Used 2020 Ram ProMaster City

The smaller cousin of the Ram ProMaster van, the 2020 Ram ProMaster City is no less eager to please. It offers best-in-class cargo space, payload and fuel economy in a compact van that is far easier to maneuver than a full-size truck. Perfectly suited for small deliveries, the ProMaster City’s roomy cargo bay can easily be modified with racks, shelving or whatever special equipment a small business needs.

The ProMaster City’s small size means it can easily fit in a garage or parallel-parking space, something that can’t be said of most full-size vans. Passenger versions can hold up to five people, but are not as well-equipped as the Ford Transit Connect. The ProMaster City is also lacking in infotainment and the latest in driver-safety assists.

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.

Offered in cargo and passenger form, the 2020 Ram ProMaster City is as versatile as it is practical. The cargo van includes two front seats divided by a low-rise center console with armrest. Behind the seats is a big empty tin can, with an 87.2-inch-long cargo floor and 48.4 inches of space between the wheelwells. At 51.8 inches, the ProMaster City’s roof isn’t high enough to allow an adult to stand upright, but it shouldn’t be too difficult to move things around while crouching or resting on your knees.

The City passenger wagon isn’t quite up to the standards set by Ford and Mercedes-Benz, but it can still seat five and has room enough behind the second row for all their luggage or gear. The ProMaster City doesn’t offer much in the way of rear-seat-occupant frills, however, not even a 2nd-row side-curtain airbag.

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 last year’s update 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
Thanks to the 2020 Ram ProMaster City’s wide rear-door openings and low load floor, the days of strained backs and dropped merchandise are a thing of the past. At only 21.5 inches off the ground, it doesn’t take much to load the ProMaster City, even less if you have the aid of a hydraulic lift or extra set of hands.

UPFIT PACKAGES
Ram offers a number of upfit packages by Ranger Design, including a delivery and catering option as well as packages for plumbing, telecom, electrical, construction and heat/vent/air conditioning.

At its most basic as a Tradesman cargo van, the 2020 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. You also won’t find any type of advanced collision-avoidance and driver-assist systems.

Apart from a few indulgences like heated front seats, navigation on the small 5-inch screen and satellite radio, options for the 2020 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.

Power for the front-wheel-drive Ram ProMaster City comes from a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine good for 178 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. That may not seem like much power when it comes time to pull a fully-loaded van, but the City delivers surprisingly strong acceleration from this setup, at least up to speeds around 30 or 40 mph.

The City’s 9-speed automatic gets credit for its impressive fuel economy and also quick pick-up thanks to the first few gears’ low ratio. As for towing, the ProMaster City cargo van can pull up to 2,000 pounds, while the wagon pulls a slightly lower 1,915 pounds. The City’s 16-gallon tank and 28-mpg highway fuel consumption give it the longest range of any small gas-powered van.

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