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Toyota Verso 1.8 Valvematic & 2.0 D-4D T Spirit road test report

1.8 Valvematic & 2.0 D-4D T Spirit

Versos used to be an MPV derivative of existing Yaris, Corolla and Avensis models, but the new Verso is a model in its own right. However, with so many competent mid-sized MPVs already scrapping for market share – Multipla, Picasso, Scenic, Zafira etc. – has this seven-seater arrived just a little late?

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Performance

Two variants go on sale in April ’09 – the 145bhp 1.8 Valvematic petrol and the 124bhp 2.0 D-4D diesel. Though ultimately a little faster than the D-4D, the 118mph 1.8 lacks the substantial torque of the slightly bigger 115mph diesel and so its 6-speed manual gearbox needs more frequent stirring. Quoted 0-62mph times are 10.4 secs (1.8) and 11.3 secs (2.0). Due to extremely high fuel system pressures, the D-4D is neither as quiet or refined as the petrol engine – which, it should be noted, is very smooth for a 4cyl engine – but the D-4D goes further on a tankful...

Ride & Handling

Without expensive computer-controlled active suspension it’s hard for a manufacturer to get the ride/handling compromise right on MPVs that could be carrying one person one minute and seven plus a bit of luggage the next, but the Verso’s got the balance about right. With two adults aboard and some lightweight luggage in the rear (ie. a relatively light load) the ride sometimes felt just a little choppy, but it’s nothing you couldn’t live with. Jumping straight from the diesel into the lighter-engined petrol revealed that the petrol version feels slightly more nimble and light-footed at the wheel, but I wouldn’t fault the diesel on that if driven in isolation.

Build Quality & Reliability

There were murmurings on the press launch that Toyota may just ever so slightly have compromised its near faultless reputation in this area by the adoption of less-than-top-quality plastic interior trimmings in the Verso. Time will tell on that one, but in the meantime it takes a very pernickety eye coupled with the unproven presumption that Toyota’s recent closer attention to material costs automatically equals inferior quality. My opinion? Some aspects of the interior may not be quite as indestructible as we’ve come to expect from Toyota, but the Verso is at least on a par with others in the class.

Safety & Security

Although it’s not yet been evaluated by Euro NCAP, the new Verso has been, according to Toyota, ‘designed to earn a top 5-star rating in the new, more stringent crash test program’. I’ve no doubt the test itself will prove no more than a formality as, apart from the integrity of its underlying design, the car bristles with safety features. These include the latest-generation ABS, intelligent steering assist VSC+, Steering Torque Assist, traction control and Hill-start Assist Control. Seven airbags are fitted, including a front passenger knee airbag and curtain airbags that protect occupants in all three rows of seats. Security features include remote double locking, an electric steering lock, a remote perimeter alarm, a Thatcham Category 1 security system and more.

Space & Practicality

There’s no doubting that the Verso’s improved ‘Easy Flat-7’ seating system is cleverly designed, easy to use and provides 32 different seating permutations, along with multiple loadspace variations. It’s comfortable in the front, and there’s ample legroom in the second row, although the two-seat third row, in common with other similarly-sized 7-seat MPVs, is for small people only. There’s also a double-decker glovebox with a cooled upper section, seatback tables, cupholders aplenty, underfloor storage bins and an input mini-jack socket for mp3 players, but if you need ultimate rear loadspace then the 6-seat Multipla has it beaten hands down, and there’s little that obviously elevates the Verso above leading MPVs like the Picasso and Scenic.

Ownership & Value

Verso prices range from £16,475 for a T2-spec 1.8 manual to £20,670 for a T-Sprit 2.0 D-4D manual. If you should go for any options, eg. premium satnav with music hard drive, panoramic glass roof or leather upholstery, then expect to pay from £600 to almost £1,600 extra for each of those items. VED bands for all models are either C or D (or G or F when the already confusing system changes again next year). With the 51.4mpg (combined) D-4D models costing about £1,200 more than the equivalent 40.4mpg petrol models, you’ll have a high mileage on the clock before you recoup the initial difference in the D-4D’s purchase price. In short, the new Verso’s a good car, but unless I’ve missed something, it’s not outstanding.

Submitted: 15/04/2009 09:33:50

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