The Blue Oval has just launched the new Ford Tourneo Titanium X eight-seater bus in South Africa. Along with it comes a new Tourneo Custom Sport version to go with the Transit Sport we reviewed earlier in the year. Both are substantive editions to the Blue Oval’s bus/van line up.
However, it’s the Ford Tourneo Titanium X we’ll focus on, as we had the rare opportunity to evaluate one directly after the launch. Both busses were launched in KwaZulu-Natal, but we’d have more than 1 800 km to evaluate the R1.2-million Ford Tourneo Titanium X on a road trip to Cape Town.
2025 FORD TOURNEO TITANIUM X
First things first, the new Ford Tourneo Titanium X completes the Blue Oval’s bus offering, joining the Sport and voluminous Trend LWB. Frankly, the Trend is almost too big with that 400m extended wheelbase. So, when it became clear the Titanium X is based on a regular wheelbase Tourneo, we were excited. As such, the vehicle benefits from improved ingress and egress because overall height is less the two meters (the previous bus was even taller). Power-sliding rear doors are super practical, too.
However, the interior utility is still exceptional. Try 2 662 litres of total load volume to the bulkhead. There are two rows of fully adjustable seats (eight in total) with individual safety belts and more cupholders than Starbucks knows what to do with. Plus, the flexible, track-mounted seats themselves are easier to use than ever. The previous bus required a certain technique to adjust the seats. But in the new Ford Tourneo Titanium X no manhandling is necessary – it’s easy and intuitive.
CAPTAIN-LIKE CABIN
Except, being the lone captain on this epic Durban-to-Cape Town road trip, I was more interested in the driver amenities. Of which there are plenty. Remember, the Ford Tourneo Titanium X is aimed at the executive transport market, so it pulls out all the stops. Try captain’s arm rests for the eight-way adjustable electric driver and passenger seats. A 13-inch landscape touchscreen with Sync4 connectivity and fully digital driver display. The 360-degree camera with park sensors is a must when parking in tight confines.
Best of all, the Ford Tourneo Titanium X benefits from additional power on the 2.0-litre SiT turbodiesel motor. 125 kW and 390 Nm is a welcome increase over the Trend’s standard 100 kW/360 Nm, to keep the big body motivated. Drive is sent exclusively to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic. And there are five drive modes to tailor throttle response to your driving preference.
IT’S ALL IN THE DRIVE
What the spec sheets can’t tell you is what a commanding feeling it is driving the Ford Tourneo Titanium X. You’re sat so high up – often way higher than large SUVs – that you’re equipped with the most information possible of the road ahead. It’s crucial stuff like this, and other subtleties, that really transform the Titanium X experience.
There’s no denying that driving the Trend LWB feels more like you’re running a MyCiti bus service. But as if with the wave of an alchemist’s wand, the Titanium X has that special something to elevate it. We’re talking about the convenience of auto headlights, auto wipers and auto stop/start. The stars of the show are the adaptive cruise control, which works from standstill all the way to its top speed. And active lane-keeping assist, which keeps you nudged perfectly between the lane markings. And that’s a good thing keeping this extra-wide body on the straight and narrow across three provinces.
SOAKS UP THE MILES
As such, on our extended drive through KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern and Western Cape, you feel completely in tune with the car and your surroundings. Genuinely, driving it is like when Neo sees the code for the first time in The Matrix. You can have your wide centre stack showing Google Maps on Apple CarPlay. Then in your dead-ahead view, all your vital instruments, like speed, fuel consumption and tyre pressure. Yes, plenty of vehicles have the same tech, but the Titanium X delivers it to the driver with effortless usability. The miles fly by so quickly, you wonder where they’ve gone.
Once again, another shoutout must go to Ford’s latest adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Not long ago, these systems were almost not worth the fuss. However, they are genuine safety additions in the Ford Tourneo Titanium X. They absolutely shined on the poorly marked roads of KwaZulu-Natal and adverse weather in the Eastern Cape.
THE VERDICT
Ultimately, it’s always astounded me South Africa doesn’t adopt more vans and busses as passenger vehicles. We’re such a fun-loving, family centric, outdoorsy nation and we need a lot of space for our lifestyles. This author spent every summer holiday in the back of a VW Kombi. The modern-day equivalent would be this Ford Tourneo Titanium X (just a lot better). With a drive this good, it’s going to make serious inroads into the executive transport sector as Ford intends. However, we bet it’ll find its way into plenty of personal driveways, too.
THE FIGURES
- 2025 Ford Tourneo Titanium X 2.0 SiT
- Engine: 2.0-litre, turbodiesel 4-cylinder
- Power: 125 kW @ 4 000 rpm, 390 Nm @ 2 250 rpm
- Performance: 0-100 km/h 10 sec (estimated)
- Economy: 8.5 l/100 km (tested)
- Transmission: 8-speed auto
- Price: R1 264 000
SHOULD SOUTH AFRICA ADOPT MORE VANS AND BUSSES?
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