Ram revives Promaster City, gives fleets smaller option for urban applications

INDIANAPOLIS—For fleets wanting to right-size their cargo van fleet, finding some too large, you're in luck. Ram Trucks has revived the smaller Ram Promaster City, announcing at Work Truck Week sales start in Q1 2027.

Ahead of WTW, Dave Sowers, director of Ram Professional operations, gave select automotive and commercial vehicle journalists a sneak peek of the new van. He said the Promaster City eliminates compromises small cargo van customers previously had to make when the OEMs abandoned the segment. 

These compromises included getting vans too large for their application, such as urban delivery, or settling for a small- or mid-sized truck. These could lead to higher equipment costs, lower mpg, and a less maneuverable vehicle.

Years ago, companies had several options.

“At its peak, there were five OEMs playing in this space," Sowers said. "They all left, including us. So that left a lot of these customers out in the cold with unmet needs."

These included Ford Transit Connect, Nissan NV200, Mercedes Metris, and Chevy City Express (made by Nissan). Ram had the Promaster City. But by 2023, they all vanished. 

With the ProMaster City's return, fleets now have an option that balances efficiency and operational flexibility.

Here’s how Ram Trucks expects to meet the needs of work van customers that require a vehicle with a smaller footprint:

New Ram Promaster City specs

The new Ram Promaster City features the turbocharged 1.L I‑4 engine, which offers 166 hp and 221 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is paired with an 8‑speed automatic transmission. Built for work, the vehicle can tow 2,000 lbs. and offers a payload of 2,000 lbs.

With its 77-in. height, the vehicle fits in most garages, yet it doesn’t sacrifice on cargo space. The Promaster City accommodates cargo space of 167 cu. ft., 111" floor length, and a 48" floor width between the wheel wells. Ram advertises that this allows space for two U.S. standard sized pallets. To access those pallets or any other cargo, the van’s back doors open 180 degrees. A rear liftgate is also available. The side sliding door is 37" wide and 49" tall.

The Promaster City is available in multiple configurations because “our customers have a lot of varying needs,” Matt Huber, Ram product SVP, said. Buyers can choose a cargo van option with just a driver’s seat and a front passenger seat; a crew configuration that offers seating for five; and a passenger van option with seating for eight. The Promaster City also is available with traditional windows around the vehicle, the option of blacked-out panels, or grate-covered windows.

The Promaster City comes in two different trims: the Tradesman and the SLT. While the Tradesman is Ram’s most basic package suitable for the fleet space, the Promaster City comes standard with multiple safety features. These include:

• Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking
• Automatic headlamps with LED daytime running lamps and automatic high-beams
• Digital rearview mirror
• Driver Attention Alert
• Exterior temperature alert with ice warning
• Hill-start Assist
• ParkView rear backup camera
• ParkSense rear parking sensors
• Programmable speed limiter

The Promaster City also includes multiple tech features as standard equipment. These include:

• 5" digital rearview mirror
• 10" digital instrument cluster
• 10" infotainment touchscreen that includes navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto

Also standard in the Promaster City is a tilting and telescopic steering column, volume and Bluetooth controls on the steering wheel to ensure hands-free operation, one-touch power windows, and heated seats.

The SLT trim features all of the above with the addition of a front parking sensor and wireless phone charging. On the outside, the SLT features a body-color front bumper where the Tradesman’s bumper is black, as well as fog lamps and 17" wheels.

Ram Promaster City availability

The ramp-up for the sale of the Promaster City should be relatively straightforward, as Ram’s parent company, Stellantis, sells the small van across the globe under five different brands. These vans are already being produced at a Stellantis facility in Turkey. The brand expects deliveries to begin in January 2027. Order books will open in the second half of this year.

“When the new ProMaster City [arrives] at dealerships early next year, it will be the only mid-size commercial van on sale in the U.S.,” said Tim Kuniskis, Stellantis head of North American brands, SRT Performance Division, retail marketing, said. “Despite our unique market position, Ram Professional isn’t coasting; we’re raising the competitive bar and delivering on small business expectations.”