RAM's compact van with a talent for work, the ProMaster City specializes in light-duty hauling while maintaining car-like maneuverability and efficiency. Buyers in search of an urban workhorse or mobile workshop will find the City to be a practical, cost-effective alternative to conventional truck-based vans.
What's New for 2016
For its second year on the market, the ProMaster City gets a handful of improvements: thicker carpeting, new tires, and Bluetooth for the standard sound system.
Choosing Your RAM ProMaster City
The ProMaster City's tall body is designed foremost for convenient load and unloading. You get sliding doors on both sides and 60/40 split rear doors that open at up to 180 degrees. Step-in height measures 21.5 inches, low enough for you to climb in and out without having to jump. There's just over four feet of flat load space between the rear wheel wells. Total cargo space comes in at 132 cubic feet, a surprising amount for a van with such a compact footprint. The same can be said of its 1,883-pound payload capacity.
Although the ProMaster City is mostly about work, RAM does offer a passenger version with a three-person second row. The seat, which tumbles forward when not in use, reduces cargo room only slightly.
All models carry a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 178 horsepower and a nine-speed automatic transmission, a setup that yields 21 mpg around town and 29 on the highway. Properly equipped, the ProMaster City can tow up to 2,000 pounds.
The lineup is split into Tradesman (cargo) and Wagon (passenger) models:
The ProMaster is designed to be highly configurable, so there are numerous individual options rather than large packages. Major add-ons include Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment interface (with or without satellite radio), a rearview camera, and a navigation system.
With its body-color trim, the SLT has a more finished, friendlier look than the base model. It's certainly the way to go if you intend your ProMaster City for personal use. No matter which model you choose, the reasonably priced rearview camera ($495) is virtually mandatory in our view.