Toyota Verso

Toyota Verso: which version to buy

If the question is which Toyota Verso to buy, the numbers point to a short list. Across March 2009–August 2018 the Compact Van existed as 1 generation (March 2009–November 2012, 5 versions) and the same generation after 1 generation, restyling (November 2012–August 2018, 7 versions). Every drivetrain is FWD.

If the question is which Toyota Verso to buy, the numbers point to a short list. Across March 2009–August 2018 the Compact Van existed as 1 generation (March 2009–November 2012, 5 versions) and the same generation after 1 generation, restyling (November 2012–August 2018, 7 versions). Every drivetrain is FWD. The fastest and strongest measured car is the restyled 2.2 MT (177 hp, 400 Nm, 8.7 s to 100 km/h, 210 km/h). The most economical measured car is the restyled 2.0 MT (4.1 l/100 km mixed). The lightest restyle petrol that still keeps a useful 0–100 figure is 1.6 MT Gasoline 132 hp (1505 kg, 11.7 s). The only Automatic is 2.2 AT; the only Variable gearbox is 1.8 CVT. Two restyle cars share the name 1.6 MT and must not be mixed: Gasoline 132 hp versus Diesel 112 hp.

Generations: what the restyle actually changed

1 generation (March 2009–November 2012) sold five versions: 1.6 MT Gasoline 132 hp, 1.8 MT, 1.8 CVT, 2.0 MT Diesel, and 2.2 AT. There was no 2.2 MT and no Diesel 1.6 MT.

1 generation, restyling (November 2012–August 2018) kept those five names and added 2.2 MT (177 hp) plus Diesel 1.6 MT (112 hp). Body type stayed Compact Van. Chassis labels stayed Independent, spring at the front and Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem at the rear where measured, with Ventilated disc front brakes and Disc rear brakes where measured.

What the restyle bought, version by version:

• 1.6 MT Gasoline 132 hp: kerb weight rose from 1495 kg to 1505 kg (+10 kg). Mixed consumption fell from 6.8 to 6.6 l/100 km (−0.2). City 8.6 → 8.3, highway 5.8 → 5.6. CO2 158 → 154 g/km. 0–100 stayed 11.7 s, top speed 185 km/h, tank 60 l, clearance 145 mm.
• 1.8 MT: kerb weight 1495 → 1550 kg (+55 kg). Mixed 7.0 → 6.8 l/100 km. City 9.0 → 8.7, highway 5.8 → 5.7. CO2 162 → 158 g/km. 0–100 stayed 10.4 s, 190 km/h. Weight per horsepower worsened from 10.17 to 10.54 kg/hp because the engine did not gain power.
• 1.8 CVT: kerb weight 1495 → 1580 kg (+85 kg, the largest petrol gain). Mixed 7.1 → 6.8. City 8.9 → 8.5, highway 6.0 → 5.8. CO2 164 → 159. 0–100 stayed 11.1 s, 185 km/h. Clearance stayed 155 mm — 10 mm more than the 145 mm of the manuals in both periods.
• 2.0 MT: kerb weight 1495 → 1540 kg (+45 kg). 0–100 stayed 11.3 s, 185 km/h. Pre-restyle city, highway, mixed consumption, CO2 and gross weight are not measured. After restyle the same engine is the economy leader at 4.9 / 3.6 / 4.1 l/100 km, with gross weight 2260 kg (payload 720 kg: 2260 − 1540).
• 2.2 AT: 0–100 stayed 10.1 s, 195 km/h. Torque fell from 340 Nm to 310 Nm (−30 Nm) at the same 2000 rpm. Pre-restyle kerb weight, gross weight and consumption are not measured. Restyle: 1660 kg, 2260 kg gross, 8.0 / 5.5 / 6.4 l/100 km.

The restyle is therefore not a power upgrade on the carry-over engines. It trims a few tenths of a litre on the petrols, adds two new engines, and adds mass. If you want the 177 hp Diesel, you are choosing the restyle by definition.

Engine specs: every version, named as in the data

All engines here are Inline 4, Front, transverse, 4 valves per cylinder, FWD.

Injection is Distributed injection (multi-point) on every Gasoline version. On every Diesel version the injection system is not measured. Compression is 10.7 on both 1.6 MT Gasoline cars, 10.5 on every 1.8 MT and 1.8 CVT, 16.8 on 2.0 MT and both 2.2 Diesels. Compression on restyle 1.6 MT Diesel 112 hp is not measured. Bore × stroke: Gasoline 1.6 is 80.5 × 78.5; Gasoline 1.8 is 80.5 × 88.3; Diesel 1.6 is 78 × 83.6; 2.0 MT is 86 × 86; both 2.2 Diesels are 86 × 96. Eco class: Gasoline versions Euro 4; Diesel versions Euro 5.

Power per litre (hp ÷ litres): restyle 1.6 MT Gasoline 82.6 hp/l; 1.8 MT / 1.8 CVT 81.8; 2.2 MT 79.3; 1.6 MT Diesel 70.1; 2.2 AT 67.2; 2.0 MT 63.1. The small Gasoline engines are the densest; 2.0 MT trades density for 310 Nm at 1800 rpm.

Performance, mpg and horsepower: what the extra displacement buys

2.2 MT versus restyle 2.2 AT (same 2231 cc, same Turbo Diesel, both FWD): +27 hp, +90 Nm, Manual instead of Automatic, 0–100 8.7 vs 10.1 s (−1.4 s), 210 vs 195 km/h. Mixed 5.8 vs 6.4 l/100 km (−0.6). Kerb 1650 vs 1660 kg. You give up Automatic and gain the catalogue’s best sprint and the lowest weight-per-hp among measured restyle cars: 9.32 kg/hp versus 11.07 kg/hp on 2.2 AT.

2.2 MT versus restyle 2.0 MT: +51 hp, +90 Nm, 0–100 8.7 vs 11.3 s (−2.6 s), 210 vs 185 km/h. Mixed 5.8 vs 4.1 (+1.7 l/100 km). Kerb 1650 vs 1540 (+110 kg). 2.0 MT is the mpg choice; 2.2 MT is the horsepower choice.

2.0 MT versus restyle 1.6 MT Diesel 112 hp: +14 hp, +40 Nm, 0–100 11.3 vs 12.7 s (−1.4 s), 185 vs 180 km/h. Consumption on Diesel 1.6 MT is not measured in city, highway or mixed, and CO2 is not measured — so you cannot pick it as an economy car on this catalogue. It is the lightest restyle car at 1495 kg, but also the slowest (12.7 s) and the heaviest per horsepower (13.35 kg/hp).

Restyle 1.8 MT versus 1.6 MT Gasoline 132 hp: +15 hp, +20 Nm, 0–100 10.4 vs 11.7 s (−1.3 s), 190 vs 185 km/h. Mixed 6.8 vs 6.6 (+0.2). Kerb 1550 vs 1505 (+45 kg). CO2 158 vs 154. The 1.8 is the quicker petrol Manual; the 1.6 uses 0.2 l/100 km less mixed.

1.8 MT versus 1.8 CVT (same 147 hp, 180 Nm, 1798 cc, Gasoline, No boost): Manual 6 versus Variable. Restyle 0–100 10.4 vs 11.1 s (−0.7 s), 190 vs 185 km/h. Mixed both 6.8 l/100 km; city 8.7 vs 8.5; highway 5.7 vs 5.8. Kerb 1550 vs 1580. Clearance 145 vs 155 mm. Pre-restyle mixed 7.0 vs 7.1. The CVT is slower and, after restyle, 30 kg heavier; it is the only petrol without a 6-speed count (gears not measured) and the only Verso with 155 mm clearance.

Gap from slowest to fastest restyle: 12.7 − 8.7 = 4.0 s. Top-speed span: 210 − 180 = 30 km/h. Mixed-consumption span among measured restyle cars: 6.8 − 4.1 = 2.7 l/100 km.

On a 60 l tank, mixed range from the formula 60 ÷ (l/100 km) × 100: restyle 2.0 MT 1463 km; 2.2 MT 1034 km; 2.2 AT 938 km; 1.6 MT Gasoline 909 km; 1.8 MT and 1.8 CVT 882 km. Pre-restyle petrols: 1.6 MT 882 km, 1.8 MT 857 km, 1.8 CVT 845 km. Diesel 1.6 MT range is not measured. Pre-restyle 2.0 MT and 2.2 AT range is not measured.

Weight, dimensions, payload

Tank is 60 l on every version. Ground clearance is 145 mm except 1.8 CVT at 155 mm in both periods. Wheel sizes are measured only on restyle 1.8 MT, 1.6 MT Gasoline 132 hp and 1.8 CVT: 205/60 R16 and 215/55 R17. On all other versions, including every Diesel and every 1 generation car, wheel size is not measured.

Kerb / gross / payload (gross − kerb) after restyle:

• 1.6 MT Diesel 112 hp: 1495 / 2125 / 630 kg
• 1.6 MT Gasoline 132 hp: 1505 / 2125 / 620 kg
• 2.0 MT: 1540 / 2260 / 720 kg
• 1.8 MT: 1550 / 2125 / 575 kg
• 1.8 CVT: 1580 / 2125 / 545 kg (smallest measured payload)
• 2.2 MT: 1650 / 2260 / 610 kg
• 2.2 AT: 1660 / 2260 / 600 kg

1 generation: 1.6 MT, 1.8 MT, 2.0 MT and 1.8 CVT all sit at 1495 kg kerb. Gross 2125 kg on the three petrols (payload 630 kg); gross on 2.0 MT is not measured. 2.2 AT kerb and gross are not measured.

For a loaded Compact Van, restyle 2.0 MT has the largest measured payload (720 kg). Restyle 1.8 CVT has the smallest (545 kg) despite the extra 10 mm of clearance.

Weight per hp after restyle: 2.2 MT 9.32; 1.8 MT 10.54; 1.8 CVT 10.75; 2.2 AT 11.07; 1.6 MT Gasoline 11.40; 2.0 MT 12.22; 1.6 MT Diesel 13.35. Pre-restyle petrols are lighter per hp than their restyle twins because the engines are unchanged while kerb mass rose.

Which version to choose

Buy restyle 2.2 MT if the job is pace with a full Compact Van: 177 hp, 400 Nm, 8.7 s, 210 km/h, 5.8 l/100 km mixed, 9.32 kg/hp. It did not exist before November 2012.

Buy restyle 2.0 MT if the job is mpg and payload: 4.1 l/100 km mixed, 3.6 highway, 720 kg payload, 310 Nm at 1800 rpm. 0–100 is 11.3 s — 2.6 s slower than 2.2 MT, 1.4 s quicker than Diesel 1.6 MT. Pre-restyle 2.0 MT has the same power and sprint, but consumption and gross weight are not measured, so you cannot verify the economy case on a 2009–2012 car.

Buy 2.2 AT if you need Automatic. It is the only Automatic in the catalogue. Restyle gives measured 6.4 l/100 km mixed and 1660 kg; 1 generation 2.2 AT has 30 Nm more (340 vs 310) and the same 10.1 s / 195 km/h, but weight and consumption are not measured.

Buy 1.8 MT, not 1.8 CVT, if you want the 147 hp Gasoline engine and will shift yourself: 0.7 s quicker to 100, 5 km/h more top speed, 30 kg lighter after restyle, 145 mm clearance instead of 155. Mixed consumption is a tie at 6.8 after restyle. Choose 1.8 CVT only for Variable and the extra 10 mm.

Buy 1.6 MT Gasoline 132 hp if you want the lightest petrol Manual with a complete fuel sheet: restyle 1505 kg, 6.6 mixed, 154 g/km CO2, 11.7 s. Versus restyle 1.8 MT you give up 15 hp and 1.3 s but save 45 kg and 0.2 l/100 km. 1 generation 1.6 MT is 10 kg lighter and 0.2 l/100 km thirstier mixed.

Do not buy restyle 1.6 MT Diesel 112 hp as an economy pick: city, highway, mixed and CO2 are not measured. You do get 270 Nm at 1750 rpm, Euro 5, 1495 kg and 630 kg payload, at the cost of 12.7 s and 180 km/h — last on both boards.

1 generation versus restyling, same name: petrol power, torque and 0–100 did not change. Restyle petrols are heavier and a little more economical. Restyle 2.2 AT lost 30 Nm. Restyle added 2.2 MT and Diesel 1.6 MT. Wheel sizes appear in the data only after restyle, and only on the three Gasoline versions.

There are no prices, reliability scores, interior measurements or oil capacities in this dataset; those questions are not answered here. Seat count is not measured either, including any 7-seater claim. Proace Verso, Corolla Verso, Yaris Verso and Avensis Verso are other models and are not in these 12 versions.

Short map: pace → restyle 2.2 MT. Fuel and payload → restyle 2.0 MT. Automatic → 2.2 AT (prefer restyle if you need a measured fuel sheet). Petrol Manual → restyle 1.8 MT, or 1.6 MT Gasoline 132 hp if you want less mass. Variable → 1.8 CVT. Avoid Diesel 1.6 MT unless you accept not-measured mpg.