TOYOTA PROACE VERSO ELECTRIC ESTATE 100kW Excel L2 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 That black pump-fuelled model's now been replaced by this full-EV variant.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

Auto up and down function on power windows

Front power windows

Front windscreen de-icer

Heated washer nozzle on windscreen

Noise reduction layer on front windows

Privacy Glass - 90% Limo tint

Rain sensing wipers

Rear tailgate with opening window

Rear window defogger

Rear wiper

Two fixed side windows

Brakes

Anti lock braking system + Electronic brake force distribution

Automatic emergency braking system

Brake assist

Electronic parking brake

Hill start assist control (HAC)

Chassis/Suspension

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)

Communication

Bluetooth connectivity

eCall emergency call system

Wireless Mobile Phone Charger

Driver Convenience

Adaptive cruise control with full stop functionality

Blind spot monitoring

Cruise Control switch behind steering wheel

Flankguard rear parking sensors

Front parking sensors

Intelligent speed assist

Lane departure alert - LDA

Lane keep assist

Power assisted steering

Rear view camera

Side parking sensors

Speed limit information

Speed limiter with Road Sign Assist (RSA)

Driver Information

10" colour EV multi information display

Additional digital speedometer in multi-information display

Analogue speedometer

Analogue tachometer

Battery capacity indicator

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

Washer fluid level warning

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Body coloured door mirrors

Electric heated door mirrors

Power retractable door mirrors

Entertainment

10 speakers

Audio switch on steering wheel

DAB digital audio broadcast

USB connector

Exterior Body Features

Black/body rear bumper

Body colour roof

Body coloured door handles

Body coloured front bumper

Body coloured protection moulding on side doors

Chrome insert on upper front grille

Kick activated power sliding side doors

Short roof antenna

Silver surround lower front grille

Silver surrounds on front fog lights

Skyview fixed panoramic roof

VIN Plate

Exterior Lights

Auto headlights

Automatic high beam

Eco LED headlights with cornering lights

Front fog lights

LED daytime running lights

LED High mounted stop light

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Automatic air conditioning

Rear passenger air conditioning

Rear passenger air vents

Interior Features

12V power outlets front and rear

3 spoke leather steering wheel

Carpet floor trim

Cooler in upper glovebox

Drivers armrest

Front cup holders

Front door pockets

Front passenger armrest

Hard tonneau cover

Heated steering wheel

Leather upholstery

Rear fold up tables

Rear passenger lounge tables on rails

Rear window manual sunshade

Standard opening on lower glovebox

Interior Lights

2nd row rear passenger room LED light

3rd row rear passenger room LED light

Boot light

Door courtesy light

Driver and front passenger personal LED lights

Illuminated glovebox

LED front room lights

Rear passenger personal lights

Packs

Safety pack plus - Verso

Safety

3x3 point rear seat belts

Lateral airbags

Pre collision system with driver monitoring camera

Supplemental restraints system(SRS) airbags 6 airbags

Tyre pressure warning system

Seats

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

2nd row 2 captain chairs

2nd row individually folding seats

2nd/3rd row removabe rail seats

3 seat bench in 3rd row

Adjustable lumbar support on driver seat

Closed upper dashboard storage compartment

Driver seat memory function

Front head restraints

Heated driver and passenger seats

Height adjustable driver seat

Height adjustable front passenger seat

ISOFIX child restraint system

Manually adjustable lumbar support on front passenger seat

Massage function for front seats

Power sliding and reclining driver seat

Power sliding and reclining front passenger seat

Rear head restraints

Reclining and sliding 2nd/3rd row rear seats

Single front passenger seat

Security

Anti tamper alarm

Glass breaking alarm sensors

Intrusion alarm

Motion sensor alarm

Power child safety door lock

Power door locks

Remote door lock

Smart entry and push start button

Vehicle Charging

11kW on board charger

Wheels - Alloy

17" 5 double spoke machined face alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Battery Capacity in kWh: 75

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

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.3

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

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 7

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

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 0-80

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 100

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

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Charging Port Location: Left Side Rear

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 100

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 5

Usable Battery Capacity: 68

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 25.1

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

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City: 426

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 332

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City: 265

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 206

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 0

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Standard Emissions: N

Engine and Drive Train

CC: 1

Fuel Delivery: N

Gears: 1 SPEED

Transmission: AUTO

General

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Badge Power: 136

Based On ID: N

Coin Description: L2

Coin Series: Excel

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

Generation Mark: 2

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 38A

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Performance

Engine Power - BHP: 136

Engine Power - KW: 100

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 192

Engine Torque - MKG: 26.5

Engine Torque - NM: 260

Top Speed: 81

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Front: 225/55 R17

Tyre Size Rear: 225/55 R17

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Style: 5 DOUBLE SPOKE

Wheel Type: 17" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Height: 1910

Length: 5333

Wheelbase: 3275

Width: 1924

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Gross Vehicle Weight: 3041

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 3300

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 1300

Max. Loading Weight: 662

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1000

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Minimum Kerbweight: 2379

No. of Seats: 7

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.4

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Packs

Essential protection pack - Proace Verso EV

Protection plus pack - Proace Verso

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Falcon grey

Metallic - Forest green

Metallic - Metallic black

Metallic - Silver shadow

Paint - Solid

Solid - Ice white

Trim - Leather

Leather - Black