Toyota Avensis Verso

When Toyota launched its new Avensis Verso people mover in Europe in 2001, there was a common reference among the press that the new seven seater was "more like a banquet than a Picnic".

While the reference may be familiar for fans of the chocolate bar, in automotive terms it is likely to be lost on most Australians as the vehicle the Avensis Verso replaced, the much smaller Corolla-based Picnic, was never sold here. Instead, Australians looking for budget wheels for bulk family transport from the Japanese maker were pointed in the direction of the van-based Spacia. But nevertheless the inference remains that the people mover that now slots in under the Tarago is a much bigger, more refined and altogether vastly improved beast.

It may seem a curious name to many this side of the equator too, as the Avensis sedan and hatch family from which it is derived - Verso being Toyota's designation for a range of "versatile" derivatives of mainstream vehicles - has also never graced Australian roads. And by all accounts, there was a great deal of debate as to whether the Avensis Verso would be suitable for this market as it was designed in Europe, very much with the European customer in mind.

You only need to take a look under the bonnet where the 2.0-litre 110kW/192Nm engine resides to discover its origins. Where many of the mid-sized people movers in Australia have moved up to V6 power, the Avensis Verso clearly has fuel consumption and emissions high on the agenda with its small 2.0-litre capacity powerplant.

But despite its relatively small size, Toyota claims the engine offers the best power to weight ratio up against its four cylinder rivals and on the road, it certainly doesn't appear to be lacking. Its definitely no sports car and with a full complement of seven people - four kids - it does need to be pushed hard to get off the line with any degree of confidence but once cruising the open road, the engine is more than adequate.

What does impress, from a driving perspective is the compromise between ride and handling. Whether laden or driver-only, the car handles particularly well with minimal body roll for its tall stance and extensive overhangs while at same time the chassis manages to deliver a very comfortable ride. The comfort is further enhanced by the very high degree of refinement with little in the way of exterior noise, vibration or harshness penetrating the cabin.

The cabin itself lives up to the finish and quality expected of Toyota and, although it is a full seven seater, the two rear seats are more suited to kids or adults on short journeys. With the third row seats in place the cargo area is just over 300 litres including an underfloor space.

However, versatility is the key as the name suggests and both rear rows of seats can be fully or partly removed to increase load space to a maximum 1013 litres to the window line while there are also plenty of storage cubbies and obligatory cupholders spread throughout the vehicle.

Also impressive is the long list of standard equipment that includes ABS, dual airbags, dual aircon, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors and CD audio. But just as the car's essence belays its European origins, so too does its price with a starting sticker at launch of $39,990.

Toyota claims it is not intended to compete with many of its natural rivals but rather sit in the market as premium product - cheaper than Tarago but a potential alternative to a medium-sized family wagon. And that, it does very well.