Toyota Previa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Toyota Previa | |
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| Also called: | Toyota Estima Toyota Tarago |
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| Manufacturer: | Toyota |
| Production: | 1990-Present |
| Predecessor: | Toyota Van |
| Successor: | Toyota Sienna (North America) |
| Class: | Multi-purpose vehicle |
| Body style: | 3-door minivan 4-door minivan |
| Similar: | Honda Odyssey Kia Carnival Mazda Premacy Renault Espace |
The Toyota Previa is an MPV or multi-purpose vehicle (known as a minivan in North America) produced by Toyota Motor Corporation since 1990, undergoing a major redesign in 2000. It is the export version of the Toyota Estima MPV made for the Japanese market, and is sold in Australia as the Toyota Tarago.
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[edit] First generation
| First generation | |
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| Production: | 1990–2000 |
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| Engine: | 2.4 L I4 |
| Transmission: | 4-Speed Automatic Overdrive |
| Wheelbase: | 2860 mm |
| Length: | 4750 mm |
| Width: | 1800 mm |
| Height: | 1790 mm |
The first generation had only one sliding side door for the rear passengers and it was introduced to the market in 1990. It featured a unique MR layout platform, where the 4-cylinder gasoline-powered engine was installed almost flat, beneath the rear seats. All supplementary mechanisms, such as the alternator and cooling system, are accessible from the front hood. This allows for a very even front/rear weight distribution which has positive consequences for ride and handling. However, this also prevents the installation of a larger engine, while the cost could not be relayed by sharing the platform with other vehicles.
The first generation Previa was 4750 mm long and 1803 mm wide, which was longer and wider than an important tax bracket (4700 mm long and 1700 mm wide) in Japan pre-1989, so a shorter and narrower version was launched in Japan alongside it. These versions are badged as the Toyota Estima Emina and the Toyota Estima Lucida.
The first generation Previa was available in both rear- and all-wheel drive versions (called AllTrac) and powered by a 135 hp JIS (99 kW) 4-cylinder 2.4 L fuel injection engine. Available with a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual gearbox, this Previa also seated seven or eight people, with three seating configurations offered. All configurations have a driver and front passenger seat forward, and a three-seat bench seat at the rear that splits and folds flat against the sides of the cabin. The 8-seat configuration contains a 2/1 split swiveling bench seat in the middle row, while the 7-seat configurations contain either two independently swiveling "captain" chairs in the middle row or a two seat bench offset towards the driver's side. The third row is also better upholstered in the 7-seat version. It was available with either 4-wheel disc brakes or traditional front disc/rear drum brake setup, with Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) as an option.
In the United States the Previa was sold from 1991 until 1997. It was imported as-is from Europe to compete with Chrysler Corporation's wildly successful minivan Dodge Caravan and its twins Chrysler Town and Country and Plymouth Voyager. The inability to increase engine size proved a significant problem as American drivers were used to having more power and the Chrysler models were sold with available V6 engines. Starting in 1994, Toyota solved this problem by adding a supercharger, bringing the engine power up to a competitive 160 hp (119 kW). Previa's "egg-shaped" design fell behind other minivans on the market and was discontinued with the 1997 model year, being replaced by the more traditionally designed Camry-based Sienna.
[edit] Second generation
| Second generation | |
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| Production: | 2000–present |
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| Engine: | 2.0 L I4 diesel 2.4 L I4 |
| Wheelbase: | 2900 mm |
| Length: | 4750 mm |
| Width: | 1790 mm |
| Height: | 1770 mm |
The first generation was still sold on the other markets until 2000, when a new dynamically designed second generation replaced it. The second generation Previa had a slightly longer wheelbase (2900 mm) and was both narrower (1790 mm) and shorter (1770 mm) than the first one. It was produced with passenger doors on both sides and offered space for up to six, seven or eight passengers and was sold as the Estima in Japan and as the Tarago in Australia. The current third generation Estima (so far - April 2006 - only available in Japan and Australia) is front wheel drive or Hybrid Synergy Drive like the second generation.
Models sold on the European markets are available with both gasoline and diesel-powered 4-cylinder engines. The diesel engine is a 2.0 L with 116 hp (85 kW) and the gasoline-powered one is a 2.4 L with 156 hp (115 kW). Both models feature a 5-speed manual transmission as the part of standard equipment, while a 4-speed automatic is available as an option on gasoline-powered model. A Hybrid Synergy Drive version of the Estima is available in Japan.
| Third generation | |
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| Production: | 2006–present (Japan and Australia) |
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| Engine: | 2.4 L I4 |
| Wheelbase: | 2950 mm |
| Length: | 4795 mm |
| Width: | 1800 mm |
| Height: | 1750 mm |
[edit] Additional notes
- The last of the 5 Speed Manual Previas (North American models) were made in 1990 to 1993, none of which have superchargers. The supercharged engine is different from the non-supercharged engine due to differences in compression ratio.
- Some Previas featured dual sunroofs: A power horizontal-sliding only sunroof existed over the middle row of passengers, and a pop-up sunroof over the front seats.
- Previas were also the first van to pass all US safety standards as pertaining to front impact, driver air bag, center-mounted brake light, ABS, daylights, etc.
- Gas mileage is below average (11-13L/100 km city, 10-11L/100 km hwy); the small 4-cyl engine needs to work a bit harder due to the power:weight ratio of the vehicle, compared to today's 6-cyl engines. The addition of the supercharger slightly improves power at the expense of heavy gas consumption.
- The Previa gives a practically omniscient view, excluding the pillars behind the front doors. This also turns the van into a greenhouse, accumulating extreme heat in a short period of time.
- In the United States, Previas are humorously called "eggvans" because of their egg shape.
- In the United States, first generation Previa model variations, in order of lowest to highest price/option features, are: DX, DX AllTrac, LE, LE AllTrac, LE S/C, LE S/C AllTrac (where S/C = Supercharged and AllTrac = 4WD)
- The first generation Estima Hybrid (2000), sold only in Japan, used a single electric motor and a mechanical CVT in its transmission
- The second generation Estima Hybrid (2006), currently only sold in Japan, uses a drivetrain very similar to the Lexus 400h with 3 electric motors - 2 for front-wheel drive (HSD) plus one for rear wheel drive.
- The front passenger seat must be removed to check the front two spark plugs because there is not enough room to remove plug wires.
[edit] External links
- Toyota Previa at the official Toyota Europe website
- Toyota Estima Owners Club site and forum
- Toyota Japan Estima site
- Toyota Japan Estima Hybrid site
- Toyota Australia Tarago site
