Ford Australia is set to launch a new eight-seat people-mover to the market later this year in the form of its new Transit-based Tourneo.

Arriving in Q4, the Tourneo will be offered in a two-model line-up priced at $65,990 (MRLP) for the Active variant and $70,990 (MRLP) for the top-of-the-line Titanium X variant.

That pricing pitches the new Blue Oval player higher than Kia’s category-leading Carnival people-mover, which is available in a more comprehensive 10-variant range that tops out with the Platinum 2.2-litre diesel costing $67,580 (MRLP).

Built in Ford’s Yeniköy plant in Kocaeli, Türkiye, and based on the all-new Transit Custom long wheelbase platform, both Tourneo variants offer spacious accommodation for up to eight passengers and a comprehensive range of standard features, including flexible track-mounted rear seating and power side doors.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel, with outputs of 125kW/390Nm sent to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

By way of comparison, 2.2-litre turbodiesel variants of the Kia Carnival boast outputs of 148kW/440Nm.

Ford claims the Tourneo provides SUV-like comfort and refinement, plus confidence-inspiring dynamics, thanks in part to its independent rear suspension. Its cab-forward design is also claimed to provide excellent vision of the road.

The Tourneo cabin is packed with features including a 13-inch landscape-oriented colour touchscreen running Ford’s SYNC 4 operating system, with both models boasting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, plus wireless phone charging.

A flexible track-based seating system in the second and third rows allows users to choose a layout that best suits their needs, says Ford.

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In addition to the usual fore and aft adjustment, the three second-row seats can be individually turned to face rearward for a conference layout, with the middle seat also able to be folded into a table with cup holders.

Owners can also remove individual seats or rows of seats, with all six of the ISOFIX-equipped rear seats able to be removed to increase cargo space.

Standard driver assistance features on both variants include adaptive cruise control, pre-collision assist with AEB and intersection assist, blind-spot information system (BLIS) with rear cross-traffic alert and BLIS assist, lane keeping system and a rear reversing camera. Other notable safety equipment includes six airbags, plus front and rear parking sensors.

Standard features of the Tourneo Active include 17-inch alloy wheels, dual side power doors, LED headlamps and taillamps, heated driver and front passenger seats, keyless start, tri-zone temperature control, 5G embedded modem compatible with FordPass and satellite navigation.

Stepping up to the Titanium X adds 17-inch premium alloy wheels, panoramic roof with fixed glass, artificial leather trim, power adjustable driver and front passenger seats, premium B&O audio system and a 360-degree camera.

People movers aren’t exactly a booming category, with 15 models from seven brands competing for 14,551 sales in 2023, although sales last year were up a healthy 21 per cent on 2022, so Ford clearly sees potential for further growth here.

The Kia Carnival claimed more than 82% of sales in the sub-$70,000 people-mover segment last year (11,312) , while the Mercedes-Benz V-Class was best of the $70,000-plus category with just under 46% (377) of that sector.

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