Ram ProMaster Puts On A Fresh Face And Hauls More

The Ram brand is big business for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Last year it sold 556,790 vehicles in the United States alone, making it the second most prolific brand in the group – behind Jeep, ahead of Dodge, and well ahead Chrysler (to say nothing of Fiat and Alfa Romeo). But over 500,000 of those were pickups.

The vans that also form part of the Ram lineup are little more than a footnote. But FCA would like to fix that. And to that end, it’s rolling out updated versions of both the full-size ProMaster and the smaller ProMaster City.

For 2019, both vans arrive with fresh faces on – ditching the crosshair grille that’s now Dodge’s exclusive domain and gaining the bold Ram lettering that dominates the front of the new pickups. And along with the facelift, the larger ProMaster gains more capability.

Essentially a reskinned version of the Fiat Ducato, the updated Ram ProMaster can now carry up to 240 pounds more than the 2018 model – as much as 4,680 lbs in 3500 spec, which FCA claims is the best in its class. Towing capacity is also up by 30 percent to total as much as 6,800 lbs. And it gets new LED interior lighting (20 times brighter than the previous arrangement), a new trailering kit, various exterior trim upgrades, and a smattering of new configurations to bring the total up to 18.

The smaller ProMaster City (based on the Fiat Doblo) gets the new face as well (though we’ve yet to see it). It otherwise carries on largely unchanged with the same capabilities as before, available in both cargo and passenger configurations.

Pricing for the 2019 Ram ProMaster City starts at $24,195 for the cargo version and $25,845 for the passenger model (plus a $1,545 destination charge). The 2019 ProMaster 1500 cargo van (with the low roof and 118-inch wheelbase) starts at $30,195 (plus $1,645 destination).