Toyota Proace Electric Review 2024
The Toyota Proace Electric is a mid-sized electric van that's just as reliable as it is stylish. With a good-looking exterior, a generous electric range, and a ten-year warranty, the Proace Electric is perfect for businesses looking for a sustainable and practical van.
Rivals to the Proace Electric include the Vauxhall Vivaro-e, Citroen e-Dispatch, Mercedes-Benz e-Vito, and Ford E-Transit Custom.
Our Toyota Proace Electric review covers:
- Slick exterior design with v-shaped front grille
- Well-built interior
- Payload up to 1,400kg and load volume of 5.8m3
- Electric motor paired to a 50kWh or 75kWh battery
- One trim available
Pros:
- Generous warranty
- Straightforward to drive
- Good electric range
Cons:
- Space is limited in the cabin
- Only one trim level
- More expensive than the diesel
The Proace Electric is based on the same platform as its Stellantis rivals, so as a result, it looks pretty similar to the Citroen e-Dispatch, Peugeot e-Expert, and Vauxhall Vivaro-e. The main point of difference is the front end. The Proace Electric has a v-shaped front grille leading to sleek headlights that make it look the part.
Climb inside the Proace Electric, and there's enough room for three people. The driver gets their seat while the two front passengers share a bench. There's enough space to get comfortable, but the low roof makes it feel cramped inside, unlike the Ford E-Transit Custom and Mercedes-Benz e-Vito.
The Proace Electric is available in just one body length. It comes with a load volume of 5.8m3 and a payload of up to 1,400kg. The cargo space is 3,674mm long, 1,397mm high, and 1,636mm wide.
The cabin of the Proace Electric is what you'd expect from a Toyota; it's excellently built and features a good range of technology. The dash looks good on the eye and is straightforward to navigate, and it also feels solid enough to cope with the hustle and bustle of van life.
Standard across the Proace range is a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a DAB radio and smartphone integration, including Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Unlike the standard Proace, the Electric comes with an updated instrument cluster to provide all the EV data.
One trim is available for the Proace Electric: Icon. It comes with 16-inch steel wheels, auto headlights, manual air conditioning, adjustable lumbar support on the driver seat, dark grey fabric seats, a seven-inch touchscreen multimedia system, cruise control, and rear parking sensors.
The Proace Electric is powered by a single electric motor that's paired with either a 50kWh or 75kWh battery. Both units have 136bhp, come with front-wheel drive and use an automatic gearbox.
The entry-level option is the 50kWh battery, which shoots from 0-62mph in 12 seconds flat and returns a range of up to 142 miles. If you plan on racking up the miles, we'd recommend going for the 75kWh battery, which increases the range up to 205 miles.
In terms of charging, the Proace Electric comes with 100kW charging capabilities, meaning a full charge takes just 32 minutes for the 50kWh battery and 48 minutes for the 75kWh. Plugged into a wall box, the 50kWh battery fully charges in just under five hours, while the 75kWh increases it to seven hours.
Get on the road in the Proace Electric, and you'll find it's easy and comfortable to drive. With a single-speed automatic transmission, you simply select D for drive, step on the accelerator and go. Easy as that!
Once on the move, the electric motor is almost silent in operation. Around town, you won't hear it at all, and the only squeak you get is as you increase up to motorway speeds. Even so, once at 70mph, engine, wind and road noise are kept to a minimum.
Like many electric vans, the Proace Electric has three driving modes: Normal, Eco, and Sport. Start the van, and you'll begin in Normal mode, which restricts the motor to 109hp to ensure you're as efficient as possible.
If you want more power, select Sport, which gives you the maximum 136bhp. We'd recommend using this if you've got a full cargo space. Finally, there's Eco, which, as you can probably guess, is the most economical. It limits the motor to 82bhp to help you achieve the maximum driving range from the battery.
Prices for the new Toyota Proace Electric start from £44,523.00 OTR* or to lease from Price On Request per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the Toyota Proace Electric? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest van leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.
