Compare the2022 Ram ProMaster Cargo VanVS 2021 Nissan NV

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Transmission
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

© 1999 - 2025Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2025/04/27

The ProMaster Cargo Van has standard Emergency Brake Assist, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The NV doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The ProMaster Cargo Van has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The NV doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The ProMaster Cargo Van’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The NV doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The ProMaster Cargo Van offers an optional Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The NV only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the ProMaster Cargo Van’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The NV doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The ProMaster Cargo Van’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The NV doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the ProMaster Cargo Van uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The NV uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the ProMaster Cargo Van and the NV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights and blind spot warning systems.

Warranty

There are over 2 times as many Ram dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the ProMaster Cargo Van’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the ProMaster Cargo Van has a standard 180-amp alternator (220-amp - ProMaster Cargo Van optional). The NV’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the ProMaster Cargo Van has a standard 800-amp battery (850 optional). The NV’s 650-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the ProMaster Cargo Van is under the floor, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the ProMaster Cargo Van’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The NV’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ram vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ram first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked fifth.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ram vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ram 16th in reliability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 21st.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Ram vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ram 6 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The ProMaster Cargo Van’s 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 19 more horsepower (280 vs. 261) than the NV’s standard 4.0 DOHC V6.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Ram ProMaster Cargo Van, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the NV.

Suspension and Handling

For much better steering response and tighter handling the ProMaster Cargo Van has rack and pinion steering, like Formula racecars, instead of the recirculating-ball type steering of the NV.

The ProMaster Cargo Van’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The NV doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the ProMaster Cargo Van is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the NV.

For better maneuverability, the ProMaster 1500 SWB’s turning circle is 8.9 feet tighter than the NV’s (36.3 feet vs. 45.2 feet).

Chassis

The Ram ProMaster Cargo Van may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1250 to 1350 pounds less than the Nissan NV.

The ProMaster 1500 MWB is 2 feet, 2.9 inches shorter than the NV, making the ProMaster Cargo Van easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction makes the ProMaster Cargo Van’s chassis much stiffer, which contributes to better handling, and enables softer springs to be used for a better ride. Unibody construction’s stiffness also contributes to better durability and less body squeaks and rattles. The NV doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

Passenger Space

The ProMaster Cargo Van offers optional seating for 3 passengers; the NV can only carry 2.

Cargo Capacity

The ProMaster Cargo Van’s cargo area is larger than the NV’s in almost every dimension:

	ProMaster 1500 SWB	ProMaster 3500 Ext. LWB	NV
Length	105”	160”	120”
Max Width	82.7”	82.7”	70.2”
Min Width	56”	56”	54.3”

Payload and Towing

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the ProMaster Cargo Van uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The NV doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The ProMaster Cargo Van has a much higher standard payload capacity than the NV:

	ProMaster Cargo Van	NV
1500 Van	4000 lbs.	2730 lbs.
2500 Van	4010 lbs.	3280 lbs.
3500 Van	4430 lbs.	3720 lbs.

The ProMaster Cargo Van has much higher optional payload capacities than the NV:

	ProMaster Cargo Van	NV
1500 Van	4000 lbs.	2730 lbs.
2500 Van	4240 lbs.	3280 lbs.
3500 Van	4680 lbs.	3720 lbs.

Servicing Ease

The ProMaster Cargo Van has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The NV doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

Ergonomics

The ProMaster Cargo Van offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The NV doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the ProMaster Cargo Van has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The NV doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

The ProMaster Cargo Van’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch. The NV

The ProMaster Cargo Van’s front power windows lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The NV’s passenger windows don’t open automatically.

Keyless Go standard on the ProMaster Cargo Van allows you to start the engine without removing a key from pocket or purse (optional Keyless Enter ‘n Go will also allow unlocking the doors and cargo door without taking your keys out). The Nissan NV doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The ProMaster Cargo Van’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The NV’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The ProMaster Cargo Van offers an optional automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The NV doesn’t offer automatic headlights.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the ProMaster Cargo Van detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The NV doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the ProMaster Cargo Van offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The NV doesn’t offer cornering lights. The ProMaster Cargo Van also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The ProMaster Cargo Van’s optional power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The NV’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The ProMaster Cargo Van offers optional heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the NV.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the ProMaster Cargo Van offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The NV doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ram ProMaster Cargo Van offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The NV doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

See Available Inventory