by Michael Butler
The humble cargo van has been the backbone of generations of small and medium-sized businesses for decades and still plays a massive part in the US economy. These modest machines, the 2020 Ram ProMaster Cargo Van being a prime example, are built to transport goods and services reliably and efficiently, with little emphasis placed on comfort or refinement. This cargo van offers a no-nonsense approach to transporting stuff, a reliable 3.6-liter V6 gas engine, a wide range of body types and roof heights, and three base models, namely the 1500, 2500, and 3500. It's front-wheel-drive layout might hamper its towing capability, but it still offers a convincing solution to most cargo-hauling needs. The Ram ProMaster Cargo Van goes up against competitors such as the 2020 Ford Transit and 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. That's tough competition and our 2020 Ram ProMaster Cargo Van review will uncover whether it can still keep up.
Not much changes for the 2020 ProMaster , with the 136-inch wheelbase, now being available on the 2500 Standard Roof, 3500 Standard Roof, and 3500 High Roof configurations. Every model also comes equipped with a trailer hitch straight out of the factory this year, allowing the van to tow up to 6,910 lbs.
See trim levels and configurations:
NHTSA safety ratings are not available at this time.
Cargo vans live by a specific set of rules that don't necessarily apply to regular cars. They don't have to be the most comfortable, refined, or technologically advanced; much of the time, just the driver and one passenger are on board, anyway. What this vehicle does have to be is practical and reliable. The 2020 Ram ProMaster Cargo Van ticks both those boxes comfortably. The Ram isn't athletic or even fun to drive on the road, but it does feel planted enough (especially when fully loaded), and its V6 engine offers enough pull, even when carrying heavy loads that a regular minivan can't come close to. Another great selling point for the ProMaster Cargo Van is the many body length and roof heights on offer. Its FWD layout limits its towing capacity, and competitors such as the Ford Transit or Mercedes-Benz Cargo Van offer stronger engines and larger capacities, but the appealing price of the 2020 Ram ProMaster Cargo Van and the fact that it's a genuinely capable cargo hauler brings it back into contention among US customers.
Each and every Ram ProMaster Cargo Van comes equipped with the same features, so your choice will boil down to how much weight you want to carry and tow. The most expensive 3500 will carry the most weight, with the lower models scaling down on capability and price. New customers are given the opportunity to make their van a bit more personalized with features such as rear heating and rear parking assistance. The Uconnect 3 with built-in navigation will be essential for those doing drop-offs and pickups in different locations daily. This van can be many things to many people, although we would have liked to see more driver-assist technologies to increase its safety rating.
The most popular competitors of 2020 Ram ProMaster Cargo Van: