TOYOTA Yaris Verso 1999-2003 Photos, engines & full specs

Toyota tried to build an entire MPV lineup, starting with a small-segment vehicle based on the Yaris platform and offered in specific countries.

Judging by the way it looked, the Yaris Verso was just a small MPV that tried to find understanding customers who wished nothing more than a reliable, roomy, small vehicle that could be fuel-efficient and easy to park. At a glance, it was a successful recipe.

While the Japanese carmaker managed to tick all the boxes and provided a roomy, fuel-efficient, easy-to-park vehicle, the designers didn't seem to tick any box apart from the "to have headlight" line. The car's nose was very short, and the windshield steep enough to not need a wiper under pouring rain. Its tall greenhouse featured more window area than a compact-sized hatchback, while the side-opening tailgate made the loading and unloading difficult, especially in tight parking spaces.

Inside, the carmaker used the center-mounted instrument cluster on the dashboard that secretly showed the speed only to the driver. Toyota insisted on safety features, and, in that department, it offered more than anyone else on the market. Also, the interior was roomier than on the regular Yaris since it sported a longer wheelbase. That left more room even for the trunk, which was large enough for a family of four that needed to carry a bicycle and a baby stroller.

Under the hood, Toyota offered a choice of three engines, including a highly fuel-efficient turbo-diesel.