Both the ProMaster Cargo Van and the Transit Van 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, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.
Compare the2023 Ram ProMaster Cargo VanVS 2022 Ford Transit Van
Safety
Reliability
From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Ram vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ram 15 places higher in reliability than Ford.
Suspension and Handling
The ProMaster Cargo Van has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Transit Van doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.
For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ProMaster 2500 LWB’s wheelbase is 11.4 inches longer than on the Transit T-250 LWB-E (159 inches vs. 147.6 inches).
For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the ProMaster Cargo Van is 3 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Transit Van.
For better maneuverability, the ProMaster Cargo Van’s turning circle is tighter than the Transit Van’s:
|
ProMaster Cargo Van |
Transit Van |
LWB Van |
40.7 feet |
n/a |
Extended Van |
46.8 feet |
47.8 feet |
Chassis
The Ram ProMaster Cargo Van may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 850 pounds less than the Ford Transit Van.
The ProMaster Cargo Van is shorter than the Transit Van, making the ProMaster Cargo Van easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces:
|
ProMaster Cargo Van |
Transit Van |
SWB Van |
195.4 inches |
219.9 inches |
LWB Van |
213.2 inches |
237.6 inches |
Extended Van |
236.2 inches |
263.9 inches |
Passenger Space
The ProMaster Cargo Van offers optional seating for 3 passengers; the Transit Van can only carry 2.
The ProMaster 1500 SWB has 24.6 inches more front headroom, 5.2 inches more front hip room and 6.9 inches more front shoulder room than the Transit T-150 MWB.
The ProMaster 1500 MWB has 13.4 inches more front headroom, 5.2 inches more front hip room and 6.9 inches more front shoulder room than the Transit T-150 LWB.
The ProMaster 2500 LWB High Roof has 5.2 inches more front hip room and 6.9 inches more front shoulder room than the Transit T-250 LWB-E.
Cargo Capacity
The ProMaster 1500 SWB has a much larger cargo volume than the Transit T-150 MWB (259 vs. 246.7 cubic feet).
The ProMaster 1500 MWB has a much larger cargo volume than the Transit T-150 LWB (304 vs. 277.7 cubic feet).
The ProMaster Cargo Van’s cargo area is larger than the Transit Van’s in almost every dimension:
|
ProMaster 1500 SWB |
ProMaster 3500 Ext. LWB |
Transit T-150 MWB |
Length |
105.1” |
160” |
126” |
Max Width |
75.6” |
75.6” |
70.2” |
Min Width |
55.8” |
55.8” |
54.8” |
Height |
65.4” |
76” |
56.9” |
Payload and Towing
The ProMaster Cargo Van’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Transit Van’s (6910 vs. 5100 pounds).
The ProMaster 1500 SWB has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Transit T-150 (4000 vs. 3685 lbs.).
The ProMaster 2500 MWB has a higher optional payload capacity than the Transit T-250 (4260 vs. 4085 lbs.).
Ergonomics
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 Transit Van’s passenger windows don’t open automatically.
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 Transit Van doesn’t offer cornering lights.
The ProMaster Cargo Van’s optional power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Transit Van’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.
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 Transit Van doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.