Suzuki Eeco vs Ford Transit Custom

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Suzuki Eeco in South Africa

Suzuki Eeco

1.2 Passenger Van MT Petrol 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 219,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 61 kW 🔧 103 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
VS
Ford Transit Custom in South Africa

Ford Transit Custom

2.0L LWB Van Base 6MT Diesel Current
ZAR 770,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 100 kW 🔧 360 Nm ⛽ 12.2 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Not enough comparable data
Fuel Economy Not enough comparable data
🛡 Safety Not enough comparable data
📦 Practicality Not enough comparable data
🔑 Ownership Not enough comparable data
Eeco starts ZAR 573,100 cheaper Eeco from ZAR 196,900 · Transit Custom from ZAR 770,000

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec Eeco Transit Custom
Maximum Power 61 kW @ 6000 rpm 100 kW
Maximum Torque 103 Nm @ 3000 rpm 360 Nm
Engine Size 1197 cc 1996 cc
Combined Fuel Economy 16.9 km/l 12.2 km/l
Ground Clearance 170 mm 130 mm
Boot / Load Bay 120 l -
Airbags 2 Front passenger and side airbags
Kerb Weight 905 kg 1756 kg
Seating Capacity 7 seats 3 seats
Warranty 5 4 years / 120 000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

The verified specification tables are ready to compare, but Hagalu has withheld a ranked verdict because the selected vehicles do not yet meet the minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold.

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Eeco Transit Custom
Model Introduced Year 2017 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Second-generation Eeco on dedicated commercial platform with purpose-built high-roof body; G12B engine consistent across the Eeco's SA lifespan; commercial application specific, not shared with passenger vehicle range Current South African Transit Custom listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Facelift History Second-generation Eeco in SA since 2017; minor exterior and interior updates in 2021; specification has remained stable — the buyer segment does not require frequent feature updates Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since 2021 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Van Panel van
Color Note Solid White, Metallic Silver Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note Mid grade in the South Africa lineup Base grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published published
Segment Van Van
Tare Mass Kg 905 kg 1756 kg
Vehicle Type Van Van
Wheelbase Type - Long wheelbase
Spec Eeco Transit Custom
Length 3675 mm 5450 mm
Width 1475 mm 2032 mm
Height 1700 mm 1979 mm
Wheelbase 2350 mm 3500 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 170 mm 130 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 35 l -
Boot/Cargo Space 120 l -
Kerb Weight 905 kg 1756 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1280 kg 3025 kg
Payload Capacity 390 kg 1269 kg
Seating Capacity 7 seats 3 seats
Doors 4 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 4.5 m -
Front Headroom 1020 mm -
Rear Headroom 1000 mm -
Front Legroom 930 mm -
Rear Legroom 750 mm -

Catalogue Score Withheld

Hagalu does not turn missing specifications into neutral scores or guessed values.

Fail closed

Score withheld: fewer than four comparable categories or less than 50% weighted source coverage for at least one vehicle.

Use the verified key-spec and full-spec tables on this page. A ranked index will appear only after every selected vehicle has source-backed data in at least four categories and reaches 50% weighted coverage.

How to Read This Comparison

No overall winner is declared because the selected vehicles do not yet meet Hagalu's minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold. Compare the confirmed rows and verify the exact derivative before buying.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.

Hagalu does not publish a guaranteed resale winner. Depreciation depends on age, mileage, condition, derivative, colour, supply and demand. Compare several current used-market listings and obtain trade-in valuations for equivalent examples before relying on a resale estimate.

Check the exact derivatives for drive type, ground clearance, tyres, approach and departure angles, wading depth and low-range gearing where officially disclosed. SUV styling or all-wheel drive alone does not prove that a vehicle is suitable for demanding off-road use.

Calculate each exact derivative using your monthly distance and a current fuel or electricity price, then add finance, insurance, scheduled service, tyres and licence costs. Hagalu does not claim a fixed monthly saving without those buyer-specific inputs.

It is worth more only when the exact price difference buys equipment, space, performance or ownership cover that matters to you. Compare like-for-like lifecycle states and derivatives; a current offer and a historical last-listed price are not directly equivalent.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

This Eeco and Transit Custom comparison keeps the exact South African derivatives, lifecycle states, available prices and verified specifications side by side.

Hagalu has withheld an overall score because at least one selected vehicle does not yet have four comparable categories and 50% weighted source coverage. Missing catalogue evidence is not replaced with a neutral score or a guessed value.

Use the key-spec and full-spec tables to compare the fields that are confirmed. For a purchase decision, verify current availability, exact derivative equipment, finance, insurance and ownership cover with the relevant manufacturer or authorised retailer.