2015 Ram ProMaster City Wagon Goes to the Dogs

CARS.COM — At Cars.com we test cars in a variety of ways, from tailgating trials and performance runs to car seat checks and mileage drives. As pet lovers, we know many consumers consider the furry members of their family when purchasing a vehicle, so we test for pet-friendliness too.

The cargo space in the 2015 Ram ProMaster City Wagon van made it a perfect candidate for our pet test. I spent two weekends using it to travel with my family’s three dogs and it was well-suited to the task. I was able to harness two of our dogs on the long, wide backseat bench and transport the third in a crate in the cargo area. The harnesses were certified travel harnesses from Sleepypod, and the Gunner crate I used was the top-performing crate in the Center for Pet Safety’s 2015 crate and carrier study. I also was able to fit three folded soft crates, a dog ramp and other pet gear into the cargo area.

Related: 2015 Ram ProMaster City Wagon Dog Test Video

Besides 101.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, the ProMaster City Wagon has a host of other pet-friendly features: wide-opening, split swing-out rear doors; two sliding side doors; a climate vent for the second row; a 60/40-split bench that easily tumbles forward; four cargo tie-downs; a 12-volt DC power outlet in the cargo area; and a lower step-in height at the rear and side doors.

Most able-bodied dogs should find it fairly easy to jump in and out of the ProMaster. While the entry height of the cargo area and backseat isn’t exceptionally low — 21.5 inches for the cargo area and 18.8 inches for the side doors — most dogs should be able to jump in. Two of our three did it easily. We used our ramp, which the ProMaster accommodated nicely, for our other dog, who has mild hip dysplasia. The ProMaster’s deep rear bumper provided a stable base for the top of the ramp. The sliding doors have a 24-inch-wide opening to set the ramp on the doorsill. The lower step-in heights also make it easy for owners to lift their pets into the ProMaster.

The backseat is long and deep; one dog can really stretch out and get comfortable there, and our two golden retrievers had no issues sharing the space — even during a 130-mile round trip. The Gunner travel crate was secured in the cargo area to the four cargo tie-downs (rated at 250 pounds apiece for a total of 1,000 pounds) via weight-rated ratchet-style cargo straps. It remained firmly in place even during a sudden stop.

Another thing I like about the 60/40-split folding bench is that after folding it you can tumble it into an upright position against the front seatbacks. That opened up the cargo area, enabling us to  fit three medium-sized (36 inches long, 24 inches wide, 27 inches high) soft crates in the cargo area. Soft crates only serve to keep dogs from being distractions during travel; they won’t protect them or you in a crash.

In larger vehicles it’s nice to have dual climate controls when transporting pets to keep them comfortable. While the ProMaster lacks dual climate controls it does have a vent for the backseat. There are no climate controls for the cargo area, however. That wasn’t an issue during our time with the van because temps were in the 40s and 50s. The cargo area has a 12-volt outlet, so you can plug in a fan to keep a dog comfortable on warm days.

Visibility is also a strong suit; the driver has clear sightlines thanks to large windows and the dogs enjoy looking out them when traveling.

I found the ProMaster City Wagon to be a good vehicle for transporting our dogs. I was able to safely secure all three of them, and they were comfortable traveling in it. With a starting price of $25,125, including a destination fee, it’s worthy of consideration for those who do a lot of traveling with pets.