The Verso would do much better in this competition but for its pitiful towing limit of 1100kg. That’s 226kg below an 85% match, and means it can only cope with a handful of lightweight caravans.
It’s a real shame, because in other respects the Verso has a lot going for it. The 2.2-litre engine is punchy and economical, returning 44.8mpg on the combined cycle when driving solo, and the well judged suspension combines tidy handling with a comfortable ride.
There are seven seats inside, and although the rear two are cramped, they’re fine for kids or a short hop. Folding the seats into the floor takes only a few moments, and turns this school-run special into a removal van.
Toyota always performs well in reliability and customer-satisfaction surveys, so expect years of trouble-free motoring in the Verso. Should the worst happen, there’s the reassurance of a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests.
However, all those positives aren’t enough when a car can only tow a 70.5% match.