Toyota Verso gives you value for money

You can?t go wrong with the new Toyota Verso range whichever model you buy.

You can?t go wrong with the new Toyota Verso range whichever model you buy.

The Toyota Verso is an amazingly versatile car with the space of a little van.

Broadly speaking, it is part of the Corolla/Auris family, but altogether bigger where it counts. It has a very practical design and competes with the Renault Scenic, Nissan Livina and the like.

It’s a five-door, seven-seater MPV, packed with all the equipment and components you may need.

From cruise control to electrically adjustable mirrors, automated climate control, fully adjustable multifunction leather steering wheel, fully adjustable driver’s seat, Bluetooth and all the hard audio connection points, remote locking and alarm.

There are three engine choices. A 1.6 petrol producing 97 kW at 6400 rpm and 160 Nm at 4400 rpm.

The 1.8 putting out a respectable 108 kW at 6400 rpm and 180 Nm at 4000 rpm. The diesel does 91 kW at 3600 rpm and 310Nm between 1600-2400rpm.

The Verso comes with an anti-lock braking system, electronic brake distribution and hill-start assist control with an active stability system.

It is a thoroughly modern car with all the safety and performance systems fitted as standard.

The Verso’s interior has vastly improved since the previous model. It has a very pleasant cabin which is fully equipped and laid out with storage compartments, cup holders and door pockets wherever possible.

The seats are comfortable and fold in 32 different ways with individual seats in the second and third rows and second-row slide adjustment of 195 mm. Load space is measured as 1.5 m long and 1.4 m wide with the seats folded flat if you need a van like load bay.

The fit and finish of the interior is superb.

Toyota claim average fuel consumption of 6.5 litres/100 km for the 1.6, 7.1 litres/100 km for the 1.8 CVT and a measly 5.5 litres/100 km for the 2.0 D-4D diesel. These are a little optimistic. Expect around 1 litres/100 km more. Fuel consumption is much better than the previous models.

Performance is good. I enjoyed driving the car and having all that space available. It is one of those cars that will grow on you.

As with so many cars these days the spare wheel is a space saver.

Toyota has succeeded in improving the Verso in every area and giving it a handling and performance edge in never had.

The range costs between R293 300 and R340 000. Whichever you buy, you will be getting value for money. I personally like the 1.8 TX automatic at R336 000.

The warranty is 3 years or 100 000 km and service intervals are 15 000km. The service plan is 5 years or 90 000 km.

motoring, , , Toyota, Wallace du Plessis

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