Toyota enters the EV market for small MPVs with this Proace City Verso EV. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

The Proace City Verso EV is the smaller MPV sibling to the Proace Verso EV. And Toyota's version of the Stellantis Group compact electric van-based people carrier design already offered by Peugeot, Vauxhall, and Citroen. Let's take a closer look.

Background

Perhaps the affordable section of the people carrier MPV market has life left in it after all. We've recently seen rejuvenated versions of the Vauxhall Combo Life, the Peugeot Rifter and the Citroen Berlingo hit the market. Now Toyota has joined the fray with this car, the Proace City Verso EV. As its name suggests, like its Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroen Stellantis Group cousins, it's fully electric. And, like these models, it can come in five or seven-seat form. Toyota has no history in this segment of the MPV market, which is possibly why, when it introduced the Proace City van in 2018, it didn't then choose to sell us the MPV Verso version of that borrowed Stellantis Group design that it could have offered. As part of the early 2024 Proace City mid-term facelift though, Toyota has decided to add this passenger-carrying Verso version to the line-up, mindful no doubt of the pressing need to incorporate more EVs in its model range.

Driving Experience

If you know anything about the engineering of this product, you won't be expecting it to be any different to drive than its E-Rifter, E-Berlingo or Combo Electric Stellantis Group EV cousins - and of course, it isn't. Start up and there's the usual beep as you get the sign that all is ready to pull away; which you do in the default 'Normal' drive mode. The other selectable drive settings are 'Eco' and 'Power'. You'll need the 'Power' mode to unleash the electric motor's full 134bhp output, though if you drive like that, you will of course get nowhere near the 50kWh battery's WLTP-rated best driving range figure, rated at up to 213 miles. Better to stick to the 'Normal' mode, which restricts output to 108bhp; or possibly around town to 'Eco' mode, though that gives you just 81bhp and restricts the climate system. 'Normal' mode should be fine for realistic maximisation of range, particularly if you select the 'B' transmission setting that increases brake regeneration. As usual with EVs, if you do need performance, it's only a right foot jab away; 62mph from rest occupies 11.2s, but the instant response you get to 30mph makes this MPV feel quicker than that. Overtakes are easy too; 50-75 mph takes 8.9s.

Design and Build

This Proace City Verso EV isn't too much of a van-looking thing - well it isn't in plusher 'Design'-spec form anyway, with 16-inch alloy wheels fitted instead of the base model's dour steel rims. As usual with this Stellantis Group-derived design, two body lengths are available - 'Medium' L1 (4.41m) and 'Long' L2 (4.76m). Like the alternative Vauxhall, Citroen and Peugeot models, the 'Long' version can be had with an extra third seating row. Inside, Stellantis hasn't allowed Toyota to add the regen brake paddles behind the steering wheel that you get with the Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall versions of this design, but this Proace City Verso EV does get the same updated screen tech as you'd find in those cars - a configurable digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch centre screen, upon which navigation is standardised with both trim grades, plus there's smartphone integration with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto'. Because the battery pack is neatly mounted beneath this MPV model's floor, cabin space is not compromised. And you might be surprised to find that the sliding doors incorporate electric windows and decently-sized door pockets, plus you get overhead reading lights. But compared to the other versions of this design, there's quite a lot missing here that Stellantis has decided Toyota can't have; like individual rear seats, front seat back tables and the option of roof storage with glass panels. One nice-to have touch this Toyota has been allowed to have (with top spec) is an opening rear tailgate glass panel, which is a real boon when you simply want to throw a light bag inside the back. That's mainly because the tailgate itself is a pain to lift, heavy and vast, with no powered operation option and needful of a large area behind when you need to pull it up. Still, once it's raised, you'll be able to shelter under the thing in the rain while the kids are getting their school bags out of the back. Even the 5-seat short wheelbase 'L1' model can swallow 597-litres in its boot, while the alternative long wheelbase 'L2' version has a capacity of up to 850-litres. You don't get the fixed parcel shelf that's supplied with the other versions of this design (allowing you to theoretically position the family dog above your shopping); instead, there's a pull-out tonneau cover. There's no extra room beneath the cargo base and this charging lead bag takes up valuable space on the floor, but there's side storage on the right, four tie-down points, a dim light on the left and a strap to pull the tailgate back down. The second row seat splits 60:40, freeing up as much as 2,126-litres of space in the 'L1' version; it'd be up to 2,693-litres on the 'L2' version with the rear rows folded.

Market and Model

Prices range in the £32,000-£36,500 bracket. Most customers will choose the mainstream 'Icon' trim level, available with medium L2 (4,403mm) or long L2 (4,753mm) body lengths. Plusher 'Design' spec comes only in L1 form. The 'Icon' equipment specification includes a 10-inch multimedia display, a navigation system, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, removable third row seats, automatic headlights and an electronic parking brake. 'Design' grade adds 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, smart entry, automatic windscreen wipers, retracting door mirrors, body-colour bumpers, side mouldings and door handles, gloss black door mirror casings, a reversing camera and an energy-saving heat pump for the automatic air conditioning system.

Cost of Ownership

We mentioned the improved WLTP-rated range in our Driving Experience section - 213 miles. A range of provided BEV features delivers key information at a glance: Battery charging and thermal pre-heating programmes, a charging station locator, an autonomy range check and a battery usage display. As you'd want, the Proace City Verso EV supports up to 100kW rapid (DC) charging, with an 80% re-charge taking 30 minutes, while a full charge from a 7.4kW single-phase wallbox takes 7.5 hours thanks to the 7.4kW on-board charger. Customers with access to three-phase power can specify an optional 11kW on-board charger that will charge this Toyota in 4 hours 45 minutes, when using a wallbox that also supports this faster home-charging solution. As usual with a compact zero emissions EV model, there's a Benefit-in-Kind first year tax rate of just 2%. That's until 2025, as is exemption from London congestion and ultra-low emissions charges. Maintenance intervals are much as they would be for a combustion model, but there'll be less for the workshop to do, so costs should be lower. There are plenty of Toyota outlets to choose from, so you should never be too far from one. For peace of mind, the lithium-ion battery pack in this model comes with an eight year/100,000 mile warranty, for up to 70% of the initial battery capacity. A key ownership attribute over this model's Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroen design stablemates is the fact that Toyota offers a 10 year warranty, provided you keep the vehicle serviced at a franchised dealer.

Summary

In principle, the Proace City Verso EV has plenty going for it in terms of transport for a small family. Provided you can accept the EV driving range. Provided you don't mind the LCV origins. And provided you can get a better deal than you'd be offered with essentially the same design from your nearest Vauxhall, Peugeot or Citroen showroom. Lots of provisos then. They needn't necessarily be deal-breakers against this Toyota though. MPVs like this are typically used for small commuting distances, so the 213 mile range between charges should be fine for most customers. The LCV origins mean a boxy shape that makes this car really practical. And there's an easy reason to choose this Proace City Verso EV rather than the Vauxhall, Peugeot or Citroen versions of this design; Toyota's far superior 10-year warranty. So is this car starting to make sense to you now? For some, it just might.

Body Glass

Rear window wiper

Auto up and down function on drivers window

Rain sensing wipers

Rear window defogger

Auto windscreen wipers

Auto up and down function on power windows

Auto up and down function on 2nd row windows

Privacy Glass - 70% Midnight tint

Rear tailgate with opening window

Two fixed side windows on 3rd row

Two sliding side windows on 2nd row

Brakes

Electronic parking brake

Hill start assist control (HAC)

Anti lock braking system + Electronic brake force distribution

Brake assist

Carpets/Rugs

Floor mats

Communication

Voice recognition

eCall emergency call system

Smartphone integration including Apple car play and Android auto

Handsfree phone set

Driver Aids

Cruise control

Power assisted steering

Rear view camera

Adjustable speed limiter

Rear parking sensors

Speed limit information

Road sign assist - RSA

Lane departure alert with steering control

Lane Departure Alert (LDA) switch on lower driver dashboard

Driver monitoring camera

Pre collision system with intersection detection

Driver Convenience

Smart entry and push button start

Driver Information

Color multi-information display

10" colour digital combimeter

10" HD multimedia display screen

Driving Mirrors

Electric heated door mirrors

Gloss black door mirrors

Power adjustable door mirrors

Power retractable door mirrors

Manual day/night rear view mirror

Embellishment Trims

Open tray on passenger dashboard

Engine

Electric exhaust emission control

Entertainment

Audio switch on steering wheel

DAB Radio (Digital Audio Broadcasting)

USB type C port

Toyota touch 2 with go navigation

Front USB-C device charger

Multimedia - JBL premium sound system with 6 speakers

Exterior Body Features

Body coloured front bumper

Body coloured door handles

Gloss black roof rails

Standard roof

Body coloured rear bumper

Body coloured protection moulding on side doors

Two sliding side doors

Silver insert on front bumper

Chrome insert on lower side doors

Body coloured rail cover on side sliding door

Body coloured insert on license plate

Short roof antenna

Satin silver lower bumper insert

Exterior Lights

Front fog lights

LED daytime running lights

Auto headlights

LED dual beam projector headlights

3rd brake light

Automatic high beam

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual zone automatic air conditioning

Energy saving heat pump

Pollen air filter

Interior Features

Overhead storage box

4 spoke leather steering wheel

Chrome interior door handles

Heated steering wheel

Cloth upholstery

Hard tonneau cover

Charge cable bag

Hooks for luggage holding net

1 x rear coat hook

Rear fold up tables

Console box front

Closed upper passenger dashboard storage compartment

Closed upper driver dashboard storage compartment

In floor storage box

Drivers armrest

Interior Lights

Rear room light

Boot light

Centre room light

Driver and front passenger personal lights

Front room light

Safety

Front passenger airbag

Three 3 point rear seatbelts

Tyre pressure warning system

Supplemental restraints system(SRS) airbags 6 airbags

SRS curtain shield airbags

Seats

Front headrests

Rear headrests

Passenger seat back pocket

Driver seat back pocket

1/3 to 2/3 split folding rear seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Manually height adjustable driver seat

Manually sliding front passenger seat

Manually reclining front passenger seat

ISOFIX child restraint system

Adjustable lumbar support on driver seat

Single front passenger seat

Front passenger seat foldable backrest

Flat floor folding 2nd row rear bench seat

Retractable front passenger seat

Retractable 2nd row rear bench

Security

Immobiliser

Locking wheel nuts

Power door locks

Motion sensor alarm

Intrusion alarm

Anti tamper alarm

Power child safety door lock

Glass breaking alarm sensors

VIN label specificaiton

WVTA generation specification

Remote door lock with smart key

Vanity Mirrors

Light on driver sun visor

Mirror on driver sun visor

Vehicle Charging

11kW on board charger

Wheels

Black small centre caps

Wheels - Alloy

16" 5 spoke alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 100

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 1020

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 3

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 450

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 7

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 30

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 0-80

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Usable Battery Capacity: 45.4

Charging Port Location: Left Side Rear

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 207

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 3.3

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 19

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 333

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Capacity in kWh: 50

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 5

Emissions - ICE

Noise Level dB(A): 66

Particles: N

HC+NOx: N

NOx: N

HC: N

CO: N

Standard Euro Emissions: N

CO2 (g/km): 0

Engine and Drive Train

Number of Valves: N

Engine Code: 2WZ-EV

Cylinder Layout: N

CC: 1

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders: N

Gears: 1 SPEED

Compression Ratio: N

Camshaft: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

Engine Layout: N

Transmission: AUTO

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Combined (mpg): N

EC Urban (mpg): N

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

General

Generation Mark: 1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Coin Series: Design

Coin Description: L1

Badge Engine CC: 0

Badge Power: 136

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Based On ID: N

Special Order: 0

Special Edition: 0

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 19E

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Performance

Engine Torque - NM: 270

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 199

Engine Power - BHP: 136

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Torque - RPM: 3674

Top Speed: 84

Engine Torque - MKG: 27.5

Engine Power - KW: 100

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Rear: 205/60 R16

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Style: 5 SPOKE

Wheel Type: 16" ALLOY

Alloys?: No

Tyre Size Front: 205/60 R16

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Wheelbase: 2785

Width (including mirrors): 2107

Height (including roof rails): 1812

Width: 1848

Length: 4401

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 750

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2360

Max. Loading Weight: 624

Minimum Kerbweight: 1736

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 983

No. of Seats: 5

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Packs

Essential Protection package - Proace City Verso

Protection plus Pack - Proace City Verso

Comfort Pack - Proace City Verso

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Black

Metallic - Aquamarine

Metallic - Silver shadow

Metallic - Backpacker khaki

Paint - Solid

Solid - Icy white

Towing

Towing solutions - Detachable - 13 pin

Towing solutions - Fixed - 13 pin

Trim - Cloth

Cloth - Dark grey