Compare the2024 Ford Transit VanVS 2023 Ram ProMaster Cargo Van

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Transit Van offers an optional Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The ProMaster Cargo Van doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Transit Van offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The ProMaster Cargo Van doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Transit Van’s standard 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. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the ProMaster Cargo Van.

Both the Transit Van and the ProMaster Cargo 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, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are over 24 percent more Ford dealers than there are Ram dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Transit Van’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Transit Van has a standard 250-amp alternator (500-amp - Transit Van optional). The ProMaster Cargo Van’s standard 180-amp alternator and largest (optional) 220-amp alternator aren’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Ram vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ram is rated below average.

The Transit Van’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 10 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 250) than the ProMaster Cargo Van’s 3.6 DOHC V6. The Transit Van’s optional 3.5 turbo V6 produces 34 more horsepower (310 vs. 276) and 150 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 250) than the ProMaster Cargo Van’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

The Transit Van’s standard fuel tank has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the ProMaster Cargo Van (25.1 vs. 24 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Transit Van’s optional fuel tank has 7 gallons more fuel capacity than the ProMaster Cargo Van (31 vs. 24 gallons).

The Transit Van has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The ProMaster Cargo Van doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Transit Van has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the ProMaster Cargo Van. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Transit Van, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the ProMaster Cargo Van.

For better stopping power the Transit Van’s brake rotors are larger than those on the ProMaster Cargo Van:

The Transit Van stops much shorter than the ProMaster Cargo Van:

For better traction, the Transit Van has larger standard tires than the ProMaster Cargo Van (235/65R16 vs. 225/75R16). The Transit Van Trail’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ProMaster Cargo Van (245/75R16 vs. 225/75R16).

The Transit Van’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the ProMaster Cargo Van’s 75 series tires.

The Ford Transit Van’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Ram ProMaster Cargo Van only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Transit Van has a standard full size spare so a flat doesn’t interrupt your work or a trip. A full size spare costs extra on the ProMaster Cargo Van. Without the option you must depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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

The Transit Van is 9.5 inches shorter in height than the ProMaster Cargo Van, making the Transit Van much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The Transit T-250 Long-EL has 13.6 inches more front headroom and 2.5 inches more front legroom than the ProMaster 2500 LWB High Roof.

The Transit T-250 Long-EL has a much larger cargo volume than the ProMaster 2500 LWB High Roof (487.3 vs. 420 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Transit Van. The ProMaster Cargo Van doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Transit T-350 has a much higher optional payload capacity than the ProMaster 3500 MWB (5114 vs. 4680 lbs.).

The engine in the Transit Van is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the ProMaster Cargo Van. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The Transit Van’s standard tilting steering column adjusts to different sized drivers and makes entering and exiting easier. Ram doesn’t offer tilt steering on the ProMaster Cargo Van.

The Transit Van’s driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The ProMaster Cargo Van’s power windows’ switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Transit Van’s available exterior PIN entry system. The ProMaster Cargo Van doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its SOS and Assist System can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Transit Van’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The ProMaster Cargo Van’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Transit Van has a standard 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 ProMaster Cargo Van only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

The Transit Van has standard power remote mirrors. The ProMaster Cargo Van only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Transit Van’s optional rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The ProMaster Cargo Van doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its October 2015 issue and they ranked the Ford Transit T-150 Long first. They ranked the Ram ProMaster 1500 SWB third.

The Ford Transit outsold the Ram ProMaster by 63% during 2022.