Abz Posted September 13, 2010 Share Posted September 13, 2010 I just spent this weekend driving around in a Toyota Verso and thought it might be an idea to give a quick review on the car, seeing as this forum seems to be the "new google" for information! Hope it is useful for someone I drive a lot of different cars due to a couple of friends who own hire companies & if members want I am happy to give a quick drill down on my thoughts on them & if they like anymore information I am happy for them to ask questions on the thread or just drop me a PM. http://www.autoincar.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/toyota-verso.jpg Duration: Weekend Mileage: 325 Fuel: Diesel Engine: 2.2 Transmission: Manual Fuel Cost: £35 A more detailed review from Parker's http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/toyota/corolla-verso-2004.aspx I travelled this weekend from London to Leicester & was in requirement of a 7 seater. I originally wanted something of the Ford Galaxy size so then it would be a full 7 seats as I was expecting the whole family including eldest sister & her baby to be traveling but that didn't happen so off we heading off out of London towards the not so grim north. First Impressions: Well I nearly took the Vauxhall Zafira so will be basing this review mainly with regards to this car. On first impression it is not the prettiest looking car & I think I preferred the Zaf but to be honest by the end of the weekend the looks grew on me, not an ugly ducking but no Miss World either. Interior: The dials are well put & follow the modern route of being in the middle but it is slightly inclined towards the driver. I am not a big fan of it being in the middle as I think it distracts you slightly not being right in front but the orange colour lighting & clear display makes it easy to read on a quick glance. I was disappointment at the lack of space in the rear 2 seats to make the 7 seats. I thought if any of the kids got in I might have to get them to stick their legs up in the air as their was hardly any room. Then I noticed you could quick slide all the middle seats to create ample room in the back...result! The boot is tiny when all 7 seats are up & if you intend to travel with luggage & 7 people, I suggest the only thing the passengers pack is bikini's! - I'd maybe recommend a roof box or a larger car (remember is a small sized MPV). With the rear to 2 seats folded down (easy to do with 1 tug of the handle) you have loads of space! The interior feels well built & solid too, loads of cubby holds & drink holders (even 2 in the last two seats!). Has a nifty little mirror which pops down at the top to give a view of all the passengers (I nick named it the kiddy mirror). Road noise is pretty good, cruising along 70 mph is good, slightly higher at 80-90 mph it does get louder but not by much. So how does it drive?: I have to admit it is very pleasant to drive (wonder if I am getting old) even the wife mentioned how well it drove. This example has done 6,500 on the clock & only 6 months old so it is pretty fresh but everything was pretty much spot on. The ride height was very good and dispute the tall side profile of the car it handles very well, very car like. The suspension handles the bumpy roads of London & Leicester very well, and takes corners without too much body roll & fuss. The gearstick is almost dash mounted (meaning not as high as in the Honda's) and the changes are effortless (including reverse which is a lift up & throw to the far left style one) clutch is pretty much spot on, not too light & not to heavy. Brakes are good, the only thing which I wasn't too keen on was the handbrake, it felt like it was too far down & needed to be yanked up a bit for it to hold (sometimes I left it in gear as I was worried about it rolling). Other than that I didn't find the drive tiring or difficult, parking was pretty easily with good visibility all round. Verdict: I am now considering getting one for the family but they do seem quite pricy at the moment. I was impressed with the space for a not so big car. Would I recommend one over the Zafira? Most likely yes, although more expensive I can see the Verso still feeling solid 5 years down the line compared to the Vauxhall. Decent power from the 2.2 power plant & good returns on the diesel! Just under 2,000RPM at 70 mph in 6th gear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Septic Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 Flipping heck. That was one in depth review! Shame the car being review was a Toyota Verso. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdistc Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 I think the real question is "is the transmission rev-limited with the footbrake on"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted September 14, 2010 Author Share Posted September 14, 2010 Flipping heck. That was one in depth review! Shame the car being review was a Toyota Verso. Sorry Gaz, I was trying to keep it simple but I have sooo much to say! I think the real question is "is the transmission rev-limited with the footbrake on"? This has a traditonal handbrake thankfully! Talking about footbrakes, was also driving a new passat, me & my friend was laughing at how if you drive off when the electronic handbrake is on, it switches it off after struggling with the handbrake on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adnanshah247 Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 abz, you got way too much bloody free time. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted September 14, 2010 Author Share Posted September 14, 2010 abz, you got way too much bloody free time. lol I wish I did! I wrote this last night when I had 20 minutes free doing nothing....on the loo. The missus does say though I spend far too much time on the forum, what does she know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdistc Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 I wish I did! I wrote this last night when I had 20 minutes free doing nothing....on the loo. The missus does say though I spend far too much time on the forum, what does she know Nice.. who says men can't multitask! Besides, what is defined as "too much" time on the forum? Have you informed her that there is UK, US, *AND* Australia to stay updated on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexJames Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 I used to drive one of those as the work pool car, i must say, I did love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 Nice review..!! Are you on commission?? H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham S Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 I think if you got a Zafira you'd instantly know the verso is the better built of the 2 cars, the Zaf is so plastic inside its just horrible.. I'm assuming your review is the corolla verso, slightly smaller than the avensis verso? So what did that fuel cost work out to be in real worls MPG's and was that being driven conservatively or driven 'normal'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted September 14, 2010 Author Share Posted September 14, 2010 Nice.. who says men can't multitask! Besides, what is defined as "too much" time on the forum? Have you informed her that there is UK, US, *AND* Australia to stay updated on? Good point Andrew, I'll let you explain that to her Nice review..!! Are you on commission?? H. Wish I was! No an honest review of a surprisingly genuine car, thank for the comment Havard, it is appreciated I think if you got a Zafira you'd instantly know the verso is the better built of the 2 cars, the Zaf is so plastic inside its just horrible.. I'm assuming your review is the corolla verso, slightly smaller than the avensis verso? So what did that fuel cost work out to be in real worls MPG's and was that being driven conservatively or driven 'normal'? Totally agree Graham, you notice the different instantly as soon as you touch the steering wheel! I wasn't aware their was a corolla & avensis verso, though if their is then this must be the smaller one as the person I picked it up from advised this is the smaller MPV class. Not 100% sure on the MPG Graham, I didn't really check how many litres I filled up nor know how much the price per litre was, which would help give an accurate figure. All I can tell you is that it managed 325 miles on £35 of diesel. This was 80% motorway driving mainly around the 80ish mark, though a few times I noticed it creeped closer to 100! (2am on the way back to London) . Around local town it was smooth driving & pulling/braking in a decent matter to get some good MPG. It didn't have a MPG computer which was a bit of a shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted September 14, 2010 Author Share Posted September 14, 2010 I used to drive one of those as the work pool car, i must say, I did love it! Was this the 2.2 Diesel as well Alex? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdistc Posted September 15, 2010 Share Posted September 15, 2010 Good point Andrew, I'll let you explain that to her You'll let someone as offensive as me near your wife? Wow, brave man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted September 15, 2010 Author Share Posted September 15, 2010 You'll let someone as offensive as me near your wife? Wow, brave man She is blind & deaf ....Sometimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attero Posted September 15, 2010 Share Posted September 15, 2010 That is a cool car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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