Following its world debut at the 2019 Commercial Vehicle Show, we wanted to explore the new Toyota Proace City compact van by providing greater detail in three key areas: performance and capabilities, practical and versatile design, and its safety, comfort and convenience features.
Proace City: superior equipment features
The Proace City benefits from equipment specifications that include a series of features that deliver enhanced safety, a comfortable driving environment and improved performance and practicality.
The safety features provide high levels of active safety, meeting customer requirements in three different packs. As standard, these include a Pre-Collision System, Road Sign Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Cruise Control and a ‘coffee cup warning’ that recommends the driver takes a break if they have spent a long time at the wheel. The content is increased in as second pack with Automatic High Beam, Sway Warning and an extended Road Sign Assist system, while the most comprehensive package adds Adaptive Cruise Control and a Blind Spot Monitor. All models also come with eCall for automatic connection with the emergency services in the event of a serious accident.
Where multimedia and connectivity are concerned, Proace City is equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen to access audio and smartphone functions, with MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay (including Siri assistant) and Android Auto (including Google assistant), plus Bluetooth, and USB/Aux-in connections. It can be used with navigation and online functions, including 3D mapping, voice command recognition and connected traffic information (via Tomtom Traffic).
Proace City also offers a head-up display, presenting key driving information, such as navigation, speed limits and safety functions comfortably and clearly in the driver’s forward sightline.
Safety and ease of manoeuvring are supported by a rear-view camera that provides both a 180-degree and overhead dynamic images of the area behind the vehicle, and a static view covering an even wider (180-degree-plus) area. A Blind Spot Monitor warns the driver of other road users moving in their blind spot with an alert in the display audio screen.
A higher level of driver support is provided by Smart Active Vision. This uses two dedicated cameras and a ceiling-mounted five-inch screen to relay a clear, real-time view behind and alongside the vehicle – effectively letting the driver see through the metal panels. A long-distance rear view can be selected when moving or stationary, or a short-distance view when reversing. The view can also be switched to the blind spot on the passenger side of the vehicle.
Proace City’s performance can be adapted to tackle different driving conditions with Toyota Traction Select. Using a rotary controller, the driver can choose between Normal, Snow, Sand and All-terrain modes. Van users can keep a check on their payload with a Smart Load Indicator – another feature unique in the van’s class – that warns when 90% of the maximum weight is reached and adds an alert in the combimeter when the maximum is exceeded.
Other advanced equipment features available for Proace City include a wireless smartphone charger, unique-in-class electric parking brake and, for the passenger version, a panoramic roof with electric shade and a parking assist system.
Please note that UK specifications and equipment availability will be confirmed nearer to the time of launch.
