[Auto] 2021 Ram ProMaster City Review

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KBB Editors’ Overview

The smaller cousin of the large Ram ProMaster van, the compact 2021 Ram ProMaster City is sold as a Cargo Van and a Wagon in Tradesman and SLT forms. Offering best-in-class cargo space, payload, and fuel economy, the 2021 ProMaster City is far more maneuverable than a full-size truck. As such, it’s perfectly suited for small deliveries, with a roomy cargo bay that can be configured with the racks, shelving, or any special equipment a small business might need.

 

The ProMaster City fits with ease in most garages. Passenger versions seat five, but they aren’t as modern inside as the Ford Transit Connect, the ProMaster City’s primary competition. The ProMaster City also lacks many safety-related driver-assists.

 

How Much Does the 2021 Ram ProMaster City Cost?

The 2021 Ram ProMaster City, in Tradesman Cargo Van form, has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $24,530, plus a destination charge of $1,595. As a 5-seat Tradesman Wagon, the 2021 Ram ProMaster City starts at $26,330.

 

In SLT form, the Ram ProMaster Cargo Van starts at $26,180, while the ProMaster Wagon SLT begins at $27,930.

Priced as such, the Ram’s ProMaster is considerably less expensive than the larger Mercedes-Benz Metris, but above the cargo-only Nissan NV200. For the record, the 2021 Ford Transit Connect is priced similarly to the ProMaster City, with a starting MSRP of $24,655.

Before buying your new Ram ProMaster Cargo Van or Wagon, please check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what others are paying for theirs.

 

Driving the 2021 Ram ProMaster City

The Ram’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, with 178 horsepower, provides good acceleration and acceptable passing power. Although the 9-speed automatic transmission isn’t as smooth as we’d like at slow speeds, it has been significantly improved since the first ProMaster City of 2015. Ride quality, thanks in part to a long 122.4-inch wheelbase, remains pleasantly compliant.

The ProMaster City’s calling card is its maneuverability compared to a traditional cargo van. This compact Ram van’s turning circle is a decent 42 feet, and its brakes (front discs, rear drums) back) inspire confidence. While the tall body leans a bit in corners, it’s not to an excessive degree.

 

From the ProMaster City’s driver’s seat, the outward view is excellent, aided by large windows and a low hood. The seats remain comfortable and supportive, but taller drivers may wish the steering wheel had more adjustability.

 

Favorite Features

 

LOW LOAD FLOOR
The 2021 Ram ProMaster City’s cargo floor is only 21.5 inches off the pavement, greatly facilitating the loading process. The rear doors open wide, too.

 

PO[CENSORED]R EQUIPMENT GROUP
Optional on the ProMaster City SLT Wagon, the Po[CENSORED]r Equipment Group includes heated front seats, 2nd-row power windows, and a 6-speaker stereo.

 

2021 Ram ProMaster City Interior

The 2021 Ram ProMaster City is versatile and practical. The ProMaster City Cargo Van has a pair of front seats divided by a low center console with armrest. Behind those seats is a big cargo compartment with an 87.2-inch cargo floor that has 48.4 inches between the wheel wells. While headroom abounds in the ProMaster City, there’s not enough room to stand up in back. The overall cargo volume of the ProMaster City Cargo Van is 131.7 cubic feet.

 

While the Ram ProMaster City Wagon isn’t quite as nice inside as the Ford Transit Connect and Mercedes-Benz, it does have Uconnect 3 with a 5-inch infotainment display, as well as an optional navigation system and WiFi hotspot. The ProMaster City Wagon seats five, with plenty of room behind the folding 3-seat rear bench for lots of gear. The flat load floor behind the rear bench measures 55 inches from front to rear, and there’s 48.4 inches of space between the rear wheel wells.

 

Max payload of the 2021 Ram ProMaster City Cargo Van is 1,890 pounds. For the 2021 Ram ProMaster City Wagon, it’s 1,713 pounds. Both are rated to tow a 2,000-pound trailer.

 

2021 Ram ProMaster City Exterior

With vans, form follows function. Even so, we think the ProMaster City has pleasant albeit utilitarian lines.

Cargo models are available with sliding side doors, which are standard on the ProMaster City Wagon. All versions of the 2021 Ram ProMaster City have rear doors that swing out 180 degrees for easy loading. The standard rear windows of the ProMaster City Wagon are optional on the ProMaster City Cargo Van.

 

2021 Ram ProMaster City Standard Features

The basic Ram ProMaster Cargo Van is spartan by modern standards. But it does come with air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, a tilt/telescope steering wheel, and keyless entry. The 4-speaker AM/FM audio system has 5-inch Uconnect 3 display with USB and auxiliary inputs. Standard equipment on the 2021 Ram ProMaster Wagon includes a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and side-curtain airbags.

 

Although Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t available, Ram offers the ProMaster City with in-car Wi-Fi and a telematics system that lets business fleets monitor vehicle usage. If you want modern collision-avoidance systems like automatic emergency braking, you’ll need to look at the Ford Transit Connect because they’re not available on this Ram.

 

2021 Ram ProMaster City Options

There aren’t that many options on the 2021 Ram ProMaster City, but they are important. They include heated front seats, a navigation system, satellite radio, a roof rack, onboard WiFi, and a cargo partition.

 

With the new Lights and Wheels Group, you get fog lamps and 16-inch alloy wheels. With the Taxicab Group, you get vinyl bucket seats and an upfit interface connector, plus black 16-inch steel wheels with silver wheel covers.

 

A Po[CENSORED]r Equipment Group includes heated front seats, 2nd-row power windows, and a 6-speaker stereo, while a trailer-towing package includes a Class III hitch receiver along with 4-pin and 7-pin wiring harnesses.

 

2021 Ram ProMaster City Engine

All 2021 Ram ProMaster City vans are front-wheel-drive models powered by a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 178 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. While that may not seem like much power for a fully loaded van, the compact ProMaster City feels strong around town, aided by its 9-speed automatic transmission.

 

With its wide range of gearing, this 9-speed gearbox helps acceleration and fuel economy, which is rated by the EPA at 21 mpg city/ 28 mpg highway/24 mpg combined.

 

In towing, the ProMaster City cargo van can pull up to 2,000 pounds, while the heavier wagon is limited to a slightly lower 1,915 pounds. With its 16-gallon tank and 28-mpg highway fuel economy, the 2021 Ram ProMaster City can go nearly 450 miles on a tank of fuel.