Toyota Proace Max: light-years ahead?

Toyota has officially entered the large LCV landscape for the first time with the Proace Max. A new offering from the Japanese manufacturer, but its familiar face has left us wondering: is it fresh, or formulaic?

Toyota’s first ‘heavy-duty’ van, the Proace Max, is now available to order, with first deliveries expected to touch-down in September 2024. This launch may be a move into uncharted territory for Toyota, but as a partner of the Stellantis large LCV fleet, the framework underpinning this van is nothing new. So, is the Proace Max merely one small step for a van, or one giant leap for van-kind?

Déjà Vu

Well, for a start, the Proace Max has a familiar looking silhouette. This is no surprise, as it’s built on the same platform as the Fiat Ducato and Vauxhall Movano (to name a few) and features the smooth yet boxy visual cues seen on the recently facelifted 2024 Toyota Proace. Whether this combination results in a ‘less-is-more’, or a ‘less-is-less’ design, we’ll let you decide — but we reckon this isn’t exactly a case of boldly going where no-one has gone before. 

The interior is available in a single trim: ‘Icon’. This provides an uncluttered, roomy interior, punctuated by a digital instrument cluster and 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and kept comfortable by automatic air-con. Combine that with the automatic high-beam headlights, reversing camera and parking sensors, and you’ve a list of features to which we’ve become accustomed, but are glad to see nonetheless.

Where the Proace Max does begin to stand on its own four wheels, is through its Toyota Warranty. Boasting the same safety net that supports some of our high-mileage hero car picks, the Proace Max comes with cover for up to 10 years, or 100,000 miles.

What are the Toyota Proace Max’s engine options?

The Toyota Proace Max is available with a battery electric (BEV) powertrain, or a 2.2-litre diesel engine.

The Proace Max electric remains on-brand, slotting nicely into Toyota’s plan to electrify its full van range, and follows its commitment towards carbon neutrality seen in the ambitious Hilux Hydrogen. 

Churning out 264 hp and a 260-mile range, Toyota reckons it has a shrewd urban operator on its hands. We’ll credit them with that, as this large LCV could potentially go without an overnight charge following the average delivery shift. Stacking the mileage odds in its favour, the Proace Max has been released on Continental Van Contact Eco tyres for an efficiency-based boost.

When a battery re-fill is required, the 110 kwh battery can be hooked up to 150 kw fast-charging systems for a speedy 0-80% charge in 55 minutes, or plugged in at home with the 11 kwh onboard charger.

The Proace Max diesel features a 2.2-litre engine producing a maximum of 136 hp, available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission — depending just how traditional a setup you fancy.

What size is the Toyota Proace Max?

The Proace Max diesel is available in L2 H2, L3 H2, and L3 H3 sizes, with dimensions up to 5,988 mm by 2,764 mm. The Proace Max electric is available in L3 H2, L3 H3, and L4 H3 sizes, with a larger maximum dimension of 6,363 mm by 2,764 mm.

Although this sizing flexibility does fall short of the ever-versatile Ford Transit, the maximum load capacity of 17m³ is a fair advantage over the American manufacturer’s best seller. 

Furthermore, there’s a range of format options from chassis cab to platform cab, and one-way tippers to dropside bodies — music to van converters ears, whether for laid-back campervan or hard grafting trade purposes. There’s also a handy range of accessories including interior racks and shelves, as well as high-security locks and a roof platform with rear ladder setup. You can even opt for the ply-lining to be removed, saving a ‘commensurate’ couple of quid in the process.

What price is the Toyota Proace Max?

The cheapest Proace Max panel vans start at £43,630 for the diesel, and £62,375 for the electric.

Toyota’s first large LCV may not break any new ground. But, as a relatively flexible van, built on a tried and tested platform and backed by the confidence of a sturdy warranty, that may not be a bad thing. So, are you tempted to climb aboard for this launch into a new market?

Hero image credit: Toyota