Toyota Previa | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Toyota |
Also called | Toyota Estima (Japan) Toyota Tarago (Australia) |
Production | 1990–present |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Multi-purpose vehicle |
Body style | 3-door minivan 4-door minivan |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Toyota TownAce/MasterAce Surf (R20/R30) |
Successor | Toyota Sienna (North America only) |
First generation (XR10, XR20) | |
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Overview | |
Also called | Toyota Estima Toyota Tarago |
Production | January 1990 – December 1999 |
Assembly | Japan: Kariya, Aichi (Fujimatsu plant) |
Designer | Tokuo Fukuichi; David Doyle (1987) |
Layout |
Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout Front mid-engine, four-wheel-drive layout |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 2.4 L 2TZ-FE I4 (gasoline) 2.4 L 2TZ-FZE I4 (supercharged gasoline) 2.2 L 3C-T I4 (turbocharged diesel) 2.2 L 3C-TE I4 (turbocharged diesel) |
Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 112.8 in (2,865 mm) |
Length | 1991–92, 1995–97: 4,750 mm (187.0 in) 1993–94: 4,760 mm (187.4 in) |
Width | 1991–94: 1,801 mm (70.9 in) 1995–97: 1,798 mm (70.8 in) |
Height | 1991–94 RWD: 1,745 mm (68.7 in) 1995–97 RWD: 1,781 mm (70.1 in) 1991–94 AWD: 1,755 mm (69.1 in) 1995–2001 AWD: 1,791 mm (70.5 in) |
Curb weight | 1,703 kg (3,755 lb) |
Second generation (XR30, XR40) | |
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Overview | |
Also called | Toyota Estima Toyota Tarago |
Production | January 2000 – December 2005 |
Assembly | Japan: Kariya, Aichi (Fujimatsu plant);Toyota, Aichi (Motomachi plant) |
Designer | Hiroshi Okamoto (1997) |
Layout | FF layout |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 2.4 L 2AZ-FE I4 (gasoline) 3.0 L 1MZ-FE V6 (gasoline) 2.0 L 1CD-FTV I4 (turbocharged diesel) |
Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic CVT automatic (hybrid) |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,900 mm (114.2 in) |
Length | 4,750 mm (187.0 in) |
Width | 1,790 mm (70.5 in) |
Height | 1,770 mm (69.7 in) |
Curb weight | 1,640–1,850 kg (3,616–4,079 lb) |
Third generation (XR50) | |
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Overview | |
Also called | Toyota Estima Toyota Tarago |
Production | January 2006 – present (Fujimatsu) March 2006 – present (Motomachi) |
Assembly | Japan: Kariya, Aichi (Fujimatsu plant);Toyota, Aichi (Motomachi plant) |
Designer | Kuniaki Toyooka (2003) |
Layout | FF layout |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 2.4 L 2AZ-FE I4 (gasoline) 3.5 L 2GR-FE V6 (gasoline) |
Transmission | 4-speed automatic 6-speed automatic CVT automatic |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,950 mm (116.1 in) |
Length | 4,795 mm (188.8 in) |
Width | 1,800 mm (70.9 in) |
Height | 1,750 mm (68.9 in) |
Curb weight | 1,725–1,915 kg (3,803–4,222 lb) |
The Toyota Previa, also known as the Toyota Estima (Japanese: エスティマ Esutima) in Japan, and Toyota Tarago in Australia, is an MPV or multi-purpose vehicle (known as a minivan in North America) produced by Toyota since 1990.
The name "Previa" is derived from the Spanish and Italian for "preview," as Toyota saw the first Previa as a vehicle that would preview technologies used in future minivans. Along with the Toyota Sienna, the Previa is the second largest minivan in Toyota's line-up after the bigger and more luxurious Alphard/Vellfire (which is not offered in most Western markets).
The first generation, designed by Toyota designer Tokuo Fukuichi and Calty designer David Doyle in 1987 (patent filed 24 December 1987), was introduced on 27 January 1990, had only one sliding side door for the rear passengers. It featured a unique mid-engined platform, where the inline four cylinder gasoline-powered engine was installed almost flat (at a 75-degree angle), beneath the front seats.
Installing the engine in this configuration allowed moderately easy access to the spark plugs, which were located underneath a panel on the upper left-side of the vehicle, after removing the front passenger seat, the carpet, and an access panel.
All engine-driven accessories, such as the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor, and radiator fan, are accessible from the front hood, driven off the front of the engine by an accessory driveshaft, and is known as the Supplemental Accessory Drive System, or "SADS." This allows for even front/rear weight distribution, which benefits ride quality and 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 4,750 mm (187.0 in) long and 1,803 mm (71.0 in) wide. In Japan, two smaller versions, the Toyota Estima Lucida and Toyota Estima Emina, were produced, which were approximately 110 mm (4.3 in) narrower and 70 mm (2.8 in) shorter than the standard model, which continued to be sold in Japan but as the "wide-body" Estima.