Toyota Proace Verso Review 2024
Toyota Proace Verso At A Glance
The Toyota Proace is a compact and flexible people mover aimed predominantly at taxi drivers and airport shuttle firms.
Like the van it is based on, the Proace Verso is built in France as part of a joint agreement with Citroen and Peugeot. This means it's almost identical to the SpaceTourer and Traveller, with low running costs and high levels of standard equipment.
There are three body styles to pick from as well as three trims - Shuttle, Family and VIP - reflecting the market that the Proace Verso is aimed at. Entry Shuttle models are well-equipped, with nine-seats fitted as standard, along with automatic headlights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, heated door mirrors and automatic dual-zone - for the front and rear - climate control.
The range-topping VIP model is aimed at the executive transport end of the market and features seven leather heated seats and a rear table. Like the Proace Verso in Family trim, the seats are rail-mounted, which means they can be moved forwards/backs or removed altogether.
Compact versions offer the least boot space with the rear seats in place - just 224 litres - but things are more practical with the medium and long bodystyles, which offer a respective 603 and 989 litres. Family-spec versions get a split tailgate, which means you can access the boot without having to lift the large, heavy tailgate.
The front-wheel drive Proace Verso is available with a choice of three powertrains featuring 1.6 and 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines. The 1.6 diesel is the most efficient on paper, returning a claimed 54.3mpg 137g/km of CO2 while the 177PS 2.0-litre will provide 47.9mpg and 155g/km, according to the official figures. Most of the engines are linked to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while the most powerful version gets a six-speed automatic.
The Proace Verso isn't as good to drive or refined as its German rivals - such as the Mercedes-Benz V-Class or Volkswagen Caravelle - but it is efficient for its size and nimble in town. The high price and van-origins will limit its appeal for private buyers, but its flexible and practical nature will make it a tempting choice for professional drivers.