Toyota Previa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Toyota Previa | |
|---|---|
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| Manufacturer | Toyota |
| Also called | Toyota Estima (Japan) Toyota Tarago (Australia) |
| Production | 1990-present |
| Assembly | Kariya, Japan |
| Predecessor | Toyota Van |
| Successor | Toyota Sienna (North America only) |
| Class | Multi-purpose vehicle |
| Body style | 3-door minivan 4-door minivan |
| Similar | Honda Odyssey Kia Carnival Renault Espace |
The Toyota Previa, also known as the Toyota Estima (エスティマ) in Japan and the Toyota Tarago in Australia, is an MPV or multi-purpose vehicle (known as a minivan in North America) produced by Toyota Motor Corporation since 1990.
Contents |
[edit] First generation
| First generation | |
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| Production | 1990–2000 |
| Engine | 2.4 L 2TZ-FE I4 2.4 L 2TZ-FZE I4 superchargered |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2860 mm (112.8 in) |
| Length | 4750 mm (187 in) |
| Width | 1800 mm (70.8 in) |
| Height | 1790 mm (70.5 in) |
The first generation, introduced in 1990, had only one sliding side door for the rear passengers. It featured a unique mid-engined platform, where the in-line 4-cylinder gasoline-powered engine was installed almost flat, beneath the front seats. All supplementary mechanisms, such as the alternator and cooling system, are accessible from the front hood. This allows for even front/rear weight distribution, with benefits for ride quality and car handling. However, it 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. In Japan, two smaller versions, the Toyota Estima Lucida and Toyota Estima Emina, were produced, which were approximately 110 mm narrower and 70 mm shorter than the standard model. The reason for the difference between the smaller Emina and Lucida models is the vehicle tax system in Japan, which is based on the product of length and width of the car. The smaller variants fall in to a lower tax band. The Estima Emina and Estima Lucida were also available with a 2.2 litre diesel engine (3C-T and 3C-TE) which can be run on vegetable oil although there are questions over whether vegetable oil causes injector pump leaks.
The first generation Previa was available in both rear- and all-wheel drive versions (called All-Trac) and powered by a 135 hp JIS (99 kW) 4-cylinder 2.4-litre 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.
[edit] United States
In the United States, the Previa was sold from 1991 until 1997. It was imported from Japan to compete with Chrysler's successful Dodge Caravan minivan, and its twins Chrysler Town and Country and Plymouth Voyager. The Previa quickly became a common vehicle in the US, despite its relatively high price, poor fuel economy, and single sliding door. The mid-engine design proved to have a special weakness - the inability to increase engine size, which proved a significant problem as American drivers were used to having more power; 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). The United States version of the Previa was discontinued after the 1997 model year, replaced by the more traditionally designed Camry-based Sienna. A few Americans have obtained the newer Previa model, but the U.S. restrictions against grey import vehicles are very strong.
[edit] The Netherlands
In The Netherlands, the Previa was marketed there between 1991 and 1998. The only engine available was a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine. Trim levels were base (later renamed to i denoting an injection engine), GL, GLi and GXi. A 2.2-litre diesel version was also a popular grey import with the Dutch.
[edit] Australia and New Zealand
The range available in Australia were the GLi, GLX and GLS: these had the 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine only. The Previas sold in Australia were available in either a 2WD or 4WD drivetrain. New Zealand got the GLi, GLX and GLS, as per Australia: however a 2.2-litre turbodiesel version of the GLS sold in Eurasia, was a popular grey import.
[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 All-Trac, LE, LE All-Trac, LE S/C, LE S/C All-Trac (where S/C = Supercharged and AllTrac = 4WD)
- 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] Second generation
| Second generation | |
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| Production | 2000–present |
| Engine | 2.0 L 1CD-FTV I4 diesel 2.4 L 2AZ-FE I4 |
| Wheelbase | 2900 mm |
| Length | 4750 mm |
| Width | 1790 mm |
| Height | 1770 mm |
The first generation was still sold outside the United States until 2000, when a new dynamically designed model replaced it which was never sold in Canada. 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 switched to FF layout and was based on Camry platform. It was produced with passenger doors on both sides and offered space for up to six, seven or eight passengers and, as with the first generation, was sold as the Estima in Japan and as the Tarago in Australia. The range available in Australia was the GLi, GLX and Ultima. The Ultima version was targeted as a competitor of Chrysler.
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 1CD-FTV with 116 hp (85 kW) and the gasoline-powered one is a 2.4 L 2AZ-FE 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. The first generation Estima Hybrid, sold only in Japan, used a single electric motor and a mechanical CVT in its transmission.
[edit] Third generation
| Third generation | |
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| Production | 2006–present (Japan and Australia) |
| Engine | 2.4 L 2AZ-FE I4 3.5 L 2GR-FE V6 |
| Wheelbase | 2950 mm |
| Length | 4795 mm |
| Width | 1800 mm |
| Height | 1750 mm |
A third generation Previa was introduced in January 2006 in the Japanese and Australian markets as Estima and Tarago, respectively. Features include an available second-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive drivetrain, automatic parallel and back-in parking, track-mounted second row reclining seats with footrests, and power-folding split third row seats.
The second generation Estima Hybrid, 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.
As with the previous generation, the Australian version of the automobile continued to use a 2.4L engine. However in February 2007, the will be a V6 engine available in order for the automobile to remain competitive against its main rivals in Australia, the Honda Odyssey and the Kia Carnival
Some of the markets (such as: Hong Kong and Taiwan) have annouced the Previa 3.5L on January, 2007. It powered with a 3.5L V6 engine.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Toyota Previa at Toyota Europe
- Toyota Japan Estima site
- Toyota Japan Estima Hybrid site
- Toyota Australia Tarago site
[edit] Reviews
- 1990-2000 Toyota Previa review by Parker's
- 1991-1997 Toyota Previa review by CanadianDriver
- 2000 Toyota Previa review by Parker's
[edit] Enthusiast sites
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