Ford has removed a number of cars from the Mzansi market, most of which are not to be replaced. This has left the company with a far leaner product offering than it has had for decades. What is interesting is that Ford is increasing its offering in the mid and higher segments, while reducing the lower ones. A good case in point is the Tourneo Custom Sport.
Manufactured out of Ford’s Otosan’s Yeniköy Assembly Plant in Kocaeli in the country of Turkey, the new Custom Sport is a notable upgrade of the car that preceded it. We have the Sport model, which has been fitted and kitted with items not normally found in other models.
For starters, what probably catches the eye are the two thick black and blue “racing stripes” from the lower front lip onto the bonnet, breaking for the roof and appearing again at the rear end. Similar dual-colour decals take to the side profile from the front bumper to the rear sliding doors. The honeycomb front grille is accentuated by the LED headlights with their LED daytime running lights. Ford kitted the vehicle with the optional 19-inch, two-tone alloy wheels and lend themselves to its sporty demeanour.
We expected the tailgate – anchored by LED taillights – to be electrically operational. It’s not. But there is a useful leather lever one can easily pull to close it. One of the sweet tricks offered by the Tourneo Sport are the two sliding doors that are operated via electric systems. First through the key fob where you simply press twice to open or close either sliding door on each side. Secondly they can be operated semi-manually by pulling the handles and letting the doors slide automatically for the rest of the way. They close in a similar fashion. Thirdly there is a button inside just on the B-pillar. Press it to open or close.
I have the Ford Custom Tourneo Sport on test for the rest of December 2025, and will be updating you on how everything is going with the car. On paper it is quite the perfect specimen for my purposes; long distance driving, spacious and comfortable interior, as well as frugality. Let’s see if it lives up to the promise.
