Verily, the Verso is very 'versotile'

In “manual” mode, the engine offers seven ratios plus a Sport mode which changes the transmission and engine characteristics… All in all, it makes for a pleasantly enthusiastic driving experience.

But hang on, don't throw you hands up in horror just because you remember an auto version fitted to a Verso a good few years back that was quite horrendous with its painfully slow and irritating see-saw cog-swapping ...Or the fact that many (or should that be most?) new CVT transmissions are yawningly boring and threaten to put you to sleep.

Pulley for you

The Toyota version of CVT is a dramatic improvement on most CVT's on the market and it is not even remotely like the Verso's original, and rather short-lived, automatic gearbox.

The make-up of a constantly-variable transmission (CVT) is far too technical and complicated to explain in detail here, but in short it doesn't work like a conventional manual or automatic gearboxes, which changes cogs (or gears) at different speeds.

Instead, CVT matches the engine's power range, speed and the driver's foot pressure on the accelerator via a two-pulley system that electronically decides which one of a vast number of ratios are most suitable.

So you don't hear the two-tone up or down sound changes that one usually hears as different gears are selected by either the driver's left hand, or via an automatic gearbox.

There are bags of storage facilities, and other features, all over the place.

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CVT's sound as they are constantly in the same gear and yes, it can be a little droning and many people don't like it. However, Toyota seems to overcome the problem with better engine and cabin insulation and probably toning down the exhaust sound as well.

So, the final result is an ultra smooth ride with very little engine noise, which, combined with the many other features of the Verso range, makes the CVT option a very attractive family choice.

Toyota also seems to have learned a lesson with its pricing because the CVT option wears a tag of R283 500 which will disturb the peaceful sleep of competitors such as Renault Grand Scenic, Mercedes A Class, the Mazda5 and the considerably more expensive VW Touran.

Paddling on the Homtini

But it is a lot more than just price that makes the Verso CVT so attractive. Wedged in under its wedge-shaped bonnet is a fuel and emissions friendly 1.8 litre engine which produces 108kW and 180Nm.

The engine is pleasantly chirpy, as I found out when I drove the new CVT along the scenic and now seldom-used farmlands route from George to Knysna, which includes the Homtini Pass with its pleasant mix of gravel and tar roads, straight sections a good many twists and turns.

The cabin has been stretched every which way, for more space - always a boon or bugbear, (a bugbear when there's not enough in a vehicle); in this case, a boon - because there's bags of it.

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The route offered lots of opportunity to play with the car's various settings and ratio changes, either by paddling the transmission lever or by flipping the paddles located behind the steering wheel.

In this "manual" mode, the engine offers seven ratios. This, plus the fact that the CVT transmission has a Sport mode which changes the transmission and engine characteristics when the driver requires more assertive acceleration or better engine braking, make for a pleasantly enthusiastic driving experience.

The entire range has also benefited from cosmetic nips-and-tucks and add-ons including privacy glass to "hide" the second and third row passengers from inquisitive eyes, re-styled light clusters which now comes with LED lighting and high mounted stop lamp.

Very 'versotile'

TX grade versions also have auto adjusting high-impact discharge (HID) head lights and a headlamp cleaning system.

The SX and TX models have smart new alloys and the TX also has parking sensors.

You can have just about any combination of seats up or down, so you should never run out of choices.

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The living quarters have been smartened up attractively and now boast an audio and auxiliary jack allowing the driver and front passenger to connect any modern music player to the Verso's in-built audio system, while iPod music players can be controlled through the vehicle's audio controls.

A touch of silver has been added to the door grips, gearshift knob, steering wheel, audio controls and heater controls.

The cabin also has more space because the Verso has been stretched up, sideways, forwards and backwards. One of the main benefits of the bigger space is extremely flexible Easy Flat-7 system, which offers 32 different configurations for the three rows of seats.

Seats can be folded down completely flat and they are easily accessible. Even with all three rows of seats in use the Verso now offers 180 litre of storage.

A spot for just about everything

True to its MPV designation, the new Verso has numerous storage compartments, including a dual compartment glove box with a cooled upper section large enough to hold a 1.5 litre drink bottle, a spacious centre console box, an overhead console, and generous door pockets. A drawer beneath the front passenger seat is ideal for hiding valuables from opportunistic smash-and-grabs.

All the belts and whistles you could wish for... OK, pulleys and whistles, then.

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Over and above the nice new styling touches, the benefits of flexible seat configuration and the smooth new CVT transmission, Verso is one of the safest cars in its class with a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating supported by: 89% result for adult occupant safety, 75% for child occupants, 69% for pedestrian impact and 86% for safety assistance.

All versions of Verso (except the entry level 1.6 S model) are equipped with seven airbags, ISO-fix child seat mounts, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), traction control (TRC), steering-assist Vehicle Stability Control (VSC+) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).

And under the bonnet...

The five-model range offers the choice of two petrol and one diesel engine. The entry-level 1.6 litre engine produces 97kW and 160Nm and is linked to 6-speed manual transmission. Toyota claims a combined fuel consumption figure of 6.8 litre/100km for this model.

The 1.8 litre engine develops 108kW and 180Nm and also has a 6-speed manual transmission. Claimed fuel consumption is given as 7.0 litre/100km.

The 2.0 litre diesel engine is a turbocharged diesel power unit which delivers 93kW and 310Nm of punch and returns impressive consumption figures of 5.5 litre/100km.

All models, excluding the entry level S model, are fitted with a brake pedal activated Hill Ascent Control (HAC), which prevents the vehicle from rolling back when pulling away on a slope.

Nice living quarters.

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Price and specifications-wise the upgraded Verso range offers a variety of attractive choices which will no doubt rev up its sales figures even further.

Models and prices

Verso 1.6 S - R244 400
Verso 1.6 SX - R257 500
Verso 1.8 SX CVT - R283 500
Verso 1.8 TX - R292 700
Verso 2.0D TX - R311 700
All models are sold with a five-year/90 000km service plan and a three-year/100 000 km warranty.

Specifications.

Toyota Verso PowerPoint presentation

Toyota Verso-S - Paris Motor Show TV footage (silent)

Toyota Verso S Optimal Stepless Variable