Choosing a new van is about more than finding enough room for your tools or deliveries. The right vehicle needs to suit your workload, daily mileage, carrying requirements and the places where you work.
A van that is larger than you need may be harder to manoeuvre and more expensive to operate. Choose one that is too small, however, and you may quickly run out of useful load space.
The Toyota Professional range includes three different van sizes: the compact Toyota Proace City, the versatile Toyota Proace and the high-capacity Toyota Proace Max. Each is available with diesel and all-electric powertrain options, helping businesses choose a vehicle that fits the way they work.
So, which one could be right for your business?
Toyota Proace City: compact, practical and easy to manoeuvre
Toyota Proace City is the smallest van in the Proace range, but its compact exterior does not mean sacrificing everyday practicality.
Its size makes it particularly well suited to businesses that regularly work in towns, residential areas or locations where parking and access can be difficult.
Typical users could include:
- Electricians and plumbers
- Mobile technicians
- Florists and caterers
- Cleaning and property-maintenance businesses
- Local delivery companies
- Self-employed tradespeople
Depending on the version selected, Toyota Proace City offers short and long body options. The Smart Cargo system can extend the usable load length to as much as 3,440mm, providing additional flexibility for pipes, timber and other longer items.
Diesel versions offer a payload of up to 990kg, while Toyota Proace City Electric provides a maximum official WLTP driving range of up to 208 miles, depending on specification and operating conditions.
Toyota Proace City could be the right choice if you need useful carrying capacity without moving to a full-size van.
Discover Toyota Proace City – Meet the Model
Toyota Proace: the flexible all-rounder
For businesses that need more cargo space, greater carrying capacity or the option to transport a larger team, Toyota Proace occupies the middle of the range.
It is available in different body lengths, together with panel-van and crew-cab configurations. A crew cab can provide seating for up to six people while retaining a practical load area, making it useful for teams travelling to the same job.
Typical users could include:
- Builders and larger trade teams
- Heating and electrical contractors
- Landscaping businesses
- Building-maintenance companies
- Couriers and regional delivery operators
- Businesses carrying tools alongside larger materials
Toyota Proace has a load length of 2,512mm in L1 form or 2,862mm in L2 form. Depending on the chosen configuration, payload capacity ranges from 1,000kg to 1,300kg.
The all-electric version offers an official WLTP driving range of up to 217 miles with the 75kWh battery. Diesel models may remain better suited to businesses covering longer or less predictable routes, particularly where regular charging is not yet practical.
Toyota Proace is the natural middle ground for businesses that have outgrown a compact van but do not require the full capacity of a large commercial vehicle.
Discover Toyota Proace – Meet the Model
Toyota Proace Max: capacity for the biggest jobs
Toyota Proace Max is the largest van in the Toyota Professional range. It is designed for businesses carrying substantial loads, bulky equipment or multiple pallets.
Four combinations of body length and height provide cargo capacity from 11.5m³ to 17m³, with the largest version offering room for up to five Euro pallets.
Typical users could include:
- Construction and building-supply businesses
- Furniture and appliance delivery companies
- Larger courier operations
- Commercial fit-out specialists
- Businesses requiring racking or specialist conversions
- Operators needing tipper, dropside or chassis-cab configurations
Alongside panel-van models, Toyota Proace Max can support a variety of specialist applications and conversions. These include factory-produced tipper and dropside bodies, while accessories such as racking, shelving and additional security can help tailor the vehicle to a particular job.
Diesel and all-electric versions are available. Toyota Proace Max Electric offers an official WLTP driving range of up to 260 miles, depending on the version and operating conditions.
For businesses that regularly carry large or awkward loads, choosing the additional capacity at the beginning may be more practical than outgrowing a smaller van later.
Discover Toyota Proace Max – Meet the Model
Proace City, Proace or Proace Max: the quick guide
| Your business needs | A good place to start |
|---|---|
| Compact dimensions and easy urban manoeuvring | Toyota Proace City |
| Tools, equipment and everyday local work | Toyota Proace City |
| More load space without choosing a large van | Toyota Proace |
| A crew cab for people and equipment | Toyota Proace |
| Large, heavy or high-volume loads | Toyota Proace Max |
| Specialist bodywork or business conversion | Toyota Proace Max |
| An electric van for regular, planned routes | Electric versions across the Proace range |
This is only a starting point. The correct vehicle will depend on its exact grade, body length, payload, powertrain and intended use.
What should you consider before choosing a van?
Before comparing individual versions, think about how your vehicle will work on its busiest day—not simply an average one.
What do you regularly carry?
List your usual tools, equipment and materials. Remember to include racking, accessories and anything fitted after delivery, as these can affect the remaining payload.
Do you transport a team?
If several people regularly travel together, a crew-cab configuration may be more useful than a standard panel van. Check that sufficient load capacity remains once passengers and equipment are included.
Where do you work?
A compact van can make sense for town centres, narrow streets and residential call-outs. A larger van may provide valuable extra capacity but could be less convenient where access or parking is restricted.
Do you tow?
Towing capability varies between models, powertrains and configurations. The weight of the trailer, equipment and vehicle load should all be considered before selecting a version.
Could an electric van work for your business?
An electric van can be particularly effective when daily routes are predictable and the vehicle returns to a depot, workplace or home location where it can be charged.
Before making the switch, consider:
- Your typical daily mileage
- The longest journey the van regularly completes
- Whether it can be charged overnight
- The availability and cost of workplace or depot charging
- The effect of payload, weather and driving style on real-world range
- Whether public charging would be routinely required
- How long the vehicle normally remains off the road between shifts
An electric van will not suit every operation, but it could be a strong option for businesses with consistent local or regional routes.
Support that helps to keep your business moving
Choosing the right van is only the beginning. Toyota Professional support includes:
- Up to 10 years or 100,000 miles of Toyota Warranty with qualifying servicing
- Up to five years’ roadside assistance for new commercial vehicles
- Service appointments designed around business requirements
- Courtesy vehicles, subject to availability
- Conversion and accessory options
- Business finance and leasing choices
Eligibility, terms and model-specific conditions apply.
Find the right Toyota van for your business
There is no single van that works for every company. A local tradesperson, a regional delivery operator and a construction business may all need very different combinations of capacity, range, seating and accessibility.
The SCC Toyota Fleet and Business team can help you compare Toyota Proace City, Toyota Proace and Toyota Proace Max around the work your vehicle actually needs to perform.
Explore our latest Toyota Professional finance and leasing opportunities, or speak to the team for help choosing the most suitable model and configuration.
Payload, load-space, towing, charging and range figures vary by model, grade, body style, powertrain and fitted equipment. Electric range figures are official WLTP values supplied for comparison purposes. Real-world results can vary according to vehicle load, accessories, weather, driving style, speed, battery condition and other factors. Please consult SCC Toyota for the specification applicable to your chosen vehicle.
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