There are other mini-MPVs that enjoy a higher profile than Toyota's Verso. Citroen's C4 Picasso, Renault's Scenic and Vauxhall's Zafira form a triumvirate in this sector which dominates both the sales charts and the public's perception of what a mini-MPV actually is. The question, should you choose to address it, is whether or not the big sellers deserve their pre-eminent position? After a few months at the wheel of the Toyota Verso, it's easy to form the opinion that there's room for one more at the top.

OK, so the Verso might be lacking in the image stakes, particularly when placed up against its Gallic rivals. Citroen and Renault have invested heavily over a long period in ensuring that family car buyers are aware of their products, their strengths and what they stand for. The Picasso and the Scenic are highly recognisable while the Verso, though arguably a more cohesively penned vehicle, is less distinctive. It is, however, an accomplished all-rounder and that's an important quality to have in this sector. By the time most people's journey through life has reached the stage that they have a trio of kids, a dog and all the associated paraphernalia in tow, their interest in image has waned somewhat and been replaced by a yearning for practicality. It's here that the Toyota excels.

Our long term test has seen the keys to the Verso 1.8-litre T-Spirit pass through a number of hands and everyone who's used the car has been impressed by its abilities, if not immediately struck by its desirability. There's space to seat seven people inside and, uniquely in the class, all five rear seats fold down to form a flat load floor. Actually manoeuvring the seats is a refreshingly simple process unlike in some vehicles where the manufacturers appear to have designed seating systems to double as mental agility tests on The Krypton Factor. The flat load floor turns the vehicle into a highly useful load carrier and you'll be surprised by just how much you can get inside.

".common sense is what a good mini-MPV should be all about."

Some manufacturers choose to offer only 5-seats in their mini-MPVs and you can see the logic behind this. It's not often that our Verso has been driven with all seven seats filled and you'd assume that buyers who did need all that passenger capacity regularly would upgrade to a large MPV like Toyota's Previa. With the Verso, however, because the rear two seats are so easily manipulated, we've found that they're very useful to have. You can simply fold them down when they're not filled by yours or someone else's offspring and use the resulting space for luggage or shopping.

The interior of the Verso generally feels like it's been constructed using higher quality materials than we remember in the first generation version of this car. As with all manufacturers, Toyota have worked hard at getting the 'door slam' sound exactly right and the combination of carefully sited hinges and clever air sealing makes the Verso sound more impregnable than Fort Knox when you slam the doors shut. The cabin design majors on geometric shapes and three-dimensional elements to render an arch-like effect. It's quite unlike any other Toyota interior and marks a new design direction that's surprisingly bold for a model that will be marketed to some of the most conservative new car customers. We particularly liked the blue lights emanating from the dashboard dials and switches. Even so, form has not overrun function to the extent of making the displays difficult to read or the controls tricky to use. Gimmicks are not something that the Toyota design department entertain.

Another big plus-point for the Toyota becomes apparent when you actually drive the thing. Although resolutely MPV in its high-roofed shape, it corners remarkably flatly and resists the kind of pronounced body-roll that tends to hinder its competitors. The driving experience in the Verso is not unlike that of the standard Corolla hatch on which this car's based, which although not particularly impressive for a family hatchback, is mighty fine for a mini-MPV. The 1.8-litre petrol engine in our car is strong enough but the D4-D diesel would be the 'money no object' choice. The problem with the diesel is that it's £1,000 more expensive than the 1.8 petrol and even with the fuel economy savings, that still looks a lot of money. The 1.8 looks the sensible choice in the range and with the Verso being such a highly sensible car, it should be one most people will go for.

In the final reckoning it's hard not to admire the Verso. It's not the most exciting car but as a tool to facilitate a simpler family life, it's difficult to beat. The handling is far better than you've any right to expect from a mini-MPV: don't expect anything approaching sportiness but drive it back to back with the competition and you'll understand what we mean. The interior is that nice balance between aesthetics and functionality with the things you need in the places you expect them to be. Meanwhile, the seating system is one of the simplest and most adaptable in the class and the build quality is strong throughout. Other models may tug more forcefully on the family buyer's heart strings but the Verso appeals on a more cerebral level and common sense is what a good mini-MPV should be all about.

TOP 5 VERSO DEALS

The results below show the top VERSO deals on buyacar

	Toyota Verso 2.2 D-4D SR 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £294	Saving £2,856	Price £15,959
	Toyota Verso 2.2 D-4D T Spirit 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £365	Saving £2,133	Price £19,127
	Toyota Verso 1.6 VVT-i T2 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £258	Saving £1,433	Price £13,767
	Toyota Verso 2.2 D-4D T2 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £287	Saving £1,657	Price £15,468
	Toyota Verso 2.2 D-4D T180 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £379	Saving £2,226	Price £19,874

typical 12.13% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000