is as little as 140mm. However, there are North American and European after-market specialists who make lift kits for the Transit.

Radical, eh?

Another issue is that overseas Trails come with only a temporary spare wheel and tyre, which is unacceptable for Australian conditions, we reckon.

Less radical

The Transit Custom Trail is scheduled to arrive in Australia with an MLP of $61,990 and comes standard with a generous suite of features that build upon what is seen in Trend variants.

Distinguishing the Trail from the rest of the Transit Custom lineup are: unique Trail grille and skid plates; black wheel arch moulding and side strip; silver rocker trim; LED headlamps and daytime running lights; unique 16-inch Trail twin-spoke alloy wheels finished in matte black; underbody protection and yellow exterior decals.

Although based on the Transit Custom Trend, changes include artificial leather seat trim with ‘Trail’ embossing on the driver’s seat and yellow box-stitching on all three seats. Dual passenger seats are standard, but a single passenger seat is available as a $150 option2.

All the active and safety features that gave the Transit Custom an ANCAP commercial van score of 96 percent are fitted to the Trail.

Frozen White is the standard exterior colour for the Transit Custom Trail, with four choices available for an additional $700 option: Agate Black Metallic, Grey Matter, Magnetic and Moondust Silver.

Other options available for the Transit Custom Trail include a rear tailgate, in lieu of clamshell doors ($700) and an additional side loading door ($1000).

The MY25.75 Transit Custom Trail is expected in Q4, 2025 and detailed specifications will be released closer to that event.