2019 Ford Transit Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

Whether you are buying it for work or as your personal daily driver, the 2019 Ford Transit is a van with a lot to offer in terms of space and utility. With some major changes to its seating arrangements and door hinges this model year, the Transit is leaping ahead of the rest of the pack.

There are three different types of Transit vans to choose from: the Commercial Cargo Van, the XL Passenger Van, and the XLT Passenger Van. Each one of these trims comes as a 150 (basic), 250 (well-equipped), or 350 (loaded) sub-trim. The 150 has a low roof, the 250 has a medium-height roof, and the 350 is, of course, given the tallest roof. They also come with different features and have differing gross weights.

Selecting between these three main trim levels should be fairly straightforward. The Commercial Cargo Van will be the best option for those needing space for hauling bulky items for work. The passenger vans are both ideal for transporting a large number of people, but choosing between them might prove to be a little difficult without knowing the differences between the XL and XLT.

With that being said, by the end of this review, you should have a clearer idea of which 2019 Ford Transit model is the best fit for your unique needs. Just keep in mind that all three models tend to have a little bit less of a towing capacity than their more old-fashioned competitors. Still, the trade-off for better technology and more spacious designs makes this line-up pretty appealing.

Now, let us take a look at each trim level and go into detail regarding some of their key differences.

Compare the 2019 Ford Transit Cargo vs XL Passenger Trims. What is the difference?

The 2019 Ford Transit Commercial Cargo Van starts off the line-up and is, as is probably pretty obvious, geared toward performing work-related tasks. Since it is a work van, it only has seating for two - the driver and a front seat passenger. If you need something with more seats, you will have to skip right to the XL Passenger Van, which has seating for up to 15 people.

With each trim level, you can opt for the 150, 250, or 350 depending on which roof configuration (low, medium, or high, respectively) is right for you. The low roof comes standard, but if you want to upgrade, you can. The exterior of the Commercial Cargo Van also has a fender-mounted audio antenna, carbon black body side moldings and bumpers, carbon black surrounds around a matching grille, and windows with tinted glass. You can, however, opt for privacy glass instead. All of these features also come on the two passenger vans.

On the inside, the Commercial Cargo Van has air conditioning for the front of the vehicle since that is the only area in the cabin that has seating. Naturally, the passenger versions both have air conditioning for the front and rear of the vehicle. You can also opt to equip the Auxiliary Heater / AC Prep Package with or without controls for the rear. There is also a driver-controlled Front/Rear Aux AC and Heater function that you can choose to equip.

As far as convenience features go, the Commercial Cargo Van has just enough to help you get the job done in comfort. The cargo area is supplied with tie-down hooks, and there is an A-pillar grab handle for the passenger to use while exiting the van. One of the optional features that might interest driver is the Lane Keep Alert with Driver Alert. This system monitors how well the vehicle is staying within the lines and works to correct any drifting. It will also notify the driver when it detects the vehicle straying outside of the lane.

While the Commercial Cargo Van comes with a standard AM/FM stereo with four speakers located in the front of the cabin, there are quite a few options for upgrading the system. There are audio upgrades available, some of which include Ford's SYNC infotainment system and some of which do not. If you add the Radio Prep Package, you can also get two full-range front speakers as well as speakers for the rear of the vehicle.

As far as the 2019 Ford Transit XL Passenger Van goes, it has quite a few similarities to the Commercial Cargo Van. They are both powered by a standard 3.7-L Ti-VCT V6 engine, although this can be swapped out for a 3.5-L EcoBoost V6 or a diesel-powered 3.2-L I-5 Power Stroke engine. On each trim level, the engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The two trims have one obvious difference: seating. Both passenger vans seat up to 15 people while the cargo variant only seats two (for obvious reasons). The XL essentially looks the same as the Commercial Cargo Van on the outside, so you will have to keep looking over the interior to find more differences. There are a number of optional seating configurations on the XL that the cargo variant, of course, does not have. For example, you can choose to get an XL with just five seats or with the full 15. There are also several different styles of upholstery that you can order for the XL. Seats can be adorned in cloth or vinyl and can have either manually- or power-adjustable support.

The XL Passenger Van can be equipped with the Builder's Prep Package as well as the Ford Telematics and Ford Data Services Package. The latter package gives the XL a leg up in terms of fleet management, allowing you to do things like schedule vehicle services in advance. This cloud-based mobility system is created by Telogis, a leader in the field of developing mobile resource management tools.

Compare the 2019 Transit XL vs XLT Trims. What is the difference?

The 2019 Ford Transit XL Passenger Van and the XLT Passenger Van bear a striking resemblance to one another, as their respective names suggest. The XLT is essentially a somewhat more well-equipped version of the XL, so the differences will likely seem rather nuanced. Trying to tell the two models apart could be somewhat difficult for someone unfamiliar with this line-up.

But, yes, there are some important differences. First and foremost, the exterior features more chrome trim. Take note of the surround and bars over the grille; they are both made of chrome. Also, the halogen headlamps are enshrined in chrome trim. You can also choose to get the RV Prep Package, which equips the XLT with high-strength laminated glass in the second, third, and fourth row windows. Rain sensing windshield wipers come standard on the XLT, providing a nice little extra touch of luxury.

There are a few differences worthy of noting on the inside as well. For example, cruise control with a built-in message center comes standard, whereas it is just optional on the XL. The XLT's cabin also gets standard carpet floor covering and front throw-in mats. Additionally, lighting is improved with the inclusion of a rear dome lamp. This piece of lighting comes with a theater dimming feature and map lights for improved visibility. Vinyl sun visors, which are given vanity mirrors that light up, are also standard on the XLT and purely optional on the XL.

As far as technology goes, the XLT gets a standard 4-inch touchscreen infotainment screen as a part of its four-speaker system. Otherwise, you get the same optional audio set-ups as you do on the XL. You can choose to get a SYNC 3 system with built-in navigation or go for a system that includes SiriusXM Radio connectivity.

Seating configurations on the XLT are mostly the same as what you can opt for on the XL with the exception of a leather upholstery option. When you select to equip these pewter leather-trimmed seats, you also get 10-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, power lumbar adjustment for the driver and front passenger seats, and heating for them.

Most of the packages that are available on the XL are also optional for the XLT, which gains just the RV Prep Package. By selecting the RV Prep Package, you get to equip the XLT with carpeting for the floor, privacy glass, a door exit handle for the rear cargo area, and provisions for trailer wiring. It deletes all of the things you find in the Passenger Van located behind the B-pillars.

Final Thoughts

Deciding which trim is the right fit for you should now seem pretty obvious. The cargo van is the best option if you are using this vehicle to haul things while on the job. This trim gives you plenty of room in the cargo area and a lot of options for utility while still being a no-frills work van.

However, if you are going to be using the Transit to haul passengers, the XLT has the most to offer. Its standard set-up is pretty inclusive, and it looks and feels more luxurious than what you would normally expect from a bulky 15-seater. The XL might just be a little bit too basic for most people to enjoy riding in.