2002 Toyota Avensis Verso GLS from UK and Ireland - Comments

None yet, but it's early days.

My first Toyota and I'm guessing that they're as good as Nissans. Let's hope so.

Only 1000 miles so far so I will provide better updates later in the year, but I was keen to get a review of this new model on the site as there doesn't appear to be one yet.

The Verso is made in Japan unlike its saloon/hatch namesake which is made in the UK. And the name is all that they share; there are no common components. Toyota obviously plumped for the Avensis name in an attempt to make it clear where this car sits in their ever-expanding range of MPVs (Previa, Yaris Verso, Corolla Verso). It's also much better than carrying-over the old Picnic name!

The Verso is a similar size as a Galaxy type MPV, but it has been styled to make it appear a bit more compact. It's advantage is it's extra length which gives it a useful boot even with all 7 seats in place. Even better is the under floor area in the boot which gives an extra 90 litres of secure, out-of-sight space. Brilliant. The spare wheel is underneath the car near the driver's seat by the way.

Seats are standard MPV fare. 7 individual. Back 5 come out, fold into tables, slide, etc. Legroom in middle row is excellent. Back row not really a place for adults.

Separate heater and aircon units in back are useful. MPV's that don't have this usually have to blast the front seat passengers with hot/cold air to have any effect on the back row passengers. The Verso's system works very well. We can even have it hot in the back and cool in the front (or vice versa).

Upfront is typical Toyota. Tad bland but well equipped and put together. Auto is column shift which makes life a lot easier and frees up a walkway between the two front seats.

Satnav is standard on the GLS and is excellent and simple to use. Still just a gimmick though in my view.

Visibility is as expected on an MPV. High with lots of glass. Driving position is good and very adjustable.

Stereo is only OK. The size of the cabin seems to make it sound a bit lost unless you crank it up.

Driving is good. Very smooth transmission and acceptable power from their newish VVT-I engine. Starts to get a bit wheezy and boomy over 90 but otherwise very good.

Handling is quite astonishing. A multitude of electronic aids turn it into something really quite fun.

So far so good. Its nowhere near as fast and smooth as my old car. But it was the only full sized MPV I could find with auto and reasonable economy (32mpg so far) and it's rapidly becoming an essential part of the family.

As a prospective owner/buyer of an Avensis Verso (in Australia), I found this to be a good review, helping me greatly in my final decision whether or not (most likely yes) to buy the car mid 2002. The one newspaper review I have found in Australia was quite negative with regards to Avensis pricing and performance. I suspect the critics were not used to driving people movers.

I bought an ex-demonstrator Diesel D4D Avensis Verso last Christmas and have found it reliable, economical, practical and most surprisingly, fun. Yes, fun in an MPV!

The diesel unit has plenty of whoomph and remains frugal.

The handling is enjoyable and predictable.

Which were bonuses for me, as really I went for the Toyota because of its quality and reliability, and have thoroughly enjoyed my first six months of ownership.

I am considering to buy the Avensis Verso in Singapore, though it's call the Picnic here. Your review had been very helpful. However, I am tossing the choice between this car or the Honda Odessy or the Hyundai Trajet.

An update on my original review:

Now 11,000 miles done and still gets an overall good. Problems that have happened? Cracked windscreen whilst in France. Impossible to replace as RHD screen is different from LHD screen. Have had work done now that I have returned to UK. Distorted front brake disks also needed replacing.

Driving position, though generally very good, does get a bit sore on the right foot on a long journey. I think it's because you don't stretch your leg out far enough (i.e. it's a more upright position). My last few cars had cruise control. I miss that now!

Interior is proving to be extremely tough (my family is a good test of these things!) Only problem has been the mechanism on one of the seat bases breaking. Toyota replaced this.

Car is doing sterling service for us and I don't expect to be replacing it for some years yet.

My Avensis Verso began smoothly, but after 5,000 miles it appears to have developed minor problems. The front brakes make strange noises when applied, and the windows rattle over rough surfaces, regardless open or not.

However this does not over-shadow the fact that it is still a good MPV that is worthy of its money.

I have now put 7000 miles up on my Toyota Avensis verso (Over Irish pot holes) and it's still holding up well. I find also strange noises from the front brakes.

I bought the "Sol" level of trim and for 39,000 euro (The price of a nice BMW, Toyota should have put a bit more effort in. Perhaps they will follow the lead of the 2003 Avensis Saloon car. I cannot complain about the car, it's rock solid.

About time I gave an update on things. The car is now getting on for 3 years old and has done 35,000 miles. Reliability has still been perfect. The only problem we had was a seat base breaking when I attempted to install it incorrectly.

Interior of the car has held up remarkably well considering the abuse it gets. We did 2,700 miles across Europe during the Summer. Only gripes were 27mpg (auto and fast motorways) and lack of power on long motorway inclines (we were fully loaded). Still also find it uncomfortable on long journeys due to the van-like driving position. Best solution seems to be to set seat to lowest height.

We have still never had to top up oil (just gets replaced once a year). Satnav is still our best friend though we could do with an updated disk (as some new roads aren't on it).

The car might be pig ugly, but it is still our best friend.

I have owned an avensis verso for 3 years. I love it!! It comfortably holds my four children and two dogs, and all that goes with them. It is a smooth drive, comfortable, and with regards to the third row seats, I've had adults sit there with no complaints and the boot holds a lot more than it looks like it should. Visibility from the cabin is good, parking is no problem. There has been one recall for a fuel-line cable replacement and a problem with distorted brakes, which were replaced at Toyota's expense. I had a head-on crash a couple of years ago at 50mph and walked away with just seat-belt injuries. My only real complaint is that there is nowhere to rest your left leg on motorway journeys, so it has to hover over the clutch pedal. I drive the manual GLS version.

We own a Avensis Verso, production year 2002, 2.0L diesel. After 2 years of usage there were some problems with smoothness of the engine running, turbo was replaced under warranty.

After 3 years the car begun to stop the engine during the drive, on 4 and 5 speed gear, on certain places repeatedly, approx. 30 times in a year. We let change the electronic card, let made more than 10 engine tests, clean EGR valves. Nothing helped and it seems Toyota knows about this problem, but do not want to recognize it. All changed parts were charged to us, but they were changed senseless. Brakes are also a "bug" of this car.

Otherwise - a nice car with plenty of room, comfortable, nice low fuel consumption. But it is a time bomb, because it happened more times that the engine stopped exactly during overtaking a slower car. "Face to face" with a truck driving in the reversed direction. Happy feeling...

My kindest regards to Toyota, who recommended us to sell this car and to purchase a new one! An interesting way, how to resolve a serious and dangerous problem.