WE want our cars to do so much these days.

Not content with the choice of family hatchbacks, more and more motorists have taken to the new plethora of crossovers with gusto, causing manufacturers apoplexy in the race to catch up with those that got in in at the start of the trend.

Versatility is the key here, coupled with the raised driving position that has found such favour.

And so where does that leave vehicles such as Toyota's reliable but hardly trendy Verso.

It's one of a clutch of MPVs struggling against the crossover tide, yet it provides the same answers and solutions as the new boys... and the latest version offers a few surprises into the bargain.

The 2014 Verso has a host of small detail changes and quality improvements.

From the driver’s seat there’s more to appreciate, from the myriad storage compartments of various sizes to the near-ideal driving position. The seats themselves are flat-based and offer little in the way of lateral support, but for gentle cruising along they’re comfortable. There’s a good view out of the Verso in all directions, too.

The middle row of seats is mightily spacious, while the the third, fold-away row is definitely for occasional use only and one for kids only.

A perennially comfortable ride seems to sum the Verso up. It’s not a new-fangled exciting crossover and it makes no pretence as to dynamism. But it’s well thought-out by people who know how to make a great everyday family car.

Armed with the 1.8-litre petrol engine tested here, and coupled with automatic transmission, you are guaranteed a smooth ride with enough horsepower to provide sufficient acceleration for most situations.

Surprisingly, the Trend specification test car also came with a sport button to give extra oomph and even paddle-shifters if you want to play some more.

But let's not forget what the Verso's raison d'etre is... to carry people in comfort with plenty of luggage space and the ability to hold up to seven people.

Verso successfully ramped up its customer appeal with a mid-life update during 2013. A BMW-sourced 1.6 D-4D diesel engine has now been added to the established 1.6 and 1.8-litre Valvematic petrol units, delivering stronger performance, fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

And the new Trend grade brings with it Toyota Touch 2 with Go multimedia and navigation system, front parking sensors and 17-inch alloys. It's quite a package.

Throughout its history, Verso has benefited from Toyota’s fundamental quality, durability and reliability and offered value for money and a spacious interior within compact exterior dimensions.

A panoramic roof, measuring 2,340 x 1,280mm, is available as a £550 option on Icon, Trend and Excel grades, bringing more light into the interior and increasing the perception of spaciousness.

The new Verso is 20mm longer overall than its predecessor, at 4,460mm, and In spite of its compact size, it is exceptionally roomy.

The Toyota Easy Flat seating system allows the individual seats in the second and third rows to be folded flat without having to remove headrests. Those in the second row have a sliding range of 195mm and those in third have reclining seatbacks.

When both rear rows of seats are folded flat, the loadspace is 1,575mm long and 1,430mm wide. With all seats in place there is 155 litres of luggage space; with the third row folded this increases to 440 litres.

All versions have 11 litres of rear loadspace underfloor storage, enough to hold three six-pack cases of 1.5-litre plastic bottles.

Further measures have been taken to reduce the noise, vibration and harshness levels and deliver a perceptibly quieter on-board environment.

With this new Verso, Toyota’s engineers have focused on changes to the body rigidity, suspension and steering to combine these essential attributes with greater ride comfort, body control and, most significantly improved steering feel and response.

It was among the first models to benefit from Toyota Touch 2, an updated version of Toyota’s affordable touchscreen multimedia system.

It comes with a new high-resolution 6.1-inch screen that uses four times as many pixels as the original system, for bright, sharp images.

The package includes Bluetooth for hands-free phone calls and sending and receipt of text messages; a rear-view camera; vehicle information, including trip data, climate control profile; and management of settings for door locking and lighting.

It also enables simple connection of iPods and MP3 players via USB or Bluetooth, and, where available, will display album, artist and track information. Audio system options, such as the radio and CD player, can also be controlled using the screen.

It comes with a DAB digital radio as standard.

Toyota Touch 2 with Go, standard on Verso Trend and an option on Icon and Excel models, adds a wealth of extra functions and advanced connectivity.

But what will impress most families thinking about splashing out on a new carrier is the fact that the Verso was named the most reliable MPV in the 2014 Which? Car Survey, the largest study of its kind in the UK.

 

At a glance

Toyota Verso Trend

Price: £22,800 Verso range from £17,770)
Engine: 1.8-litre CVT four-cylinder petrol, producing 145bhp
Transmission: Six-speed automatic (Multidrive S CVT
Performance: 0 to 62mph in 11.1 seconds; top speed 115mph
Economy: 41.5mpg combined
CO2 emissions: 159g/km