[Amazingjason]

The second row of seats in the medium roof eight passenger are as wide as the third row:

Cars for Sale: 2015 Ford Transit 150 130" Medium Roof Wagon in Carlsbad, CA 92008: Van Details - 384387101 - AutoTrader.com

But the second row of seats in the low roof eight passenger are narrower. Any explanation?

Jason

 

[PeterR]

Just a guess Jason, but in the low roof Wagon, the mobility moving around near the bench seats is quite limited due to the small vertical height from top of seat to the headliner. Thus the middle bench seat has to be shorter left to right, to avoid overlapping the foot well as one enters through the side door. The side doors are shorter in the low roof version also.

In the medium roof Wagon the bench seat can be full width because the side door passengers are able to stand up as they choose to sit the middle or rear bench seat.

Makes sense?

 

[Amazingjason]

It doesn't look like getting into the third row would be too tough, even with the roof lower. Given a choice, I would want a low roof with the wide seats in both rows and the rear row a few inches further back. Comfort for 8 adults and lots of cargo space.

Jason

Just a guess Jason, but in the low roof Wagon, the mobility moving around near the bench seats is quite limited due to the small vertical height from top of seat to the headliner. Thus the middle bench seat has to be shorter left to right, to avoid overlapping the foot well as one enters through the side door. The side doors are shorter in the low roof version also.

In the medium roof Wagon the bench seat can be full width because the side door passengers are able to stand up as they choose to sit the middle or rear bench seat.

Makes sense?

 

[PeterR]

It doesn't look like getting into the third row would be too tough, even with the roof lower. Given a choice, I would want a low roof with the wide seats in both rows and the rear row a few inches further back. Comfort for 8 adults and lots of cargo space.

Jason

I think you might want to check that out full-scale in the low roof Wagon with full-width middle bench seat. Maybe nimble passengers will be above to fit between:

-- the top right outside corner of the back of the middle bench seat

and

-- the lower inside edge of the door opening (just over the upper right bench seat corner mentioned above)


but larger passengers, and those with winter coats and handbags/backpacks, may have trouble transitioning into the back bench seat comfortably IMO.

 

[Amazingjason]

So we are left with an easily accessible second row with narrow seats and a less easily accessible third row with wide seats but little knee room, and no good place for aging grandparents to ride along with the family. The kids would have no trouble accessing the third row if the second row had the wide seats.

Jason

 

[PeterR]

So we are left with an easily accessible second row with narrow seats and a less easily accessible third row with wide seats but little knee room, and no good place for aging grandparents to ride along with the family. The kids would have no trouble accessing the third row if the second row had the wide seats.

Jason

Yup.

Thank you, Ford . . . .

 

[Epps]

Ford was shooting for 100% with their choice of seating and hit a home run, everyone is unhappy with the choices they provided. You really need to see them in person to see how tight the seating is and leg room is nonexistent unless your 4 years old an in a car seat. The reclining option in the XLT is a joke.


One good thing, I must say they look nice in leather and the front row drivers and passenger seats are not bad.


Epps

 

[PeterR]

Ford was shooting for 100% with their choice of seating and hit a home run, everyone is unhappy with the choices they provided. You really need to see them in person to see how tight the seating is and leg room is nonexistent unless your 4 years old an in a car seat. The reclining option in the XLT is a joke.


One good thing, I must say they look nice in leather and the front row drivers and passenger seats are not bad.


Epps

Agreement here on the tight seating:

http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/interior/3914-e-series-vs-transit-width.html

 

[John S]

The tight and inflexible seating in passenger Transits has been a huge disappointment for me.


I have recently spent some time looking at the Ford Tourneo on the FordUK website. The Tourneo has a very flexible and adaptable combination of moveable and removable seating possibilities.


It is not as if Ford does not understand how to do seating that meets the needs of buyers for whom seating is a priority. Clearly they do. But it is just as clear that was not their priority in bringing the Transit to North America. Seems to me that most passenger Transits will used for short haul livery service....moving luggage and people from the airport to their nearby hotel and back.


The Tourneo, by the way, looks to me like a perfect vehicle for someone looking for a combination person/stuff van that is bigger than a Dodge Caravan and more efficient than a Suburban sized SUV. Ford UK refers to the Tourneo as an MPV - multi purpose vehicle.


The Transit is multi-purpose too, of course -- but in a different way. It can serve as a tradesman van very well. It can also serve as the basis for a camper or sports van (surfer van, bike van, outdoor sports van) but as a comfortable people mover a Transit would need extensive up-fitting treatment.


I hope Ford is looking at bringing the Tourneo to this side of the Pond. There is nothing like it available here. I think it would hit the mark for me.