Toyota Proace review

A choice of four-cylinder turbodiesel engines are on offer in the Proace, though if that sounds far too old-school you’ll be wanting to know about the all-electric version first.

Since the 2024 facelift the Proace has been available with two different battery sizes, meaning you can have a 50kWh version (42kWh usable) that does 148 miles on a charge, or a 75kWh unit (69kWh usable) that manages 213 miles.

We’re yet to test the EV, but we can tell you that both come with a 134bhp motor and a top speed of just 80mph. The 0-62mph sprint takes 10.8 seconds in the 50kWh branded version and 11.9s in the heavier 75kWh, but remember that they get instant torque so they’ll be quicker than the diesels off the line. Good for rapid urban deliveries.

What about the diesel engines?

So, your entry-level choice is a 1.5-litre turbodiesel making 118bhp and connected to a six-speed manual gearbox, or you can upgrade to a 2.0-litre that makes 142bhp and drops the 0-62mph time down from a terrifyingly slow 16 seconds (!) to a far more respectable 9.9 seconds.

However, we’ve tested the range-topping 174bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel allied to the eight-speed automatic gearbox. You have to upgrade to this most powerful diesel to get the self-shifter, and if you do you’re also looking at a healthy 295lb ft of torque. All versions are front-wheel drive.

It’s got enough gears to smooth out the peaky diesel torque delivery and doesn’t go crazy when you just want a smooth acceleration down a motorway slip road or similar. There are wheel paddles if you want to take control, but this combo makes life nice and simple.

The 8.5secs 0–62mph time is perky enough, but you’ll really appreciate the in-gear punch that keeps you moving even with a load of stuff in the back. 

Is it a pain to manoeuvre?

Because the Proace is half a size smaller than the likes of a VW Transporter or Mercedes Vito, it feels usefully narrow and wieldy. Stability is superb even at motorway speeds when empty of cargo – if you’ve not upgraded your workhorse in a while you’ll likely be stunned at just how civilised life can be in a commercial vehicle these days.

Engine refinement with the brawniest diesel is another strong suit, with wind noise predictably more of a din.

Nothing that’d make a long day behind the wheel tiring though. You can sense the French comfiness at work here: this is a machine designed with low effort in mind. The steering is one-hand palmable, the ride settled, the performance adequate. We’d like at least a little more resistance to the brake pedal though – it’s alarmingly soft and makes judging how much force you need rather tricky.