Toyota Verso safety levels were confirmed when the car was awarded the maximum five star rating in official Euro NCAP crash tests. This is an even more impressive result given that it was tested under the tougher criteria which is one overall rating covering adult occupant safety, child and pedestrian protection plus a rear impact whiplash test. Seven airbags are fitted as standard (including a driver’s knee airbag and full length curtain shield airbags) while the front seats have active headrests to minimise whiplash injuries in rear end collisions.

The standard stability control system (VSC+) includes intelligent steering assist which gently pushes the steering wheel in the right direction in the event of skidding – helping the driver bring the car under control.

Toyota Verso practicality is an important aspect of the purpose of the car. It uses a clever seating system known as Easy Flat-7. It features five separate seats in the back and the three in the middle row slide independently – increasing space for those in the rearmost seats (although consequently legroom in the second row disappears). Getting to the back seats isn’t particularly easy because although the middle seats slide and tilt forward, the gap is still fairly narrow.

The wide opening back doors help, but they’re awkward in tight parking spaces. Folding down the seats is simple though and the third row only requires the use of one pull strap – and with all the seats folded the boot floor is totally flat. The load capacity is only 178 litres with all the seats in place, that’s less than a Ford Ka but it increases to a more useable 607 litres with the rear seats down.

There’s a useful storage area under the boot floor (which has a dedicated slot for the retractable parcel shelf) and elsewhere in the cabin there are useful underfloor bins in the second row, a large split level glovebox (with a cooled upper section) and twin central cupholders. However, the narrow door pockets are disappointing and the central storage box between the front seats, although deep, has a flimsy lid.