The Ram ProMaster City Wagon is the smallest van offered by the company and it needs to pack a lot into its minor-league-sized frame. It manages to include the bare minimum in many aspects but does exceedingly well at being a frugal fuel-sipper. Not only does it save you money on gas, but it also keeps a couple of thousand dollars in your pocket compared to competition like the Ford Transit Connect and the Mercedes-Benz Metris. It does well for its asking price, even if it’s a little bare-bones in terms of convenience and tech. The wagon offers an admirable amount of space, but its pragmatic nature results in a functional, yet vapid experience that’s further emphasized by its lackluster 2.4-liter engine, providing just enough power to get the job done, but not enough to excite. Our Ram ProMaster City Wagon review aims to uncover whether these flaws are outweighed by the vehicle’s merits.
2022 Ram ProMaster City Wagon Changes: What’s the difference vs 2021 ProMaster City Wagon?
For 2021, the only change is that fog lamps have now become available as an option. Other than that, the van remains unchanged.
2022 Ram ProMaster City Wagon Exterior
We wouldn’t call this passenger van attractive, but it’s not terrible, either. It’s as interesting as an affordable passenger van can possibly manage, and halogen headlights flank the Ram grille and ensure that the lunch tin is visible from a distance. Daytime running lights are optional on both trims, and SLT models get color-coded bumpers. The rear features 180-degree opening doors and the van sits on a standard set of 16-inch steel wheels. 16-inch alloy wheels are available.
Dimensions
The Ram is significantly shorter in length than the Mercedes-Benz Metris but is closer in size to the long-wheelbase version of the Ford Transit Connect. Total length comes in at 187.1 inches and the wheelbase is 122.4 inches; this lineup doesn’t offer any extended wheelbase options. The van stands 74.2 inches tall and an overall body width of 84.6 inches including the mirrors means it’s rather slim for the segment. Both trim levels share a curb weight of 3,682 pounds.
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Length187.5 in
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Wheelbase122.4 in
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Height74.0 in
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Max Width72.1 in
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Front Width60.0 in
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Rear Width60.9 in
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Curb Weight3,635.0 lbs
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Exterior Colors
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A total of seven exterior paint options are available for the Ram, and two of these are standard. While the other five are nice enough, we don’t see the average shopper splashing out the extra $200 for them given that this vehicle is of a utilitarian nature. The two no-cost options include Bright White and Bright Red and our personal favorite would be the last one, but most hauler-focused shoppers will end up choosing Bright White. The five metallic hues include Deep Red, Blue Night, Silver, Quartz Gray, and Black.
2022 ProMaster City Wagon Performance
The capable 178-horsepower 2.4-liter engine found in the Ram provides enough steady power to haul its occupants around without running out of breath. The ProMaster can’t lay claim to real athleticism, which is to be expected from an entry-level van, and it becomes slightly sluggish when passengers bring their luggage along for the ride. Only one drivetrain is available, and both trim levels drive power to the front wheels. A maximum towing capacity of 1,867 pounds is offered by the ProMaster City Wagon, and the wagon manages a payload capacity of 1,713 pounds. You can expect to get to 60 mph in around ten seconds according to independent testing, which is adequate for an affordable carryall. You could fling a small toaster across the kitchen much faster, but it can’t carry five human beings the way this big one can, so it’s about picking your battles. The turbocharged Mercedes-Benz Metris outshines the Ram in terms of power, but also comes with a debt-inducing price tag. The ProMaster City manages to best the Ford Transit’s power offering, even if only by a small margin.
Engine and Transmission
The beast of burden is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that manages power outputs of 178 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, Ram also has enough confidence in the engine to call it a “Tigershark”, but the engine is as threatening as a ladybug. It falls behind the Mercedes-Benz Metris’ 208 hp and 258 lb-ft, but manages to be ahead of the Ford Transit Connect’s 162 hp and 144 lb-ft in base form. The Ford does have a 2.5-liter unit available that develops 169 hp and 171 lb-ft, though. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard for the Ram, though only eight of those gears are truly used thanks to its schmaltzy attitude. Navigating gears smoothly is a challenge for the ZF-sourced transmission, and though it wouldn’t be the bane of one’s existence, it’s subpar at best. Low-end acceleration is good enough for trips around town, and merging on the highway is a relatively easy task. Attempting to overtake another vehicle on the highway with five occupants inside is slightly more difficult at higher speeds, but the van will manage.
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Transmission
9-Speed Automatic
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Drivetrain
FWD
Handling and Driving Impressions
Essentially a very large Tupperware container on wheels, pushing the Ram around a corner at an eager speed will result in some wobble, but if you keep to a reasonable pace when tackling the bends, it’ll fare just fine. The cornering motto of the Ram ProMaster City wagon is “thou shalt lean, and roll we shall,” but other than that, the van isn’t all that bad. Putting the maximum number of passengers inside results in a lower center of gravity and mitigates the floaty feeling one experiences when it’s a one-man affair. Steering is a mixed bag, and it allows for enough maneuverability for a quick trip around the city, which is what it was made for, to be fair. You’re just not likely to know much about what the wheels are doing, thanks to pretty much no resistance and very little response. What it does accomplish, though, is a comfortable ride compared to a select few competitors and less engine noise making it into the cabin than expected.
ProMaster City Wagon Gas Mileage
Choosing your ideal passenger van is all about finding the right balance, and while the ProMaster City Wagon may seem a little on the slow side, it’s reserved when it comes to fuel economy. In fact, it delivers EPA estimates of 21/28/24 mpg. These figures are far better than the larger Mercedes-Benz Metris’ offering of 18/22/19 mpg, but falls behind the Ford Transit Connect’s 24/29/26 mpg. When its 16-gallon fuel tank is at full capacity, the Ram offers just over 380 miles of range.
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Fuel Tank Capacity
16.1 Gallons
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Fuel Economy
City/Hwy: 21/28 mpg
* 2021 Ram ProMaster City Passenger Wagon
ProMaster City Passenger Van Interior
Discounted practicality is the main focus of the ProMaster City’s cabin environment, and it actually does rather well for the segment in terms of its interior proposal. While the features list doesn’t read long, the ones that are included are useful and easy to use and locate. The van delivers everything you’d expect from a vehicle in the segment, and space is abundant whether you’re the driver or a passenger. Ram took a no-fuss approach to the ProMaster City’s infotainment system, though it can be upgraded for a slightly better suite of features. It lacks the likes of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but it does boast Bluetooth at the very least.
Seating and Interior Space
A merit for the van would be its comfortable seats, though no hint of luxury is present. The lack of adjustability for the driver’s seat is a slight let-down on the base model, but lumbar support is added to the SLT trim along with manually-adjustable height. Heated front seats are optionally available for the SLT trim, and the addition of premium vinyl-clad bucket seats can be opted for on both trim levels. The Ram’s interior seating space falls considerably behind the Metris and slightly behind the Ford Transit. Notably, the Transit offers a seating capacity of up to seven. Ingress and egress into the five-seater are relatively easy feats thanks to wide door openings and the right height. If you want space and luxury, you’re better off with a minivan.
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Seating capacity
5-seater
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Front Leg Room40.8 in
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Front Head Room46.0 in
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Rear Leg Room38.1 in
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Rear Head Room44.0 in
Interior Colors and Materials
As expected, the entire cabin is brought to life via economical cloth and hard plastics, but the Ram is no worse off than most rivals, although products from Mercedes and Ford justify the increase in price with nicer materials in general. While the materials used for the inside may not be luxurious, they are durable and functional, making it easier for the van to do what it was intended for. Yet another reason to be forgiving of the discounted materials would be that they’re solid and dependable, so comfort and safety are bolstered. Black is the only color choice available for the interior, although a lighter gray color for the seats on all but the base model’s standard seats does brighten up the environment somewhat. Cloth upholstery comes standard on both trims, but vinyl upholstery can be had for an additional cost of $325 on the SLT trim or $375 on the entry-level model.
ProMaster City Wagon Trunk and Cargo Space
Thanks to its maximum capacity of five passengers, the Ram offers a more than manageable amount of space behind the back seats. 74.1 cubic feet of real estate is on offer by the rearmost part of the van, and that’s more than enough space to accommodate a large suitcase for every occupant if all five of them were going on a two-week holiday. If you run into a situation where extra space is needed, the rear seats fold down to allow a total cargo capacity of 101.7 cubes which surpasses the Metris. The cargo area’s dimensions include a maximum height of 48.7 inches and a maximum width of 57.6 inches. Front occupants enjoy a decent amount of in-cabin storage thanks to a cavernous glovebox and a larger than average tray in the dashboard. Deep door pockets in the front allow for even more space, and an overhead storage compartment accommodates larger items, too.
Features
A rudimentary suite of features accompanies the ProMaster City, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise given the main focus of the van is of a utilitarian nature. Keyless entry grants access to the inside of the van, and a multifunction tilt and telescopic steering wheel and a manually-adjustable driver’s seat are fitted as well. Manual air conditioning is standard, along with two 12-volt power outlets. The SLT only adds a minimal number of extra features and these include front seats with manually-adjustable height and lumbar support, and a privacy window. Also added to the list is cruise control. Heated front seats are optional (SLT only) along with two-way adjustable lumbar support and rear park distance control. Standard safety features are inclusive of a rearview camera, brake assist, electronic stability control, hill start assist, and trailer-sway damping.
Infotainment
Only core tech features make their way into the ProMaster City, though slight upgrades can be made if you need a little more from the van. A five-inch touchscreen is standard, and it enables audio through a four-speaker sound system. Bluetooth and a USB input are offered. Opting for the navigation system adds $525 to the final asking price and SiriusXM is additionally available for an additional cost of $195. Ram Telematics can be opted for if you’ve purchased the van as a fleet vehicle and want real-time data about its location, productivity or fuel consumption. Neither of the trim levels allow for smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Key Safety Features
Unfortunately, the Ram’s safety specs are far from generous. Only the most fundamental safety features make it onto the ProMaster City, and these include a rearview camera and a suite of airbags, including dual front airbags and curtain airbags for the first row. Also standard on the van is hill start assist, brake assist, traction control, electronic stability control, and trailer-sway damping. Not much is made additionally available and the only standalone option is rear park-assist. Regular cruise control is standard on the SLT and can be optioned on the base model.
2022 Ram ProMaster City Wagon Models
Two trim levels make up the new Ram ProMaster City passenger wagon lineup and they are the base trim and the SLT trim. One engine comes as standard on both models, which is a 2.4-liter four-pot and it drives power to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel-drive is standard across the range, and no AWD or alternative configurations are available.
Standard exterior features at base-level are inclusive of halogen lighting and 16-inch steel wheels. Convenience features include keyless entry, a multifunction tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and a four-way manually-adjustable driver’s seat. Basic air conditioning is standard, and the SLT trim adds the likes of height adjustment and lumbar support to the front seats as well as cruise control and a privacy window. A five-inch touchscreen enables Bluetooth streaming and one USB port is standard, but SiriusXM is optionally available. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are absent altogether.
The standard safety features suite makes way for a rearview camera, hill start assist, ABS and trailer-sway damping, while the rear park-assist system is optional.