Automotive
Ram is bringing the ProMaster City back for 2027, and this time it returns to a commercial van market that looks very different from the one it left. Small vans have essentially disappeared from U.S. showrooms, leaving business owners with few choices between a large SUV and a full-size cargo van. Ram is aiming directly at that gap with a new midsize ProMaster City priced from $39,995 including destination, making it the least expensive commercial van available in the U.S. when deliveries begin in early 2027.
The lineup starts with the Tradesman Cargo at $39,995, while the better-equipped SLT Cargo comes in at $41,495. Buyers who need seating instead of maximum cargo space can choose the Tradesman Passenger Wagon for $42,695 or the SLT Passenger Wagon for $44,195. Even the base model comes with a respectable amount of equipment for something designed primarily as a work vehicle, including a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, and a digital rearview mirror. Moving up to the SLT adds conveniences such as a heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, front parking sensors, fog lamps, and 17-inch wheels.
Despite the familiar name, the 2027 ProMaster City is quite a bit larger than the compact van Ram previously sold in America. The new model measures about 210 inches long and provides more than 167 cubic feet of cargo volume, along with a load floor stretching more than nine feet. Ram says the space between the rear wheel wells is wide enough to accommodate standard building materials and pallets, giving contractors, delivery companies, and other small businesses useful capacity without requiring them to step all the way up to a full-size ProMaster.
Power comes from a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 166 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels. Ram rates maximum towing capacity at 2,000 pounds, while payload can reach as much as 2,175 pounds depending on configuration. Those numbers are well below what a full-size commercial van can handle, but that is really the point. The ProMaster City is intended for buyers who value maneuverability, easier parking, lower acquisition costs, and enough cargo capability to handle a typical day of urban or suburban work.
The return of the ProMaster City could prove well timed for Ram. Ford, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, and others have stepped away from the smaller commercial van space in recent years, leaving plenty of businesses without a right-sized replacement. With its sub-$40,000 starting price, useful cargo dimensions, modern cabin technology, and relatively tidy footprint, the 2027 Ram ProMaster City may be exactly the kind of straightforward work vehicle that segment has been missing. Production is set to take place in Bursa, Turkey, with U.S. dealership arrivals scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.
Darryl Taylor Dowe is a seasoned automotive professional with a proven track record of leading successful ventures and providing strategic consultation across the automotive industry. With years of hands-on experience in both business operations and market development, Darryl has played a key role in helping automotive brands grow and adapt in a rapidly evolving landscape. His insight and leadership have earned him recognition as a trusted expert, and his contributions to Automotive Addicts reflect his deep knowledge and passion for the business side of the car world.
