When you think of Toyotas you’re probably going to have pick-ups trucks and cars in your mind. They’re not a natural fit for commercial vehicles, but the Toyota Proace crew cab is another useful addition to an expanding van range that has found a lot of love over the years.
The Toyota Proace is the medium van in the Toyota commercial vehicle line-up, and is a shared product with the whole Stellantis family, who build the Proace under licence for the Japanese brand.
This is the multi-purpose people mover version with a full load space, making it the ideal workhorse for a construction site, or any business where you need to move a load, but also a bunch of people. There's also an increasing demand for these sorts of vehicles from the private sector, not least because of the change in double-cab pick-up tax, and because you get a completely closed off loadspace.
The Toyota Proace Dual Cab is therefore an interesting proposition as it will offer you the practicality of a load-carrying van with the people-moving capability of an MPV.
It's essentially a full-sized van with a second row of seats, separated from the cargo area by a solid bulkhead and in this case with a glass window thrown in for good measure.
This configuration allows it to transport a crew of up to six people while still retaining a substantial and secure load space.
Twin sliding doors provide easy access to the passenger compartment, and the load area, while shorter in loadspace dimensions than a standard panel van, is notably wider and taller than any city van rivals, offering comparable capacity to a long wheelbase or enlarge city van, like the Kia PV5 Cargo.
Jumping inside the Proace, the cabin is immediately familiar to anyone acquainted with the Stellantis van range (that's Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and Vauxhall). Unlike the in-house Stellantis brands, though, the Proace is built on behalf of Toyota in the same way the Iveco eJolly is for the Italians.
It's a really familiar interior then, with the layout dominated by a high-mounted touchscreen, flanked by air vents and a central column for climate control and charging options.
The automatic gearbox is operated via a minimalist rocker switch, freeing up space in the centre console. The squared-off steering wheel, lifted directly from the Peugeot Expert, is adjustable for both rake and reach, allowing for a comfortable driving position.
Material quality is above average for a van, with a mix of different textured black plastics. A splash of flair comes from the piano-black surrounds for the touchscreen and a metallic-looking silver plastic trim that runs horizontally across the dashboard and into the door cards.
The door cards themselves are well-designed with dedicated storage for large water bottles and a narrower upper pocket for smaller items like passes or keys. Twin cupholders are conveniently located on top of the dash, at either A-pillar and there's a large recess behind the touchscreen which is perfect for storing paperwork.
However, we found the lack of overhead storage and under-seat storage a minor drawback, and the driver could benefit from more immediate, small-item storage options.
The Proace Crew Cab gets three full-sized rear seats, which brings the total number of seats to six with a front bench. Not bad for a passenger van.
While knee room in the rear is a little on the tight side, the seats themselves are surprisingly comfortable for shorter journeys.
The fixed bulkhead means the seat backs are quite upright but the sculpting of the seats provides ample support, preventing any discomfort.
We like that the seatbelt buckles are located on the outside of the van, meaning you won’t be fumbling around to get buckled in undernearth someone's arse. It's a thoughtful design touch given the sort of work these will be used for.
The front seatbacks do feel a little imposing, creating a slightly hemmed-in feeling, but for a short trip with a full crew to a worksite, the Proace does the job perfectly.
Behind the wheel, the Proace feels suprisingly refined, especially with the automatic gearbox which provides decent, fast changes. The steering wheel-mounted paddles shifters offer quick manual override when needed, and there's always enough power from the engine, although if you're running six up or heavy on the loadspace we found it could do with a little more low-down torque when loaded.
The Proace comes with a range of powertains, including a fully electric version, the Toyota Proace Electric.
For those who prefer a traditional combustion engine, there are three main diesel options. The lineup begins with a 1.5-litre diesel engine producing 120hp, followed by a 2-litre option with a choice of either 145hp or a more powerful 180hp output.
The 180hp variant is the one to go for if you want an automatic gearbox, as it's the only one paired with the slick eight-speed automatic transmission.
This particular combination delivers smooth gear changes making it the most relaxed and best suited for passenger transport.
The seating position is comfortable and commanding, with good all-round visibility, but the wing mirrors, however, are an unusual shape and smaller than we’d like.
They require a lot of adjustment to find the right spot, but once set, they provide a reasonable view.
One a minor ergonomic niggle is the transmission tunnel, which forces the driver’s left knee into an awkward angle when resting on the provided footrest. This led to some knee ache on longer stints, a point worth considering for those who spend a lot of time behind the wheel.
The cargo area is practical and well-thought-out, and although small for a medium van, it's big for anything with six seats.
It features a full set of lashing points to secure loads, and the side walls are partially lined to half-height.
A clever use of space is found underneath the rear seats, which adds an extra 30cm of length capacity. It's nothing revolutionary, but it's a small amount of space clawed back to enable you to carry slightly longer items.
For a full breakdown of the Toytoa Proace dimensions read our measurements guide.
The rear of the dual cab hinges open like a conventional tailgate, which can be useful for sheltering from the elements. While a handy strap is attached to the inside to aid with closing.
One thing that we were less keen on is the lack of lighting in the rear. There's just a single small LED at the very lip of the opening, which provides minimal illumination.
The Toyota Proace Crew Cab is a practical solution for businesses and individuals who require the dual functionality of a people mover and a load carrier.
While Toyota might not be the first brand that comes to mind for vans, is a well-rounded and capable vehicle that can transport up to six people while retaining a substantial load area.
The well-equipped interior, comfortable rear seats, and good all-round driving manners on the road mean it is a great option as a passenger van.
There are a few little niggles like the small wing mirrors and awkward transmission tunnel for your legs, but the Toyota Proace Crew Cab successfully bridges the gap between a traditional van and an MPV.
