New territory for the Japanese manufacturer as it introduces an alternative for van drivers. By John Kendall.

WHAT IS IT? Large van that shares much with the Stellantis stablemates

MODEL TESTED?  Toyota Proace Max Electric L3H2

PRICE?  £62,375 (ex VAT OTR)

RANGE?  Up to 260 miles (WLTP combined)

LOAD VOLUME?  13m³ (L1H1)

GROSS PAYLOAD? 1,460kg

DRIVE? 272hp/410Nm front-mounted motor, front-wheel drive with 110kWh under-floor battery packs

CHARGING? 150kW on-board DC rapid charger

Toyota has not previously imported a large van model. It’s not difficult to understand why, given the slender profit margins on vans. Selling more Toyota or Lexus cars was simply better business. That said, the largest motor manufacturer in the world (by sales volume) would find it hard to be absent from an important European vehicle market. Toyota’s growing relationship with Stellantis for its European van range has now ensured that Toyota has a full range of vans for its UK and European customers.

Unsurprisingly, the Toyota Proace Max is based on the large Stellantis van model, which shares its basic design with the Peugeot Boxer, Citroën Relay, Fiat Ducato and Vauxhall Movano. Curiously, this van, built in a factory in northern Italy, is now one of the oldest large van designs on the market, tracing its origins back to 2006 when the Boxer, Relay and Ducato in their current form were originally launched, in a joint venture between PSA and Fiat.

That said, this Proace Max was designed to optimise carrying capacity and that is one of the chief reasons why the design has stood the test of time so well. The low height floor helps to make loading easy, while the wheelarches intrude as little as possible. Running well laden, the front-wheel-drive layout helps to give fairly even weight distribution. Toyota expects the L3H2 model to be the best seller – and that is a popular size for the UK market. Factory conversions will be available with one-way tipper and dropside models as well as chassis and platform cabs. For the UK, the company is also considering Luton, box and refrigerated bodies. Where panel vans are concerned, Toyota will offer L2, L3 and L4 variants with medium- and high-roof options, although there will not be an L2H2 diesel and at the moment, the electric panel van range will run to L3H2, L3H3, and L4H3 versions. There will also be an L3 electric chassis cab.

Whether diesel or electric, there is one equipment grade, Icon. Standard equipment across the ranges includes a 10-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrument cluster. Other features include automatic air conditioning, automatic LED headlights with automatic high beam as well as a reversing camera and rear parking sensors. Accessories include racking, shelving, high-security locks and a roof platform with rear ladder. All panel vans are ply lined, although this can be deleted if not required.

In the UK, Toyota has seen 8% growth in sales this year and expects to finish 2024 with a 5.9% average increase. The company’s van sales in the UK now exceed those for the Hilux pickup and it currently boasts 147 Toyota Professional centres with dedicated sales and services for light CV customers. Each has an LCV courtesy vehicle.

Toyota has bought into Stellantis’ large van production at the right time. The Stellantis merger inherited a dog’s breakfast of electric vehicles, with Fiat having developed its own electric model separately from Peugeot, Citroën and Vauxhall/Opel, resulting in a range of trim options and batteries. The revised range launched last year brought them all back together again with a standardised 110kWh battery pack for all models.

Toyota has opted for 4,250kg gross weight models only for its electric range. This comes with some restrictions for category B car licence holders. These include the need to complete at least five hours of training, prohibition from towing trailers and a ban from driving the vehicle outside the UK. With up to 260 miles’ driving range from the big battery, the Toyota can take on the class leaders such as the Ford E-Transit.

The three operating modes allow the driver to optimise power delivery or range, while regenerative braking can be adjusted to suit driver preferences. It all makes for a relaxed driving experience, not least because the Proace Max electric offers better refinement than the previous large Stellantis electric models. It is a pleasant and relatively relaxing place to spend a working day.

The interior with the digitised dashboard provides the cab with a modern working environment, while also offering plenty of storage space. The rotary drive selector switch improves cross-cab access, making it easier for the driver to get in and out from the roadside without standing in the road.

Verdict

Toyota’s Stellantis deal has given the company a good large van model, permitting the company to compete in the biggest and arguably most important van sector at last. In electric form, it’s competitive on payload and range – and is a good vehicle to drive. Toyota’s extensive Toyota Professional network should mean that there’s a dealer not far away and one of the company’s aims is to retain customers through a suite of service offers.

In Brief

Key fleet model: Toyota Proace Max Electric Icon L2H3

Pros: A heavy van for Toyota at last. Competitive driving range, payload and load space, with a range of factory conversions too.

Cons: 4,250kg gross weight derogation restrictions may not suit all fleet operators.

Seven-word summary: Proace Max gives Toyota a competitive e-LCV.