- Toyota Probox gains standard T-Connect and a $300 price hike.
- The tech update follows the safety features added last year.
- A next generation is rumored to be under development.
Toyota has pushed through another update for one of the oldest members of its Japanese lineup, and it amounts to a single line item. Every Probox trim now leaves the factory with T-Connect telematics, which adds a system capable of alerting police when it decides the car is being driven aggressively.
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The nameplate goes back to 2002, and the second-generation model has been on sale since 2014. Toyota returns to the commercial wagon almost annually with small revisions, yet the sheet metal and the cabin look essentially the same as when it first launched 12(!) years ago.
Following last year’s safety update and cabin tweaks, the Probox is now getting Toyota’s dedicated communication device (DCM) as standard equipment, joined by five years of complimentary T-Connect services.
The central feature is the airbag-linked HelpNet system, which automatically calls emergency operators in the case of an accident. Furthermore, the vehicle can notify law enforcement if it detects aggressive driving, presuming it has been either stolen or that the driver is in danger. Hopefully, the system won’t be triggered by normal spirited driving, although we doubt Probox owners would ever treat it like a GR Corolla hot hatch.
More: A $4,100 Kit Turns Toyota’s Cheapest Wagon Into A Classic Land Cruiser
Another benefit of the upgrade is the eCare system. Whenever the warning light illuminates, the driver can use the application to connect to a call center. Toyota explains: “In situations where you’re unsure whether you can continue driving, we offer advice on appropriate countermeasures”.
Finally, the driver can remotely check whether the doors are locked or if the hazard lights are on using the “My Toyota+” smartphone application. The app can also send notifications if the vehicle is unlocked for greater peace of mind.
The powertrain lineup remains unchanged from last year. Buyers can choose between a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 108 hp (80 kW / 109 PS), or a 1.5-liter hybrid setup producing a combined 99 hp (74 kW / 100 PS). In the non-electrified model, power is transmitted to either the front wheels or all four wheels via a CVT, while the hybrid is an FWD-only affair.
Priced From $12,600
Alongside the tech update, Toyota has added the wagon to its KINTO subscription service. Buy one outright, and the updated Probox starts at ¥1,965,700 ($12,600) for the front-drive 1.5-liter gasoline model, or ¥2,127,400 ($13,600) with 4WD.
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At the top sits the Probox F grade, which pairs the self-charging 1.5-liter hybrid with body-colored bumpers for ¥2,308,900 ($14,800). Across the range, the telematics hardware works out to a ¥47,300 ($300) increase.
Even so, the priciest Probox still undercuts the base Corolla Touring, which opens at ¥2,447,500 ($15,700) in Japan.
What About A New Generation?
While the latest refresh allows the current Probox to remain on sale for at least another year, recent reports from Japanese media indicate that Toyota might already be working on a new generation. The new model is rumored to arrive in late 2027 or 2028, migrating from its aging underpinnings to the Yaris-sourced TNGA-B architecture while adopting modern design and technology. A price increase is expected to come with it.
Toyota
