Ford has officially opened order books for the 2025 Transit Custom Trail in Australia, marking a significant milestone as the first-ever all-wheel-drive (AWD) version of this popular van to be made available in the country. With a starting price of $61,990 before on-road costs, this new model is expected to land in local showrooms by the end of 2025. It is built on the long-wheelbase (LWB) version of the well-regarded Trend variant, the most popular in the Transit Custom range, and introduces AWD capabilities alongside distinctive off-road-inspired design elements.
In 2024, the Transit Custom ranked as the third-best-selling model in Ford’s Australian portfolio, trailing only the ever-popular Ford Ranger and the SUV-oriented Ford Everest. The introduction of the Trail variant comes at a time when Ford is diversifying its van lineup, aiming to appeal to both commercial users and lifestyle-focused customers. This shift includes last year’s introduction of the Ford Tourneo – an eight-seat people mover designed to compete with the Kia Carnival – which shares its underpinnings with the Transit Custom.
The Transit Custom Trail is powered by the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine found in the rest of the range, delivering 125kW of power and 390Nm of torque. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, what sets the Trail apart is its new electronically-controlled all-wheel-drive system, a feature that has been available in other markets but is debuting in Australia with this model. It's also worth noting that this is Ford’s first AWD van offering in the local market since 1989.
While official Australian fuel economy figures are not yet available, overseas data suggests the AWD Trail consumes slightly more fuel – around 8.8L/100km – compared to the front-wheel-drive equivalent, which averages 8.2L/100km.
Priced $4000 above the FWD Transit Custom Trend LWB, the Trail justifies its premium with a host of unique design and functional upgrades. Exterior enhancements include a bold new grille, black wheel-arch extensions, 16-inch matte-black alloy wheels, and exclusive ‘Trail’ graphics. Inside, the Trail features leather-look seat upholstery with embossed ‘Trail’ branding on the backrests of all three front seats, with an optional two-seat configuration available for an additional $150.
Standard features also include heated front seats, a manually adjustable driver’s seat with eight settings, keyless entry and start, a 7.0-inch digital instrument panel, a large 13-inch infotainment touchscreen, and front and rear parking sensors. Practical additions include LED lighting in the cargo area, a fixed metal bulkhead behind the seats, and a standard kerbside sliding door with wide-opening barn doors at the rear. Optional extras include dual side loading doors for $1000, a rear liftgate for $700, and prestige paint options for another $700. Ford also offers a ‘Special Vehicle Options’ (SVO) paint service for $1400, giving customers access to over 100 custom colour choices.