Ram ProMaster City: The Small Work Van’s Comeback

The Ram ProMaster City is back, and frankly, it couldn’t have arrived at a better time—because the American car market has gone mad for $80,000 pickups that haul nothing more than gym bags and fragile egos. While everyone else was busy upsizing, electrifying, and adding mood lighting to cupholders, Ram quietly realized something radical: tradespeople, delivery fleets, and small businesses still need a compact work van. Not a lifestyle accessory. A tool.

That’s why the return of the Ram ProMaster City matters right now. Inflation is still squeezing small businesses, urban delivery routes are tighter than a downtown parking garage, and full-size vans are about as nimble as a rhinoceros on roller skates. I’ve driven dozens of commercial vehicles over the years, and the compact work van segment didn’t die because it was bad—it died because manufacturers chased higher margins elsewhere.

Ram bringing the ProMaster City back for 2025 and 2026 is a reminder that boring vehicles often matter the most. This isn’t a halo car, and it won’t star in a YouTube drag race, but for plumbers, florists, HVAC techs, and Amazon subcontractors, it’s potentially the most important new vehicle Ram has built in a decade. And yes, I’m fully aware that saying this will upset people who think only pickup trucks still matter.

Why the Ram ProMaster City’s Return Is a Big Deal

The compact work van used to be a quiet hero of American cities, until Ford axed the Transit Connect, Nissan let the NV200 wither, and Mercedes pulled the plug on the Metris. That left fleets scrambling and used prices climbing like they were rare air-cooled Porsches. Ram stepping back into this space isn’t nostalgia—it’s market opportunism done right.

Here’s the controversial hot take: compact work vans are more important than full-size pickups for the future of urban America. They’re cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, easier to park, and less likely to murder cyclists with a grille shaped like a brick wall. Clarkson would hate that sentence, which means it’s probably true.

Design: Honest, Square, and Proud of It

The ProMaster City doesn’t pretend to be rugged or adventurous, and thank God for that. The boxy proportions maximize cargo volume, the sliding doors are wide enough to swallow Euro pallets, and the rear doors open nearly 180 degrees. It looks like a tool because it is a tool.

Ram resisted the urge to “SUV-ify” it with fake skid plates and pointless plastic cladding. Compared to a Ford Transit Connect or Nissan NV200, the Ram’s design feels refreshingly straightforward. This is function-first design, not a PowerPoint deck full of “urban mobility solutions.”

Interior & Tech: Worksite, Not WeWork

Inside, the ProMaster City prioritizes durability over vibes, which I applaud loudly from my pub stool. Hard plastics dominate, but they’re easy to clean and don’t scratch if you throw a toolbox at them in a fit of rage. The seating position is upright, visibility is excellent, and there are more cubbies than a Doug DeMuro quirks video.

Tech is sensible rather than flashy. Expect Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, basic fleet telematics, and physical buttons you can use with gloves on. This is not a Tesla-style touchscreen experiment, and that’s a win—especially for buyers who value reliability, as we discussed in our 2026 reliability roundup.

Driving Experience: Better Than It Has Any Right to Be

No one buys a compact work van for thrills, but the ProMaster City doesn’t punish you either. The steering is light, the turning circle is tight, and the throttle response is alert enough to dart into traffic without feeling like a cat stretching after a nap. Compared to older vans, it actually feels… competent.

At highway speeds, it’s stable and quieter than you’d expect, especially when empty. Is it fun? No. Is it less miserable than a full-size van in the city? Absolutely, and anyone who’s daily-driven a Sprinter downtown will back me up.

Fuel Economy & Running Costs

This is where the Ram ProMaster City quietly flexes. With EPA estimates hovering around 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, it embarrasses V6 full-size vans that struggle to crack 20 mpg. Over 100,000 miles, that’s thousands saved in fuel alone—check the math on FuelEconomy.gov.

Maintenance costs should also stay reasonable thanks to simpler engines and smaller consumables. Tires, brakes, and insurance are all cheaper than a Ram ProMaster 3500, and that matters when margins are thin.

Practicality: This Is the Whole Point

Cargo space lands around 130 cubic feet, which is plenty for most trades without venturing into “needs a loading dock” territory. Payload is approximately 1,800 pounds, and the low load floor saves your back over long days. This thing is a rolling productivity hack.

Fleet buyers will appreciate the flat sidewalls for upfitting, while owner-operators will like that it fits in standard parking garages. Try that in a lifted pickup and watch your roof antenna surrender.

Value vs Competitors

At a starting price around $28,000, the ProMaster City undercuts many crossovers that can’t carry a ladder to save their lives. Compared to used Transit Connects selling for absurd money, a new Ram with a warranty suddenly looks like a bargain. Mercedes Metris fans will miss the badge, but not the maintenance bills.

Ram also benefits from timing. As we discussed in our 2026 new car buying guide, buyers are reevaluating value, not vanity. This van lands squarely on the right side of that argument.

Verdict: Why the Ram ProMaster City Deserves Respect

The Ram ProMaster City won’t win design awards or trend on TikTok, but it might just save small businesses thousands of dollars a year. Its return proves that Ram understands something most automakers forgot: usefulness is a feature. If this van sells well, maybe—just maybe—it’ll convince the industry that not every vehicle needs to cosplay as an off-road warrior.

For official specs and updates, see the Ram Trucks website, and check safety ratings on NHTSA.gov. The Ram ProMaster City is a humble hero, and in 2026, that feels downright revolutionary.

If you think compact work vans are boring, you’ve probably never tried running a business out of the back of one—and the Ram ProMaster City is here to remind you why size isn’t everything.