TECHS AND THE CITY (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Toyota's compact van, the Proace City, might just be the small LCV you forgot to add to your wish list. Jonathan Crouch drives the improved version.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 51

Toyota has significantly upgraded its smallest LCV, the Proace City van, with a fresh look, a redesigned cabin and revised infotainment and connectivity. The electric version can now go further. There's now a Verso MPV variant. And the dealer network has become much better set up to sell vans. All good.

Backgroundword count: 115

There's a feeling of an all-new product about this updated Proace City, even though it's merely a facelift of a borrowed Stellantis Group LCV design that's been in Toyota showrooms since 2020. This is partly because the enhancement is substantial inside and out - and even brings a new model variant, the Verso MPV. And partly because this revised van's arrival coincided with widescale changes in the way that Toyota will sell LCVs in the UK. The brand is establishing 'Toyota Professional Centres' in existing dealerships, with dedicated maintenance spaces, highly trained staff and special website tools for business customers. And it's all complemented by the most comprehensive warranty in the LCV industry. Sounds promising.

Driving Experienceword count: 258

There are no mechanical changes to the diesel variants most customers will still choose. But there's a big update to the EV version, which now has a 50kWh battery capable of 213 miles between charges, 45 miles further than this model could manage when we first tested it back in 2021. It uses a 134bhp electric motor. We'll focus here though, on the combustion model. Which as before uses a Stellantis-derived 1.5-litre diesel unit offered in 100 or 130hp forms and there's a choice between 6 speed manual or 8 speed automatic transmission. You get a 1.0-tonne braked towing capability that's as good as anything in the class. There's very little about the handling dynamics of this van that encourage you to push it on in any way at all. Instead, development priority has been given to the creation of a supple quality of ride - something daily drivers will probably appreciate rather more. The performance stats on offer will be quite sufficient for the daily needs of likely operators -the 100hp variant gets to 62mph in 11.5s en route to 107mph, stats the top 130hp manual model improves to 9.8s and 107mph. Decent highway refinement should be possible thanks to the installation of a full-height bulkhead in this cab. Further peace of mind can come with the addition of the camera-driven safety kit that can be provided. This model's Stellantis-derived EMP2 platform enables short overhangs and a small turning circle for easy manoeuvring: the kerb to kerb turning radius is only 12.4m for the smaller 'Short' version.

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