Toyota Proace Electric Van Verso EV L1 50kWh Medium Shuttle Auto

We always thought the diesel-powered Proace Verso offered a lot of family car for the money - and you could say the same for this EV version. We're disappointed that from launch, it couldn't be had with the range-extending 75kWh battery you can now get with its Stellantis Group close cousins; but that will probably come. If you can live with the range figure from the 50kWh battery, then there's plenty to like here, assuming the deal you're offered is as good or better than the equivalent Vauxhall, Peugeot Citroen version of this model. Particularly as this Toyota comes with a much longer warranty. This then, is the 7-to-9-seater family car you properly never considered. But possibly should.

If you're in search of a really big full-electric MPV these days, you'll need a big cheque book. Think over £60,000 for a Ford E-Tourneo Custom. And nearly £90,000 for a Mercedes EQV. Toyota though, wants to suggest a more sensible option. For under £45,000, the company's Proace Verso EV looks much more accessible. The Proace Verso, based on the brand's Proace mid-size van, has been around since 2016, when its arrival marked Toyota's return to the large MPV segment, a market sector it'd been absent from since the demise of the Previa back in 2007. But to date we've only had this vehicle in diesel form. That black pump-fuelled model's now been replaced by this full-EV variant. As before, it's Toyota's version of the Stellantis Group design also sold as the Peugeot E-Traveller, the Citroen e-SpaceTourer and the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric.

For some reason, Toyota isn't (yet) offering the 75kWh battery pack that you can get with this design badged as the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric, the Citroen e-SpaceTourer and the Peugeot E-Traveller. And that's a disappointment because it means the 217 mile range you can have with those three models is restricted to just 143 miles here. Still, if you're planning to use this Proace Verso for merely suburban duties, that might not matter. As with its Stellantis Group cousins, the powertrain comprises a 134bhp electric motor and a 50kWh lithium-ion battery, the latter located beneath the vehicle floor, thus avoiding loss of cabin space. The driver can select Eco, Normal or Power driving mode using a centre console-mounted switch. In Power mode, maximum output delivers peak torque of 260Nm from start-up. Top speed is electronically limited to 84mph and 0-62mph acceleration can be accomplished in 12.1 seconds. In Eco mode output is reduced to 81bhp with 190Nm of torque, while in Normal mode the electric system produces 107bhp with 210Nm. Through the corners, as you would expect, there's plenty of body roll if, rather unwisely, you start throwing the thing about. If you can ignore both that and the slightly vague steering and find yourself absolutely having to push on, you'll find that there's reasonable grip and traction. The turning circle is pretty tight too - at just 11.3 metres - making this a surprisingly manoeuvrable vehicle for use around town.

There are two Proace Verso EV body sizes - 'Medium' (4,959mm) and 'Long' (5,309mm). Either way, you're going to need a very big garage. It's worth noting that the Proace Verso's height of 1.90m is low enough to guarantee entry into covered car parks - a relatively rare attribute in this segment. The 'Long' length version will be the variant chosen by most buyers who want nine seats, but even the 'Medium' version can comfortably accommodate up to nine people in all seats. As for design, well this model's frontal design firmly identifies it as a modern Toyota. Inside, The dashboard design features clear, analogue dials and ergonomic switchgear and there's excellent all-round visibility from the elevated, SUV-like driving position. Families will appreciate the wealth of storage points around the cabin, including door boxes, dashboard and sliding door cubbies, and cupholders, with a combined capacity of 58.5 litres. All variants get three seats in the middle row and they slide forward and back in a 60:40-split, plus the seat backs recline. Getting into the very back requires you to push the seat base forward, then retract the seat back forward. The van-based approach really pays dividends here, in terms of both leg and headroom. To increase legroom, you can use the red lower tabs to slide the seats ahead of you forward and back. Or if you're broad of back, the second row seats can be taken from their lower runners, then turned around to face those in the rear, facilitating impromptu business conferences on the move. And luggage space? Well even with all the three seating rows upright, there's quite a lot of luggage space (in the 'Medium'-length model, between 603 and 798-litres, depending on the positioning of the 3rd row chairs). You push the 3rd row seats forward by pulling on two red tabs. And fold the seat backs using black levers; do that in the 'Medium'-length model and you can increase your luggage capacity to as much as 1,000-litres; or 1,750-litres with the second row seat backs folded too. Take out the second and third row seats entirely and your Proace Verso could conceivably function as some kind of small removal van; in the lengthiest 'Long'-spec model, as much as 4,900-litres of space could be freed up if you only retained the front two chairs.

From launch, this Proace Verso EV was available at on-the-road prices of around £43,000 for the medium length version and around £43,500 for the long-body model. Toyota is only offering this model with base 'Shuttle' trim. The 'Shuttle' specification caters for customers who need a vehicle that can meet the space and seating requirements for both work and personal use, with room for up to nine people. The seats have a tilt and tumble mechanism for easy access. Standard features include driver's seat height adjustment and lumbar support, power windows, dark-tinted rear windows, dusk-sensing headlights, front fog lights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, electrically adjustable, heated door mirrors and body colour-matched bumpers and door handles. The tailgate has a heater and rear wiper system. In the cabin there are curtain airbags and a multi-function roof which includes controls for rear cabin air conditioning. The vehicle's multimedia functions, including an eight-speaker audio system with DAB tuner and satellite navigation, are controlled via a central seven-inch touchscreen. Smartphone integration is enabled via both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Because the Proace Verso EV supports up to 100kW rapid charging technology, a 10-80 per cent DC charge will take under 30 minutes. This EV People Carrier also features a 7.4kW on-board charger. A full charge from a 7.4kW domestic wallbox takes 11 hours 20 minutes. With the alternative 11kW wallbox, you can reduce that to seven and a half hours. For peace of mind, the lithium-ion battery pack in this model comes with an eight year/100,000 mile warranty, for up to 70% of the initial battery capacity. A key ownership attribute over this model's Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroen design stablemates is the fact that Toyota offers a 10 year warranty, provided you keep the vehicle serviced at a franchised dealer. To get close to the quoted 143 mile range figure, you'll need to engage 'Eco' mode frequently - which reduces power output to 80hp. To maximise range, you'll also need to regularly engage the fiercest of the regenerative braking settings, activated by steering wheel paddles. Owners can set up deferred charging or to pre-condition the vehicle via a dedicated mobile app on their smartphone. This app also allows drivers to initiate or schedule thermal preconditioning and view, schedule, start or deferred charging remotely.