The Toyota Verso SR has been a great standard-bearer for quality and value in the compact MPV segment, a car that is both well-equipped and keenly priced. Now Toyota has upgraded the SR to offer an even greater array of premium features, without compromising its wallet-friendly character.

Front parking sensors have been added as standard, in addition to those at the rear. And to make manoeuvring into tight spaces even easier, there is now a proximity indicator on the dashboard, giving a clear display of how close the car is to any other vehicle or obstacle.

The SR also adopts new-design five-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels and has the bonus of an in-dash six-CD changer. These items are all in addition to the established SR specification, which includes rear privacy glass, a neat roof spoiler, dual zone digital climate control, front and rear electric windows, front armrests, cruise control and the Easy Flat folding system for the five rear seats.

Cool Modular ICE option

Reinforcing its status as perfect transport for families, Verso SR offers a great means of banishing boredom on journeys with the option of Toyota’s new modular ICE (in-car entertainment) system. This comprises two seven-inch screens (a master and a slave unit) which fit securely to the back of the front seat headrests for viewing DVDs or connecting games consoles or cameras. DVDs can be loaded in the master unit for playback on both screens, or just one, leaving the other free for gaming if need be.

The system is compatible with MP3/MP4 and DivX formats and includes a USB 1.1 port on the master unit. The removable screens improve security and can be used indoors, too, with a suitable AC adapter. The option price, fitted, is £940, including VAT. If preferred, two master screens can be specified, at extra cost.

Pricing

Verso SR is on sale now, available with the 1.8 VVT-i and 2.2 D-4D 140 engines, with six-speed manual transmission. The 1.8 petrol is available with optional MultiMode (M/M) semi-automatic transmission.

Toyota has also revised the specification of the Verso T Spirit to include dark-tinted rear privacy glass as standard.

Toyota Verso SR prices (from 1 July 2008)