Toyota

Verso/Verso S

The Verso is Toyota’s no-nonsense multi-purpose vehicle which boasts excellent ride quality, great streamlining and a specifications list as long as your arm. Economy also features very strongly.

Test Drive

Toyota Verso 2014

The compact MPV market is awash with quality models and the latest generation Toyota Verso is a perfect example of just how high the standards are.

Despite being given a major mid-life facelift last year when a much sleeker design profile was introduced along with slimmer light clusters and a more dominant grille, the company has just added even more appeal to the vehicle.

It has gained extra momentum with the introduction of a new Avantgarde Bronze styling colour, eye-catching 17-inch alloy wheels with smoked silver finish, an additional range of upholstery, a new gear shift knob design, some super technology innovations and most importantly, the arrival of a very frugal yet punchy 1.6 diesel engine.

The powertrain was sourced from the BMW group and then re-engineered by Toyota engineers to meet its own design and packaging requirements.

And according to official figures, it can achieve combined fuel efficiency of 62.8mpg and carbon emissions of just 119g/km.

It comes mated to a manual gearbox with no plans to introduce an automatic alternative as yet, and its introduction also means the demise of the 2.0-litre diesel engine from the Verso line-up.

Toyota has introduced an additional trim level called Trend taking the total number of Verso grades to four – Active, Icon, Trend and Excel.

Trend grading adds an extra dash of style to the seven-seater MPV and boasts distinctive black C-pillar decal that helps to create a floating roof effect – a styling feature it shares with the new Yaris Trend.

Another feature of note on the 2014 Verso is the Toyota Touch 2 system, which is an updated version of the company’s touchscreen multimedia system.

Information is streamed to the driver via a very clear high resolution 6.1-inch screen that uses four times the number of pixels the original system did.

Features include a rear-view camera, Bluetooth, climate control profiles, vehicle information and settings for door locking and lighting.

And in addition, there is Toyota Touch 2 with Go which is standard on Trend trims and a £650 option on Icon and Excel grades.

This upgraded system introduces full map navigation with clear signposts displays, junctions, lane guidance and real-time traffic information to warn of any congestion ahead.

It also provides details about current speed limits, safety camera warnings and, in the event of an accident, offers direct access to the emergency services or the AA.

I tested out the new Verso on a very demanding road route in the south of France which included steep winding inclines, hairpin bends and stretches of toll roads which provided an interesting and contrasting challenge.

In a pre-drive briefing we had been informed that the Toyota engineers had worked tirelessly on the new engine and transmission to ensure the gear changes offered the maximum acceleration when driving hard through the lower gears and then delivered comfortable cruising in sixth gear. And they were spot on with their predictions.

The six-speed manual gearbox was incredibly smooth and responsive and the 1.6-litre engine provided all the power and acceleration that was required.

The Verso climbed steep hills with ease and there were three adults on board with luggage so it was certainly well laden. And considering the route, we managed to see a very creditable 46mpg.

There was no engine or road surface noise to speak of even at higher speeds and the comfort levels front and back were good, although a little bouncy in the rear when hurtling along mountain roads at pace. The rear two seats, that can remain folded flat to the boot floor when not in use, are only for carrying children due to the limited space.

That said, corners could be attacked with confidence with no body roll. At times the steering felt a little light, but the general all-round handling was impressive considering it was pushed hard on a difficult route.

The Verso is up against some stiff opposition namely the Vauxhall Zafira and Ford C-Max, but it is a super all-rounder and competitively priced starting at £17,765. So it would seem Toyota has every right to feel confident about its latest incarnation of the Verso.

Test Drive

Toyota Verso-S T Spirit 1.3 Manual

With its upright design and spacious interior, the Toyota Verso-S is versatility on wheels.

And when you take into consideration the on-the-road asking price of just £16,163, which includes optional metallic paint (£418), the vehicle’s value is quite apparent.

Admittedly, it’s not the fastest sprinter out the blocks, but that’s mainly due to its high-sided design which means all occupants benefit from plenty of head and leg room.

In and around town, the Verso-S is a breeze to drive with its excellent all-round visibility and reversing camera. It’s very agile and easy to manoeuvre into tight spaces.

The top-of-the-range six-speed T Spirit supplied for the test drive boasted a vast range of creature comforts.

These included privacy glass, a massive panoramic roof with electric sunblind, 16-inch alloys, Toyota Touch Multi-media system, steering wheel mounted controls, electric windows, air conditioning, Bluetooth and plenty more besides.

One of the great bonuses for the Verso-S is that despite having the smallest exterior dimensions in its class, the interior room is very close to that of a family hatchback. It can easily accommodate four adults or five at a push for shorter journeys.

It is also the lightest car in its class which comes with positive and negative factors. It means the vehicle boasts excellent fuel economy (combined 51.4mpg) and very low carbon emissions (127g/km) but the downside is I felt the vehicle struggled a little in gusty conditions due to its high people carrier-style design combined with the lightweight frame.

That aside though, it was very capable of holding its own with faster moving traffic and the 1.3 petrol-powered engine provided ample power and acceleration.

Storage options are good with a generously sized boot that can easily be increased thanks to split-folding rear seats.

Toyota has packed plenty of top notch safety specifications into the Verso-S too, including seven airbags, anti-lock brakes with emergency brake system and much more.

All in all, the Toyota Verso-S is a great vehicle for the active family who expect value for their money and there’s even a five-year warranty thrown in too.

Test Drive

Toyota Verso T-Spirit 2.0 D-4D

Sometimes a gadget on a new car really catches your eye and the Toyota Verso boasts just such an attraction.

There is a tiny screen mounted in the rear view mirror which displays the image from the rear camera. It may not sound that much, but it means every time you slip into reverse you can see exactly what’s behind you in clear, defined, glorious colour. And that is a real bonus when parking in tight spaces where this little gem can make you look like an expert.

The Verso – a seven-seater – is definitely a vehicle for those who enjoy an adventurous lifestyle and is crammed with plenty of quality creature comforts.

These include dual-zone climate control air con, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control with a speed limiter and stop/start ignition to name just a few.

And the vehicle is also equipped with first class safety features such as anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability control and airbags throughout, including protection for third row occupants.

The generously-sized luggage compartment boasts ample space for all your goodies and there are a number of very useful smaller storage compartments scattered throughout the light and airy cabin.

Comfort levels are very good for driver and passengers alike and the spacious feeling is enhanced by the large panoramic sunroof.

The ergonomics are excellent with all dials and controls ideally situated for ease of use in the beautifully-crafted dashboard.

In and around town, the Verso was a pleasure to drive and it manoeuvred extremely well. The driver benefits from excellent all-round visibility which is an added bonus.

Then, out on the more open road the 2.0-litre engine delivered plenty of power as the vehicle moved effortlessly through its six gears. The road-holding was impressive in all driving conditions.

The Verso has proved a very capable all-rounder with eye-catching good looks, a spec level that cannot fail to impress and very good economy figures too.