Should You Take the Ford Transit Off Road?
The 2022 Ford Transit Off Road can handle light off-roading trips, but it wasn’t designed to endure severe road conditions.
Written by Mariza Morin
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Though the 2022
Ford Transit
wasn't exactly designed for off-roading adventures, it can handle itself off the beaten path under certain circumstances for the casual off-roader. Looking for a good off-roading camper van? The Transit cargo van is capable enough to manage most camping trips and slightly bumpy road conditions—though serious off-roading escapades would not be advised.
Jerry
, the top-rated car insurance
comparison super app
, is here to give you the rundown on off-road specs for the 2022 Ford Transit. We’ll look at important factors from ground clearance to torque, along with some off-roading alternatives to the Transit van. 
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Can the 2022 Ford Transit go off road?
Technically—yes. Whilethe 2022 Ford Transit is typically used as a city van, it does have some capacity to travel to parts unknown. That said, it’s not meant for aggressive off-roading.
Starting at $29,365, the Transit is a great option if you're looking to venture out on a camping trip for the weekend for some reasonable off-roading adventures. If you add on the Trailer Tow package, you can take advantage of the van’s 2,000-pound towing capacity.
What else does the 2022 Ford Transit offer for casual off-roading? Let’s take a closer look at some of the cargo van’s essential specs.
Ground clearance
If you plan to go off-road, ground clearance is one of the most important factors to consider. The 2022 Ford Transit’s ground clearance ranges from 5.2 to 5.7-inches, which doesn’t make it quite ideal as an off-road vehicle.
Typically, you’ll need a ground clearance of at least 8.8 inches or higher for a superior off-roading experience. The higher the clearance, the better your vehicle can handle uncertain road conditions without damaging the undercarriage. Sadly, the Transit greatly falls short by 3.1 to 3.6 inches for an optimal off-road vehicle, but it’s still capable of handling gravel roads and other light off-roading surroundings.
Torque
Low-end torque or high amounts of torque at lower rpm is a must for off-road vehicles. Speed takes a backseat—it’s all about turning power when it comes to getting over obstacles or rolling through mud, so having good low-end torque is beyond necessary.
The 2022 Transit comes equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that gets a maximum torque of 144 @ 4500 RPM. But if you opt for the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, you can bump the maximum torque up to 177 @ 4500 RPM. Either way, neither engine option generates enough power for extreme road conditions, making the cargo van less than ideal for intense off-roading trips.
Tires
But all is not lost when it comes to light off-roading as the 2022 Ford Transit comes outfitted with P215/55HR16 tires. These are standard all-season tires that offer better traction when driving through severe weather and various road conditions to help keep you steady when you’re behind the wheel.
Drivetrain
When it comes to off-roading, you’ll need an all-wheel drive vehicle. And unfortunately, all 2022 Transit trims—from the base XL cargo van to the highest Titanium passenger van—only come standard with front-wheel drive.
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Angles
Off-roading is all about angles:
- Approach angle: the maximum angle your vehicle can ascend without conflict
- Departure angle: the maximum angle your vehicle can descend without conflict
The 2022 Ford Transit has an approach angle of 23 degrees and a departure angle of 22 degrees. This is enough to handle some mildly steep climbs, but not for serious rock crawling.
Off-road rating: In a Pinch
So where does the 2022 Ford Transit fall on
Jerry’s
super-technical DIRT rating system? We break it down in the table below: Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
Based on the specs above, the 2022 Ford Transit receives an I rating. You can take the cargo van off-road in certain circumstances, but it’s not meant for weekly off-roading trips. Dirt roads and level trails should work fine for the Transit, but if you’re serious about off-roading, it’s probably a good idea to look at some alternative off-road vehicles.
The best off-road alternatives to the 2022 Ford Transit
Ideally, you’d want a heavy-duty SUV or pickup truck for the best off-roading experience. But if you’re specifically looking for a cargo or passenger van to take off-road for a camping trip, there are a few other alternatives that compete with the 2022 Ford Transit
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best affordable alternative | 2021 Nissan NV200 | $23,530 | The 2021 NV200 offers a higher ground clearance at 6.4 inches and it’s almost $6,000 cheaper than the Transit. |
Best upscale alternative | 2022 Mercedes-Benz Metris | $33,925 | If you require more space, refinement, and power—the Metris delivers with a maximum torque of 258 @ 1250 RPM. |
Best alternative for serious off-roading | 2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | $39,945 | The latest Sprinter comes available in all-wheel drive with an optional V6 engine that boasts 325 lb-ft of torque. It also stands 8 inches off the ground for a more ideal off-roading adventure. |
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
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