2023 RAM Promaster

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Rating6.1

Ranked #3 in 

Fullsize Van
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$42,920 - $53,510
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on July 18, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Easy to maneuver in the city

Uncomfortable driving position

Gets updated infotainment system

Multiple body styles to choose from

Bouncy ride

Gets new 9-speed automatic transmission

Comes with an impressive list of features

No AWD variant

Specs & Features

$42,920

price

276 hp @ 6400 rpm

horsepower

250 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

torque

9-speed Automatic

transmission

3.6L 6cyl FWD 9A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2023 RAM Promaster Cargo Van comes in a compact design but ensures to deliver the best space management inside the cabin. The RAM Promaster Cargo Van manages to deliver quite an impressive cargo area without being too large to maneuver. There are not many exciting things to talk about when you have a utility vehicle that is focused to deliver the best practicality possible for a limited price. The winner is always the one that delivers the best without being too flashy.

The 2023 RAM Promaster Cargo Van performs against the likes of the 2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van and the 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van.

Buying Advice

The 2023 RAM Promaster Cargo Van is a utility vehicle so you do not wish it to be loaded with all the bells and whistles. However, it exceeds the expectations of the buyers in many areas to deliver a modern cabin that comes loaded with quite some goodies for the price. But if it is not enough for you, you always have the option to choose from the optional packages on the list. None of the packages except the Safety Group package makes a lot of sense for the cargo van buyers unless they want a feature-rich cabin for the driver. 

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2023 RAM Promaster Cargo Van does that pretty well with a modern design language that does not make it look like a boring commercial van design. It comes with many variants depending on your need and how much cargo you want to carry in it. But even the base Promaster Cargo Van comes with quite an impressive cargo capacity. It also performs pretty well in the areas that matter the most to the users in this segment. The 2023 RAM Promaster Cargo Van performs against the likes of the 2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van and the 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van.

Features
5.0/10

The 2023 RAM Promaster comes in multiple variants but it depends on the size of the body and the configuration you wish to choose. Talking about the 2023 RAM Promaster Cargo Van comes in three different body styles including 1500, 2500, and the largest of all 3500. The biggest strength of the RAM Promaster Cargo Van is that it does not compromise much on cargo space even with the smallest Promaster 1500 as it makes very smart use of the space inside the van. It comes with an excellent cargo space of 259 cubic feet which is quite impressive for the class. It comes standard with 16-inch wheels and also some modern features like remote keyless entry and push-button start. The updated infotainment system is also quite responsive and it delivers a good overall value. 

Trim

Promaster 1500 Cargo Van

Promaster 2500 Cargo Van

Promaster 3500 Cargo Van

MSRP

$43,085

$47,370

$48,410

Key Features

16-inch steel wheels

Adds/Replaces on 1500 Cargo Van

Adds/Replaces on 1500 Cargo Van

 

Full-size spare tire

7-inch touchscreen infotainment system

Satellite radio

 

Manual-folding exterior mirrors

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Two USB ports

 

Remote keyless entry

4-speaker audio

Pedestrian and cyclist detection

 

Push-button engine start

Cargo light

Forward collision mitigation

 

Air conditioning

Simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices

Crosswind assist

 

Power windows

Connected services with access to a Wi-Fi hotspot

Driver attention warning

Crew Van Package

  • Second-row bench seat for three passengers
  • Sliding right-side door window
  • Fixed left-side window

Safety Group

  • Heated, power-folding side mirrors
  • Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning 
  • Parking sensors)
  • Digital rearview mirror 

Advanced Safety Group

  • Safety Group contents
  • Upgraded instrumentation
  • Adaptive cruise 
  • Lane-keeping
  • Surround-view camera system

Convenience Group

  • Ambient LED interior lighting
  • Locking glove compartment
  • Overhead storage shelf
  • Underseat storage
  • Cargo net

Driver Convenience Group

  • Heated, power-folding side mirrors
  • Remote engine start
  • Parking sensors 
  • Surround-view camera system

Premium Convenience Group

  • Automatic high-beam headlights
  • Rain-sensing windshield wipers
  • Upgraded instrumentation
  • 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
  • Navigation system with voice control
  • Satellite radio
  • Wireless charging pad
  • Adaptive cruise control

We recommend

The 2023 RAM Promaster Cargo Van is a utility vehicle so you do not wish it to be loaded with all the bells and whistles. However, it exceeds the expectations of the buyers in many areas to deliver a modern cabin that comes loaded with quite some goodies for the price. But if it is not enough for you, you always have the option to choose from the optional packages on the list. None of the packages except the Safety Group package makes a lot of sense for the cargo van buyers unless they want a feature-rich cabin for the driver. 

Engine and Performance
7.2/10

The RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van performs pretty well when you look at it from a cargo van perspective. None of the cargo vans in the class offer excellent performance and they are not meant for that either. The 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 276 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. The performance of the Promaster 1500 is pretty decent. It manages to go from 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds while the quarter-mile run takes 16.4 seconds. The performance figures are quite good when you consider the weight of the cargo van, The performance might also differ based on the weight inside the cargo area or the extra weight you tow with the RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van.

Models

2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van

2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van

2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van

MSRP

$43,085

$45,350

$45,795

Engine

3.6L V6 

3.5L V-6

2.0L I-4

Drivetrain

FWD

AWD

RWD

Transmission

9-speed automatic

10-speed automatic

9-speed automatic

Power (horsepower)

276hp @ 6400 rpm

275 hp @ 6250 rpm

188 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque

250 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm

260 hp @ 4000 rpm

258 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm

0 to 60 MPH

8.2 Seconds

8.5 Seconds

8.2 Seconds

Quarter Mile

16.4 Seconds

16.6

NA

Top Speed

100 MPH

97 MPH

90 MPH

The 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van is the fastest cargo van to reach from 0 to 60 mph. The quarter-mile run takes exactly twice the time compared to the 0 to 60 mph sprint. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van also comes at the same position in terms of acceleration as the 0 to 60 mph sprint timing is identical for both these cargo vans. However, when you look at the performance figures, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van is the least powerful van in the class with a significant margin. The 2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van takes 8.5 seconds to complete the 0 to 60 mph sprint which is again not much. 

2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van Ride and Handling

There are certain limitations that every buyer is aware of while buying a vehicle in a particular segment. Expecting a hatchback to be more capable or a truck to handle like a hatchback is something that very rarely happens. So it is better that you set your expectations right when you look at the handling of the RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van as it is not meant for that. The 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van does surprisingly well in the handling department. 

You can not consider the handling of the RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van to be sporty or engaging. But when you keep it against its rivals, it performs better than most of them due to its compact design. It feels easy to maneuver it in the city when you look at the size of the vehicle. Even when the vehicle is fully-loaded it performs pretty well. The steering wheel gives a generous response but does not expect much engagement there. 

2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van

The 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van comes with 11.8-inch brake rotors in the front and same-size brake rotors at the rear also. The size of the brake rotors is quite good for the class. But there is no data on the braking performance of the 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van. There are various factors that affect the braking distance of a vehicle, and weight plays a crucial role in that. You can not predict a similar braking distance for every cargo van as it may vary a lot depending on the payload or any extra weight added to it. The RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van weighs 4787 pounds without any additional weight.

Model

2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van

2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van

2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van

Brake Rotors (front) (in)

11.8

12.1

NA

Brake Rotors (rear) (in)

11.8

12.1

NA

Curb Weight (lbs)

4787 lbs

5181 lbs

4597 lbs

70-0 (-ft)

NA

171

NA

The 2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van comes with a bigger brake rotor than the RAM Promaster 1500 cargo van. It takes 171 feet to bring the 2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van to a complete stop from 70 mph without any additional weight added to it. It will depend on when you fill the cargo area to add some extra weight. The braking hardware or the braking distance of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van.

Fuel Economy
9.0/10

The 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van is a vehicle made for the purpose of commercial use and expecting great fuel economy figures will only disappoint you. It manages to return 12 mpg in the city, 15 mpg on the highway, and 14 mpg of combined fuel economy. But this is the fuel economy without any additional weight to it, so it can again fall down depending on the load you put into it as it is not going to run with the diver only all the time. The RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van comes with a 24-gallon fuel tank capacity which helps it deliver a decent driving range. 

Models

2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van

2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van

2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van

MPG (City)

12

14

15

MPG (Highway)

15

18

19

MPG (Combined)

14

16

17

Fuel Capacity (Gallons)

24

25.1

22

Range (City/ Highway/ Combined) in miles

288/360/336

351/452/402

330/418/374

The 2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van comes with the largest fuel tank capacity in the competition which helps it deliver the longest highway range in the competition. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van gets a smaller fuel tank capacity but better fuel efficiency. That is what helps it deliver a significantly better highway range compared to the 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van. But the fuel efficiency and range of all these vans are subject to change based on the weight of cargo that we add in the cargo area. 

Interior
7.2/10

The 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van comes with a practical cabin design that is designed to offer the best practicality. You should not expect it to be high on quality as being a van that is used mostly for commercial purposes. But the front row is pretty spacious and offers enough space for drivers of any size to fit comfortably in there. When you talk about the cargo area of the RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van, it is pretty spacious for its size. Even a tall person can easily stand and walk in the cargo area without any problem. RAM has done a great job of making a practical cargo van that can be used for multiple purposes. 

Models

2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van

2023 2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van

2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van

Seating Capacity

1

2

2

First Row (Head/shoulder/legroom)

76/74.8/38.8

40.8/67.9/41.3

47.3/67.4/38.9

Trunk Capacity(cu.-ft)

259

246.7

319

The 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van comes with the best in class headroom and shoulder room for the driver in the front row. As there is no second row in any of the cargo vans in the competition, it is the only row where they focus in terms of space The 2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van offers better legroom for the front seat passengers than both the rivals. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van comes with the best cargo area in the class followed by the RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van. The 2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van gets the smallest cargo area in the segment. 

Standout interior features:

  • 4-way manual adjustable driver seats
  • Manual telescoping steering wheel
  • Manual air conditioning
  • Remote keyless entry
  • Push button start
  • Cargo lights

2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van Infotainment System

The 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van comes with a 7-inch touchscreen display that is very user friendly and easy to use. You can also get a bigger 10-inch infotainment display as standard. The infotainment system runs on the latest Uconnect5 user interface. It also comes with features like wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The infotainment can also stay connected via Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity. The infotainment system can receive over-the-air-update to run the latest software at all times. The infotainment system of the RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van is quite impressive for its class. It ensures that the driver does not get bored after a long day. 

Standout infotainment system

  • 7-inch touchscreen display or optional 10-inch touchscreen display
  • Uconnect 5 user interface
  • Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Amazon Alexa voice-assistant

Exterior
7.2/10

There is nothing much that you expect when looking at the exterior design of a cargo van designed for commercial uses. There is nothing much different in the case of the 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van. But the design language of the RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van stands out from its rivals for sure. The small dimensions of the RAM Promaster 1500 give it a more appealing appearance from certain angles. The front and side of the RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van is the area where you appreciate its design while the rear design still remains pretty much the same as the other cargo vans that sell in the segment. 

Models

2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van

2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van

2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van

Curb Weight (lbs)

4787

5181

4597

Length(inches)

213.2

219.9

233.5

Width(inches)

80.3

81.3

80

Height(inches)

103.6

82.2

96.3

Ground Clearance (inches)

7.7

NA

8

Wheelbase (inches)

136

130

144

The 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van has the most compact dimensions when you look at the length and the width of the van compared to its rivals. However, it is the tallest van in the competition and also gets a longer wheelbase than the Ford Transit Cargo Van. The Ford Transit Cargo Van is longer and wider than the RAM Promaster 1500 and is also the heavier of the two. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van is almost similar to the RAM Promaster in terms of width but it is the longest van in the competition with the longest wheelbase. It also gets the best ground clearance in the class. 

Standout exterior features:

  • 16-inch steel wheels
  • Black front and rear bumper
  • Light tinted glass
  • Variable intermittent wipers
  • Black grille
  • Sliding rear side door

Safety
7.0/10

The cargo vans are now known for being safe as they offer a very basic car focusing only the work purpose in mind. However, the 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van surprises everyone this year. It comes with a long list of standard safety features for its class which is quite impressive. There is no data on the safety score of the RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van as being a commercial vehicle it was not tested by many of the other rivals. The 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van also comes with some of the most advanced driver assistance features as standard with it. 

Standout safety features:

  • Traction control
  • Electronic stability control
  • Forward-collision warning
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Automated emergency braking

Competition
4.0/10

2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van vs. 2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van

The 2023 Ford Transit Cargo Van is the closest rival of the RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van. The 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van has an edge over the Ford Transit Cargo Van when you look at the maximum towing capacity of the vans. The RAM Promaster can also carry more cargo in the cargo area as it offers more cargo area compared to the Ford Transit Cargo Van. The RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van being the higher of the two helps the van accommodate more cargo for sure. But at the same time, it is also more compact to maneuver in the city compared to the Ford rival. The choice between the two depends on which one fits your requirements better. 

2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van vs. 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van

The game completely changes when you keep the RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van against the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van. The German van offers more capabilities than the RAM Promaster in terms of payload capacity and towing capacity that they offer. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van also offers a bigger cargo area compared to the RAM Promaster City and that too by a significant margin. The quality of design in the interior and exterior feels more premium on the German rival for sure. It looks more refined and advanced than the RAM Promaster in most areas. The 2023 Merc Sprinter Cargo Van comes out as a better choice for most of the buyers in the class.

Final Verdict
4.0/10

The 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van is a great choice for buyers who are looking for a compact but practical cargo van. It is easy to maneuver in the city which is a great advantage in its favor. Those who wish to build their home on wheels will enjoy the height of the van. You can easily stand and walk in the van and it works well for any average size adult. It packs more cargo space in a smaller and more compact footprint. The performance of the RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van is not an issue either. The 3.6L V6 engine pulls the load pretty well. The exterior styling is also pretty good for the class. The 2023 RAM Promaster 1500 Cargo Van makes great sense for people who wish to buy a spacious cargo van that comes with all the modern features without being too big. 

Trims

    1500
    $42,920 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl FWD 9A
    • Horsepower: 276 hp @ 6400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 250 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.1 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -
    3500
    $53,510 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl FWD 9A
    • Horsepower: 276 hp @ 6400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 250 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.1 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -

Compare to similar cars

Price

$42,920- $53,510

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.09

Horsepower

276 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque

250 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

3

Read Review

$41,955- $61,405

Gasoline

6.52

275 hp @ 6250 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$47,205- $48,855

Gasoline

6.15

276 hp @ 6400 rpm

250 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

1

Read Review

2023 RAM Promaster vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    SourceCompare
    8.1 sec
    8.1 sec

    2023 RAM Promaster vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      SourceCompare
      ---24 gal.
      15 mpg19 mpg17 mpg25 gal.
      ---24 gal.

      2023 RAM Promaster vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        195.4 in.80.3 in.91.7 in.6.9 in.118 in. -

        2023 Chevrolet Express 3500

        Ranked #1

        244.05 in.79.25 in.84.25 in.-155.15 in. -

        2023 GMC Savana 2500

        Ranked #2

        224.1 in.79.3 in.84.8 in.8.6 in.135.2 in.
        219.9 in.81.3 in.82.2 in.-130 in. -
        213.2 in.80.3 in.93 in.6.9 in.136 in. -

        2023 RAM Promaster vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          259 cu.ft.-
          246.7 cu.ft.280.9 cu.ft.
          304 cu.ft.-

          2023 RAM Promaster vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            -259 cu.ft.-
            280.9 cu.ft.246.7 cu.ft.280.9 cu.ft.
            -304 cu.ft.-

            2023 RAM Promaster vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              1500 lbs.3996 lbs.4554 lbs.
              5000 lbs.3362 lbs.5308 lbs.
              1500 lbs.4256 lbs.4644 lbs.

              Top RAM Cars

              2023 RAM 1500

              Horsepower : 305 hp @ 6400 rpm

              MPG Combined : 20 mpg

              #1

              Latest 2023 RAM Promaster Stories/Updates

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