2018 Ram Promaster Review

There are loads of reasons people choose one vehicle over another, which can range from how they look to how many people they can accommodate, or if it's a pickup truck it might be how capable it is Off-road. But when it comes to cargo vans it's largely going to be about capability, utility and cost. Ram's offering in this competitive area of the auto market is the 2018 Ram ProMaster, so let's take a closer look to see how it measures up.

Styling

To be honest, if a cargo van checks all the boxes of capability, flexibility, utility and value for money, a lot of buyers may not be too concerned with how it looks. However, some of the contenders in this section of the market are now looking decidedly aged and tired, and even the most cost-conscious buyer might be concerned about the image a decades old design portrays to customers. The Promaster's styling is a good blend of practicality and aesthetics which should give it pretty wide appeal. It's a clean, modern design but it's also very practical. The Ram's low, unpainted front fascia delivers a terrific view from the driver's seat and the chances are it's going to be pretty inexpensive to fix when it inevitably bumps into loading docks and the like.

Engines

The base engine under the hood of the Promaster is a 3.6-liter V-6 producing 280 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. As there are a number of body styles and wheelbases to choose from in the range it's hard to make an overall statement about how this unit performs. Obviously, it's going to feel pretty nippy around the town or city in smaller, lighter versions of the vehicle and a little slower in the biggest versions when fully loaded. Even so, 280 horsepower isn't to be sniffed at in vans of this size. The optional engine is one that makes a lot of sense in a commercial vehicle like the Promaster as it's a 3.0-liter inline-four turbodiesel producing 174 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. The gas engine comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel comes with a six-speed automated manual.

Performance

Front-wheel drive might not be the first choice format for driving enthusiasts, but in a cargo van like this it makes an awful lot of sense. Vans like these have to operate in tight confines in towns and cities, and the tight turning circle the Ram boasts is a big benefit of this model. The shortest forms of the Promaster can turn around fully in as little as just 36.3 feet, and even the longest versions can manage it in an equally impressive 46.8 feet. The gas engine is smoother and faster accelerating than the turbodiesel, but what the oil-burner lacks in refinement it more than makes up for in capability and fuel economy.

Features and capability

Promasters have a highly configurable cargo area that comes in a number of different sizes and its front seats are certainly comfortable enough for the long-haul. The Ram can be ordered in any one of 14 different wheelbase and body combinations, which means there's going to be one to suit just about every need and the roomiest version offers a massive 463 cu.-ft. of cargo capacity. Buyers can make the interior a very nice place to be by adding the likes of heated seats, but the standard specification is already pretty good and includes the likes of a 5.0-inch touchscreen audio system, rearview camera, power windows and door locks, and air conditioning.

For more information and to discover the Ram Promaster that's right for your needs for sale in Fremont, NE, don't hesitate to get in touch with us here at Gene Steffy Chrysler Dodge Jeep today.