Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018) Review
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018) At A Glance
Solid build quality and a five-year warranty, spacious cabin with flexible seating for seven, BMW 1.6 D-4D engine from 2014, good reliability record.
Cramped in the third row, small boot with all seven seats in use, anonymous styling and dull cabin.
On the plus side, the Verso offers a spacious cabin, flexible seating for seven, low running costs and Toyota’s excellent reputation for reliability. Launched in 2013, the Verso is a rival to the likes of Volkswagen Touran, Ford Grand C-MAX and Renault Grand Scenic. Production continued until 2018, but it’s possible to grab a great deal on a used Verso. Prices start from around £5000.
The MPV is going the same way as the dinosaurs. Soon it will be extinct, but Hollywood is unlikely to make a film about the family-friendly vehicle. MPV: gone and almost forgotten. Not even Jeff Goldblum can save it.
Take the Toyota Verso. Launched in 2013, but essentially a heavily reworked version of its predecessor, the car has been put out to pasture. Gone the same way as the Seat Alhambra, Renault Grand Scenic and Ford Grand C-Max. MPV sales have declined to such an extent that some big names have fallen by the wayside.
The Verso wasn’t a big name, but it was one of the better seven-seat MPVs. In common with many cars of this type, space in the third row is a little tight, but if you’re after a spacious five-seater with a pair of occasional seats in the back, the Toyota Verso is hard to ignore. It’s also highly versatile, with Toyota’s ‘Easy Flat’ seating system providing 32 different ways to configure the seats.
Although the Toyota badge suggests the car is Japanese, the Verso is a thoroughly European affair. Designed in Belgium and France, built in Turkey and, in the case of the BMW-sourced 1.6-litre D-4D diesel engine, powered by Germany.
It’s no surprise that it feels very European in its execution, right down to the driving experience, which feels like you’re at the wheel of a family hatchback.
Sure, it’s not exactly dripping in excitement – the Ford S-Max remains the default choice if you’re after strong dynamics – but the Toyota Verso is comfortable, refined and surprisingly good on a country road. The engines are tuned for efficiency rather than performance, but only the 1.6-litre petrol feels off the pace.
Inside, the cabin is sombre but well screwed together, with Toyota focusing on the use of hard-wearing materials rather than soft-touch plastics.
Avoid the entry-level versions and you get a generous level of equipment, including an impressive list of safety equipment. It just lacks the smartphone connectivity we take for granted in 2020, so although the infotainment system is adequate, you won’t find Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
It’s one of the least exciting cars you can buy, but this is arguably one of its strengths. Everything has been designed with family buyers in mind, from the ride comfort to the flexible seating, and the space to the equipment. It might lack the style and presence of an SUV, but not everybody wants to stand out.
The Toyota Verso was discontinued in 2018, so there’s never been a better time to grab a used car bargain. Prices start from around £5000, but even the newest Verso should cost no more than £18,000. That’s the same price as a new Ford Fiesta.
Throw into the mix Toyota’s reputation for reliability and a comprehensive five-year warranty, and this could be one of the most sensible cars you can buy. There are plenty of other ways to add some excitement to your life.
Looking for a second opinion? Read a Toyota Verso review on heycar
Reviews for Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018)'s top 3 rivals
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.6 D-4D to 2.0 D-4D
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 30–64 mpg
Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018): Handling and ride quality
Sit behind the wheel and you’d be forgiven for thinking you were driving a hatchback. It certainly does feel like a MPV.
It corners sweetly, there’s little in the way of body-roll, while the ride quality is firmer than you might expect in a seven-seat MPV. It’s not uncomfortable, but we’d avoid the 17-inch alloy wheels. The light steering is fine in the city, but a little vague on a country road.
On a motorway, the Verso feels very quiet and refined, with the engines settling to a quiet idle. We’d stop short of calling it premium, but it gets very close.
Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018): Engines
The BMW-sourced 1.6-litre D-4D diesel is the pick of the engines. It replaced the 2.0-litre D-4D in 2014, offering the performance and efficiency of the engine it replaced, but with a 20kg weight saving. It’s not the quickest diesel engine, but it’s more than up to the task of powering the Verso, even with seven passengers on board.
There are two petrol engines: a 1.6 and a 1.8. The 1.6-litre engine is the weakest unit, not least because it runs out of puff when travelling seven-up. The six-speed manual gearbox feels out of place in a car of this type.
The 1.8-litre petrol engine is mated to a CVT transmission. It’s one of the better CVTs on the market, with Toyota making it feel like an automatic gearbox. That said, we’d still favour one of the diesel engines in the Verso.
Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018): Safety
The Toyota Verso was awarded a five-star safety rating when it was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2010. Although the heavily reworked version wasn’t tested by Euro NCAP, it’s likely that it would have achieved the same result.
The excellent Toyota Safety Sense package became standard across the range in 2016, with the pack including a pre-collision system with forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking automatic high beam headlights and lane departure warning.
Safety equipment also includes multiple airbags and Isofix mounting points. A space saver spare wheel is fitted to most cars, although Verso models with a panoramic sunroof come with a tyre repair kit.
Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018): Towing
The Toyota Verso has a maximum towing capacity of 1,300kg and a towball limit of 55kg. This means you’re limited to towing a small caravan or a medium-size trailer.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | 42–63 mpg | 11.7 s | 154 g/km |
| 1.6 D-4D | 63 mpg | 12.7 s | 119 g/km |
| 1.8 Automatic | 42–44 mpg | 11.1 s | 150–159 g/km |
| 2.0 D-4D | 58 mpg | 11.3 s | 129 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
89%
Real MPG
30–64 mpg
MPGs submitted
353
Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018) interior
- Boot space is 155–982 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4460 mm |
| Width | 1790 mm |
| Height | 1620–1630 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2780 mm |
Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018): Practicality
As a five-seater, the Toyota Verso is almost perfect. There’s plenty of room for anyone travelling in the first or second row, while a 399-litre boot is adequate for a car of this size. The ‘Easy Flat’ seating system provides no fewer than 32 different seating permutations, so the Verso is certainly, ahem, versatile.
It’s less impressive as a seven-seater. Space in the third row is cramped, and although you can slide the middle seats forward to provide more legroom, this simply limits the space for anyone in the middle row. What’s more, a measly 114 litres of luggage capacity in seven-seat mode isn’t enough.
Loading is helped by a low boot lip, while the seats fold entirely flat to give the Verso van-like qualities. There are plenty of storage compartments in the cabin, while all but the entry-level version boast a refrigerated glovebox, rear door sunshades and seat-back tables for the second row.
Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018): Quality and finish
The cabin is hard-wearing, robust and high in actual quality. Sure, some parts of the dashboard feel hollow and scratchy, but this is true of many cars in this class.
Check out some of the high-mileage examples for sale in 2020 – the interiors look as good as new, even after 100,000 miles of death by Happy Meal and dog.
Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018): Infotainment
Avoid the entry-level Active trim and you’ll find a Toyota Touch infotainment screen. The system includes Bluetooth, reversing camera, DAB digital radio, iPod and MP3 connectivity, plus settings for the climate control. Cars with Toyota Touch 2 with Go feature sat-nav, connected services, Google Street View and TomTom traffic information.
It’s a decent package, but the display looks like something you’d find in a 90s taxi cab, while the menu system is far from intuitive.
It also lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. See if you can find a Verso in Trend Plus trim. It features a twin rear-seat DVD entertainment system with dual monitors and a pair of wireless headsets.
Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018) value for money
Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018): Prices
Toyota Verso prices start from around £2500, but for this budget you’re looking at the previous-generation model. We’d recommend spending extra to secure the version reviewed here.
This means doubling the budget, but it’s worth it for the improved specification, uplift in quality and enhanced safety credentials. Spending £5000 is enough to secure a high-mileage example with more than a few battle scars on the bodywork.
We’d recommend upping the budget to £6000, which is enough for a 2013 model in Icon spec with up to 70,000 miles on the clock. Avoid cut-price Active trim models. It’s better to find an older model in the more desirable Trend or Icon trim.
The most you’ll pay is £18,000. The age, spec and mileage will vary, so do your homework before buying a Toyota Verso. For example, we found a 2015 Verso Trend with 11,500 miles for £17,500, which is the same price as a 2018 Verso Design with 3250 miles on the clock.
Hire purchase (HP) deals are available from around £125 a month. This is based on a four-year contract and a deposit of £1000. Alternatively, Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) deals start from £150 a month. This is based on Verso costing £11,500, a deposit of £1000 and 48 monthly payments.
Toyota Verso (2013 – 2018): Running Costs
The 1.6-litre D-4D diesel offers a claimed 62.8mpg on a combined cycle, but Real MPG shows that this is likely to be closer to 50mpg in reality.
It’s for this reason that we recommend the earlier 2.0-litre D-4D. Although the official 57.6mpg is lower than the 1.6 engine, the Honest John data suggests that you could see 55.7mpg. The 1.8-litre automatic should return 40.6mpg, while the 1.6-litre should achieve 43.9mpg. This is actually more than the official figure.
The Toyota Verso is also one of the least expensive MPVs to insure. The 1.6-litre versions fall into insurance group 13, so getting cover won’t break the bank.
Because the 1.6-litre D-4D CO2 emissions are 10g/km lower than the old 2.0-litre D-4D unit, you’ll pay £30 a year for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). This increases to £125 a year in the 2.0-litre diesel.
The 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre Valvematic petrol engines cost £205 a year to tax. These cars are based on Verso models registered on or before 31 March 2017. A Verso registered on or after 1 April 2017 will cost £150 to tax, regardless of the engine or wheel size.
Satisfaction Index
What is your car like to live with?
We need your help with our latest Satisfaction Index, so that we can help others make a smarter car buying decision. What's it like to live with your car? Love it? Loath it? We want to know. Let us know about your car - it will only take a few minutes and you could be helping thousands of others.
Help us with the Honest John Satisfaction Index nowToyota Verso (2013 – 2018) models and specs
The Toyota Verso would suit a family with two or three children. Although it lacks the flexibility of MPV rivals with seven spacious seats and sliding rear doors, it’s fine if the rearmost seats are only required on an occasional basis.
We’d recommend a Verso diesel in Icon trim as the best blend of performance, efficiency and equipment. The Verso should be reliable, regardless of the car’s age, but buying a later model will ensure you benefit from Toyota’s five-year warranty.
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4460 mm |
| Width | 1790 mm |
| Height | 1620–1630 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2780 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1430–1640 kg |
| Boot Space | 155–982 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / 100000 miles |
| Servicing | 10000–12500 miles |
| Spare Wheel | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Tyre-repair kit | ||
| Alternative | Space-saving spare wheel | ||
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £18,125–£26,500 |
| Insurance Groups | 13–17 |
| Road Tax Bands | C–G |
| Official MPG | 41.5–62.8 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | - |
On sale until July 2019
| Medium MPV | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.6 D-4D Design 5dr | £25,440 | 62.8 mpg | 12.7 s |
| 1.6 D-4D Icon 5dr | £23,800 | 62.8 mpg | 12.7 s |
| 1.6 V-matic Active 5 Seats 5dr | £19,490 | 41.5 mpg | 11.7 s |
| 1.6 V-matic Design 5dr | £24,210 | 41.5 mpg | - |
| 1.6 V-matic Icon 5dr | £22,585 | 41.5 mpg | 11.7 s |
| 1.8 V-matic Design CVT 5dr | £25,455 | 43.5 mpg | 11.1 s |
| 1.8 V-matic Icon CVT 5dr | £24,085 | 42.8 mpg | 11.1 s |
On sale until May 2017
| Medium MPV | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.6 D-4D Active 5dr | £21,045 | 62.8 mpg | - |
| 1.6 V-matic Active 5dr | £19,705 | 41.5 mpg | - |
On sale until April 2017
| Medium MPV | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.6 D-4D Excel 5dr | £26,345 | 62.8 mpg | - |
| 1.6 V-matic Design 5dr | £23,895 | 62.8 mpg | - |
| 1.8 V-matic Excel CVT 5dr | £26,500 | 43.5 mpg | - |
On sale until May 2016
| Medium MPV | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.6 D-4D Active 5dr | £19,995 | 62.8 mpg | 12.7 s |
| 1.6 D-4D Excel 5dr | £25,295 | 62.8 mpg | 12.7 s |
| 1.6 D-4D Icon 5dr | £21,995 | 62.8 mpg | 12.7 s |
| 1.6 V-matic Active 5 Seats 5dr | £18,125 | 41.5 mpg | 11.7 s |
| 1.6 V-matic Active 5dr | £18,655 | 41.5 mpg | 11.7 s |
| 1.6 V-matic Icon 5dr | £20,655 | 41.5 mpg | 11.7 s |
| 1.8 V-matic Excel CVT 5dr | £25,450 | 43.5 mpg | 11.1 s |
| 1.8 V-matic Icon CVT 5dr | £22,155 | 42.8 mpg | 11.1 s |
On sale until February 2016
| Medium MPV | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.6 D-4D Trend 5dr | £22,995 | 62.8 mpg | 12.7 s |
| 1.6 D-4D Trend Plus 5dr | £24,845 | 62.8 mpg | 12.7 s |
| 1.8 V-matic Trend CVT 5dr | £23,150 | 41.5 mpg | 11.1 s |
| 1.8 V-matic Trend Plus CVT 5dr | £25,000 | 41.5 mpg | 11.1 s |
On sale until February 2014
| MPV | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Active 2.0 D-4D 5dr | £19,760 | 57.6 mpg | 11.3 s |
| Excel 2.0 D-4D 5dr | £23,775 | 57.6 mpg | 11.3 s |
| Icon 2.0 D-4D 5dr | £21,775 | 57.6 mpg | 11.3 s |
Model History
- September 2012: Toyota unveiled 2013 Verso
- December 2012: UK specification revealed
- December 2013: New 1.6 D-4D engine added to range
- December 2013: 2014 Verso line-up revealed
- May 2015: Toyota Verso range revised and upgraded
- March 2016: Toyota Verso gets a mid 2016 safety upgrade
- December 2016: Equipment upgrades and new price structure for 2017 Toyota Verso
September 2012
Toyota unveiled 2013 Verso
The new model has been restyled to look more like other new Toyota models and benefits from improved materials and a revised interior, plus new trim details. Toyota says 470 parts have been changed as part of the upgrade.
Most of the obvious changes are at the front, where the styling has been improved to fit Toyota’s new family look with an appearance similar to the new Auris. The styling is designed to make the car look wider and less tall. Alterations include a new bumper, slimmer headlights and a new grille.
The cabin features new colours and more tactile materials. Higher spec models benefit from Nappa leather around the door trims, armrest and steering wheel. There is also ‘satin chrome’ detailing and the attention to detail extends as far as the door handles, which get a new two-layer paint finish.
The flexible interior remains, with plenty of storage areas and cubby holes, as well as a useful seating arrangement. It features three individual seats in the second row and two in the third. Upholstery for these has been revised with new colours and materials on offer.
Engines have been improved with 10g/km lower emissions for the 2.0-litre diesel D-4D. A 2.2-litre diesel is offered too with either a manual or automatic gearbox. 2.2 diesel can optionally have its towing capacity increased by 200kg to 1,500kg. Petrol engines are 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre valvematics, with the 1.8 available with the excellent CVT Multidrive S CVT automatic gearbox.
Body rigidity has been increased to provide a more control through bends, while the suspension has been altered to increase ride comfort. The steering has been tweaked for better weight and feel, while the sound-proofing has been improved to make for a more refined drive .
'Easy Flat 7' seating offers 32 different permutations. Completely flat with 2nd and 3rd frow seats foldeed, the 2013 Verso's loadspace is 1,575mm long x 1,430mm wide. With all seats upright luggage space is 155 litres. With the 3rd row folded it rises to 440 litres to window height.
December 2012
UK specification revealed
The powertrain line-up has been carried forward, but with engine and transmission choice adjusted within the range in line with customer preferences. Notably the 2.0 D-4D diesel engine has been revised for better torque delivery at low revs and quieter running. At the same the engine’s CO2emissions have been reduced by 10g/km to fall below 130g/km.
The Verso range adopts a new three-grade structure: Active, Icon and Excel. Entry point will be the five-seat Active with the 1.6 Valvematic petrol engine and six-speed manual transmission.
A high specification is provided across all grades, with even the entry level Active coming equipped with front fog lights, air conditioning, electric front windows, Hill-start Assist Control and, on the seven-seat version, Toyota’s quick and simple Easy Flat folding system for the rear seats.
Icon grade benefits from a more extensive range of features than current Verso’s core TR trim, with the addition of cruise control, a DAB digital tuner, rear privacy glass and a folding function on the electrically adjustable door mirrors. Icon models also gain new two-tone, machine-finished 16-inch alloy wheels.
At the top of the range, Verso Excel models come with new-design 17-inch alloys and a raft of premium features, including new leather seat bolsters, Smart Entry and Start, roof rails and automatic headlights and windscreen wipers.
The Toyota Touch multimedia touchscreen control system on the Icon and Excel models can be upgraded to Touch & Go (£650), adding satellite navigation and on-board connectivity to Google Local Search (with appropriate mobile phones and service plans) with access to useful applications for more detailed local information and resources.
A Skyview panoramic roof is available for Icon and Excel models (£550). One of the largest on the market, it brings significantly more light into the cabin, increasing the sense of spaciousness (it cannot be fitted when roof rails are specified). An Appearance Pack is available for Icon grade, which provides bi-xenon HID headlights and LED daytime running lights with roof rails (£700).
| MODEL | ENGINE | TRANSMISSION | PRICE |
| Active 5-seat | 1.6 Valvematic petrol | 6MT | £17,495 |
| Active 7-seat | 1.6 Valvematic petrol | 6MT | £17,995 |
| Active 7-seat | 2.0 D-4D diesel | 6MT | £19,495 |
| Icon 7-seat | 1.6 Valvematic petrol | 6MT | £19,945 |
| Icon 7-seat | 1.8 Valvematic petrol | Multidrive S | £21,445 |
| Icon 7-seat | 2.0 D-4D diesel | 6MT | £21,445 |
| Excel 7-seat | 1.8 Valvematic petrol | Multidrive S | £23,445 |
| Excel 7-seat | 2.0 D-4D diesel | 6MT | £23,445 |
December 2013
New 1.6 D-4D engine added to range
Toyota Verso gets BMW 1.6 litre diesel engine from 2014. It replaces the 2.0-litre D-4D engine in the UK line-up, offering higher efficiency and a 20kg weight saving. Maximum power is 110PS at 4,00rpm and peak torque is 270Nm, generated from 1,750 to 2,250rpm. 0-62mph acceleration is despatched in 12.7 seconds and top speed is 115mph.
Fuel economy is eight per cent better than the 2.0 D-4D unit, with 62.8mpg combined cycle consumption. CO2emissions are lower by 10g/km at 119g/km. These figures are supported by the first deployment of a stop and start system in Verso, in line with the efficiency principles of Toyota Optimal Drive.
|
DIESEL |
PETROL |
|||
| Engine |
New 1.6 D-4D |
2.0 D-4D |
1.6 Valvematic |
1.8 Valvematic |
| Power (bhp/kW @ rpm) |
111/83 @ 4,000 |
122/91 @ 3,600 |
130/97 @ 6,400 |
145/108 @ 6,400 |
| Torque (Nm @ rpm) |
270 @ 1,750 – 2,250 |
310 @ 1,600 – 2,400 |
160 @ 4,400 |
180 @ 4,000 |
| CO2(g/km) |
119 |
129 |
154 |
159 |
Spring settings have been modified for the models using the new engine to ensure levels of body control and ride comfort consistent with the rest of the range. The new engine is available in the 2014 Verso alongside the established 1.6 and 1.8-litre Valvematic petrol units.
December 2013
2014 Verso line-up revealed
The Verso gains a new Trend grade for 2014, introducing an extra dash of style and some high-tech equipment features to the specification. Slotting into the range between the Icon and Excel models, the Trend versions are easy to distinguish thanks to a black C-pillar decal that creates a floating roof effect – a styling feature shared with the latest Yaris Trend. They also have their own five-spoke alloy wheel design, front fog lamps and rear privacy glass.
Building on the Icon grade specification, Trend models benefit from Toyota Touch 2 with Go, adding satellite navigation, connected services, Google Street View and TomTom real time traffic data to the multimedia system’s functions. As well as a rear-view camera – a key element in the Toyota Touch 2 package – Verso Trend is equipped with front parking sensors for belt-and-braces safe and easy parking manoeuvres.
In addition to the new Trend grade, Verso is available with a new Avantgarde Bronze paint finish, new cloth upholstery in black and (optional) grey, and a new leather trimmed gear knob.
| Grade | ACTIVE | ICON | TREND | EXCEL |
| Engines | 1.6 Valvematic 1.6 D-4D |
1.6 and 1.8 Valvematic 1.6 D-4D |
1.8 Valvematic 1.6 D-4D |
1.8 Valvematic 1.6 D-4D |
| Transmissions | 6MT | 6MT, CVT | 6MT, CVT | 6MT, CVT |
| Seats | 5 or 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Equipment features | Air conditioning Electric front windows 4-speaker audio USB + Aux-in Electric, heated door mirrors Front fog lamps Vehicle Stability Control |
16in alloys Dual-zone climate control Toyota Touch 2 6-speaker audio DAB tuner Bluetooth Rear-view camera Electric rear windows Cruise control Rear privacy glass |
17in alloys Black C-pillar decal Toyota Touch 2 with Go Satellite navigation Connected services Google Street View TomTom real time traffic data |
17in alloys HID headlights Smart Entry and Start Auto wipers Auto headlamps Auto-dimming rear-view mirror Leather seat bolsters |
| Options | Protection Pack In-Car Entertainment Pack |
Panoramic roof Toyota Touch 2 with Go Protection Pack In-Car Entertainment Pack |
Grey interior trim Panoramic roof Protection Pack In-Car Entertainment Pack |
Grey interior trim Panoramic roof Protection Pack In-Car Entertainment Pack |
All versions of Verso bar the entry level Active model are equipped as standard with the Toyota Touch 2, the latest evolution of Toyota’s touchscreen-operated multimedia system. It comes with a new high-resolution screen that uses four times as many pixels as the original system, for bright, sharp images.
The package includes Bluetooth for hands-free phone calls and sending and receipt of text messages; a rear-view camera; vehicle information, including trip data, climate control profile (where fitted); and management of settings for door locking and lighting. It also enables simple connection of iPods and MP3 players via USB or Bluetooth, and, where available, will display album, artist and track information. Audio system options, such as the radio and CD player, can also be controlled using the screen.
May 2015
Toyota Verso range revised and upgraded
New Trend Plus model gains a rear seat DVD entertainment system as standard. The package includes neatly integrated seatback mounts with two monitors for independent DVD playback, or, with appropriate accessories, computer gaming. Two wireless headsets are also provided. Customers can choose to add optional, powered iPad holders.
Toyota is also offering the system as an option on Icon, Trend and Excel models in a variety of configurations, including permutations of master and slave DVD screens and single or double iPad docks.
Trend Plus models further benefit from leather upholstery for the front and second row seats and from the Toyota Touch 2 with Go touchscreen-controlled multimedia and connectivity system with integrated satellite navigation. The functions include DAB radio; advanced Bluetooth for hands-free phone use and music streaming; access to online functions for enhanced journey planning and information; and a reversing camera.
Other features, shared with the established Trend grade, include new-design 17-inch alloy wheels, front parking sensors, dual-zone air conditioning, rear privacy glass, power windows, seven airbags, front fog lamps and fold-down seatback tables for second row passengers.
All Verso powertrains comply with Euro 6 emissions standards. The options are a 1.6-litre petrol Valvematic unit with six-speed manual transmission; 1.8-litre Valvematic petrol with Multidrive S CVT; and 1.6-litre D-4D diesel with six-speed manual gearbox.
Further new features include a new design seven-spoke 16-inch alloy wheel design for Icon models and a new Tidal Blue metallic paint option. A space saver spare wheel is now standard on all Verso modes, except those specified with an optional panoramic roof.
The 2015 Toyota Verso is on sale now, priced from £17,770 for the five-seat Active model. Seven-seat models cost from £18,300 and the Trend Plus models start at £24,650.
March 2016
Toyota Verso gets a mid 2016 safety upgrade
A package of Toyota Safety Sense active safety and driver assistance features is added to the standard specification of every model.
Verso’s Toyota Safety Sense benefits include a Pre-Collision System that recognises an imminent impact with a vehicle ahead, triggering a warning to the driver and priming the brakes for extra stopping power the moment the brake pedal is pressed. If the driver fails to respond, Autonomous Emergency Braking is activated, automatically slowing the vehicle to reduce the force of any impact.
Verso also gains Automatic High Beam, which maintains excellent forward visibility when driving at night. It detects both the headlights of oncoming vehicles, and the tail lights of vehicles ahead, automatically switching between high and low beams to avoid dazzling other drivers.
The third Toyota Safety Sense element for Verso is Lane Departure Alert. This monitors lane markings on the road and helps prevent accidents and head-on collisions caused by a vehicle drifting out of its lane. If the vehicle starts to deviate from its lane without the turn indicators being used, the system alerts the driver with visual and audible warnings.
Verso is now offered in a new Design trim, alongside the established Active, Icon and Excel specifications. Available with the 1.8-litre Valvematic petrol engine with automatic transmission and the 1.6-litre D-4D diesel, it comes with the Toyota Touch 2 with Go multimedia system with satellite navigation and reversing camera, rear privacy glass and a (fixed) panoramic roof. These are in addition to the standard features of Icon grade, including DAB tuner, dusk-sensing headlights, cruise control, automatic air conditioning, six-speaker audio and power windows front and rear.
At the top of the range, Excel models gain the panoramic roof, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, high-intensity discharge headlights and combination leather and cloth upholstery.
Icon, Design and Excel versions of Verso can be specified with an optional, high-value family pack that provides two rear seatback screens with integrated DVD players and leather seat upholstery (first and second row seats) for £1,995. Other entertainment system combinations are available as stand-alone options, including permutations of master and slave DVD screens and single or double iPad docks.
New alloy wheel designs feature on the 2016 Verso – 16-inch for Icon, 17-inch for Design and 17-inch with a double-spoke arrangement for Excel, with an Anthracite dark grey finish. The colour choices include a new Platinum Bronze shade.
In the cabin there is a new leather-trimmed steering wheel with integrated switches for hands-free phone use and other functions. a new gear shift design and a new=look cloth upholstery for Icon and Design models. To free up more boot space, the tyre repair kit (when specified) has been relocated to the underfloor storage compartment behind the driver’s seat.
The Toyota Touch 2 system adopts a larger, seven-inch display and, where satellite navigation is specified, an improved interface for easier, more intuitive operation.
The 2016 Toyota Verso was priced from £18,120 for the five-seat Active model. Seven-seat models cost from £18,650 and the new Design grade models start at £23,405.
| GRADE | ENGINE/TRANSMISSION | SEATS | OTR PRICE |
| Active | 1.6 Valvematic 6MT | 5 | £18,120 |
| Active | 1.6 Valvematic 6MT | 7 | £18,650 |
| Active | 1.6 D-4D 6MT | 7 | £19,995 |
| Icon | 1.6 Valvematic 6MT | 7 | £20,650 |
| Icon | 1.8 Valvematic Auto | 7 | £22,150 |
| Icon | 1.6 D-4D 6MT | 7 | £21,995 |
| Design | 1.8 Valvematic Auto | 7 | £23,405 |
| Design | 1.6 D-4D 6MT | 7 | £23,250 |
| Excel | 1.8 Valvematic Auto | 7 | £25,450 |
| Excel | 1.6 D-4D 6MT | 7 | £25,295 |
December 2016
Equipment upgrades and new price structure for 2017 Toyota Verso
2017 Verso line-up streamlines into three grades: Active, Icon and Design. The change has introduced some premium features to the Design models, which top the new range.
The Design trim level gains new 17-inch black alloy wheels and rear privacy glass in addition to the standard-fit panoramic roof. In the cabin, part-leather upholstery together with the latest top-end Toyota Touch 2 with Go multimedia, connectivity and navigation system. Controlled by a central touchscreen or by voice commands, this provides 3D map graphics, a text-to-speech function for text messages and connected services for better journey planning and local information. The price includes three years of free map updates.
The specification of Icon models has been raised with the addition of Smart Entry and push-button start, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, a new seat trim and sunshades for the rear doors. Toyota Safety Sense remains standard on all Versos, providing extra protection against accidents with a Pre-Collision System with Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, Automatic High Beam and Lane Departure Alert.
Verso Icon and Design trim levels are 7-seaters. The entry-level Active model is 5-seater only
Choice of powertrains for Verso Design now includes the 130bhp 1.6-litre Valvematic petrol engine with six-speed manual transmission, in addition to the 1.8-litre Valvematic and 1.6-litre D-4D diesel units. Across the board, performance figures remain unchanged.
What to watch out for
Report of timing chain of 2014 Toyota Verso D-4D failing at 93,000 miles. This will be the 1.6 litre BMW N47 diesel engine that has a history of timing chain failures.
Report of strange glitch with 2017 Toyota Verso 1.8i Valvematic Multidrive S. A few days after its year two service at the start of December 2019 there was a twitch from the steering and then a dashboard of warning lights. A message said the anti collision system was not working, the engine management light was on, as was the skid light, the brake warning and the yellow triangle. Dealer could not explain, so reset the system and told owner to try it. Same problem again 2 weeks later (after, not during, a long trip to France). Dealer thought might be the battery so recharged it. Then 23rd December 2019 it happened again. (Might be the battery, might be the battery earth lead, might be the earth to the electric power steering.)
08-09-2021:Report of timing chain failure on 2015 Toyota Verso D-4D.
