2017 Ram Promaster City
Pros
- Payload ratings are higher than most rivals
- Cargo area is large and versatile
- Engine delivers respectable power and efficiency
Cons
- Doesn't offer some desirable safety features and amenities
- Transmission's occasionally clunky shifts
- Tall, narrow profile makes it lean heavily when driving around corners
2017 Ram Promaster City pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
Compact passenger and commercial vans have long been popular in Europe, particularly for businesses needing vehicles that can operate in tight, urban settings. Now these petite-sized vans are becoming more popular in the United States, too. A representative model is the 2017 Ram ProMaster City. With its European heritage (it's related to Europe's Fiat Doblò), the ProMaster City will appeal to companies interested in a more maneuverable and fuel-efficient light-duty hauler than the typical full-size van.
Ram offers the 2017 ProMaster City as both a two-passenger cargo van and a five-passenger "wagon." Although you can't stand upright inside this van as you can in the full-size ProMaster van (reviewed separately), its interior is spacious, and maximum cargo volume is larger than in most competitors. The ProMaster City's payload rating of nearly 1,900 pounds also surpasses most rivals.
All ProMaster City versions come with a 178-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a much larger engine than its Fiat counterpart. Acceleration is quite respectable for this class, as is fuel economy. On the move, the ProMaster City rides well enough for a commercial van, but its tall, narrow profile doesn't do its handling grip around turns any favors. This is one reason we don't consider the ProMaster City Wagon a great alternative to a five-passenger crossover SUV. A noisy cabin and limited safety features are other reasons.
For passenger van duty, the similarly priced Ford Transit Connect is a better option. It has lower payload limits but comes in two different wheelbase lengths. The passenger version also has additional amenities, including seven-passenger seating and leather upholstery. You might want to check out the Mercedes-Benz Metris, too. It's more of a midsize van and costs more, but you also get quite a bit more space and capability, including a 2,500-pound payload rating. At the other end of the range, you'll find the Nissan NV200 and Chevrolet City Express. These mechanically similar vans can't haul as much as the others, but if you don't carry heavy loads, it's hard to beat their rock-bottom pricing.
Overall, though, the ProMaster City makes a lot of sense if you need an affordable and capable cargo van for your business or organization.
Standard safety equipment on the 2017 Ram ProMaster City includes antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag, hill start assist, trailer sway control and rollover mitigation. A rearview camera and rear parking sensors are optional. Tech-based driver aids, such as blind-spot monitoring, aren't available, however.
2017 Ram Promaster City configurations
The 2017 Ram ProMaster City comes in Cargo and Wagon versions. With just two front seats, the Cargo van is made for hauling. The Wagon has a backseat and can carry five passengers. Each body style can offers two trim levels: Tradesman and Tradesman SLT for the Cargo van and base and SLT for the Wagon.
Standard equipment on the Tradesman and base vans includes 16-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, power front windows, cloth upholstery, air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a front overhead storage bin, a 60/40-split folding rear seat (Wagon only), Bluetooth, and a four-speaker stereo with a USB port.
For the SLT trim levels, all of the above equipment comes standard along with body-color mirrors and bumpers, power-adjustable, heated mirrors, privacy glass, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, driver lumbar adjustment, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, upgraded cloth upholstery, cruise control and a Uconnect 5-inch touchscreen interface.
Available option packages include the Popular Entertainment group (second-row power windows, a six-speaker stereo, heated front seats), the Rear Back-Up Camera group (rear parking sensors and a rearview camera), the Lights and Wheels group (16-inch alloy wheels and foglights) and a tow package with a Class III hitch.
Other ProMaster City options include roof rails, cargo partitions for the Cargo van, a rear window defroster and wiper/washer, remote start, a navigation system (in combination with the 5-inch touchscreen), a Wi-Fi hot spot and satellite radio.
The 2017 Ram ProMaster City is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 178 hp and 174 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. The ProMaster's EPA-estimated fuel economy is 24 mpg combined (21 city/28 highway).
Payload capacity is rated at 1,883 pounds, tops among smaller commercial vans. You'd have to size up to the Mercedes Metris to get a higher payload rating. Properly equipped, the ProMaster City can tow 2,000 pounds, the same as the Ford Transit Connect.
Driving
The 2017 Ram ProMaster City's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine generates enough power in normal driving, but attempting to quickly accelerate to highway speeds with a full load of cargo might be another matter. That's true for all vehicles in this class, though. The nine-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and keeps engine speeds low for maximum highway mpg, but it's also prone to clunky low-speed gear changes, such as when crawling in traffic.
With an independent multilink rear suspension and relatively low ride height, the ProMaster delivers a smooth ride and stable handling, but not the kind of agility you'd get in a crossover SUV. And as with most vans, the cabin is fairly noisy at speed. Keep these things in mind if you're considering the ProMaster City as a family hauler.
Interior
Typical of small commercial vans, the Ram ProMaster City has a simple interior that prioritizes function. There are plenty of storage slots and simple dial-and-button controls for common functions. The available Uconnect interface, a touchscreen system we like in other Fiat Chrysler vehicles for its crisp graphics and quick responses, is a boon for users who plan to spend several hours a day in the van.
The Cargo version of the ProMaster City has 131.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats. That's about 3 cubic feet more than the Transit Connect and 9 cubic feet more than the NV200. You'd have to size up to the Metris and its 186 cubic feet to get more. In five-passenger configuration, the ProMaster City has 74.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 101.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
A low cargo floor height and 48.4 inches between the wheelwells (enough to load a full-size pallet) offer exceptional versatility for delivery services and mobile workshops. The ProMaster City also features 60/40-split rear doors (the smaller of the two doors opens curbside). Both doors default to a 90-degree opening but can swing a full 180 degrees once you release a hinge latch.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Ram Promaster City.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Features & Specs
2017 Ram Promaster City for Sale
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See your car's valueIf you've been to Europe or Asia, chances are you've seen plenty of compact commercial vans scooting around the streets. And now these little vans are finally making their way to North America. Chrysler's entry is the Ram ProMaster City, which is based on a European-market van known as the Fiat Doblò. With a payload rating of nearly 1,900 pounds, a figure that surpasses most of its rivals, the ProMaster City is a great choice for companies that need a more maneuverable and fuel-efficient alternative to a full-size van.
Ram offers the ProMaster City as both a two-seat cargo van and a five-seat "wagon." We think this small van is better suited to the role of cargo-carrier, in which guise it offers 131.7 cubic feet of space behind the front seats. That's more space than most of its rivals and comes with a maximum payload of 1,883 pounds. The low, flat floor offers 48.4 inches of width between the wheelwells, room enough for a full-size pallet. The 60/40 rear doors (the smaller door on the curb side) can open up to 180 degrees, allowing a pallet to be loaded and unloaded with a forklift. The option list includes factory-fit cargo dividers.
As a passenger van, the ProMaster City doesn't score quite so well. The industrial-grade interior is designed for function rather than fun, with lots of storage space and materials chosen for durability over decor. We do like the easy-to-use Uconnect infotainment system, and you won't hear us complain about the 74.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row. Actually, you probably couldn't hear us complain even if we did because the cabin is fairly noisy. That, and the lack of advanced safety and driver aids, are among the reasons we feel the ProMaster City isn't as well suited to hauling passengers as a traditional SUV or crossover.
All ProMaster City vans are powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 178 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque and drives the front wheels through a nine-speed automatic. The EPA estimates the ProMaster City's fuel economy at 24 mpg combined (21 city/28 highway), which is significantly better than that of a full-size van and impressive compared to fuel economy of other small vans. The ProMaster City accelerates well and rides comfortably for a commercial van, but its tall, narrow shape affects the van's handling and grip, and not in a good way.
Ram offers both the cargo and passenger versions in two trim levels, and while the names differ (Tradesman and Tradesman SLT for the cargo van, Base and SLT for the passenger wagon), the content is mostly the same. The lower trim level comes with basic creature comforts suitable for commercial use, while the upper trim level offers upgraded trim and features. Edmunds can help find the 2017 Ram ProMaster City that's perfect for you.
2017 Ram Promaster City Overview
The 2017 Ram Promaster City is offered in the following submodels: Promaster City Minivan. Available styles include Wagon SLT 4dr Minivan (2.4L 4cyl 9A), Tradesman SLT Cargo 4dr Minivan (2.4L 4cyl 9A), Tradesman Cargo 4dr Minivan (2.4L 4cyl 9A), and Wagon 4dr Minivan (2.4L 4cyl 9A).
What do people think of the 2017 Ram Promaster City?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Ram Promaster City and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Promaster City 2.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Promaster City.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Ram Promaster City and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Promaster City featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
Which 2017 Ram Promaster Cities are available in my area?
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Should I lease or buy a 2017 Ram Promaster City?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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