2020 Ram ProMaster City Cargo Van Review: Big Cargo, Small Package

Small cargo vans have traditionally been the go-to choice for Europeans, with the US market preferring larger vehicles like the Chevrolet Express Cargo Van or the Ford Transit, but small businesses are waking up to these handy little transporters and the 2020 Ram ProMaster City Cargo Van, still in its first generation, is one of the better ones. Powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 178 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, this little cargo-hauler has a payload capacity of up to 1,883 pounds and is here to get the job done. Its competitors include the Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van in a small, but highly competitive segment.

ProMaster City Cargo Van Exterior

Dimensions

ProMaster City Cargo Van Performance

Engine and Transmission

All trim levels get the same 'Tigershark' 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine which produces 178 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. Power is channeled to a front-wheel-drive system via a 9-speed automatic transmission. When unladen, performance is impressive, and the ProMaster City Cargo Van easily darts in and out of traffic. Things change when the van is fully loaded; however: uphill starts and highway cruising becomes a laborious task. We also noticed that the nine-speed automatic could be clunky when shifting, and rarely if ever shifts into its ninth gear. The Ram ProMaster City Cargo Van can carry payloads of up to 1,883 lbs with a towing capacity of up to 2,000 lbs.

ProMaster City Cargo Van Interior

ProMaster City Cargo Van Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2020 Ram ProMaster City Cargo Van A Good van?

Cargo vans aren't expected to cradle their occupants in luxury; instead, payload and cargo capacities are what most focus on, and that is precisely what the 2020 Ram ProMaster City Cargo Van in this review excels at. This little cargo van delivers excellent payload capacity and can also tow a fair amount. On top of that, the Ram offers the most cargo volume in its segment. The Ram ProMaster City has proven to be a comfortable daily business partner and has many cabin storage options. For those who want to live with this van outside of business, Ram offers comfort features such as heated seats. It should be noted that this little cargo hauler displays copious amounts of body roll, and we aren't impressed with its clunky transmission, which basically refuses to go into the final gear. The tech-savvy will also be disappointed to know that it doesn't offer any smartphone integration. The 2020 ProMaster City Cargo Van does what it says on the label. Nothing more, nothing less, and not at a massive cost to the small business owner.

What 2020 Ram ProMaster City Cargo Van Model Should I Buy?

The 2020 Ram ProMaster City Cargo Van was never meant to be a comfortable luxury vehicle, but for those who plan to use this van daily throughout the year, we would recommend looking at the SLT variant, which offers a more stylish exterior, heated mirrors, and even optional heated seats. This version of the 2020 Ram ProMaster City Cargo Van has a price of $26,180. To make loading and unloading stuff a bit easier, we'd recommend getting the optional rear parking sensors, and we'd also get the available navigation system for when you're doing business in unfamiliar territory. The LED cargo area lighting system is also a good option for when you're loading and unloading at night.