The 2002 Buick Regal with a supercharger is rated at 19 mpg combined, compared to 23 mpg combined for the Transit Connect. An 07 Town Car is rated at 18 mpg combined.
You may have had better mileage in a Regal or Town Car than its ratings, but so might the Transit Connect....
True. Both got/get better than what they were rated. However, that rating for the Transit Connect is for the basic vehicle, not including a load. So, I'm willing to bet the numbers don't change much for the real world. Either way, I think the Transit Connect will fill a niche, it's too bad that they didn't bring it over with the diesel motor, as I understand the real world MPG on those was around 35-40.