2027 Ram ProMaster City Should Fill The $4 Billion Commercial Van Void

Ram is bringing its compact commercial van back to North America with the 2027 ProMaster City—though the new model is larger and more capable than the old version Ram sold here until 2022.

The redesigned van will go on sale in the U.S. in early 2027 with a starting price below $40,000. Ram says it will be available in both cargo and passenger configurations. The latter can be equipped with seating for as few as five or up to eight people, which should make it popular outside of commercial applications.

The midsize commercial van market has thinned in the United States worse than your buddy's hairline. Ram discontinued its previous ProMaster City in 2022, and rivals such as Ford, Nissan, General Motors, and Mercedes-Benz have also iced their compact vans, leaving businesses with fewer options outside of larger commercial models.

“They all left, including us,” said Dave Sowers, director of operations at Ram Professional, during a preview of the van. “But the work didn’t go away, and neither did the customers.”

Bigger and More Capable

Although it wears the same badge as the previous model, that's about all it shares with the old van. The new ProMaster City is built on Stellantis’ global midsize commercial van platform, which is shared with models such as the Fiat Scudo, Citroën Dispatch, and Vauxhall Vivaro.

Every ProMaster City will be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine strumming out 166 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The engine works with an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive will not be offered.

Compared with the previous ProMaster City, the new version has grown considerably. The van is nearly two feet longer, and its wheelbase stretches from 122.4 inches to 129 inches. It offers 167 cubic feet of cargo space and a load floor stretching more than nine feet, enough room to carry large building materials such as 4×8 sheets of plywood.

Despite the growth spurt, Ram says the turning radius is similar to the outgoing model, a nod to the van's coveted maneuverability in tight urban environments. At just under 77 inches tall, it is short enough to fit into most parking garages, making it one of the few Class 2 commercial vans under 80 inches in height.

Ram says the van can tow and haul up to 2,000 pounds, making it suitable for a wide range of small business uses. Likely customers include contractors, landscapers, plumbers, small delivery companies, and shuttle services.

2027 Ram ProMaster City Configurations

The ProMaster City will be available in two trims: Tradesmen and SLT, with both offered as cargo or passenger vans.

Cargo models come with a sliding side door and rear barn-style doors that can swing open up to 180 degrees for easier loading. Passenger versions swap those rear doors for an SUV-style liftgate and offer seating for five or eight occupants, depending on whether buyers choose the optional third row.

Ram will also offer different side panel configurations for the cargo van, including solid panels, full glass, or a mix of both, depending on how the vehicle will be used.

The cabin includes a long list of standard features, even on the base Tradesmen trim. Equipment includes a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, navigation, and a digital rearview mirror.

The SLT trim adds additional convenience features such as front parking sensors and a wireless charging pad, along with body-color bumpers and alloy wheels instead of the base model’s steel wheels.

2027 Ram ProMaster City, Arriving Soon

The vans will be built in Turkey before being shipped to the United States. Once they arrive, Ram plans to prep them for specific commercial uses at a new customization facility near the Port of Baltimore. There, the vehicles can be outfitted with specialized equipment depending on what the customer needs.

Ram says the 2027 ProMaster City will open for orders in the second half of this year, with production beginning in the fourth quarter. U.S. deliveries are expected to start within the first few months of 2027.

AutoGuide's Take

With almost every automaker abandoning compact commercial vans in recent years, Ram is betting there’s still demand for a smaller, more maneuverable work vehicle—especially for tradespeople, delivery services, and shuttle operators who don’t need the size of a full-size van.

It's a good bet, too—the automaker estimates the abandoned segment represents a $4 billion opportunity, with nearly one million small and midsize vans sold in the U.S. since 2009.

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