Versatility, it is one of the keywords used by Toyota to promote their midi-MPV, the Toyota Verso. We checked whether the Verso does what it promises: a comfortable way to one to seven passengers.

It is fair to say that none of us editors at the point has come to be concerned about the Verso has seven seats. Without children seems Verso also a bit like Coke without bubbles, but the dads and moms of us we went to satisfy the challenge and we drove with a CD player and attentive with children screaming in the back with the new Verso for to see if it is ready for its versatile role.

Toyota has the Corolla Verso in a predominantly European colored segment of the car paid. Among the competitors because we are including the Opel Zafira and Renault Grand Scenic models and specifications'>Renault Grand Scenic. Great is the Verso in any event, 4.44 meters long, 1.79 meters wide and 1.62 meters high, and inside there is a feeling of spaciousness, Toyota has the pompous exterior dimensions into generous interior dimensions. The Verso can be bought with five or seven seats, we had the seven-seater with two folding chairs in the trunk. For each passenger leg room for the right can soundly played with seating, the middle row seats can easily be slid forward and back so as the back row of more or less leg room provided. It is said that the two folding chairs that can be conjured out of the case only by (small) children can be. If the adult is not in any way possible to create enough leg room to room without the leg of the middle row of seats to compromise.

The Toyota Verso can say five adults and two children carried the suitcase, where two seats are folded into the suitcase there is another problem: the trunk is drastically reduced. Six children to carry a football match is therefore not, for there is no place for the football bags. But still opt for five or six seats for a portion of the luggage to claim, with five seats is 484 liter cargo space, with two seats 1669 liter. To the children during the ride too much to bore the Verso can be optionally equipped with a panoramic sunroof that the feeling of space much promoted.

The seats of the Toyota Verso are very good for the front five passengers, the collapsible bag chairs are so much harder and less comfortable. The Toyota driver has a special arrangement of the instruments in store, the dials are located centrally in the dash but are directed to the driver. Behind the wheel you'll find nothing more than plastic, that looks really nice course, but according to Toyota improve this setup visibility. We were not so to such unconventional arrangement, the onboard computer was sitting there very far from the driver, and the values were therefore not always easy to read. Also unfortunate is the fact that the current consumption on a sliding scale was shown, this can not exactly see how much the car consumes.

The wheel itself was well in hand but the function buttons on the steering wheel were awkwardly positioned and could not easily be pressed. Well good, while the advanced multimedia system with GPS that can be operated via a touchscreen, the system includes radio, CD and has a hard disk that you can lose your music. There is a GPS system that works very well with the ability to connect to your mobile phone via Bluetooth. Finally, through an AUX input was chosen to be an iPod or MP3 player to the system to. The sound quality of the system was above average and certainly meets the screaming children to drown.

Who says kids say undoubtedly safety, you certainly want your family safely from point A to B market. Toyota Corolla Verso in intensive thought and safety that provides seven standard airbags, ESP and ABS. Instead of parking sensors Toyota opts for a reversing camera which is integrated into the multimedia system. True lovers of the system will never be partly because it is based were not indicated where the lines would move Verso.

Starting our Toyota Verso went with the optional smart entry & start system that includes keyless go. This system is certainly useful but absolutely necessary as we do not. We drove the 2.0 D-4D diesel engine with 126 hp and 310 Nm torque, it is sufficient to motorization in 11.3 seconds to 100 km / h and sprinting to a top speed of 185 km / h to reach. For everyday use the 2 liter diesel proved to be insufficient, we had difficulty with, though, that consumption was still higher than we had ourselves to expect. Our test consumption was 7.5 litres/100 km, while at the specified combined consumption 5.6 liters per 100 kilometer on lies. A true champion of economy thanks to his size he will never be present but whose standard switch indicator closely monitors will certainly closer to the target consumption.

If we think we automatically say MPV maximum storage space, here in the Toyota Verso considered that. Thus, the glove box divided into two parts where one of the two sections serves as a cooler for drinks and one large enough for all kinds of stuff. In addition, we found the doors again and spacious storage compartments under the armrest can easily sit two-liter bottles, handy for a trip with the whole family. Furthermore, the Verso on an eyeglass holder and a convex mirror that helps the children in the rear control without having to look back.

Given its high center of gravity and his pompous dimensions of the Verso we did not expect that he would break records in terms of handling. Yet we found the driving characteristics of the balanced Verso. The course does not surprise us that the MPV rather sloppy in the turns came about but never really did bother. The Verso also respond very directly to the commands that are transmitted through the steering wheel. At low speeds, however, we noticed that the power-assisted steering was numb as it were, at higher speeds were all much more balanced. When driving we found some more reasonable rijwind on, something characteristic of a car that does not immediately show an example of aerodynamics is. The whole although it remained comfortably within the limits of acceptability.

The Toyota Verso for Belgium has three main motorisaties: a 1.6 petrol Matic Valve, we tested the 2.0 D-4D with 126 hp and a 2.2 D-CAT diesel with 150 hp. The base price for the 1.6 petrol is 21,660 euros, the 2.0 D-4D is from 25,190 euros and the 2.2 D-CAT from 28,930 euros. The higher price for diesel is due to the fact that only from a higher level of equipment available. The 1.6 petrol is there from the Natura equipment level. The full price list can be found here.

Conclusion

The Toyota Verso is certainly an unwise choice for those looking for a car that can carry up to seven people. Despite the fact that the folding chairs in the trunk only by very small children can be exploited is still much room in the Verso. The Verso sends very balanced, the suspension is hard or soft and the overall handling is average. The price of the Verso is acceptable and the options list is also definitely not a stumbling block. But you only need to carry five people we would still opt for a cheaper and more economical break.

Overview
+ Many storage, spacious feeling
+ Easily adjustable seats
+ Multimedia System

- Function buttons on steering poorly positioned
- Service Test 7.5 liters
- Small case with seven seat

(Source: http://www.groenlicht.be)