2026 Toyota Proace Max Review, Specs, Redesign
2026 Toyota Proace Max Review, Specs, Redesign – The Toyota Proace Max is the latest and largest addition to the Japanese brand’s van lineup, and it is the product of a collaboration with the Stellantis business. Toyota stated that it had not yet produced its own version of Stellantis’ largest van offering because it was testing the waters with the medium-sized Proace and small Proace City vans; clearly, it went well, as the Toyota Proace Max has now joined the lineup as a rebadged version of the Citroen Relay, Vauxhall Movano, Fiat Ducato, and Peugeot Boxer.
But there’s more to it than that; while the aforementioned vans are almost identical, Toyota’s package may be more appealing. The brand is delivering a higher entry-level specification, so there is more gear as standard, and while this means the beginning price is greater than its Stellantis counterparts, Toyota believes most purchasers in the market for a van will want these improvements anyway. Furthermore, Toyota’s competitive guarantee remains in effect, despite the fact that the majority of the running gear is supplied by Stellantis; Toyota conducts its own quality inspections after production to ensure that the Proace Max meets its high standards.
Toyota provides conversion options for individuals looking for a specialized version of the Proace Max, such as tipper and dropside configurations that can be bought from the manufacturer, or more bespoke variants that may be commissioned through Toyota-authorized converters, such as refrigerated vans. If you wish, the Proace Max may also be bought as a Chassis Cab, ready for your own customization.
The Toyota Proace Max is available in the UK with a 138bhp 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel or a completely electric variant producing 272bhp, simply known as the Proace Max Electric. The diesel is available with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. 2026 Toyota Proace Max Review
2026 Toyota Proace Max Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior & Interior
The Toyota Proace Max’s height and length options are not as comprehensive as those given by the Fiat, Peugeot, Vauxhall, and Citroen versions, but Toyota has simplified them with the intention of increasing the range in the future if demand warrants it.
The Toyota Proace Max is available in four sizes, however unlike in the rest of Europe, there is no H1 low roof variant. There are three lengths available: L2 (5,413mm), L3 (5,998mm), and L4 (6,363mm), as well as two heights: H2 (2,524mm) and H3 (2,764mm). L2 is only available in diesel and H2 configurations, whilst L4 and H3 may only be chosen with an electric motor. Both the H2 and H3 lengths are available on L3 vehicles with a diesel or electric powerplant. These combinations give a cargo space of 12-17 cubic meters and can transport up to five Euro pallets.
The Proace Max diesel can carry a payload of up to 1,400kg, while the Electric version can carry a greater 1,460kg – but keep in mind that this reduces driving range. The diesel has a slightly higher towing capability and can draw up to 2,500kg, but the electric can only tow 2,400kg.
The rear doors open up to 270 degrees, which is beneficial for moving them out of the way so that the back may be loaded without restriction, and there is a sliding side door. Accessories like a roof platform and rear ladder, as well as racking and shelves, can be selected. The Proace Max comes with a plywood inside liner as standard, however it may be removed if desired, saving roughly £200.
The Proace Max’s interior is absolutely nice for a business van in terms of quality and finish, albeit we had some reservations about the sitting arrangement. The Proace Max’s cab, like its Stellantis counterparts, is pushed all the way forward to prioritize cargo; regrettably, this means legroom is limited. While the second and third occupants may find this tolerable, it does imply that the pedals are quite close to the driver, even when the driver’s seat is positioned far back. The manual model’s gearlever is also quite near to the steering wheel on the dash, which might be difficult to adjust to. Despite being a smaller van, the medium-sized Proace’s cabin seems significantly larger.
We really enjoy the quantity of storage space provided in the Toyota Proace Max interior. The tall doors include giant cupholders and bins large enough to accommodate tools, clipboards, and other goods, while the dash has a large bin ahead of the passengers, and the three seats can be turned back to provide even more room beneath.
Toyota has chosen to keep the Proace Max line-up simpler and higher spec than the Fiat, Vauxhall, Peugeot, and Citroen options because the Japanese manufacturer believes UK purchasers will want the extra features anyhow. As a result, the only Icon trim level includes a 10-inch infotainment screen that feels sharp, clear, and fast to operate; this is a larger, more contemporary system than the one available in the mid-size Proace. The built-in satnav is simple to use and navigate, but if you want to utilize wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the system also has both as standard.
The crosswind assist technology, traffic jam aid, blind spot monitoring, and moving off system are all included as standard. The Proace Max Electric has a seven-inch driver’s display that works well for the most part, but we don’t like the fact that the tachometer is presented with light-up segments rather than a moving needle since it lags somewhat and doesn’t represent the revs accurately enough. 2026 Toyota Proace Max Review
2026 Toyota Proace Max Specs
Engine & Performance
Despite its massive size, the Proace Max is not as intimidating to drive as you might anticipate; in fact, it feels remarkably car-like, with just enough feel via the steering wheel and chassis to know where the wheels are at all times.
The driving position is high, as expected for a van of this sort, but it’s simple to adjust and provides a superb perspective of the road ahead. The large, well-positioned convex wing mirrors and rear-view camera in place of the center mirror make it simple to see around you. Because there is no back glass, that camera comes in helpful while driving, even if it doesn’t provide the same feeling of distance when navigating in tight areas. Fortunately, the Proace Max also has parking sensors to alert you if you’re going to strike something while reversing.
The first version we tried was the 2.2-litre diesel with a six-speed manual gearbox. Perhaps owing to the Proace Max’s weight, it needs a lot of gas to get going smoothly, which can make it feel loud and unrefined to drive. The gearing is rather short, so you’ll find yourself changing up and down a lot in metropolitan areas, which may soon become tiresome, especially if you’ll be driving a lot in these conditions.
The eight-speed automatic radically transforms the driving experience; it responds quickly and changes gears correctly, allowing you to spend more time focused on the road. The Proace Max’s automatic transmission never seemed like it was hanging onto the gears for too long or too short. If you wish to override the system, you may do so using the paddle shifters on the rear of the steering wheel, which are quite sensitive to your inputs.
The Proace Max Electric’s engine is the most sophisticated of the three, and it runs extremely quietly and smoothly. As a consequence, it was the most convenient to drive and is definitely worth considering if you’re wanting to move to a zero-emission van and believe its capabilities match the demands of your organization. The Proace Max even has a drive mode option, which may appear out of place in a professional van, but the difference between Power, Normal, and Eco is fairly noticeable, so it’s worth tinkering with this to best suit your driving style. 2026 Toyota Proace Max Review
2026 Toyota Proace Max Fuel Economy
The Toyota Proace Max comes with only one engine option: the 138bhp version of the Stellantis group’s 2.2-litre diesel four-cylinder engine, as opposed to the somewhat more efficient but less powerful 120bhp variant found in some of its Stellantis rivals. As a consequence, the Proace Max diesel achieves up to 36.7mpg with the six-speed manual gearbox and 33 mpg with the eight-speed automatic. CO2 emissions from the manual gearbox vary from 204 to 238g/km, while the automatic emits slightly more, from 226-238g/km.
The Toyota Proace Max is also available in a completely electric vehicle, with an official range of 260 miles. That’s one of the most outstanding range statistics in the class, comparable to vehicles like the Fiat E-Ducato and Peugeot E-Boxer, with which it shares underpinnings, and exceeding the Ford E-Transit’s maximum range of 249 miles. This amount will vary in the real world based on the load and weight of the vehicle being transported, so if you’ll be moving very big loads over long distances, the EV may not be worth it.
2026 Toyota Proace Max Safety Features
The Toyota Proace Max comes equipped with a variety of safety features. This features a Moving Off Information System and a Blind Spot Information System, which monitor the perimeter of the vehicle and alert the driver to any possible risks. When a pedestrian, bicycle, or motorcycle is identified, a warning will flash and sound in the driver’s binnacle and door mirrors.
There is also a Crosswind Assist system, which stabilizes the car when driving through high crosswinds by providing mild brakes to maintain the Proace Max in its lane. In the case of an accident, the vehicle’s computer will record and gather telemetry data from before, during, and after the hit.
Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.
