Toyota Previa

Toyota Previa at a glance

The name comes from the Italian previdenza, "providence" or "foresight". Estima is derived from "estimable". Other Toyota people carriers are listed in our Toyota catalogue.

Generations and model history

First generation (1990-2000). Introduced on 27 January 1990, designed by Tokuo Fukuichi at Toyota and David Doyle at Calty. Sales began in the UK and Australia in September 1990 and in the USA in March 1990, where it was sold until 1997 before the Sienna took over. The 2.4-litre 2TZ-FE four sat under the front seats, canted 75 degrees from vertical, which gave an almost equal front-to-rear weight distribution. Belt-driven accessories were powered by a separate Supplemental Accessory Drive System. Rear-wheel drive was standard; the All-Trac four-wheel-drive version used a viscous-coupled centre differential. From 1994 a supercharged 2TZ-FZE gave 120 kW (163 PS) and 273 Nm. In Japan, the narrower Estima Lucida and Emina (from 1992) were sized for a lower tax band.

Second generation (2000-2006). It replaced the original outside the US on 8 January 2000. Toyota switched to front-wheel drive on the Camry (K) platform and added sliding doors on both sides. Europe received a 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE petrol with 115 kW (156 PS) and a 2.0-litre 1CD-FTV D-4D diesel with 85 kW (116 PS). A facelift followed in mid-2003. In Japan, the Estima Hybrid of June 2001 combined the 2.4 engine with a 13 kW front motor and an 18 kW rear motor.

Third generation (2006-2019). Sold as the Estima in Japan, the Tarago in Australia and the Previa in other markets, but not in Europe. It offered a 2.4 four, a 3.5-litre 2GR-FE V6 with 202 kW (271 hp) and 340 Nm, and a second-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive with E-Four all-wheel drive. A 2016 update dropped the V6 in Japan and raised the 2.4 to 125 kW (170 PS). Production ended in October 2019.

Engines, transmissions and performance

The German-market first generation is listed at 97 kW (132 PS), while US sources give 99 kW (135 PS) for the same 2TZ-FE. Manual gearboxes were five-speed units in both generations; the automatics had four speeds. The third generation used a four-speed automatic, a seven-step Super CVT-i, a six-speed automatic for the V6 and an e-CVT for the hybrid.

Dimensions, space and boot

The third generation grew to 4,795 mm (4,820 mm from 2016). Data for the first two generations are from ADAC's German catalogue. To see how a Previa compares with a modern MPV, use our size comparison tool.

Fuel economy and running costs

ADAC quotes 10.9 l/100 km for the first-generation 2.4 petrol on the old NEDC cycle. The second-generation 2.0 D-4D used 7.2 l/100 km combined (9.0 urban, 6.1 extra-urban) with 191 g/km of CO2. In Germany, the first Previa listed from EUR 23,980 (ADAC figure for 1994-2000 versions), while the facelifted second generation (2003-2006) started at EUR 29,900 for the 2.4 and EUR 31,200 for the 2.0 D-4D. Estimate today's fuel bill with our fuel cost calculator.

Trims and equipment

UK first-generation trims were GL, GX (from October 1993) and GS (from March 1995). After the 2003 facelift the British GS, GLS and CDX became T2, T3 and T Spirit; German buyers chose between base, Luna, Sol and Executive, with the top Executive at EUR 36,400 (2003). The second generation offered six, seven or eight seats depending on the layout.

Safety

Toyota described the first Previa as the first minivan to meet all US passenger-car safety standards, for the 1992 model year. The IIHS later rated a 1996 model Poor in its moderate-overlap frontal test. ABS was optional on early cars, and the German base model listed only driver and passenger airbags. We could not confirm a Euro NCAP result for any European Previa. In Australia, ANCAP scored the 2010 Tarago 14.45 of 16 points in the frontal offset test and 16 of 16 in the side test.

Reliability and known issues

The mid-engine layout makes some routine work awkward: on the first generation, reaching the spark plugs means removing the front right seat, the carpet and an access panel. The accessory drive also has its own 2-litre oil reservoir under the bonnet that needs checking. We found no reliable source for systematic faults beyond these service quirks, so a full service record is the best guide.

Rivals

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