Back in the day, when I was lugging film gear around Cape Town before sunrise, I would’ve given anything for a vehicle like the Ford Tourneo Trend LWB Bus.
Those were the times of creaky vans with zero air conditioning, bench seats with no support, and the constant hope that nothing broke down on the way to set.
Fast-forward to today—and commercial vehicles like this one have transformed into something else entirely.
They’re not just workhorses anymore; they’re tech-savvy, ultra-practical machines that can pull double duty as delivery vans, mobile homes, or surf shuttles.
Simple, Straightforward, and Built to Work
Let’s be honest—commercial vehicles don’t come with the drama of eight drive modes or spaceship-like interiors.
And that’s the charm. The Ford Tourneo Trend LWB Bus isn’t trying to be fancy.
It’s trying to get the job done—and it really does.
Whether you’re a tradesperson, filmmaker, surfer, or soccer parent with a lot of gear, the Tourneo’s massive size, thoughtful layout, and honest reliability make it a dream to use.
It doesn’t require a manual the size of a phonebook to figure out—and that’s a rare thing these days.
Massive Inside and Out
The first thing that’ll hit you? The sheer size.
This is a proper beast. At 5.4 metres long with a 3.5-metre wheelbase and standing nearly 2 metres tall, the Tourneo looks massive even in pictures—and it feels even bigger in person.
It dwarfs SUVs on the road, and you know what? That’s a good thing when you need to move people or gear.
With all the seats in, it can handle seven full-sized adults comfortably.
Take the seats out, and suddenly you’re working with a cavernous 6,800 litres of cargo space.
Pallets, bikes, furniture, film lights, longboards—there’s room for it all.
Surprisingly Easy for Everyday Use
You might think a vehicle this big would be a nightmare to live with daily, but the Tourneo’s layout makes it totally manageable.
You get manual sliding side doors, a massive rear tailgate, and seats that are genuinely easy to slide, fold, or remove. Load-in, load-out—it’s seamless.
I crammed all my surfboards in the back without having to choose between them. That’s a win.
Add to that smart storage up front like double dash shelves and tall door bins that fit multiple one-litre bottles, and it’s clear that Ford built this with real-world use in mind.
Tech, Comfort, and Practicality Come Together
Even though this is a commercial van, it doesn’t skimp on comfort or tech.
You get Ford’s latest SYNC infotainment system, a sharp touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, climate control, heated seats, and a digital cluster for the driver.
It’s hard not to laugh thinking about the ancient vans I used to drive that barely had a working radio—this thing is a revelation.
Driving It Feels Surprisingly Normal
Under the hood, there’s a solid 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine pushing out 130 kW and 360 Nm of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
It drives the front wheels and offers a claimed fuel economy of 7.4 l/100 km—though real-world figures were closer to 8.8.
It’s obviously a long and tall machine, so maneuvering in tight spots takes some care.
But thankfully, you’ve got sensors and cameras on all sides. No stress parking this giant.
The Price Tag Might Shock You, But…
Yes, the price is a bit of a jolt—R1,104,500 to be exact.
But once you consider the space, capability, fuel efficiency, and the fact that it could replace an entire fleet of smaller vehicles, the value starts to show.
If your business requires hauling large loads—or you just want a van that can double as a rolling getaway—you’ll see the return on investment pretty quickly.
Final Thoughts and a Bit of Humor
The 2025 Ford Tourneo Trend LWB Bus is about as practical as it gets for commercial use, and then some.
It’s a massive leap forward from the rickety vans of the past.
And hey, if your business ever goes bust, this thing is comfy enough to live in—so at least you can drive off into the sunset with dignity.