Toyota Proace City (2020 – 2024) Review
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Toyota Proace City (2020 – 2024) At A Glance
Efficient diesel engines. Generous equipment levels. Handy bulkhead hatch and lots of storage up front. 1000kg payload.
Limited engine line-up. Interior isn't as fancy as the Volkswagen Caddy Cargo's.
While Toyota has a reputation for making dependable passenger cars and SUVs, it's not got quite the same name for itself in the world of commercial vehicles. The rugged Hilux pick-up truck is perhaps the brand's best-known CV, while there's also the mid-size Toyota Proace which has been quietly rivalling the Ford Transit Custom since 2016.
The brand's first entry in the world of small vans is this, the Toyota Proace City. It's basically been bought in from Stellantis (formerly PSA Group), which means it's almost identical to the Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo.
The Toyota Proace City is available with long or short wheelbases and a choice of three trim levels: Active, Icon and Design. There's just one engine available for now, a 100PS 1.5-litre diesel paired with a five-speed manual gearbox. A more powerful 130PS version of the 1.5 is on its way (twinned with an eight-speed automatic gearbox), while there's also set to be electric version with a 161-mile range.
Stick with the diesel and running costs ought to be low, with WLTP fuel economy figures of up to 50.4mpg for the standard-length model and up to 46.9mpg for the long-wheelbase variant. Maintenance schedules are up to 25,000 miles/two years, while all Proace City vans are covered for up to 10 years by Toyota's Relax warranty cover.
The Toyota Proace City Active is the entry point to the range, with standard kit including air conditioning, auto headlights and one-touch power windows. It also gets a DAB radio, full metal bulkhead and twin sliding side doors.
The Icon trim level adds an eight-inch media system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), the brand's clever Smart Cargo system, three front seats and an electronic parking brake. A reversing camera is also standard, as well as parking sensors (front and rear), power-fold door mirrors, cruise control and front fog lights.
Topping the range is the Toyota Proace City Design. This adds 16-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers, navigation and an alarm. Toyota's Safety Sense package of driver-assist features is also standard, including a lane departure alert system, road sign assist and driver fatigue alert.
Ultimately, the Toyota Proace City is a really convincing vehicle in the small van market. The underwhelming engine line-up limits its appeal slightly, while the new Volkswagen Caddy Cargo is a slightly trendier choice. But the Proace City is a convincing workhorse, backed up by a lengthy warranty and low running costs.
Driving the Toyota Proace City (2020 – 2024)
As part of Toyota's 'keep it simple' approach with the Proace City, the engine line-up is currently limited to just one. It's the same 1.5-litre unit you'll find in other small Stellantis vans. In the Proace City, it produces 100PS, which is enough to propel it to 62mph in 11.5 seconds.
It feels grunty enough for hauling a van-load of whatever it is you want to shift. It's only offered with a five-speed manual gearbox, which feels a bit sloppy to use and means refinement takes a knock at motorway speeds. There is a more powerful 130PS model with an eight-speed automatic gearbox on its way.
The lack of a petrol offering in the Proace City seems a bit of an oversight in a van that's aimed at the urban market, but an electric version will arrive on forecourts in the near future.
Engines aside, the Proace City's car-based underpinnings mean it's easy to drive, with light steering and a tight turning circle. Front and rear parking sensors are standard on Icon and Design trim levels, as well as a useful (if not particularly high-res) reversing camera. Like most vans of this size, you shouldn't have an issue squeezing the Proace City into an underground car park or a tight parking space.
Ride comfort is on the soft size, which means it feels a bit bouncy when it's unladen. It's great on potholed city streets, however, and soon settles down once you've got a load in the back.
Toyota Proace City (2020 – 2024) interior
The Toyota Proace City's cabin feels much likes its French counterparts, with lots of hard-wearing plastics and functional controls. While it does the job, the new Volkswagen Caddy's more car-like interior is more visually impressive.
Icon and Design models come with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the top-spec model also adds navigation. This is easy to use and a worthy upgrade over the entry-level Active with its basic audio system.
There are no fewer than 16 storage compartments around the cabin ranging from a small coin holder to a 15-litre space in the centre console. There's even a cooled glovebox for keeping your sandwiches fresh.
Much like the Citroen Berlingo, Vauxhall Combo and Peugeot Partner, the Toyota Proace City is available in two lengths: Short and Long. The smallest version of the Proace City has a load length of 1817mm while the long version provides up to 2167mm as standard.
Both vans get the option of a Smart Cargo bulkhead loading hatch that adds 1273mm to the overall load length - up to 3440mm - by allowing you to drop the passenger seat and carry items the full length of the van.
The Toyota Proace City Short has a maximum load volume of 3.3 cubic metres (3.8 with Smart Cargo), while the Long can carry 3.9 metres (4.4 with Smart Cargo). Both can carry two Euro pallets, while a 1000kg payload is impressive for a van of this size.
All models come with three lights in the back, along with six tie-down hooks and a rubber floor covering. The back can be lined out in ply as an optional extra.
Model History
April 2019
Toyota ProAce City van announced
Compact van joins the ProAce medium duty van, Hilux pick-up and Land Cruiser Utility
ProAce City is built on collaboration with Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall. Available in two wheelbases, the ProAce City is capable of carrying 1000kg payloads and is available. with petrol or diesel engines. All models get a five-year-warranty as standard.
April 2019
New ProAce City revealed
The ProAce City range promises to meet a wide range of business needs, with different loading and seating configurations and powertrain options.
Based on the Citroen Berlingo, this compact van is presented in two different lengths – short at 4.4m and long at 4.7m. Both can be specified with three front seats, and as panel or glass vans; the long version is also available as a crew cab. The passenger version is offered with five or seven seats both in the short and long version.
The dimensions and packaging give excellent load capacity, with maximum volume from 3.3m3 (short model) to 4.3m3 (long version with Smart Cargo option). Notably the Toyota is one of few vehicles in its class that can accommodate two Euro pallets. Adding the Smart Cargo system option gives best-in-class load length capability of 3.1m for the short version and 3.4m for the long, while the maximum payload is another class-best figure at one tonne (both versions). For those who need to carry even greater or heavier loads, the van can tow braked trailers up to 1.5 tonnes. Asymmetrical rear doors (glazed or unglazed) or a top-hinged tailgate can be specified.
ProAce City will be available with a range of petrol and diesel powertrains offering a power spread from 75 to 130PS, and a choice of five or six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions.
The model range amply covers business and fleet customer requirements in the segment in terms of capability, versatility, performance and efficiency, ensuring it can realise its potential to strengthen Toyota’s position in the LCV market.
The van is available with either two individual front seats or a three-seat bench, the latter additionally offering a Smart Cargo option, like that seen on the larger model. The Smart Cargo system uses a folding outer passenger seat and a hatch in the bulkhead to provide an extra 0.4 m3 of load space and to increase maximum load length by 1.3 m; the centre passenger seatback can be rotated to create a handy desk space, with additional under-seat storage.
In the crew cab version, when the second row seats are not being used, the bench can be folded flat and the bulkhead moved forwards to increase load space. A hatch in the bulkhead can be opened to carry longer loads.
The ProAce City van can be fitted with a rear hatch in the roof as another useful option when longer items need to be carried. This comes with a cross-bar that can support up to 100kg.
Clever and capacious storage points are featured throughout the cabin (according to model), ranging from coin and cup holders and open stowage areas, to an underseat drawer and spaces designed into the roof, doors and floor. In the passenger version, a panoramic roof option can specified with aircraft-style overhead storage in a locker and a central ‘floating’ arch structure that have a combined 74-litre capacity, accessible from the second row seats and the boot.
Access to the boot is made easy when parked in confined spaces, thanks to an opening window in the tailgate.
The van benefits from equipment specifications that include a series of features, delivering enhanced safety, a comfortable driving environment and improved performance and practicality, both in van and Verso passenger vehicle versions (NB UK specifications and equipment availability will be confirmed nearer to the time of launch).
The safety features provide high levels of active safety, meeting customer requirements in three different packs. As standard, these include a Pre-Collision System, Road Sign Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Cruise Control and a “coffee cup warning” that recommends the driver takes a break if they have spent a long time at the wheel. The content is increased in as second pack with Automatic High Beam, Sway Warning and an extended Road Sign Assist system, while the most comprehensive package further adds Adaptive Cruise Control and a Blind Spot Monitor. All models also come with eCall for automatic connection with the emergency services in the event of a serious accident.
Where multimedia and connectivity are concerned, ProAce City is equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen to access audio and smartphone functions, with MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay (including Siri assistant) and Android Auto (including Google assistant), plus Bluetooth, and USB/Aux-in connections. It can be used with navigation and online functions, including 3D mapping, voice command recognition and connected traffic information (via Tomtom Traffic).
ProAce City also offers a head-up display, presenting key driving information, such as navigation, speed limits and safety functions comfortably and clearly in the driver’s forward sightline.
Safety and ease of manoeuvring are supported by a rear-view camera that provides both a 180-degree and overhead dynamic images of the area behind the vehicle, and a static view covering an even wider (180-degree-plus) area. A Blind Spot Monitor warns the driver of other road users moving in their blind spot with an alert in the display audio screen.
A higher level of driver support is provided by Smart Active Vision. This uses two dedicated cameras and a ceiling-mounted five-inch screen to relay a clear, real-time view behind and alongside the vehicle – effectively letting the driver see through the metal panels. A long-distance rear view can be selected when moving or stationary, or a short-distance view when reversing. The view can also be switched to the blind spot on the passenger side of the vehicle.
The van’s performance can be adapted to tackle different driving conditions with Toyota Traction Select. Using a rotary controller, the driver can choose between Normal, Snow, Sand and All-terrain modes. Van users can keep a check on their payload with a Smart Load Indicator – another feature unique in the van’s class – that warns when 90 per cent of the maximum weight is reached and adds an alert in the combimeter when the maximum is exceeded.
Other advanced equipment features available for ProAce City include a wireless smartphone charger, unique-in-class electric parking brake and, for the passenger version, a panoramic roof with electric shade and a parking assist system.
