The 2023 Ram ProMaster design update gives the vehicle a much needed facelift and expands the features, cargo capacity, and options available on the platform.
Since it’s introduction to the North American market in 2014, the ProMaster has had a pretty utilitarian appearance. Let’s just say that while it might have scored some points in the talent portion of the competition, it wasn’t winning any beauty pageants. With the 2023 model, Stellantis has thoroughly redesigned the front end and imparted some of the style brought to the other Ram trucks over the past few years. The highlight of the redesign (pun intended) are the new, optional LED headlights. Ram claims that they have 50% more range and 70% more light output. I claim they look 112% better than their ugly predecessors.
The other big change (there’s a pun here too) is the expanded cargo capacity made possible by the new “super high roof” option that adds 10 inches of height to the now thoroughly outclassed “high roof” option that once was king on the Promaster. Specced with the 13.5 foot configuration and the super high roof, the van tops out slightly more than 500 cubic feet of cargo volume, which approaches the size of some studio apartments.
The relatively low cost of the ProMaster combined with its massive available volume has made vehicle an increasingly popular platform for campervans and RVs. While still gaining momentum in the US, the European version of the vehicle known alternately as the Fiat Ducato, the Peugot Boxer, and the Citroën Relay has been an extremely popular vehicle for such uses going back to their introduction on the Continent in 1981. The US version is currently available with both a “Premium RV Group Package” and an “RV Ready-Prep Package”. The former includes a laundry list of interior, driver assist, and convenience options such as upgraded seats, adaptive cruise control, and a 10.1 inch navigation display, while the latter includes such options as an upgraded alternator, swivel seats, and rear HVAC prep, among others.
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The multipurpose platform will produced in three different wheelbases: 118-in., 136-in., and 159-in., four different cargo lengths: 8-ft., 10-ft., 12-ft., and 13.5-ft., and three different roof heights, as well as a cargo van, chassis cab, and cutaway version. The 19 different base configurations are augmented by a list of options spanning seven printed pages on Ram’s press release site. Despite the staggering number of ProMaster permutations that will be offered, it is oddly only available with a single powertrain – a 3.6-liter gas powered Pentastar V-6. Designed around an aluminum deep-skirt block with aluminum alloy heads, the engine provides 276 horsepower and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. The powerplant is mated to a nine-speed front wheel drive transmission. Sadly, Ram doesn’t offer an all wheel drive option. Perhaps we’ll see a Quigley-type conversion one of these days, if demand is high enough.
This year’s refresh sees a couple other minor changes, including a telematics package aimed at fleet owners, minor driver assist features such as a new parallel/perpendicular park assist, a Black Appearance Package, and most interestingly, a roll up cargo door option. Though not available until next year, Ram has announced a battery electric vehicle option that should prove to be very popular.
Pricing has not yet been announced for the vehicle set to hit the showroom floors in Q3 of this year. Expect the 2023 models to cost slightly more than the 2022 models which start at $35,745 for the standard roof and wheelbase configuration and $46,970 for the high roof, extended wheelbase model. The current models top out at about $63,000.
