Toyota ProAce City Electric Review 2023
The Toyota ProAce City Electric is a compact electric van that's sustainable and practical. Returning up to 171 miles of range while also having a load volume of 4.4m3, the ProAce City Electric is a superb small electric van.
Rivals to the ProAce City Electric include the Citroen-Berlingo, Renault Kangoo E-Tech, Peugeot e-Partner, Fiat e-Doblo, and Nissan Townstar Electric.
Our Toyota ProAce City Electric review covers:
- Good-looking and modern exterior
- Comfortable and practical cabin
- Up to 4.4m3 of load volume
- 134bhp electric motor paired to a 50kWh battery
- One trim available
Pros:
- Loads of equipment as standard
- Simple and pleasant interior
- Good to drive
Cons:
- Limited choice of body styles
- More expensive than rivals
- Only one trim level
The ProAce City Electric is the result of a collaboration between Toyota and the Stellantis group, so as a result, it looks pretty similar to the Citroen e-Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo-e. At the front, there's a good-looking grille with slick LED headlights and a large bumper, while the rear is box-shaped, perfect for loading larger items.
Although labelled a compact city van, you'll be pleasantly surprised by how much space is in the cabin. There's enough room for three people in the front, with the driver getting their own seat and the two passengers sharing a bench. Space is a little tight with three people on board, but it's still more than good enough.
The ProAce City Electric comes with all the usual storage compartments, but one feature we like is that the passenger bench can couple as a table you can work from. It can also be folded completely flat to increase cargo space to 4.4m3.
The ProAce City Electric is available in two body lengths: Short and Long. Short has a payload of 800kg and can carry a load volume of up to 3.8m3 (with front passenger seats folded), while Long decreased payload to 750kg but can carry a load volume of up to 4.4m3. You can either open the rear doors or use the side sliding door to access the cargo space.
Inside the ProAce City Electric, you'll find a combination of modern and traditional features. The dashboard is easy to navigate and feels built to last while using high-quality materials that are nice to touch. Its interior won't blow you away and is very similar to the ones found in the Peugeot e-Partner and Citroen e-Berlingo.
Sitting on the dashboard is an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a DAB radio and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. It's a decent system that fits the bill, but it has a few outdated features, such as no Bluetooth and poor display graphics. If you're looking for better tech, we'd recommend the Nissan Townstar Electric.
Just one trim is available for the ProAce City Electric: Icon.
It comes with 16-inch steel wheels, black roof rails, two sliding side doors, auto headlights, a front passenger two-seat bench, an eight-inch multimedia screen, front and rear parking sensors, and cruise control.
The ProAce City Electric is powered by a 134bhp electric motor that's paired to a 50kWh battery. It returns up to 171 miles of all-electric range and shoots from 0-62mph in 11.2 seconds. It has an automatic transmission and comes with front-wheel drive.
Although it sounds lacklustre, get behind the wheel, and you'll be surprised by how nippy the ProAce City Electric is. It accelerates from a standstill with no issues at all and maintains its performance even with a full load.
In terms of charging, the ProAce City Electric can charge from 0-80% using a 100kW charger in just 30 minutes. For those looking to charge overnight, an 11kW home charger does a full charge in four and a half hours, while using a three-pin socket takes around 30 hours.
The ProAce City Electric sticks true to all Toyota-built cars; it's smooth and good to drive. Navigating city streets is a breeze, thanks to the vehicle's agile handling and compact dimensions. The electric powertrain also provides instant torque, ideal for stop-start traffic.
Increase to motorway speeds and the ProAce City Electric continues to impress. The electric motor is quiet, refined, and deals well when cruising around 70mph. The suspension system also deals with bumps and cracks in the road well at high speeds, which adds to the reassuring driving experience.
Prices for the new Toyota ProAce City Electric start from £36,694.00 OTR* or to lease from £367.07 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the Toyota ProAce City 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.
