2013 Toyota Probox Review

Detailed Review

The Toyota Probox is a light commercial vehicle that was introduced to the Japanese market in mid 2002. A few years later, it connected well with Kenyan businessmen and it has been a best seller ever since. The name simply stands for Professional Box. It is largely the same as the Toyota Succeed save for minor differences. Later in this review, we will highlight these differences

The first generation Probox known as the NCP50 was in production from 2002 to 2014. The second generation Probox known as the NCP150 has been in production from 2014 to present. The Toyota Probox is available with 2 engine options, these are the 1.3Litre 2NZ engine and the 1.5Litre 1NZ engine, mated to either a 4 speed automatic or 5 speed manual transmission. There are 4WD options available with the 1.5L engine. Read the Toyota Probox Buyer’s Guide for more details

Interior
Legroom & Space
The Toyota Probox is strictly made for commercial use and comfort is therefore minimal if not non-existent. All windows are manual and seats are made of a water-proof vinyl material. At the first row, the seats are mildly comfortable with fixed headrests. There is sufficient legroom here for tall people. At the second row, space is tight and tall people will find it uncomfortable. The 3 seater bench is really meant for carrying people at short distances. Anything longer than an hour is going to be agony.

Cabin Storage
At the front, there are 4 cup holders, door panel storage , storage spaces below the dashboard, an open glovebox and a tray in between the seats. At the back, the only storage is on the door pockets.

2013 Toyota Probox Boot Space
The boot space for the Toyota Probox is impressive. The rear seats have been squeezed to free up space for the boot. The boot is covered in a waterproof plastic material that is ideal for carrying heavy luggage. The rear seats can fold flat to create more space when required.

Other Extras: CD/Radio player, Air Condition

Exterior
The Toyota Probox is a very basic car that comes with 13 Inch steel rims, halogen headlamps, and no fog lights. They are usually painted in white or grey with plastics accentuated in black. As the name suggests, the exterior can be best be described as a box.

2013 Toyota Probox Fuel Consumption
2013 Toyota Probox 1.3L Fuel Consumption: 18.0 km/L (On Average)
2013 Toyota Probox 1.5L Fuel Consumption: 15.0 km/L (On Average)

2013 Toyota Probox Acceleration
2013 Toyota Probox 1.3L accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 13.0 sec.
2013 Toyota Probox 1.5L accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 11.7 sec.

2013 Toyota Probox Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 Litres

2013 Toyota Probox Ground Clearance
The 2013 Toyota Probox has a ground clearance of 6.1 Inches(155mm). This is ok for Kenyan roads when used lightly. However, for heavy loading, it might be necessary to increase the ground clearance. Read our guidelines on how to safely increase ground clearance. 

2013 Toyota Probox Stability and Handling
To be honest, I expected the Probox to perform much worse in this regard, but I was pleasantly surprised. The Toyota Probox handles itself surprisingly well at moderate speeds. At higher speeds, I felt a slight wobble around corners and did not push my luck any further. Overall, the Toyota Probox drives well. There is some cabin noise at high speed but I guess this is ok for a commercial vehicle.

Service and Maintenance Costs
Minor Service: at 5,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil
Major Service: at 10,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil

Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy
The Toyota Probox is a very cheap car to maintain. Spare parts are widely available and affordable. We visited several Toyota spare shops in Nairobi and we were able to quickly find the parts we wanted. For a list of these shops follow this link

2013 Toyota Probox Reliability
The driving conditions in Kenya are significantly different from those in Japan and Europe. Reliability reviews done for those markets largely do not apply to the Kenyan market. There are differences in roads, fuel, climate, spares, and technical expertise. To give you accurate and reliable local insights, we interview experts such as mechanics and car dealers, who have in-depth knowledge of the Kenyan market. We also test the cars ourselves. Our aim is to give you the right information to enable you make an informed decision when buying a car.

The 2013 Toyota Probox is reliable and no major problems have been reported. It is a simple car that uses minimal electronics and sensors. When it breaks down, it can be quickly and easily repaired due to its simple nature. Always follow the recommended guidelines as per the Owner’s manual. Resale

Value: Good

Toyota Probox Competitors: Toyota Succeed, Nissan Ad Van

Cost of Ownership
See the latest Toyota Probox Price here

 Toyota Probox Vs Toyota Succeed

• All parts are interchangeable
• The Toyota Succeed is more luxurious with extra padded seats and adjustable headrests.
• The Toyota Succeed has electric windows
• The Toyota Succeed has reverse lights on the tailgate
• The Toyota Succeed uses 14 Inch rims while the Probox uses 13 inch rims
• The Toyota Succeed is heavier

Conclusion
The Toyota Probox is not a particularly attractive or sleek car. However, it is highly reliable and it gets the job done.

What we like about the 2013 Toyota Probox
1. Ideal for small businesses
2. Cheap to maintain
3. Excellent fuel economy
4. Affordable

Where to Buy the 2013 Toyota Probox in Kenya
If you are looking to either import or buy the Toyota Probox locally, we can help you with this process. Over the years, we have developed a network of trusted dealers both in Kenya and Japan who supply us with exceptional cars. Simply call us or send us a message through our contacts below and we’ll get you the right car at the right price.