Used 2019 Ram ProMaster City

The 2019 Ram ProMaster City is the little brother of Ram’s ProMaster commercial cargo vans. Like those full-size haulers, the ProMaster City is built to work, just on a smaller scale. It is well-suited for delivery services, and its rear cargo bay is ready to be customized. In addition to being small enough to fit in a residential garage and maneuverable in traffic, the 2019 ProMaster City is also far more fuel-efficient than a traditional cargo van. Still, Ram’s compact-cargo van punches above its weight with greater payload capacity than the Ford Transit Connect and Nissan NV200, and is even rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds. The Ram ProMaster can also be had as a 5-passenger van, making it suitable for smaller shuttle service.

We found the Ram’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine provides good acceleration from a stop and acceptable passing power once at speed. The 9-speed automatic transmission can be a little slow to respond and isn’t as smooth as we’d like at low speeds, but again, it’s acceptable once everything gets going. Ride quality is surprisingly pliant. The ProMaster City’s real ace card is maneuverability, especially compared to a traditional cargo van. This little Ram van’s turning circle is 42 feet and the brakes (discs up front, drums out back) are confidence-inspiring. The tall body results in some sway through the corners, but that’s not a deal-breaker. From the driver’s seat, the large windows and low hood contribute to good outward vision, and the seats are comfortable and supportive. If there’s a gripe, it’s that the poorly positioned steering wheel can make it difficult for taller drivers to find their ideal driving position.

The Ram ProMaster City is offered as both a cargo and passenger van. The first setup is equipped with two seats in front for the driver and a passenger, and a bunch of space in back that’s ready to suit your needs. In all, the cargo bed length comes in at 87.2 inches, with 48.4 inches between wheelwells. Cargo height comes in at 51.8 inches, so you won’t be standing in this van. Various upfit packages are available for plumbers, delivery services, electricians and constructors. The ProMaster passenger van, called the wagon, has seating for five yet still has ample room in back for gear. The accommodations are nowhere near as plush as a dedicated minivan, and you won’t find creature comforts like a rear-seat TV screen, but for shuttling up to five people and their stuff in an inexpensive way, the ProMaster City Wagon is up to the task.

In a van such as this, form follows function. In other words, don’t expect to be making a statement other than your job when rolling up in a Ram ProMaster City. That said, it’s hardly offending, and we like the update for 2019 of the RAM lettering in the front grille. Cargo models can be had with sliding-side doors, which are standard on the passenger version. All models have rear doors that swing out 180 degrees for easy loading. Glass windows are standard on passenger models and optional on cargo variants.

LOW LOAD FLOOR
Workers’ backs will be happy and days off due to injury should be few and far between thanks to the ProMaster City van’s low cargo floor, which is only 21.5 inches off the ground. This takes a lot of the strain out of loading and unloading.

GARAGE-FRIENDLY
The Ram has generous cargo space, but it’s all packed in a van that’s just over 187 inches in length and a touch over six feet tall. That size, which is five inches shorter than a Toyota Camry, means the Ram ProMaster City can be parked safely in a residential garage.

At its most basic as a Tradesman cargo van, the 2019 Ram ProMaster City includes air conditioning, power windows and door locks, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, a rearview camera and keyless entry. The audio system is similarly simple, with a 5-inch display, 4-speaker AM/FM radio with Bluetooth streaming and USB/auxiliary inputs. Passenger models come with 60/40-split-folding rear seats, and side-curtain airbags. While the ProMaster City offers in-car Wi-Fi and a telematics system that lets business fleets monitors usage, you won’t find newer technology like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto implementation that’s available in the Ford Transit Connect.

Apart from a few indulgences like heated front seats, navigation on the small 5-inch screen and satellite radio, options for the 2019 ProMaster City remain firmly utilitarian. Buyers may choose daytime running lights, sliding-side doors (cargo version only), roof rack, full-size spare wheel/tire, Wi-Fi, rear parking sensors, cargo-partition package, and a rear wiper/washer/defroster package. The Taxi Cab package (wagon only) includes those rear-window amenities plus 2nd-row power windows and vinyl upholstery. A trailer towing package has a Class III hitch receiver along with 4-pin and 7-pin wiring harnesses.

The front-wheel-drive Ram ProMaster City has a decent amount of muscle in the engine bay, which is easily called into service even if this compact van is carrying a full load. The 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine makes 178 horsepower and is connected to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Low gearing can get things moving quickly. Yet this combination makes good business sense, because having nine ratios also means low engine speeds for cruising. The ProMaster City simultaneously enjoys the best horsepower and fuel-consumption figures in its class, if you don’t include the slightly larger and more powerful Mercedes-Benz Metris. In cargo form, the ProMaster City is rated to tow 2,000 pounds, while the passenger wagon is rated slightly lower at 1,914. Business fleets and families alike will appreciate that the ProMaster City runs on 87-octane regular gasoline. Furthermore, the tank holds 16 gallons, which translates to lots of miles between fill-ups and less downtime at the gas station.

2.4-liter inline-4
178 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
174 lb-ft of torque @ 3,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/28 mpg