Toyota Verso

Our verdict

Taking bland practicality to new levels of neutral respect, the Verso fails to get pulses racing but remains quite useful. If you are Mr Dull from Dullington in Dullshire.

Comfort

Seating for five is fine, but you shouldn't really put anyone older than five in the rearmost seats. It's a seven-seater, but not for very long journeys. Based on a platform that shares much with the Avensis, it rides well-enough, is quiet enough and sensible. But there aren't many dollops of surprise and delight.  

Performance

The volume seller in the UK will be the 2.0-litre diesel, at least until the new 2.2-litre comes on stream. Power is a relatively lowly 124bhp, but couple that with 310lb t of torque and the Verso isn't bad at all: 0-62mph in 11.3 seconds, 115mph max (more than you'll want or need) and really very respectable fuel economy of 51.4mpg on the combined cycle. There are also 1.6 and 1.8-litre petrol engines available, but predicted sales for those units are low.  

Cool

Cool in the same way the average housebrick is cool. It's functional, does a job very well, but there's just no emotion. 

Quality

Everything feels like it's been designed to take abuse by a family, so there's lots of decent stuff without any kind of flair overkill. You won't be showing the Verso to your mates, but you might be glad of it in three year's time.  

Handling

Don't believe the hype - the Verso is pretty dull to drive. Safe, solid, practical, predictable but at the end of the day, dull. There's plenty of understeer tidied up by the electronics. If you want a family wagon with more verve, then you still have to steer yourself in the direction of Ford's S-Max. 

Practicality

At last! Something the Verso does very well. There are some nice, sensible (who'd have thought it?) touches. Seats that fold flat one handed, plenty of space when you flip them, sat-nav voice that only plays through the driver's side speaker so that you don't annoy everyone else, lots of airbags. This is a car that only makes a case for itself in terms of practicality. 

Running costs

Cheap. Insurance is cheap because people who buy Versos are dull. The 2.0-litre diesel does over 50mpg. Servicing and other related costs are good, warranty is good. Only the £19k initial purchase price for the diesel looks a bit steep.