After three years on the market, Toyota Corolla Verso needed an update. Its sales started to drop, and the market already started to shift towards the SUV and Crossover segment. Moreover, darker clouds appeared on the horizon bringing the world financial crisis.

The ninth generation of the Corolla saw the daylight in 2004. It was built as a sedan, a hatchback, station wagon, and minivan. Toyota used the Verso for the latter.

The Japanese carmaker started to develop an entire range of MPVs based on its regular production lineup and introduced the second-generation of the Corolla Verso in late 2001.