- Ram has resurrected the ProMaster City commercial van.
- It’s a lightly revised version of the K0 vans offered in Europe.
- Combines a 166 hp four-cylinder with 167.1 cubic feet of space.
Commercial vans aren’t sexy, but they serve an important role as millions of businesses depend on them. However, a number of companies have exited the segment or trimmed their lineups in recent years.
This has resulted in a consolidated market with three key players – the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, and Ram ProMaster. They’re all solid vans, but they’re large and relatively expensive.
This means they’re not an ideal fit for everyone and Ram sees this as a huge opportunity. As a result, they’re resurrecting the ProMaster City, which was originally discontinued in 2022. However, it’s nothing like you remember.
American Heart, European Soul
Michael Gauthier / Carscoops
While the previous ProMaster City was based on the Fiat Doblò, the new model transitions to the larger K0 platform that underpins a bewildering number of vans. This includes the Citroën Jumpy, Peugeot Expert, Fiat Scudo, Toyota Proace, and Opel / Vauxhall Vivaro. Even Iveco offers a rebadged version known as the eJolly.
Ram is now getting their own offshoot and it closely echoes its European counterparts. However, the American gets a unique front end with a fully enclosed grille featuring a new “RAM” typeface. This is notable as the design will eventually spread to other models.
The grille is flanked by sweptback headlights, which have distinctive daytime running lights. They’re joined by a split front bumper with upper and lower intakes.
Moving further back, we can see rounded wheel arches, plastic body cladding, and 17-inch steelies. Designers also gave the van vertical taillights as well as rear ‘barn’ doors that open up to 180 degrees. However, customers can order an optional rear liftgate with a glass window and wiper.
Speaking of options, there will be Tradesman and SLT trims. The latter is notable for adding body-color bumpers, fog lights, and 17‑inch alloy wheels.
Ram will also offer Cargo and Passenger variants as well as six window and panel combinations. All told, there will be 11 different configurations.
While variety is the spice of life, all models measure 210 inches (5,334 mm) long and have a wheelbase that spans 129 inches (3,2767 mm). The van also measures 76.7 inches (1,948 mm) tall, which means it can fit in garages and parking structures.
To put those numbers into perspective, the larger ProMaster is available with 118-, 136-, and 159-inch wheelbases as well as low, high, and super high roofs.
Commercial Van Goldilocks
Michael Gauthier / Carscoops
Ram told us the ProMaster City has been “right-sized” and will be the only mid-size commercial van in the United States. That’s notable and it will fill the void left by the discontinued Mercedes Metris.
The ProMaster City has 167.1 cubic feet (4,732 liters) of cargo room and a load floor that spans 111.1 inches (2,822 mm) long. There’s also 48.9 inches (1,242 mm) of room between the rear wheel wells, which means the van can accommodate 4-by-8-foot sheets of drywall and plywood as well as pallets.
Ram highlighted the latter point by putting a Hemi into the back of the cargo van. Officials joked it was their way of complying with Tim Kuniskis’ edict that everything has a V8 engine.
Access to the rear is easy, thanks to a large sliding door on the passenger side. It provides an opening that measures over 36 inches (914 mm) wide and 48 inches (1,219 mm) tall. There’s also an integrated step to help aid entry and egress.
Rounding out the highlights is a turning diameter of over 42 feet (12.8 mm). This is essentially the same as the old ProMaster City, which is impressive when you consider the new model is 22.9 inches (582 mm) longer.
Last but not least, the model is expected to have a payload capacity of more than 2,000 lbs (907 kg). Customers will also be able to get an optional trailer hitch, which should enable it to tow 2,000 lbs (907 kg).
A Functional And Rugged Interior
Michael Gauthier / Carscoops
Given the ProMaster City is a work van, the interior is relatively basic and plasticky. That’s to be expected, but the cabin feels surprisingly modern for a vehicle that’s effectively ten years old at this point.
Drivers sit behind a flat-bottom steering wheel and find themselves looking at a 10-inch digital instrument cluster. It’s accompanied by a 10-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Buyers will also find standard heated front seats that are wrapped in durable Curtiba Grey upholstery. They felt pretty supportive during our brief encounter and the seats have an integrated armrest.
Sticking with the seats, the Passenger variant offers five- and eight-seat configurations. Both rows can be removed when not needed and there’s a surprising amount of luggage space behind the third row.
Getting the second-row seat to flip forward takes a little bit of effort, but it provides an ample walkway to the back seat. There’s a decent amount of room in both rows and that should be plenty enough for short shuttle hops.
Elsewhere, there’s a minimalist shifter, a drive mode selector, and dedicated climate controls. The model also sports a digital rearview mirror, a four-speaker audio system, and a push-button ignition.
Michael Gauthier / Carscoops
An assortment of options will be available including a heated steering wheel and a wireless smartphone charger. The cargo variant can also be equipped with a rear partition wall.
Buyers will find a number of standard safety features including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and driver attention alert. They’re joined by automatic headlights, ParkSense rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, and electronic stability control. The model also comes with a programmable speed limiter, which businesses can use to keep their drivers in check.
A Turbocharged 1.6-Liter With 166 HP
Motivation is provided by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 166 hp (124 kW / 168 PS) and 221 lb-ft (299 Nm) of torque. That sounds pretty anemic, especially when you consider the old ProMaster City had a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 178 hp (133 kW / 180 PS). However, the new engine has significantly more torque and Ram wanted to balance power with efficiency.
The ProMaster City is the only version of the van to use this engine as its European counterparts are focused on diesel and electric power. It’s paired to an eight-speed Aisin automatic transmission, which sends power to the front wheels.
While the company didn’t provide numbers, they promised “brisk, smooth and reliable acceleration” as well as “shift-points optimized for the engine’s powerband and urban driving environments.” There’s even steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters should drivers feel the need to intervene.
Rounding out the highlights are a MacPherson strut front and independent trailing‑arm rear suspension. Ram says the combination will deliver the “comfort and composure required for long days on the job.”
Targeted To Cost Less Than $40,000
The ProMaster City will be built in Turkey and is scheduled to arrive in the United States early next year. Orders will open up in the second half of 2026 and pricing is expected to start under $40,000.
This promises to make the ProMaster City the most affordable commercial van on the market. It should also undercut the larger ProMaster by at least $6,370.
