Toyota Verso S

Toyota Verso S

Average. Good on paper, but an underpowered engine means that the Verso S is less impressive when it comes to life on the road.

The Verso S marks Toyota's return to the supermini MPV sector, a segment it has been absent from since the disappearance of the Yaris Verso from these shores in 2005.

Now that there is enough difference between this small people carrier and the company's Yaris supermini, Toyota has decided to bring it back to the UK market.

It's returning with a basic offering though, and the UK is not even taking the diesel engine that other markets in Europe will enjoy. Instead there is just the one petrol offering - a 1.33-litre model that is also seen in other small Toyotas, including the iQ.

There is a good reason for this, though. Superb emissions figures mean the car produces under 120g/km CO2, the automatic CVT gearbox is as clean as most diesels in this class, and this is without taking the stop/start technology that will be available in other markets. The manual -box emits a fraction more CO2, but still gets well under the 130g/km barrier.

As well as being cleaner, the automatic is smooth, and is even the better of the two when it comes to motorway cruising as the seventh ratio is the only one which allows the revs to dip below 3,000rpm at the speed limit. However, accelerating for overtaking manoeuvres drops everything by two ratios or more, making the experience slightly more frenetic and raucous.

This gear-hungry style is not unique to the auto though, with the small engine struggling to carry the bulk of the Verso S when it comes to steep hills and heavy loads. You'll find yourself dropping a gear or two when it comes to climbing inclines in the manual as well.

Consequently, the Verso S really is best suited to those that want to spend the majority of their time in urban areas, with the vast amounts of visibility and light in the cabin aiding the all-round visibility. The only blot on this is a large D-pillar at the back of the car, which sits slightly in the blind spot line of view.

But when it comes to reversing, drivers need not worry about this visibility issue as Toyota has been very generous with the Verso S's specification, and have included a rear-facing camera as standard. This is just an indication of the high level of kit on offer, with a touch screen stereo system also standard, and the satnav system costing a very reasonable £600.

This high level of kit does mean that the Verso S lacks the eye-catching low price that rivals from Hyundai or Citroen can offer, but it still represents good value for money.