Mostly in order to cut costs, each time more automakers recur to develop some projects together with one, or a couple of competitors. Despite these cases have existed for decades, like the PRV engine which was created by Peugeot, Renault and Volvo and even equipped some models from other companies, they’ve definitely got much more popular in the latest years – Aston Martin Cygnet and the current Dodge Dart and Renault Twingo are only some examples of that. All this does remind of badge engineering, but only as part of it, because there are many other more and less intense cases than those. But when it comes to the practical results, even though both people and companies win, it’s also true that it’s getting each time harder to see “pure” models of one automaker.
This article’s vehicle, to give an example, is sold under those two Toyota names and also as Subaru Trezia – yep, there’s more between these two than 86 and BRZ. Both Verso-S and Trezia were derived from Ractis’ second generation, and hit the streets four years ago. The latter first appeared in 2005, based on the Vitz hatchback, and it represented a huge design improvement compared to its predecessor, Yaris Verso. The current vehicle is sold in Japan as Ractis and Trezia, in Hong Kong as Ractis Verso and in Europe as Verso-S. Despite the proposal of being a typical compact minivan, both companies made some efforts to attract younger customers: besides the modern design featured by both, the Subaru had even an STI conceptual variation.
What got these models prepared for 2015 is a very discreet midlife update. The most noticeable change is a new front grille, whose design differs between Toyota and Subaru’s cars but look equally better than the respective outgoing versions – both dropped the single chrome line at the main grille in favor of an entire chrome contour, which Toyota claims to follow the Keen Look design language. Other changes are projector headlights coming as standard, new sets of 16” alloy wheels with “3-D effect” at the upscale trim, tail lights in LEDs and new color schemes, slightly retouched rear bumpers and the adoption of LED daytime running lights. Verso-S also got a new bronze metallic paint to replace the previous light-blue option.
Entering the car can reveal either the typical black and gray color scheme or the new two-tone option, with black seats and everything else in brown. The materials have better quality, and invest on good-looking details such as revised dashboard graining and seat stitching in a contrasting shade of silver. The equipment list was increased as well, adding tire pressure warning system and Toyota Touch 2 at some trims: this is the company’s infotainment central, which uses a 6.1” screen to make use of Bluetooth connectivity, multimedia audio system and a rearview camera. If you’re willing to pay a little more it’s possible to upgrade it to Toyota Touch 2 with Go, which means adding full map navigation, cruise-control functions and on-board connectivity to a variety of applications.