Toyota Proace Verso (2016 - 2022)

The Toyota Proace Verso initially debuted at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show and marked the company’s return to the Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) sector.
It’s a flexible, modern model that offers seating for up to nine people and the vehicle is available in three trims versions called Shuttle, Family and VIP. There are two body lengths called ‘Medium’ which is almost five metres in length and ‘Long’ which stretches just over 5.3 metres. There was a ‘Compact’ body length but that was dropped from the range in 2021.
In addition, there is a choice of 2.0-litre turbodiesel powertrains to select from with an output of 148bhp (badged 150) or 174bhp (badged 180).
The VIP model, as tested, is designed for use as executive transport so features an impressive list of equipment while offering excellent comfort for occupants. There are seven seats which is the least number in the Proace Verso range.
Also worth noting is that the Proace Verso models all feature Toyota’s renowned suite of safety features helping them secure a maximum five stars when tested for a Euro NCAP safety rating.

The Toyota Proace Verso is a van-styled vehicle that will certainly appeal to taxi drivers or anyone with a larger family thanks to its seven, eight or nine seating capacity.
Our range-topping VIP model looked the business with Black Opal Metallic Paint that cost an extra £645. It features a trapezoidal grille to emphasise the vehicle’s width, body-coloured bumpers, powered side doors with sensor operation, front fog lights, sweeping light clusters, along with 17-inch alloy wheels.
Moving inside, the interior boasts powered and heated front leather seats with a massage function, brushed aluminium dashboard inserts and neat carpets in a clutter-free cabin that looks nice and upmarket in its design.
On-board tech is plentiful and includes the Toyota Pro-Touch seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a nine-speaker JBL sound system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connection and Bluetooth. The sat nav system, which is standard across the range, includes voice control, a WiFi function and access to online services, including TomTom Traffic, weather, fuel prices and parking information.
All the dials and readouts are easy to see and the driver benefits from an elevated seating position resulting in great visibility forwards and sideways. The rear view is slightly blocked by all the heads bobbing about if the vehicle is full.
Dark tinted windows offer added privacy, there is a multifunction roof with twin glazed sections and separate shades while the cooled glovebox will keep drinks nicely chilled.

The Toyota Proace Verso VIP is powered by a four-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. With 174bhp and 400Nm of torque, it can reach 62mph from a standing start in a very respectable 8.8 seconds and tops out at 114mph.

The Proace is sharp out of the starting blocks and is well balanced out on the open road. It’s grippy through sweeping bends and body sway is only noticeable if pushed a little too aggressively into a corner.

There is a little wind noise at higher motorway speeds, but it’s not too bad for a van-styled model. In busier town centres, the Proace is deceptively agile with nice light steering to assist with manoeuvring through the traffic. The steering is accurate and, despite its van-like proportions, the agility of the Proace also impresses. 

Steering wheel-mounted paddles offer added driver engagement, but to be honest, the automatic gearbox is perfectly timed.

If you are going to claim your vehicle will serve the executive sector then it needs to tick all the right comfort boxes and this model does just that.

The ride quality is nicely cushioned with most bumps and dips ironed out, while the cabin is refined with occupants protected from engine and road surface noise.

The Toyota Proace Verso VIP stretches 5,309mm in length, is 1,920mm wide and 1,910mm tall with a 3,275mm wheelbase.

The different trim grades should cater for most requirements. The entry-level Shuttle is ideal for the self-employed person who needs the space and seating for family and business use. This version has nine seats (including the driver).

Next up is the Family grade with a focus on space. It features an eight-seat layout with rail-mounted, sliding and removable rear seats for added flexibility.

Finally, the VIP model as tested. This has seven seats with the second and third rows both rail-mounted so they can easily slide back and forth or be removed altogether. The second-row seats can also be lifted and rotated through 180 degrees for a more informal cabin environment and tables fold out of a large central unit. There are additional tables in the back of the front seats as well as window blinds for extra privacy. 

Comfort levels are good for all occupants and there is easy access via the power-operated sliding side doors with a hands-free opening function. The doors can also be opened using the key fob or via buttons on the dashboard. 

Storage depends on how many seats are being used. With all seven seats in an upright position, there is room for 958 litres of luggage. With four seats upright, the capacity increases to 1,838 litres and with just two seats being used, the limit rises to 2,763 litres of room.

In addition, there are plenty of convenient storage compartments throughout the cabin with a flip-top glovebox, deep door bins, lots of bottle holders, nets and trays.

Our Proace Verso in VIP trim was priced at £55,420 but this was the top-of-the-range model. If budgets are a little tighter, then the line-up starts from £42,895 for the medium-sized Shuttle model with a six-speed manual gearbox.

According to official figures, under WLTP testing, our model could deliver a combined 37.6mpg with carbon emissions of 196g/km. This CO2 figure would result in a first year Vehicle Excise Duty fee of £1,420 dropping to the standard charge of £165 after 12 months. 

For anyone looking for a business purchase then the Benefit in Kind company car tax rating is 37 per cent and the vehicle is rated in insurance group 24.

Toyota has full confidence in the reliability of the Proace Verso line-up too. The vehicle has a standard three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, but this can be extended for a further 10 years or 100,000 miles provided it is serviced regularly at an authorised Toyota workshop. This warranty extension is provided at no added cost to the customer.

There are a number of high-quality seven-seater cars on the market nowadays, but the Toyota Proace Verso offers something a little bit different. Rather than back seat occupants being shoe-horned into tiny rear seats on many cars, this van offers excellent head, leg and elbow space for every occupant. And they all have their own individual storage spaces too.