Toyota Proace City

Toyota Proace City: Versatile

The Toyota Proace City has revolutionized the compact van market, offering a versatile solution for both businesses and families. This innovative vehicle combines the reliability Toyota is known for with the practicality demanded by modern users. Its compact size makes it ideal for navigating urban environments, while its spacious interior and adaptable configurations cater to a wide range of needs. See all Toyota vans for sale.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the Toyota Proace City's key features, including its performance, cargo capacity, and advanced technology. We'll delve into its various models, such as the Proace City Verso and the all-electric variant, examining their unique specifications and benefits. Additionally, we'll discuss pricing, value proposition, and how this vehicle stacks up against its competitors in the compact van segment. See all Toyota Vans

Overview of the Toyota Proace City

The Toyota Proace City has made a significant impact in the compact van segment since its launch in 2020. This versatile vehicle has quickly established itself as a top contender, winning the Parkers Small Van of The Year award for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023. The Proace City is a rebadged version of the Stellantis model, sharing its underpinnings with the Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner, and Vauxhall Combo Cargo, but with a distinctive Toyota front end. See Toyota Proace City For Sale

[caption id="attachment_56522" align="alignnone" width="700"] Toyota Proace City[/caption]

Key Features

The Proace City boasts class-leading qualities that make it an attractive option for businesses and individuals alike. It offers impressive load-carrying capabilities, with a cargo volume of up to 3.9m3 in the long-wheelbase version and a payload capacity of up to 1,000kg. The van can accommodate two Europallets, making it ideal for various commercial applications. See Proace Verso Electric Shuttle

One of the standout features is the Smart Cargo system, which has been adopted from the larger Proace model. This innovative system uses a folding outer passenger seat and a hatch in the bulkhead to increase load space by 0.4m3 and extend the maximum load length by 1.3m. This allows for the transportation of longer items such as ladders and piping with ease.

The Proace City also excels in terms of towing capacity, with the ability to tow braked loads of up to 1.2 tons. This makes it a versatile choice for businesses that require additional hauling capabilities. See Toyota Proace Camper For Sale

Available Variants

Toyota offers the Proace City in two body lengths: standard (4,403mm) and long (4,753mm). The long version has an extended wheelbase of 2,975mm compared to the standard's 2,785mm. Both versions are available with either two individual front seats or a driver's seat and two-seat bench. See Does The Toyota Proace Have A Timing Belt

The powertrain options have evolved since the van's introduction. Initially, it was available with 75hp and 100hp variants of a 1.5-liter turbodiesel engine. However, Toyota has since discontinued the 75hp version and introduced a more powerful 130hp variant in 2022. The 100hp model remains the most popular choice, offering a balance of performance and efficiency. See Roof Rack For Toyota Proace

Three trim levels are available: Active, Icon, and Design. The Active grade, available exclusively in the medium body length, comes with a 10-inch multimedia touchscreen and digital driver's instrument cluster. The Icon models (available in both medium and long versions) add features such as a navigation system, front fog lights, and 16-inch wheels. The range-topping Design specification includes additional safety equipment.

Target Market

The Toyota Proace City caters to a wide range of customers, from small businesses to larger fleets. Its versatility and practicality make it suitable for various industries, including construction, delivery services, and tradespeople. See Toyota Proace Dimensions

Toyota's target market for the Proace City primarily consists of younger-to-older middle-aged consumers, typically in the 30 to 50 years age bracket. This demographic includes both males and females who value efficiency, reliability, and quality in their commercial vehicles. See Toyota Proace Accessories

The Proace City appeals to customers who prioritize long-term ownership and value for money. Toyota's reputation for reliability and the impressive warranty coverage of up to 10 years make it an attractive option for businesses looking to minimize downtime and maintenance costs.

With its combination of practicality, efficiency, and advanced features, the Toyota Proace City has positioned itself as a strong competitor in the compact van market, offering a compelling package for businesses and individuals seeking a versatile and reliable commercial vehicle. See Toyota Proace Interior

Performance and Efficiency

The Toyota Proace City offers a range of engine options that balance performance and efficiency, catering to the diverse needs of commercial vehicle users. The van's powertrain lineup, fuel economy, and driving characteristics make it a competitive choice in the compact van segment.

Engine Options

The Proace City comes equipped with a 1.5-liter diesel engine, available in different power outputs. Initially, Toyota offered 75hp and 100hp variants, but the lineup has evolved. The 75hp version has been discontinued, while a more potent 130hp option was introduced in 2022.

The 100hp engine has become the most popular choice among buyers. It provides sufficient power for comfortable motorway cruising and quick acceleration from a standstill. This engine delivers smooth performance and suits the needs of most users effectively. For those requiring additional power and flexibility, the 130hp variant offers increased torque and improved overall performance. See Toyota Proace 2025

All engine options come paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. While this transmission is adequate, some users might find the lack of an automatic option limiting, especially for city driving. The gearbox's shift action, though not the smoothest, is acceptable for daily use. See Toyota Proace City Lease

Fuel Economy

The Toyota Proace City boasts impressive fuel efficiency across its engine range. The 100hp engine, in particular, demonstrates excellent economy, with claimed figures ranging from 46.1 to 52.3 mpg. CO2 emissions for this variant are between 113 and 116 g/km. See Toyota Proace Review

All diesel engines in the Proace City lineup meet Euro 6 emissions standards, ensuring compliance with current environmental regulations. The van is equipped with a 50-liter fuel tank, which, combined with its fuel efficiency, provides a potential range of up to 600 miles between refills.

It's worth noting that all diesel variants require AdBlue, a diesel exhaust fluid used to reduce emissions. Toyota has fitted the Proace City with a generous 17-liter AdBlue tank, which should allow for extended intervals between refills. See Toyota Proace Lease

Driving Experience

The Toyota Proace City delivers a driving experience that balances comfort and practicality. Its ride quality is notably settled, with a suspension setup that leans towards the softer side compared to many competitors. This characteristic enhances comfort, especially when navigating urban environments or covering long distances. See Toyota Proace Crew Cab

Despite its comfort-oriented suspension, the Proace City maintains sharp handling characteristics. This combination of a comfortable ride and responsive steering confirms its shared DNA with some of Peugeot and Citroën's best new vehicles.

The van's steering is responsive, although some drivers might prefer a bit more weight to the wheel. The full-sized steering wheel, shared with the Citroën Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo Cargo, provides a familiar feel but sacrifices some of the immediacy found in models like the Peugeot Partner with its truncated steering wheel. See New Toyota Proace

In terms of maneuverability, the Proace City excels in tight urban spaces. Its compact dimensions and responsive steering make it easy to navigate through city streets and parking lots. While it may not match the on-road finesse of the Ford Transit Connect, the Proace City's handling characteristics are likely to satisfy most drivers. See Toyota Proace For Sale

The van's performance stats are quite sufficient for daily commercial use. The 100hp variant, for instance, can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 11.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 107 mph. These figures ensure that the Proace City can keep up with traffic and handle highway driving without strain.

Overall, the Toyota Proace City offers a well-rounded package of performance and efficiency. Its range of engine options, impressive fuel economy, and balanced driving dynamics make it a strong contender in the compact van market, capable of meeting the diverse needs of commercial vehicle users.

Cargo Capacity and Practicality

The Toyota Proace City stands out in the compact van segment with its impressive cargo capacity and practical features. This versatile vehicle offers excellent load-carrying capabilities, making it an ideal choice for businesses with diverse transportation needs.

Load Space Dimensions

The Proace City comes in two body lengths: short (4,403mm) and long (4,753mm). The long version has an extended wheelbase of 2,975mm compared to the short version's 2,785mm. Both variants offer generous load volumes, with the short model providing 3.3m³ and the long version offering 3.9m³ of space.

One of the Proace City's standout features is its ability to accommodate two Euro pallets in both short and long versions, a rare capability in this class. The van's load compartment dimensions are impressive, with a floor load length of 1,817mm for the short version and 2,167mm for the long version.

The maximum load compartment height ranges from 1,200mm to 1,270mm, while the maximum load width between sides is 1,773mm without doors, 1,630mm with one door, and 1,527mm with two doors. The load width between wheel arches is 1,229mm, ensuring ample space for various cargo types.

Payload Capacity

The Toyota Proace City boasts a class-leading payload capacity, with both short and long versions capable of carrying up to one ton. This impressive payload is up to 350kg greater than some of its rivals, giving the Proace City a significant advantage in the market.

The payload capacity varies depending on the engine choice. Models fitted with the entry-level 75hp engine can carry 650kg regardless of wheelbase. Opting for the 100hp engine increases the payload to the class-leading 1,000kg figure for short-wheelbase vans, while long-wheelbase models see a slight reduction to 950kg.

For businesses requiring even greater hauling capabilities, the Proace City can tow braked trailers up to 1.5 tons. This towing capacity applies to both short and long versions, enhancing the van's versatility for various commercial applications.

Smart Cargo System

The Proace City offers an innovative Smart Cargo system, which significantly enhances its practicality and load-carrying capabilities. This system, adopted from the larger Proace model, uses a folding outer passenger seat and a hatch in the bulkhead to increase load space and length.

With the Smart Cargo system, the load volume increases by 0.4m³, bringing the total to 3.8m³ for the short version and 4.3m³ for the long version. This feature also extends the maximum load length by 1.3m, resulting in a best-in-class load length capacity of 3.1m for the short version and 3.4m for the long version.

The Smart Cargo system not only enhances cargo space but also offers additional functionality. The center passenger seatback can be rotated to create a handy desk space, providing a mobile office solution for professionals on the go. The system also includes additional under-seat storage, further maximizing the van's utility.

With its combination of generous load space, impressive payload capacity, and innovative features like the Smart Cargo system, the Toyota Proace City offers exceptional practicality and versatility for businesses of all sizes. Its ability to adapt to various cargo needs while maintaining efficiency and ease of use makes it a strong contender in the compact van market.

Technology and Safety Features

The Toyota Proace City comes equipped with a range of advanced technologies and safety features, making it a competitive choice in the compact van segment. These features enhance the driving experience, improve safety, and provide convenience for both drivers and passengers.

Infotainment System

The Proace City offers a user-friendly infotainment system, with higher-grade models featuring an 8.0-inch touchscreen display. This system is angled slightly towards the driver for improved visibility and ease of use. It includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, allowing seamless integration with smartphones. The interface has been designed for intuitive operation, although some functions may require familiarization.

The touchscreen also displays feeds from parking sensors and the reversing camera, aiding in maneuvering and parking. While the camera resolution is sufficient for parking purposes, it's worth noting that Toyota doesn't offer the advanced rear-view driving camera available in some related models.

For added convenience, the Design grade models come equipped with satellite navigation. The system also includes Bluetooth connectivity and USB ports, ensuring that drivers can stay connected while on the move.

Driver Assistance Features

The Proace City incorporates several driver assistance features to enhance safety and comfort. These include:

Cruise Control: Helps maintain a constant speed on long journeys.

Lane Departure Warning: Alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane.

Driver Attention Alert: Monitors driver behavior and suggests breaks when signs of fatigue are detected.

Traffic Sign Recognition: Displays current speed limits and other important road signs.

Autonomous Emergency Braking: Helps prevent or mitigate collisions by automatically applying the brakes.

Hill Start Assist: Prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an incline.

The Toyota Safety Sense package, optional on Icon models and standard on Design grade, bundles several of these features together. It includes the Pre-Collision System, Road Sign Assist, Lane Departure Alert, and the "coffee cup" driver fatigue alert.

For improved maneuverability, front and rear parking sensors come standard on Icon and Design grade models. The Proace City also offers a Smart Active Vision system, which uses cameras to provide clear, real-time views of the vehicle's surroundings, effectively allowing the driver to "see through" the van's metal panels.

Safety Equipment

The Proace City prioritizes safety with a comprehensive suite of standard and optional safety equipment. Key safety features include:

Six airbags (including driver and passenger airbags)

Electronic Stability Control (ESP)

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with brake force distribution

Tire pressure monitoring system

eCall emergency system for automatic connection with emergency services

The van's autonomous emergency braking system has shown good performance in low-speed city driving scenarios, where many whiplash injuries occur. However, its performance at highway speeds is considered marginal.

For load management, the Proace City offers a unique Smart Load Indicator. This feature warns when the payload reaches 90% of the maximum weight and provides an alert when the maximum is exceeded, helping to prevent overloading.

Security features include an optional alarm on Icon models (standard on Design grade) and hidden rear door hinges to deter potential thieves.

While the Proace City offers a solid range of safety and technology features, it's worth noting that some advanced systems available on related models, such as Surround Rear Vision or Flank Guard, are not offered by Toyota. Nonetheless, the available features provide a good balance of safety, convenience, and practicality for most users in the compact van segment.

Pricing and Value Proposition

The Toyota Proace City offers a compelling value proposition in the compact van segment, with a range of trim levels, competitive pricing, and comprehensive warranty coverage.

Trim Levels

Toyota offers the Proace City in three trim levels: Active, Icon, and Design. The Active grade serves as the entry-level option, providing essential features such as twin sliding doors, a full-height bulkhead, manual air-conditioning, automatic headlights, DAB and Bluetooth connectivity, and steel wheels.

The Icon trim builds upon the Active's features, adding an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Smart Cargo system (twin passenger seat with load-through bulkhead), front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, cruise control, and wheel covers.

At the top of the range, the Design trim includes all Icon features plus satellite navigation, 16-inch alloy wheels, body-colored bumpers, and an alarm system. This grade also comes standard with advanced safety features such as pre-collision assist, lane-departure warning, traffic sign recognition, and driver fatigue alert.

Cost of Ownership

The Proace City's pricing starts at around £18,500 (excluding VAT) for the Active model. While this price point is slightly higher than some competitors, Toyota offsets this with better forecast residual values, which helps mitigate the extra initial outlay when purchasing.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is a crucial factor for fleet managers and business owners. TCO encompasses the original purchase price, depreciation, taxes, and running costs, including maintenance, fuel, and insurance. Toyota has prioritized making reliable, affordable vehicles with lower TCOs, making the Proace City an attractive option for fleets.

The van's fuel efficiency contributes to its cost-effectiveness. With a 50-liter fuel tank and potential fuel economy of up to 55 mpg, the Proace City offers a range of approximately 600 miles between refills. This efficiency helps reduce overall running costs for businesses.

Maintenance costs are also kept in check with service intervals set at 25,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first. This extended interval reflects the vehicle's built-in reliability and helps reduce downtime and maintenance expenses for owners.

Warranty Coverage

One of the Proace City's standout features is its comprehensive warranty coverage. From June 1, 2021, Toyota introduced the Toyota Relax warranty scheme for the Proace City. This innovative program provides coverage for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

The basic warranty covers the van for three years or 60,000 miles. However, as long as owners continue to service their vehicles at authorized Toyota workshops, additional warranty coverage is added annually. This extended coverage continues until the vehicle reaches the 10-year or 100,000-mile limit.

This warranty scheme demonstrates Toyota's confidence in the Proace City's reliability and provides significant peace of mind for owners. It suggests that Toyota is either confident in the van's durability or in its ability to address any issues quickly and cost-effectively.

In addition to the standard warranty, Toyota offers a 12-year unlimited mileage warranty on metal body panels, protecting against rust perforation caused by manufacturing faults. The paintwork is also covered by a 3-year unlimited mileage warranty against surface rust.

Furthermore, all new Proace City vans come with five years of free roadside assistance, adding another layer of support and value for owners.

Conclusion

The Toyota Proace City has proven itself as a versatile and reliable compact van, offering a blend of practicality, efficiency, and advanced features. Its impressive cargo capacity, innovative Smart Cargo system, and range of engine options cater to diverse business needs. The van's competitive pricing, coupled with Toyota's reputation for reliability and the extensive warranty coverage, gives it a strong edge in the market.

To sum up, the Proace City's combination of performance, practicality, and value makes it a standout choice in the compact van segment. Its ability to meet the demands of various industries, coupled with its advanced safety features and user-friendly technology, positions it as a top contender for businesses looking for a dependable and efficient commercial vehicle. The Proace City not only meets current market needs but also sets a new standard for what businesses can expect from a compact van.

FAQs

What type of engines are available in the Toyota Proace City?

The Toyota Proace City offers engines from its 2021 upgrade, including two power options of a 1.5-liter turbodiesel engine, producing either 75hp or 100hp.

What is the fuel efficiency of the Toyota Proace City?

The fuel efficiency of the Toyota Proace City varies by engine power. The version with 99bhp achieves a fuel economy of 48.7-49.6 miles per gallon, whereas the 128bhp model ranges from 46.3-47.1 miles per gallon according to WLTP standards.

Is the Toyota Proace City considered a good vehicle?

Yes, the Toyota Proace City is well-regarded for its performance once it gains speed. It offers a refined driving experience, relatively quiet operation, and competent handling, partly due to its chassis being derived from the PSA Group's passenger car lineup.