Toyota Verso (2009 – 2013) 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 (2009 – 2013) At A Glance
Compact seven seater. Excellent Valvematic 1.8 petrol engine with smooth seven-ratio CVT gives 40+ mpg. Good reliability record.
Manual 2.0 diesel uninspiring to drive. Dull looks.
Toyota doesn't do a Yaris Verso, a Corolla Verso and an Avensis Verso any more.
Just one Verso, built at the Adapazari factory in Turkey. And, after 430,000 of the previous version, this is the new one, on Toyota's World MC platform.
Reviews for Toyota Verso (2009 – 2013)'s top 3 rivals
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
Toyota Verso (2009 – 2013) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.33 VVT-i to 2.2 D-CAT
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 31–64 mpg
At first, Britain will only get the Verso 147PS 1.8 petrol Valvematic, with 6-speed manual or 7-ratio CVT, or 126PS 2.0 diesel, with 6-speed manual only. A 132PS 1.6 petrol Valvematic will come later, as the entry model and also a 150PS 6-speed torque converter automatic 2.2 diesel (as tested late last year in the new Avensis). Based on figures for the old Verso, Toyota expects to sell 20% 1.6, 20% 1.8, and 60% 2.2 diesel.
The new 1.8 Valvematic petrol engine, same as in the new Avensis, is particularly impressive, emitting 164g/km and managing more than 40mpg combined even with a CVT transmission. Though anyone seeking maximum economy can expect around 50mpg from the 2.2 diesel. Remember here, we are talking about a seven-seater.
It's easy rather than exciting to drive. Visibility is very good indeed, the mirrors are big, the speedo and rev counter are line-of-sight, the steering and clutch of the diesel are light. But you still have the rather tedious chore of needing to change gear.
The story becomes much better with the 1.8 Valvematic engine coupled to the 7-selectable-ratio CVT. You can leave it to do the job for you, either in Econ or Sport modes. Or take over using the paddleshifts. The effortlessness of the steering, with the lighter engine make the Verso feel much more nimble. If I had a large family, or the chore of taking six kids to school, then this is definitely the version I would go for.
Add the fact that the petrol engine leaves you with no worries about diesel particulate filters and dual mass flywheels, and I think Toyota might have to reassess its projected model split in favour of the petrol CVT.
You can posh it up with extra cost options like a panoramic sunroof for £600 and leather seats for £1,575 (well, there are seven). Satnav is more practical these days, but £1,000 - £1,500 is a fair bit more than Nissan's £400 SD card Connect system.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.33 VVT-i | 51 mpg | 13.3 s | 127 g/km |
| 1.33 VVT-i automatic | 54 mpg | 13.7 s | 120 g/km |
| 1.6 V-Matic | 42 mpg | 11.7 s | 158 g/km |
| 1.8 V-Matic | 40–40 mpg | 10.4–11.1 s | 164–165 g/km |
| 2.0 D-4D | 53 mpg | 11.3 s | 139 g/km |
| 2.2 D-4D | 42 mpg | 10.1 s | 178 g/km |
| 2.2 D-CAT | 42 mpg | 10.1 s | 178 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Toyota Verso (2009 – 2013)
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
101%
Real MPG
31–64 mpg
MPGs submitted
349
Toyota Verso (2009 – 2013) interior
- Boot space is 155–1645 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of five stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3990–4440 mm |
| Width | 1790 mm |
| Height | 1595–1630 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2550–2780 mm |
Naturally the new Toyota Verso more efficient than the old one, more spacious inside, with five individual rear seats in the back that fold separately to leave an evenly flat load deck. Happily, you don't have to remove the head restraints first.
Sensibly, this is a test of the new Toyota Verso's practicality rather then its handling attributes. And in that respect, it passed.
The five rear seats are easy to erect and collapse. You can have them in any configuration you want: 1 + 2, 3 + 1, 3 + 2; whatever you need to accommodate awkward loads or the whims of child passengers. Everyone is very well protected with airbags everywhere. And there is a bit of space behind the rearmost seats for shopping or a single suitcase.
There are cupholders everywhere, seatback picnic tables, a panoramic interior mirror to watch what the kids in the back are getting up to, and the T-Spirit model even has a reversing camera with the picture in a screen in the rear-view mirror, or on the satnav screen if you specify that as an option.
Toyota Verso (2009 – 2013) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3990–4440 mm |
| Width | 1790 mm |
| Height | 1595–1630 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2550–2780 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1070–1650 kg |
| Boot Space | 155–1645 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 10000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £15,145–£26,210 |
| Insurance Groups | 12–19 |
| Road Tax Bands | C–I |
| Official MPG | 39.8–54.3 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | 5 |
On sale until May 2017
| Medium MPV | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.33 VVT-i T Spirit 5dr | £16,445 | 51.4 mpg | 13.3 s |
| 1.33 VVT-i T Spirit Multidrive S 5dr | £17,445 | 54.3 mpg | 13.7 s |
| 1.33 VVT-i TR 5dr | £15,145 | 51.4 mpg | 13.3 s |
| 1.33 VVT-i TR Multidrive S 5dr | £16,145 | 54.3 mpg | 13.7 s |
On sale until January 2013
| People Carrier | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| T Spirit 2.0 D-4D 5dr | £24,460 | 53.3 mpg | 11.3 s |
| T Spirit 2.2 D-4D 5dr Auto | £26,210 | 41.5 mpg | 10.1 s |
| T2 1.6 V-Matic (5 seat) 5dr | £17,765 | 41.5 mpg | 11.7 s |
| T2 1.6 V-Matic 5dr | £18,310 | 41.5 mpg | 11.7 s |
| T2 2.0 D-4D 5dr | £20,050 | 53.3 mpg | 11.3 s |
| TR 1.6 V-Matic (5 seat) 5dr | £19,325 | 41.5 mpg | 11.7 s |
| TR 1.6 V-Matic 5dr | £19,870 | 41.5 mpg | 11.7 s |
| TR 1.8 V-Matic 5dr Auto | £21,410 | 39.8 mpg | 11.1 s |
| TR 2.0 D-4D 5dr | £21,610 | 53.3 mpg | 11.3 s |
| TR 2.2 D-CAT 5dr Auto | £23,695 | 41.5 mpg | 10.1 s |
On sale until March 2010
| People Carrier | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| T Spirit 1.8 V-Matic | £20,535 | 40.4 mpg | 10.4 s |
| T Spirit 1.8 V-Matic Auto | £20,535 | - | - |
On sale until July 2009
| People Carrier | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| T2 1.8 V-Matic | £16,770 | 40.4 mpg | 10.4 s |
Model History
March 2009
World premiere of new Toyota Verso at Geneva motor show March 2009. 4,440mm long x 1,790 wide x 1,620mm high.
New Verso offers more space, comfort and practicality, and benefits from the latest occupant and pedestrian safety features. Ride quality, acoustic comfort and dynamic abilities match those of conventional passenger cars.
Interior features improved Toyota Easy Flat-7 system for quick and convenient folding of the five individual rear seats. Special attention has been paid to increasing comfort for rear passengers with improved second and third row accommodation.
Introducing Toyota Optimal Drive throughout the Verso range has brought increases in engine power of up to 20 per cent, while fuel economy and CO2 emissions show improvements of up to 12 per cent, compared to the current model.
In the UK, new Verso was launched in April 2009 with new 1.6 and 1.8 Valvematic petrol engines which will have a class-leading combination of power and CO2 emissions. These will be offered with a new six-speed manual transmission as standard, with the option of Toyota’s new Multidrive S continuously variable transmission on the 1.8 unit. A revised version of the 2.0-litre D-4D diesel will also be available, with a 2.2 D-CAT 150 engine with new six-speed automatic transmission due to join the line-up later in the year.
New Verso has a class-leading drag coefficient of Cd 0.295, a longer wheelbase, wider front and rear tracks and extensively revised suspension geometry, all of which combines in better driving dynamics, handling, body control, stability and ride comfort.
Active, passive and pedestrian impact safety features are all upgraded and the new highly rigid body shell incorporates a larger percentage of high tensile steel. The standard equipment list will include curtain shield airbags that extend protection to the third row passengers, and intelligent steering assist Vehicle Stability Control (VSC+).
New Verso is designed to achieve a maximum, five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash test programme, thanks to upgraded active, passive and pedestrian impact safety features and a highly rigid, impact absorbing body shell that makes greater use of high tensile steel. Notably all Verso models will be equipped with curtain shield airbag protection for passengers in the third row of seats and with intelligent steering assist Vehicle Stability Control (VSC+).
The speedometer and tachometer are set into individual cylinder housings, angled towards the driver and slightly offset so as not to interfere with the driver’s view of the road ahead. The gear lever is mounted close to the steering wheel on a centre console that provides a strong vertical definition of the driver’s zone.
A large panoramic glass sunroof with integrated electric blind is also available, increasing the open and airy cabin atmosphere. It extends from the head of the windscreen to beyond the B-pillars, measuring 1,160mm long and 1,180mm wide. It is the largest one-piece roof of its kind in new Verso’s class. The blind can be opened to any point along the length of the sunroof.
Toyota Easy Flat-7 allows the five rear seats to be individually folded to carry extra passengers or increase load space as the occasion demands; in all 32 different seating permutations are possible. In new Verso Easy Flat-7 has an improved mechanism that returns the second row seatbacks to their original position after being folded to give access to the third row. The headrests on the second and third row seats have a new low-profile L-shape to make the seat folding operation easier and improve rearward visibility from the driver’s seat. The third row seats can now be stowed or erected in one easy action, using just one hand with a pull-strap that can be reached from the tailgate. The third row seatbacks also gain a recline adjustment.
The boot floor is completely flat when the second and third row seats are folded and is longer by 185mm at 1,830mm, making it easier to load long items. The cargo space is also wider by 240mm at 1,585mm, increasing storage capacity from 63 to 178 litres when all rear seats are in the upright position, compared to the current model. The result is a seven-seat MPV that can carry all passengers in comfort, with ample space for luggage, too.
Three engines will be available in new Verso at launch in the UK: two petrol engines, 1.6 and 1.8-litre Valvematic units, which give a best-in-segment combination of power and CO2 emissions; and a revised 2.0-litre D-4D 130 diesel. A 2.2-litre D-4D 150 D-CAT diesel will join the range later in 2009 with a new six-speed automatic transmission.
The 1.8-litre Valvematic engine offers the choice of the new six-speed manual gearbox or Multidrive S, Toyota’s latest continuously variable transmission technology. It marks significant improvements in power, torque, emissions and fuel economy over Verso’s previous 1.8 VVT-i unit: power is up by 18bhp (18 DIN hp) to 145bhp (147 DIN hp), torque increases by 10Nm to 180Nm at 4,600rpm; CO2 emissions are down 19g/km to 165 g/km (manual), and combined cycle fuel consumption improves from 36.7 to 40.4mpg (provisional CO2 and mpg figures).
With the Multidrive S transmission, CO2 emissions are expected to be 164g/km and combined fuel consumption 40.4mpg, figures which represent the system’s advantages over conventional automatic transmissions.
Verso also gains a revised 2.0-litre D-4D diesel engine that develops a maximum 125bhp (126 DIN hp) and 310Nm from 1,800 to 2,400rpm, with 140g/km CO2 emissions, a best-in-class figure for the core 110-140bhp power range in the seven-seat MPV C-segment.
The 2.2-litre diesel engine featured in the current Verso range is carried forward for the new model and will be available to UK customers later in 2009. Output is increased to 148bhp (150 DIN hp), and maximum torque up to 340Nm, available from 2,000 to 2,800rpm. Equipped with Toyota D-CAT clean diesel technology, it produces 178g/km of CO2 and returns 41.5mpg in combined cycle driving (provisional figures). This engine will be matched to a new six-speed automatic transmission.
The new 1.6-litre Valvematic, also coming later in 2009, is matched to a new six-speed manual transmission. Compared to the 1.6 VVT-i engine featured in the previous generation Verso, power has been increased by 22bhp (22 DIN hp) to 131bhp (132 DIN hp), and maximum torque by 10Nm to 160Nm at 4,400rpm. Provisional figures show CO2 emissions down by 17g/km to 161g/km and combined cycle fuel consumption improved from 37.7 to 41.5mpg.
All models will be equipped with seven airbags, including side airbags for third row passengers; active front headrests; steering assist Vehicle Stability Control (VSC+) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), LED rear lights, puddle lights, an overhead console, underfloor storage, boot organiser and an additional rear view mirror so the driver can keep an eye on younger rear seat passengers.
Other features and options that will be available according to grade include Bluetooth, manual or climate control air conditioning, a cooled glovebox, cruise control, 16 or 17-inch alloy wheels, rain and dusk sensors for the wipers and headlights, full map satellite navigation with a 10Gb hard disk drive and rear parking monitor and panoramic sunroof.
August 2009
New 2.2 D-CAT 150 engine added to Verso powertrain line-up, matched to new six-speed automatic transmission (as offered in Avensis). 178g/km CO2 emissions and official 41.5mpg combined cycle fuel economy. Maximum power 148bhp, maximum torque 340Nm, 0-62mph in 10.1 seconds. Available in TR and T Spirit versions. 17-inch alloy wheels standard on all 2.2 D-CAT 150 models. On sale 12-8-2009, prices £20,835 for the TR, £22,265 for the T Spirit.
Reader feedback: "Bought a brand new Verso 1.6 TR for £10, 500 plus my avensis verso from a main dealer. I guess December was a good month to hit them hard! The new Verso is a delight to drive with light responsive controls. The 1.6 engine is giving about 38mpg combined or 44 on a motorway run (78mph). This engine is surprisingly rapid when revved. I miss the torque of my previous Avensis Verso D4D though. It has been really good in the ice and snow, partly due to the complicated electronic systems and good driver technique! Build quality appears to be solid although not as plush as the old Avensis Verso.
Built in Bluetooth is a real bonus. The stereo quality is a little disappointing. Rear side windows stay misted up in cold/damp weather, even with aircon on. The windscreen wipers smear annoyingly on the return sweep and the drivers seat is loose. Will get the dealer to attend to these asap. Boot space is not a patch on the Avensis Verso, but with fold flat seats and the eldest of our 4 kids rarely in the car then its easy to increase the luggage area. Leg room in the first two rows in on a par with the Avensis Verso."
July 2014
2009-2013 Toyota Verso most reliable new medium car in 2014 Which? Car Survey with reliability rating of 98.5%.
What to watch out for
With 2.2 litre diesels, problems over regenerating of DPFs can lead to overfuelling that can damage the piston rings and bores. Apparently Toyota has extended the warranty to 5 years (even on 3 year warranted cars) to cover this.
22-01-2014:Head gasket failed on 2009 Verso 2.2 D-4D. Toyota offered a replacement engine.
10-12-2015:Report that free replacement engine in Toyota Verso 2.2D4D at 85,000 miles lasted another 75,000 miles (to 160,000 miles) before more cylinder head problems.
16-02-2016:Check engine light appeared on 2010 Toyota Verso D-4D at 74,000 miles. Toyota dealer says all four injectors need replacing at cost of £1,500 for parts alone. Car now out of warranty. Might be due to fuel used lacking lubricity and shards of metal from injector pump damaging injectors, or they may simply be a bit dirty and switching to Shell V-Power Nitro Plus might cure them.
04-01-2017:Report of failure of Brake Actuator Assembly 1 month after purchase of a 2009 Toyota Verso, bought used from a Toyota dealer in 2014. Replaced under warranty. Same warning lights appeared again in December 2016. Dealer said it was showing fault codes ault codes P1750 and C1201 and that it needed the same Brake Actuator Assembly replacing with the repair bill being the same £1300 as the part is about £900 to start with. Apparently Brake Actuator now has a different part number.
07-04-2018:Report of failed VVTI assembly in 51k miles 2011 Toyota Verso T2 1.6 Valvematic failing, leading to car driving only in limp home mode.Quoted £1,400 to repair. (No mention of oil service regime.)
21-03-2019:Report of intermittent problem with Valvematic system of Toyota Verso 1.8iVaslvematic at 50,000 miles. Owner has oil flushed and refulled with fresh 0W50. Also used Forte fuel system cleaning additive. No trouble since, but auto electrician checked Valvemantic control unit and found it to be working only 90% of the time. A new control unit is £1,500. Many owners simply have the fault codes re-set.
21-05-2019:Report of significant problems with used 2011 Toyota Verso 2.0D-4D purchased in September 2017 with 44k miles. By December 2017, the engine light came on with a VSC error. Garage checked it, cleared it and car was fine. A week later it was back. Same process. And then again a few days later. Owner advised to drive it long and hard to clear out any blockage, which he did. During that trip, same error, but now worse noise and engine became sluggish, then went into limp mode. Mechanic cleaned/replaced filters, cleared the fault. And then the problem again. This car has now been off the road since June 2018. In that time, the engine wiring harness has been replaced, the fuel injectors have been replaced, the EGR has been thoroughly cleaned, both the ECU and the other smaller computer unit have been replaced as well as some small vacuum part direct from Toyota in Belgium. And the latest software has been uploaded. No joy. Might need new injectors. See: 16-2-2016.
15-11-2019:Report of back pressure from blocked diesel particulate filter "destroying" diesel engine of 2009/59 Toyota Verso 2.2 D-4D.
