Ram's latest product, the ProMaster City, targets the booming compact commercial van segment. Designed in Europe and sold by parent company Fiat for years as the Doblo, the ProMaster City wears freshened styling, a revamped interior and powertrains that are better suited to North American's needs. The ProMaster City comes in standard cargo van and Wagon forms, the latter of which is covered here.
The ProMaster City Wagon's primary competitors are the Ford Transit Connect and Mercedes-Benz Metris, but it differs from these two as it's less a minivan and more a small commercial van with a second row of seats and glass windows. Unlike the Ford or Benz, the Ram is not available with a third row of seats, and all models have body-coloured side panels around the cargo area.
Introduced just last year, the ProMaster City is carried over unchanged other than the fitment of thicker carpets to reduce cabin noise, and larger tires (215/55R16) to improve grip.
All ProMaster City models come standard with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder MultiAir engine that develops 178 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. It's effectively tied for power with the turbocharged and direct-injected Transit Connect EcoBoost but trails the Metris's larger 208-hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo. The ProMaster City makes use of a ZF-designed nine-speed automatic transmission, which makes it an efficient highway cruiser. Fuel economy is rated at 11.2 L/100 km city and 8.1 L/100 km highway. Like the Transit, the ProMaster City Wagon is front-wheel drive.
Like the Metris, the Ram ProMaster City Wagon is only offered in one body configuration - standard length and standard roof height. Nonetheless, it offers standard dual sliding doors, and 60/40 split rear doors that open 180-degrees for easy loading and unloading. The rear seat also tumbles and folds, for additional cargo space. Buyers should note that this is not so much a cut-price minivan as it is a cargo van with room for a crew of five; rear quarters are spartan with exposed interior metal trim. While the floor is carpeted and the roof is lined, sound insulation is limited.
While its bigger sibling, the ProMaster van is made in Mexico, the ProMaster City is built in Turkey. The base ST trim, which includes a touchscreen radio, USB port, keyless entry, air conditioning and seven airbags sells for $30,995, a $1,000 premium over the cargo van variant. Key options include a reverse camera and parking sensors, tinted glass, a rear wiper/defroster, and a 5.0-inch display audio system with USB, Bluetooth, and steering-wheel-mounted controls. Navigation is also available.
Opting for the more luxurious SLT commands just $1,000 more, and offers buyers the ability to upgrade to alloy wheels, fog lights, power second-row windows, heated seats, and includes a touchscreen audio system and body-coloured bumpers as standard.
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