2022 Ram ProMaster City

Overview

Buyers of work vans aren't short on options, but not everyone needs a full-size one, and for those folks, the compact 2022 Ram ProMaster City might look more attractive. For one thing, it's powered by a fuel-sipping four-cylinder engine rather than a V-6 or V-8, and for another, its small size makes it easier to maneuver in and out of traffic and parking lots. There's a ProMaster City that's designed for hauling cargo—up to 1890 pounds of it, in fact—and one that's designed for hauling people, but the Ram's unrefined interior isn't the most hospitable place to put your family. If family duty is what you're seeking, we'd instead recommend one of the ProMaster City's rivals, the Ford Transit Connect and the Mercedes-Benz Metris.

What's New for 2022?

Ram has simplified the ProMaster City lineup for 2022, dropping down from four trims to just two. The Tradesman cargo van and Wagon passenger van both now come with daytime running lights, rear parking sensors, manual adjustments for height and lumbar for the driver, cruise control, and body-colored front bumpers.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

For those seeking an affordable work van, we recommend the ProMaster City's Tradesman cargo van trim level. This model rides on 16-inch steel wheels and comes with exterior features such as LED taillights, manual-folding sideview mirrors, and a rear cargo door with a window insert panel. Within the cabin, a manually adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering column and a driver's seat with eight-way adjustability are on hand to help you find an ideal position behind the wheel. The list of standard interior amenities also includes air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 5.0-inch touchscreen. When it comes to driver-assistance features, the list is limited to rear parking sensors and a backup camera. If hauling passengers is your intention, we'd suggest one of the ProMaster City's rivals.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

With all ProMaster City vans, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder powerplant lives under the hood. This engine generates 178 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, and it's paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Power is sent to the front wheels. The ProMaster City impresses with its payload capability. It can accommodate up to 1890 pounds; that's more than rival vans such as the Transit Connect (1550 pounds). The ProMaster City can tow up to 2000 pounds. This figure matches the tow rating of other vans in this segment. This van's tall, narrow exterior means that care has to be taken when cornering due to its high center of gravity. Otherwise, the ProMaster City delivers acceptable handling and ride quality.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

According to EPA estimates, the 2022 ProMaster City achieves fuel economy of up to 21/28 mpg city/highway. Those numbers are solid, and this van offers better fuel efficiency than rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz Metris (up to 19/23 mpg city/highway). Still, you'll get better mileage with the Ford Transit Connect (up to 24/29 mpg), a van that stands as one of the top picks in its class for fuel efficiency. For more information about the ProMaster City's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The ProMaster City's cabin offers ample room for cargo. It provides up to 132 cubic feet of cargo space, and that's generous for a small van. The passenger-van variant seats up to five passengers. With rivals such as the Transit Connect passenger van, there's seating for up to seven. When driven at highway speeds, the ProMaster City lets a fair amount of noise into the cabin. Rivals such as the Metris provide more serene accommodations.

Infotainment and Connectivity

A four-speaker sound system is standard; it features an auxiliary input jack and a 5.0-inch touchscreen. Bluetooth phone and streaming audio are also standard on all models. The options list includes navigation and SiriusXM satellite radio. Unfortunately, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration isn't available. These features are offered on rivals such as Transit Connect.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Relative to competing city vans, this Ram comes with an anemic selection of driver-assistance technology. Blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance aren't available. You'll find these features offered in rival vans such as the Transit Connect. For more information about the ProMaster City's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard backup camera
• Available rear parking sensors

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The warranty coverage offered by the ProMaster City is equal to the protection offered by the Ford and better than what Mercedes-Benz provides.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 2- or 5-passenger, 4-door van
 
ENGINE TYPE: SOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port fuel injection

Displacement: 144 cu in, 2360 cc
Power: 178 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque: 174 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 9-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 122.4 in
Length: 187.5 in
Width: 72.1 in Height: 74.0 in
Passenger/cargo volume: 64.3/131.7 cu ft (116.8/74.2 cu ft, ProMaster Wagon)
Curb weight (C/D est): 3550 lb (3700 lb, ProMaster Wagon)

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 9.0-9.3 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 34.0-35.0 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 17.0-17.2 sec
Top speed: 115 mph

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 21/29 mpg

More Features and Specs