This wasn’t the usual 20 000 km long-term test… As most of you will know, when a manufacturer gives CAR a long-term test car, it is usually for the duration of a year. Within this period, we put roughly 20 000 km on the car, which should include at least the first service.
When a white Toyota Verso arrived in October 2009, little did we know that it would stay with us until April 2011!
The current range of the Verso isn’t only a facelift of the previous model, but for the first time Toyota has develop a different chassis compared to that of the Corolla. This is also the reason why Toyota dropped the Corolla name on this model.
In the course of 18 months, the Verso showed itself to be a versatile, easy-to-live-with MPV.
Previous life
Our Verso spent the first part of its life at our erstwhile sister motoring publication WIEL. There it was tested against the Renault Grand Scénic but came second because the Renault simply offered more bang for the buck. Even so, two acquaintances of mine bought Versos during the time our longtermer was with us. Although the interior doesn’t offer the same level of toys and comfort compared to that of the Renault, it is is robust and should look fresher after hard use than the Renault’s lusher cabin. This was one of the reasons they picked the Verso.
Over 18 months, I found the seats and driving position perfect for an MPV. Being my daily set of wheels, I never had the chance to sit in the back, but passengers who did rarely complained about space or comfort.
Enough power?
On a trip to the Free State, one thing became clear. Even though 97 kW and 160 Nm from a naturally aspirated 1,6-litre shouldn’t be sniffed at, you have to use momentum and the optimum gear to comfortably pass slower traffic (and forget about overtaking in sixth, or even fifth gear).
Apart from the ride quality, which was well damped, space was rarely a problem. With a pull of a couple of straps, the third row of seats falls flat. If you need even more space, the second row of seats fold flat to present a fully flat loading area.
The Verso went for its 15 000 km and 30 000 km services at the Toyota dealership in Stellenbosch. On both occasions, the service was good and the car was returned washed and vacuumed. I also had great service from the dealership at Culemborg in Cape Town’s CBD. This visit was forced by both headlights going on the blink.
After the technicians had a look, they phoned to inform me both bulbs (Osram) had failed. I found it odd that both bulbs blew exactly on the same time and asked to speak to the technician, who assured me this is possible. “Some bulbs last years, other only a couple of months,” he said. For R960, both bulbs were replaced.
Apart from the cigarette lighter that never worked but was looked at during the first service, the Verso ran faultlessly.
It was a good companion over the past year and a half and, if I have to be honest, I liked it more after the test period than the day it arrived.
What will replace the Verso? Well, it’s Japanese, has two doors, can carry a lot of stuff and is an off-road sportscar of sorts (to me anyway). First driving impression to follow next week.
Specifications:
Engine: 1,6-litre petrol, naturally aspirated
Power: 97 kW at 6 400 r/min
Torque: 160 N.m at 4 400 r/min
Fuel consumption: 6,8 L/100 km (according to Toyota)
Odometer on arrival: 4 197 km
Odometer at end of term: 33 809 km
Total test mileage: 29 612 km
Average consumption: 8,74 L/100 km
Best consumption: 7,55 L/100 km
Total spent on fuel: R20 955,62
