YOU must have had those nervy moments edging out of blind junction on to a busy road ... "Is it clear? Easy does it. Whoops! That was close". Well, such anxious moments are a thing of the past with Toyota's new Corolla Verso.

Its front end is fitted with cameras that keep an eye on the road to left and right, way before the driver reaches the stage of being able to see. The cameras send instant pictures to a dashboard display screen, and those nervous moments are just memories.

But, of course, there is just one setback. The Cornering Assist Monitor, as Toyota calls it, is a £2,300 option, and for flagship T Spirit models only, on which it is combined with a rear view monitor system to help with reverse parking, as well as a full-map DVD satellite navigation system fitted with a special traffic jam ahead avoidance system.

Still, despite such innovative safety devices, Toyota does not lose sight of the need to take into account that accidents do happen: the Corolla Verso is the first people carrier to come with NINE airbags, including one to protect the driver's knees, a first in such a vehicle, although not in the industry as a whole.

Toyota also recognise the need to give its competitors a run for their money. It is taking on other seven seaters such as the Vauxhall Zafira, as well as the new models from Volkswagen with its Touran and Renault's Grand Scenic. Quality is seen as an important tool for the Verso.

Cast as a fully-fledged seven seater family car, central to its success is its revolutionary seating system (known in manufacturing circles as the Toyota Easy Flat-7) by which all five rear seats can be folded down to leave a perfectly flat load floor. No skill is needed to carry out the change, just a few pulls and pushes. No seats have to be taken out, and even the head restraints stay where they are. The space difference is gi-normous, from 63-litres with all seats used to 779-litres with all five seats folded.

Overall design lines means the latest Corolla Verso is both taller and wider than earlier models, but not alarmingly so that you have to build a new garage or carport. Built on a new platform, the car has an improved suspension that makes the driving experience really enjoyable for a bulky people carrier, helped by the light and precise returned steering.

The car goes on sale here with a choice of engines and economy figures, based on those provided by Toyota, show combined figures of 37.7mpg for the 1.6-litre petrol unit, 36.7mpg for the 1.8-litre and 45.6 for the diesel.

Toyota's badging of the cars means there are three specification levels, the entry-level T2, the T3 and the all-seeing T Spirit.

Basic equipment throughout includes a push button starter system, a six-speaker audio system, air conditioning, anti-lock brakes together with electronic brake force distribution, Isofix child seat fixings and rear fog lamps with an automatic cancelling feature, while the top-of-the range T Spirit gets an in-car entertainment system with DVD player and headrest mounted screens, roof rails and plenty of chrome trim and, of course, the chance to add the various safety cameras.

The new Corolla Verso is an excellent car, with or without its traffic camera. It goes on sale this week with on-the-road prices from £14,495.

Updated: 13:28 Friday, April 30, 2004