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Toyota at last brings us a very large van - with a little help from its Stellantis Group LCV partnership agreement. And the Proace Max model in question can also be had in the Proace Max Electric guise we look at here. In its other forms, this design has always had a reputation for practicality and, sure enough, load volumes of up to 17 m³ can be accommodated. Here, there's a driving range of up to 260 miles too.
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Driving experience
This Proace Max Electric uses a big Stellantis-derived 110kWh battery which takes this LCV 260 miles between charges. It powers an electric motor putting out 270bhp and 410Nm of torque - though you only get that with the fastest of the three available drive settings ('Power'). The default 'Normal' mode restricts this Toyota to 217bhp, while the 'Eco' setting you'll need to get anywhere near the quoted driving range figure restricts you to just 163bhp.
There are four selectable levels of brake regeneration, which are operated by paddles behind the steering wheel. Bear in mind that as usual with EV vans, the range figure will drop off quite a bit if you've a full load out back. This EV model's under-floor battery positioning results in a low centre of gravity, improving cornering and stability even when fully loaded. The steering's quite an old-fashioned set-up that's quite heavy at low speeds, but lightens up at faster ones.
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Design and build
Toyota has applied the revised front end treatment it's rolling out to all its vans to this Proace Max. But if you didn't happen to spot that or the badge work, you'd probably dismiss it as just another Boxer, Relay, Ducato or Movano. Your customers are certainly unlikely to guess that with this van, your company has switched to a full-EV for deliveries. Apart from the badging and the charging flap, there are no exterior giveaways to this Proace Max model's electric status.
Climb inside and you'll be greeted by decent quality cab trim and a reasonably modern dashboard layout. There's a configurable 7-inch driver's display that can show a sat nav. And a 10-inch central infotainment screen incorporating wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. As you'd expect, there's a dual passenger seat, this one incorporating a drop-down desk unit. Up to ten in-cab storage areas are available, including the glovebox, a dash-mounted document clip and various open or lidded compartments on the dashboard. In addition, there are large door pockets, storage space beneath the passenger seat and a sizeable 22-litre overhead storage compartment.
There's been a clear effort in design here not just to improve the perception of quality in the cab but also to beef up high use, high stress items such as the rear doors. These have been reinforced and high strength door hinges are used. Similarly, the sliding side load door gets reinforced rails, tough-design runners and security-tested door locks.
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Market and model
Expect similar pricing to this model Stellantis Group cousins, which means that before deduction of the government's £5,000 Plug-in Van Grant, you're looking at VAT-inclusive starting figures beginning at around £62,000 on the road for the base L3H2 version. Add around £2,000 more for the lengthier, taller L4H3 variant. There's only one 110kWh battery option. To give you some price perspective, an equivalent L3H2 140hp diesel auto version of this Proace Max costs from around £47,000 (inc VAT) on the road. There's a choice of two body lengths (L3 and L4) and two roof heights (H2 and H3).
Your business will get a reasonable amount of kit for its money. Key items include a multimedia system with 10-inch touchscreen and navigation. Plus there's a digital instrument cluster, automatic air conditioning, automatic headlights with automatic high beam, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors are also provided. Safety features include forward collision alert, blind spot warning and lane departure warning. Key options include a spare wheel, a passenger airbag and 270-degree opening rear doors.
Owners can adapt their vehicle to suit their specific business needs with a dedicated range of accessories, including racking and shelving systems, high-security locks and a roof platform with rear ladder. All Proace Max panel vans are ply-lined as standard but this can be deleted on request, with a commensurate reduction in the vehicle's on-the-road price.
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Summary
Since so many LCV products are shared designs these days, particularly in the large van segment, operators now make their choices based as much on warranty and dealer service as vehicle attribute. And on that basis, this Proace Max Electric has a lot to recommend it.
There's a more comprehensive warranty than rivals will provide - and a dealer network that'll probably work harder to look after your business. Overall, if you get the right deal on this Toyota, we can see why you might like it.
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