Ford Tourneo diesel axed in Australia, replaced by PHEV

The Ford Tourneo people mover range will ditch diesel power for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain as part of an update scheduled to arrive in Australian showrooms between April and June 2027.

The new PHEV will use the same powertrain as the Ford Transit Custom PHEV commercial van upon which the Tourneo is based, and offer up to 51km of electric driving range on the WLTP cycle. The diesel Transit Custom will remain on sale, with Ford Australia not planning on making its commercial van range hybrid and electric only.

Introduced as a 2027.25 model-year update, the Tourneo PHEV will be offered in the same two model grades as the diesel range, and based on slightly lower MY27 pricing for the oil-burners, they will command only a small $2250 price premium.

The MY27.50 Tourneo Active short-wheelbase PHEV will be priced at $73,340 before on-road costs, while the Tourneo Titanium X SWB PHEV will cost $76,840 before on-roads.

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Meanwhile, the outgoing MY27 Tourneo Active SWB diesel is priced at $71,090 plus ORCs, while the MY27 Tourneo Titanium X SWB is priced at $74,590 plus ORCs.

Ford Australia has not announced any other changes to the Tourneo’s equipment levels as part of the switch from diesel to PHEV power.

The automaker said the National Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), under which carbon-dioxide limits will tighten from January 1, 2027, influenced its decision.

“The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard was one factor in the decision, with the Tourneo PHEV contributing positively to Ford’s overall emissions position while continuing to offer customers the flexibility and capability they expect from the vehicle,” a Ford Australia spokesperson told CarExpert.

The Australian Tourneo range, introduced in 2024, was previously available exclusively with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 125kW of power and 390Nm of torque, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Tourneo PHEV instead combines a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor, an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), and an 11.8kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion battery pack.

Its 51km WLTP electric driving range is 2km less than that of the Transit Custom PHEV commercial van already sold here, reflecting the Tourneo’s greater weight due to its additional seating and higher equipment levels.

The petrol engine produces 86kW and 209Nm, while the electric motor delivers 111kW and 320Nm. The system produces a combined 171kW and drives the front wheels, as does the Transit Custom PHEV.

In the UK, where the Tourneo PHEV is already on sale, it has an official braked towing capacity of 1850kg. The current diesel-powered Tourneo sold in Australia is rated to tow up to 2500kg.