TOYOTA PROACE VERSO ELECTRIC ESTATE 100kW Design L1 75kWh 5dr Auto

Toyota enters the super-large MPV EV segment for the first time with this Proace Verso EV model. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

Toyota has used its LCV partnership with Stellantis to bring us this model, the Proace Verso EV. A full-electric, it's a really sensible family or business choice if you need an MPV with room for up to nine people.

Background

If you're in search of a really big full-electric MPV these days, you'll need a big cheque book. Think over £60,000 for a Ford E-Tourneo Custom. And nearly £90,000 for a Mercedes EQV. Toyota though, wants to suggest a more sensible option. For well under £50,000, the company's Proace Verso EV looks much more accessible. The Proace Verso, based on the brand's Proace mid-size van, has been around since 2016, when its arrival marked Toyota's return to the large MPV segment, a market sector it'd been absent from since the demise of the Previa back in 2007. But to date we've only had this vehicle in diesel form. That black pump-fuelled model's now been replaced by this full-EV variant. As before, it's Toyota's version of the Stellantis Group design also sold as the Peugeot E-Traveller, the Citroen e-SpaceTourer and the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric.

Engines and Tech Spec

Toyota is offering the 75kWh battery pack that you can also get with the same basic design badged as the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric, the Citroen e-SpaceTourer or the Peugeot E-Traveller. Which means you get much the same sort of range as is quoted with those models - here rated at 214 miles. Not massive, but if you're planning to use this Proace Verso for merely suburban duties, that might not matter. As with its Stellantis Group cousins, the powertrain is based around comprises a 134bhp electric motor and its associated lithium-ion battery is located beneath the vehicle floor, thus avoiding loss of cabin space. The driver can select Eco, Normal or Power driving mode using a centre console-mounted switch. In Power mode, maximum output delivers peak torque of 260Nm from start-up. Top speed is electronically limited to 84mph and 0-62mph acceleration can be accomplished in 12.1 seconds. In Eco mode output is reduced to 81bhp with 190Nm of torque, while in Normal mode the electric system produces 107bhp with 210Nm. Through the corners, as you would expect, there's plenty of body roll if, rather unwisely, you start throwing the thing about. If you can ignore both that and the slightly vague steering and find yourself absolutely having to push on, you'll find that there's reasonable grip and traction. The turning circle is pretty tight too - at just 11.3 metres - making this a surprisingly manoeuvrable vehicle for use around town.

Design and Build

There are two Proace Verso EV body sizes - L1 'Medium' (4,959mm) and L2 'Long' (5,309mm). Either way, you're going to need a very big garage. It's worth noting that the Proace Verso's height of 1.90m is low enough to guarantee entry into covered car parks - a relatively rare attribute in this segment. The L1 version is offered in 'Icon' and 'Design' trims with eight seats: a single front passenger seat and three individual seats in the second and third rows. The 'Icon' L2 nine-seat version has three seats in each row - a single seat and a two-seat bench. The 'Design' and 'Design Premium' L2 models have eight seats, while the luxurious 'Excel' model has a seven-seat configuration that offers more spacious second row accommodation with two individual captain's seats and a lounge table. Rear seats can be folded or forward-tilted and individual rail-mounted seats can be removed to create more interior space. As for front-of-cabin design, well this model's frontal design firmly identifies it as a modern Toyota. Inside, The dashboard design features clear, analogue dials and ergonomic switchgear and there's excellent all-round visibility from the elevated, SUV-like driving position. Families will appreciate the wealth of storage points around the cabin, including door boxes, dashboard and sliding door cubbies, and cupholders, with a combined capacity of 58.5 litres. All variants get three seats in the middle row and they slide forward and back in a 60:40-split, plus the seat backs recline. Getting into the very back requires you to push the seat base forward, then retract the seat back forward. The van-based approach really pays dividends here, in terms of both leg and headroom. And luggage space? Well even with all the three seating rows upright, there's quite a lot of luggage space (in the 'Medium'-length L1 model, between 603 and 798-litres, depending on the positioning of the 3rd row chairs). You push the 3rd row seats forward by pulling on two red tabs. And fold the seat backs using black levers; do that in the L1 'Medium'-length model and you can increase your luggage capacity to as much as 1,000-litres; or 1,750-litres with the second row seat backs folded too. Take out the second and third row seats entirely and your Proace Verso could conceivably function as some kind of small removal van; in the lengthiest L2 'Long'-spec model, as much as 4,900-litres of space could be freed up if you only retained the front two chairs.

Market and Model

From launch, this Proace Verso EV was available at on-the-road prices of around £46,000 for the medium length eight-seat L1 version; it's around £700 more for the L2 long-body nine-seat model. There are four trim levels - 'Icon', 'Design', 'Design Premium' and 'Excel' (the latter with a seven-seat format). Prices rise up to around £56,000. Key features of the 'Icon' grade include a 10-inch multimedia display with navigation, a 10-inch colour multi-information display, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, a heated driver's seat, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rear parking sensors and auto-retracting door mirrors. The mid-level 'Design' grade highlights are smart entry and push-button start, a fully carpeted floor, automatic air conditioning, a wireless phone charger, a Skyview panoramic roof, front parking sensors, 'Flankguard' side sensors, seatback folding tables and 17-inch alloy wheels. The premium specification for the top 'Excel' model introduces power-sliding side doors with a kick-sensor, leather upholstery, 90% 'limo' rear privacy glass, a heated front passenger seat, power driver's seat adjustment with memory setting, a front seat massage function, a reversing camera, a 180-degree camera and a 10-speaker audio system.

Cost of Ownership

Because the Proace Verso EV supports up to 100kW rapid charging technology, a 10-80 per cent DC charge will take around 45 minutes. This EV People Carrier also features a 7.4kW on-board charger. A full charge from a 7.4kW domestic wallbox takes around 11 hours 20 minutes. With the alternative 11kW wallbox, you can reduce that to seven and a half hours. 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. To get close to the quoted 214 mile range figure, you'll need to engage 'Eco' mode frequently - which reduces power output to 80hp. To maximise range, you'll also need to regularly engage the fiercest of the regenerative braking settings, activated by steering wheel paddles. Owners can set up deferred charging or to pre-condition the vehicle via a dedicated mobile app on their smartphone. This app also allows drivers to initiate or schedule thermal preconditioning and view, schedule, start or deferred charging remotely.

Summary

We always thought the diesel-powered Proace Verso offered a lot of family car for the money - and you could say the same for this EV version. If you can live with the range figure from the 75kWh battery, then there's plenty to like here, assuming the deal you're offered is as good or better than the equivalent Vauxhall, Peugeot Citroen version of this model. Particularly as this Toyota comes with a much longer warranty. This then, is the 7-to-9-seater family car you properly never considered. But possibly should.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Front windscreen de-icer

Rain sensing wipers

Rear window defogger

Noise reduction layer on front windows

Heated washer nozzle on windscreen

Thermal insulated windshield glass

Front power windows

Auto up and down function on power windows

Two fixed side windows

Privacy Glass - 70% Midnight tint

Rear tailgate with opening window

Brakes

Electronic parking brake

Hill start assist control (HAC)

Automatic emergency braking system

Anti lock braking system + Electronic brake force distribution

Brake assist

Chassis/Suspension

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)

Communication

Wireless Mobile Phone Charger

Bluetooth connectivity

eCall emergency call system

Driver Aids

Cruise control

Power assisted steering

Front parking sensors

Lane keep assist

Blind spot monitoring

Intelligent speed assist

Speed limit information

Lane departure alert - LDA

Cruise Control switch behind steering wheel

Side parking sensors

Flankguard rear parking sensors

Speed limiter with Road Sign Assist (RSA)

Driver Information

Analogue speedometer

Analogue tachometer

Washer fluid level warning

Additional digital speedometer in multi-information display

Battery capacity indicator

10" colour EV multi information display

Toyota touch 2 with go navigation with 10" pro touch multimedia screen

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Body coloured door mirrors

Electric heated door mirrors

Power retractable door mirrors

Entertainment

8 Speakers

Audio switch on steering wheel

DAB digital audio broadcast

USB connector

Exterior Body Features

Body coloured front bumper

Body colour roof

Silver surround lower front grille

Body coloured door handles

VIN Plate

Body coloured rear bumper

Body coloured protection moulding on side doors

Chrome insert on upper front grille

Two sliding side doors

Silver surrounds on front fog lights

Short roof antenna

Skyview fixed panoramic roof

Exterior Lights

Front fog lights

LED daytime running lights

Auto headlights

LED High mounted stop light

Automatic high beam

Eco LED headlights with cornering lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Automatic air conditioning

Rear passenger air vents

Rear passenger air conditioning

Interior Features

Front door pockets

Heated steering wheel

3 spoke leather steering wheel

Cloth upholstery

Hard tonneau cover

Front cup holders

12V power outlets front and rear

Rear fold up tables

Carpet floor trim

Drivers armrest

Standard opening on lower glovebox

Cooler in upper glovebox

Front passenger armrest

Rear window manual sunshade

Interior Lights

Illuminated glovebox

Boot light

Rear passenger personal lights

3rd row rear passenger room light

Driver and front passenger personal lights

Front room lights

2nd row rear passenger room lights

Packs

Safety pack - Verso

Safety

Lateral airbags

Tyre pressure warning system

3x3 point rear seat belts

Supplemental restraints system(SRS) airbags 6 airbags

Pre collision system with driver monitoring camera

Seats

Rear head restraints

Heated drivers seat

Front head restraints

1/3 to 2/3 split folding 2nd row seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Height adjustable driver seat

Manually reclining driver seat

Manually sliding driver seat

ISOFIX child restraint system

Manually sliding and reclining front passenger seats

Adjustable lumbar support on driver seat

Closed upper dashboard storage compartment

Single front passenger seat

3 seat bench in 3rd row

1/3 to 2/3 split folding 3rd row seats

Front passenger seat foldable backrest

2nd/3rd row removabe rail seats

Reclining and sliding 2nd/3rd row rear seats

Security

Power door locks

Motion sensor alarm

Intrusion alarm

Remote door lock

Anti tamper alarm

Power child safety door lock

Glass breaking alarm sensors

Smart entry and push start button

Vehicle Charging

11kW on board charger

Wheels - Alloy

17" 5 double spoke machined face alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Full size temporary spare wheel

Electric Vehicle Data

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 100

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 1950

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.3

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 680

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 7

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 45

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 - Years: 5

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Battery Leased: 0

Usable Battery Capacity: 68

Charging Port Location: Left Side Rear

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 212

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City: 277

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 24.5

Battery Capacity in kWh: 75

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City: 446

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 341

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 2.5

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Gears: 1 SPEED

Transmission: AUTO

Fuel Delivery: N

CC: 1

General

Generation Mark: 2

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Special Order: 0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Badge Power: 136

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 34A

Based On ID: N

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Special Edition: 0

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

Coin Series: Design

Coin Description: L1

Performance

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 192

Engine Torque - NM: 260

Engine Power - KW: 100

Engine Power - BHP: 136

Top Speed: 81

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Torque - MKG: 26.5

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 225/55 R17

Tyre Size Rear: 225/55 R17

Tyre Size Spare: FULL SIZE

Wheel Type: 17" ALLOY

Wheel Style: 5 DOUBLE SPOKE

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Wheelbase: 3275

Width: 1924

Length: 4981

Height: 1910

Weight and Capacities

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1000

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 964

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 700

No. of Seats: 8

Gross Vehicle Weight: 3100

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 2700

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.4

Minimum Kerbweight: 2136

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Packs

Essential protection pack - Proace Verso EV

Protection plus pack - Proace Verso

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Black

Metallic - Forest green

Metallic - Falcon grey

Metallic - Silver shadow

Paint - Solid

Solid - Icy white

Towing

Towing solutions - Detachable - 13 pin

Towing solutions - Fixed - 13 pin

Trim - Cloth

Cloth - Dark grey

Cloth - Black