A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Ford Transit Custom vs Changan UNI-S: the short answer
Transit Custom and UNI-S are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
UNI-S starts ZAR 380,100 cheaperTransit Custom from ZAR 770,000 · UNI-S from ZAR 389,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Maximum Power
Transit Custom100 kW
UNI-S138 kW
Maximum Torque
Transit Custom360 Nm
UNI-S300 Nm
Engine Size
Transit Custom1996 cc
UNI-S1500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Transit Custom12.2 km/l
UNI-S14.49 km/l
Ground Clearance
Transit Custom130 mm
UNI-SNot Officially Disclosed
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Ford Transit Custom
2.0L LWB Van Base 6MT
Hagalu editorial rating
4.2/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Transit Custom
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Specification evidence leader
UNI-S
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Transit Custom
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
UNI-S
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Model Introduced Year
Current local generation year not confirmed
2026
Generation
Current South African Transit Custom listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
First current South African UNI-S retail generation, offered in CS, CL and CE grades.
Facelift History
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
No South African facelift has been announced since the UNI-S entered local retail sale in 2026.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Not Applicable
Body Style
Van
SUV
Color Note
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
-
Dealer Stock Note
Base grade in the South Africa lineup
-
Model Year
2026
2026
Wheelbase Type
Long wheelbase
-
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Commercial van
Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1756 kg
-
Vehicle Type
Van
Passenger car
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Length
5450 mm
4539 mm
Width
2032 mm
1865 mm
Height
1979 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
3500 mm
2656 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
130 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
167 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
484 l
475 l
Kerb Weight
1756 kg
1505 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3025 kg
1825 kg
Payload Capacity
1269 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity
1600 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity
3 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
5.66 m
Front Headroom
984 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
947 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
1047 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
881 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Front Track Width
Not Applicable
-
Rear Track Width
Not Applicable
-
Front Suspension
Not Available
MacPherson independent
Rear Suspension
Not Available
Multi-link independent
MagneRide Damping
Not Available
-
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Load Bed Length
2602 mm
-
Load Bed Width
1392 mm
-
Climate Control
Manual air conditioning
Automatic climate control
Power Windows
Yes
All four windows; one-touch up/down
Keyless Entry
Not Available
Passive entry
Push Button Start
Not Available
Yes
Wireless Charging
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Sunroof
No
Electric panoramic sunroof
Electric Tailgate
No
Yes
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Available
Yes
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not Applicable
-
AC Type
Manual air conditioning
Automatic climate control
Adaptive Dampers
Not Available
-
Performance Data Logger
Not Available
-
Rev Matching
Not Available
-
Battery Preconditioning
Not Available
-
Bed Extender
Not Available
-
Canopy Fitment
Not Available
-
Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Difflock
Not Available
-
Front Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Intelligent Battery System
Not Available
-
Load Bed Cover
Not Available
-
Load Bed Light
Not Available
-
Load Bed Steps
Not Available
-
Loadbox Depth Mm
Not Available
-
Loadbox Length Mm
2602 mm
-
Loadbox Rope Hooks
Not Available
-
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
Not Available
-
Loadbox Width Mm
1392 mm
-
One Pedal Driving
Not Available
-
Rear Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Rear Electric Motor
Not Available
-
Regenerative Braking Levels
Not Available
-
Source Model Column
transit-custom
-
Sport Plus Mode
Not Available
-
Sports Bar
Not Available
-
Tailgate Damper
Not Available
-
Tailgate Lock
Not Available
-
Tow Bar Type
Not Available
-
Trim Level
base
-
Variant Role
Commercial utility derivative
-
Vehicle To Grid
Not Available
-
Vehicle To Load
Not Available
-
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Engine
2-litre Turbocharged Diesel
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
Market-specific engine family
NE15TG-AC
Fuel Type
Diesel
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1996 cc
1500 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Common-rail direct injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
82.0 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
94.6 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
100 kW
138 kW
Maximum Torque
360 Nm
300 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
RWD
FWD
Transmission
6-Speed Manual
7-Speed DCT
Top Speed
210 km/h
190 km/h
0-100 km/h
7.8 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
15.5 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
3 selectable modes
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
4800 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
56.9 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
205 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Gearbox
6-Speed Manual
7-Speed DCT
Drivetrain Layout
RWD
Not Officially Disclosed
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Differential Lock
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Paddle Shifters
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
6
7
Transmission Type
Manual
DCT
Clutch Type
Dry single-plate clutch
Dual-clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Type
Manual gear lever
Automatic
Drivetrain
RWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Differential Type Front
Not Available
-
Differential Type Rear
Not Available
-
Front Differential Lock
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Gearbox Type
Manual
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Axle Layout
Rear driven axle
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Differential Lock
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Transfer Case Guard
Not Available
-
Transmission Speeds
6
7
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Claimed Mileage
12.2 km/l
14.49 km/l
City Mileage
9.9 km/l
Not Officially Disclosed
Highway Mileage
14.3 km/l
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
51 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Real-world Mileage
12.2 km/l
14.49 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Litres
Not Applicable
51
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Airbags
Front passenger and side airbags
6
ABS
Yes
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Yes
Traction Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
ISOFIX Mounts
Not Available
Yes
Brake Assist
Yes
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Not Available
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Driver and front passenger
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
AEB
Not Available
Yes
BA
Not Available
Yes
Brake Override System
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Not Available
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Yes
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Yes
Hill Hold
Yes
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Driver and front passenger
Side Airbags
Not Available
Yes
Stability Control
Yes
Yes
TCS
Yes
Yes
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS EBD
Yes
Yes
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Cruise Control
Not Available
Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Yes
Parking Sensors
Not Available
Rear (6 sensors)
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
540-degree HD panoramic view
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Yes
Auto Wipers
Not Available
Yes
EV Mode
Not Available
-
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Yes
Park Assist
Not Available
Straight-in/straight-out automatic parking
Around View Monitor
Not Available
540-degree HD panoramic view
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Yes
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Seat Material
Fabric upholstery
Microfiber leather
Heated Seats
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Ventilated Seats
No
Front seat cushions
Ambient Lighting
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
-
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
-
Steering Wheel Material
Urethane
Microfiber leather
Interior Colour Options
3
-
60 40 Split Seat
No
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
6-way electric
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
4-way electric
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen Transit Custom grade before assuming a feature is included.
-
Interior Colours
3
-
Seat Trim
Fabric upholstery
Microfiber leather
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Infotainment System
SYNC 4 infotainment system
12.8-inch infotainment system
Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Android Auto
Android Auto
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
4
8
Digital Instrument Cluster
Multi-information instrument display
10.25-inch instrument display
USB Ports
USB-A and USB-C
1 USB-A and 1 USB-C in front
Infotainment Screen Size
8
12.8-inch
Infotainment Screen
8
12.8-inch
Connected Services
SYNC
-
Touchscreen
8
12.8-inch
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
LED Headlamps
Not Available
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
Not Available
LED
Fog Lamps
Not Available
Rear fog lamp
Roof Rails
No
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple Ford South Africa factory exterior colours
Black, Putty Grey, Shadow Grey, Fluorite Grey, Moon White
Body Type
Van
-
Exterior Colour Options
3
-
Headlights
Not Available
Yes
Load Bed Liner
Not Available
-
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Yes
Active Exhaust
Not Available
-
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Approach Angle
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Departure Angle
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Wading Depth
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Locking Differential
No
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Breakover Angle
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Energy Recovery Display
Not Available
-
Front Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Ground Clearance Max
130 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
130 mm
-
Off Road Descent Control
Not Available
-
Off Road Traction Assist
Not Available
-
Crawl Control
Not Available
-
Rear Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Transfer Case
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Mud
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Normal
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Rock
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Sand
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Snow
Not Available
-
Terrain Response System
Not Available
-
Underbody Camera
Not Available
-
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Tyre Size
Not Available
225/55 R19
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Not Available
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Not Available
Temporary-use spare
Wheel Rim Size
Not Available
19-inch aluminium-alloy wheels
Fifth Wheel Prep
Not Available
-
Handbrake Type
Not Applicable
Electronic parking brake
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Maintenance Plan
6 years / 90 000 km optional plan included in listed price
-
Service Plan Duration
6 years / 90 000 km optional plan included in listed price
5 years / 90,000 km
Service Plan Distance
6 years / 90 000 km optional plan included in listed price
5 years / 90,000 km
Service Plan
6 years / 90 000 km optional plan included in listed price
5 years / 90,000 km
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Warranty Years
4 years / 120 000 km
5 years / 150,000 km; roadside assistance 5 years
Warranty Kilometers
4 years / 120 000 km
5 years / 150,000 km; roadside assistance 5 years
Roadside Assistance
4 years / unlimited km
-
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
5 years / unlimited km
-
Basic Warranty
4 years / 120 000 km
5 years / 150,000 km; roadside assistance 5 years
Roadside Assistance
4 years / unlimited km
-
Warranty
4 years / 120 000 km
5 years / 150,000 km; roadside assistance 5 years
Warranty Roadside Assistance
4 years / unlimited km
-
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
CO2 Emissions
Not Applicable
179 g/km
Hybrid System Type
Not Available
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Diesel
-
Spec
Transit Custom
UNI-S
Ownership Role
Base
Current South African derivative
Price Zar
770000 ZAR
469900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current listed price
Current South African retail price
Starting Price
770000
469900
Starting Price Zar
770000
469900
In depth: how these cars differ
This Transit Custom and UNI-S comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Transit Custom 60 vs UNI-S 59.
Efficiency index: Transit Custom 53 vs UNI-S 55.
Safety-equipment index: Transit Custom 90 vs UNI-S 92.
Practicality index: Transit Custom 61 vs UNI-S 68.
Ownership-cover index: Transit Custom not separately scored vs UNI-S not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Transit Custom and UNI-S image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
UNI-S leads by 2 points
Transit Custom and UNI-S are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
UNI-S
Performance
59/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
68/100
Transit Custom
Performance
60/100
Efficiency
53/100
Safety
90/100
Practicality
61/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexChangan UNI-S
leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts
vs 67 pts for Transit Custom
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, UNI-S leads. However, Transit Custom may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa 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.
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