Compare the2023 Ram ProMaster Cargo VanVS 2023 Chevrolet Express Cargo

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Express Cargo offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

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 Express Cargo 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 offers an optional Surround-View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Express Cargo 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 Express Cargo 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 Express Cargo 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 Express Cargo uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the ProMaster Cargo Van and the Express Cargo 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, lane departure warning systems and blind spot warning systems.

Warranty

The ProMaster Cargo Van’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Express Cargo’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the ProMaster Cargo Van has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engines in the Express Cargo.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the ProMaster Cargo Van has larger alternators than the Express Cargo:

	ProMaster Cargo Van	Express Cargo
Standard Alternator	180 amps	105 amps
Optional Alternator	220 amps	150 amps

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the ProMaster Cargo Van offers larger standard and optional batteries than the Express Cargo:

	ProMaster Cargo Van	Express Cargo
Standard Battery	800 amps	600 amps
Optional Battery	850 amps	770 amps

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 Express Cargo’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Ram vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ram 10 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Transmission

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

Brakes and Stopping

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The ProMaster Cargo Van has a standard brake assist system to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Express Cargo doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

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 Express Cargo.

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 Express Cargo doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ProMaster Cargo Van’s wheelbase is longer than on the Express Cargo:

	ProMaster Cargo Van	Express Cargo
SWB Van	118 inches	n/a
LWB Van	136 inches	135.2 inches

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the ProMaster Cargo Van is 3.2 inches wider in the front and 2.8 inches wider in the rear than on the Express Cargo.

For better maneuverability, the ProMaster Cargo Van’s turning circle is tighter than the Express Cargo’s:

	ProMaster Cargo Van	Express Cargo
LWB Van	40.7 feet	49.2 feet
Extended Van	46.8 feet	54.5 feet

Chassis

The Ram ProMaster Cargo Van may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 750 pounds less than the Chevrolet Express Cargo.

The ProMaster Cargo Van is shorter than the Express Cargo, making the ProMaster Cargo Van easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces:

	ProMaster Cargo Van	Express Cargo
SWB Van	195.4 inches	n/a
LWB Van	213.2 inches	224.1 inches
Extended Van	236.2 inches	244.1 inches

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 Express Cargo doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

Passenger Space

The ProMaster 1500 MWB has 24.5 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front hip room and 5.9 inches more front shoulder room than the Express Cargo 2500 135” WB.

Cargo Capacity

The ProMaster 1500 MWB has a much larger cargo volume than the Express Cargo 2500 135” WB (304 vs. 239.7 cubic feet).

The ProMaster 2500 LWB High Roof has a much larger cargo volume than the Express Cargo 2500 155” WB (420 vs. 284.4 cubic feet).

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

	ProMaster 1500 SWB	ProMaster 3500 Ext. LWB	Express Cargo 2500 135” WB	Express Cargo 2500 155” WB
Length	105.1”	160”	126.75”	146.8”
Max Width	75.6”	75.6”	61.5”	61.5”
Min Width	55.8”	55.8”	52.5”	52.5”
Height	65.4”	76”	55.1”	55.1”

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 Express Cargo doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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

	ProMaster Cargo Van	Express Cargo
1500 Van	4000 lbs.	n/a
2500 Van	4010 lbs.	3280 lbs.
3500 Van	4330 lbs.	4060 lbs.

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

	ProMaster Cargo Van	Express Cargo
2500 Van	4260 lbs.	3280 lbs.
3500 Van	4680 lbs.	4280 lbs.

Ergonomics

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 Express Cargo doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

The ProMaster Cargo Van’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Express Cargo’s parking brake has to be released manually.

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 Express Cargo’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 Chevrolet Express Cargo doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The ProMaster Cargo Van’s available sliding doors can be opened with less than three inches side clearance. The Express Cargo’s standard rear double doors are clumsy and make loading in tight spots difficult.

In addition to the standard right side sliding door, the Ram ProMaster Cargo Van offers an optional driver’s side rear sliding door. This door simplifies loading and unloading passengers and it allows parents to easily secure two children into child seats. The Express Cargo doesn’t offer a driver’s side rear door.

The ProMaster Cargo Van’s cruise control switch is lit from behind, making it plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Express Cargo’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Express Cargo’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The ProMaster Cargo Van’s optional LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Express Cargo’s halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

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 Express Cargo 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 Express Cargo doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 Express Cargo.

A built-in pollen filter removes pollen, exhaust fumes and other pollutants from the ProMaster Cargo Van’s passenger compartment. This helps prevent lung and/or sinus irritation which can trigger allergies or asthma. The Express Cargo’s air conditioner doesn’t offer a filtration system.

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 Express Cargo doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Bluetooth wireless connectivity is standard on the ProMaster Cargo Van, connecting the driver and passenger’s cell phones to the vehicle systems. This allows them to use the vehicle’s stereo and hand controls to place calls safely and easily. Bluetooth costs extra on the Express Cargo.

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 Express Cargo doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The ProMaster Cargo Van’s optional Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Express Cargo doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

The ProMaster Cargo Van will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the ProMaster Cargo Van will retain 51.31% to 52.38% of its original price after five years, while the Express Cargo only retains 42.92% to 43.81%.

Recommendations

The Ram ProMaster outsold the Chevrolet Express by 27% during the 2022 model year.