Review: Toyota Verso-S T Spirit 1.33 VVT-i

100hpero

ITL

19-feb-2011 22:26

Precio: 17.800 €
Motor: 4 cil, 1329cc.
Potencia: 98cv a 6000rpm
Par (Nm): 123Nm a 4000rpm
Transmisión: 6-Velocidades, manual.
Tracción: Delantera
Velocidad Máxima: 170Km/h
0-100Km/h: 13.3 segundos
CO2: 127g/km
Peso: 1070kg

What is it?
Remember the Yaris Verso? Well apparently a lot of Toyota’s customers do, and the demand is there, so this new Verso-S is the replacement. Toyota claims that its compact body and spacious interior allows for an urban practicality that sets the Verso-S apart from regular superminis, and betters direct rivals such as the Citroën C3 Picasso. The only engine available is a 1.3-litre 98bhp petrol motor, and we’re testing the six-speed manual. A CVT auto is available for an extra £1150.

What’s it like?
In practice there is merit to Toyota’s claims. Sit in the back and there is a generous amount of leg and headroom, and with 429 litres of luggage space (in the T-Spirit model, which gets a variable boot floor) it can also carry useful amounts of luggage, despite being less than 4.0-metres long.

It’s a shame that the rear seats don’t slide for more flexibility, and the dash is underwhelming in perceived quality and layout, despite a new touch-screen system, but the T-Spirit’s standard panoramic glass roof and reversing camera should appease many.

Toyota is honest about the more mature buyer that is likely to be interested in the Verso-S, and the driving style is as undramatic as you’d expect, given the target audience. Progressive steering weight and body composure allow for pretty decent handling by class standards, but the 1.3-litre engine feels strained, despite the low 1070kg kerb weight.

These cars are unlikely to spend any time being driven hard but with a fairly low peak torque arriving at 4000rpm it feels underpowered and requires working hard into the vocal upper rev range in anything more strenuous than town driving. Ride quality is good - firm over bigger bumps at low speeds but never uncomfortable and generally it isolates occupants from the road’s imperfections pretty well.

Should I buy one?
The Verso-S does tick the important boxes, particularly in terms of its excellent running costs, interior space and equipment. But consider the multitude of rivals and it becomes hard to recommend, despite its worthy merits.