Ram claims its 2014 Cargo Van has a bunch of class-leading (i.e., Ford-Transit-beating) payload, towing and warranty stats. And then this commercially oriented, 2-seat, 4-door van goes out and proves it via an available 155.5 cubic feet of cargo area (with the available under-floor aluminum cargo floor), 1,800 pounds of payload capacity, 3,500 pounds of towing capacity (when properly equipped) and a 5-year/100,000-mile warranty.

The Ram Cargo Van, often simply called the C/V, debuted for the 2012 model year as a spinoff of Dodge’s popular Grand Caravan. Again packing the potent Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 powerplant, the single Tradesman trim level should see few if any major changes for 2014 in that the 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission will again manage 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, and this workhorse should remain delivered in only the standard front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration. Mileage estimates, once more taking into account standard variable valve timing (VVT), are expected to run 17 mpg city/25 highway.

Of course the get-‘er-done Cargo Van, with its heavy-duty commercial suspension, is also expected to remain somewhat Spartan in standard appearance bling, with 16-inch steel wheels, sliding rear doors on driver and passenger sides, and a rear liftgate about the extent of things. Comfort and convenience features, meantime, will likely remain bare bones as well, which these days means cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, cruise control, a tilting and telescoping steering wheel mounting cruise and audio controls, and the obligatory dual-zone air conditioning. Entertainment should again be handled by a single-CD player with 2 speakers and an auxiliary MP3 input. By the way, one of the more attractive features in this cargo-centric van is its low, flat cargo floor that’s handy for hassle-free cargo loading.

Look for optional packages like the Tow Group, with a Class II hitch and wiring harness, and the Power Window Group, with front and rear power windows, not to mention a couple of Sunscreen glass packages, to return in the 2014 Cargo Van. Some standalone goodies like tri-zone air conditioning, a rear-view camera and a choice of Uconnect/Bluetooth infotainment bundles, including Uconnect 430N with Garmin navigation and a 6.5-inch touchscreen, are also expected to remain available to the 2014 C/V.

Finally, safety features will likely stand pat for 2014, with the usual 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags and front head airbags all delivered standard. Also standard should be dusk-sensing headlights and a post-collision safety system, while a remote antitheft alarm will likely remain offered as an optional safety item.