Second-hand Sense: When the Toyota Previa was launched back in 1991, the concept of a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) was still in its early stages. Manufacturers knew that family requirements were not being met by conventional saloon cars, but most of them were uncertain as to how best to develop a car that, after all, was really to be a hybrid of car and van.
Perhaps the only benchmark the Toyota people had was the Renault Espace, a car that remains to this day the daddy of big MPVs. Few other companies have come near to producing a car that manages this degree of elegance and practicality. What a pity about the price though. The first Previa, although big and practical, was more van than car. It had big seats, a big engine, good space and it drove reasonably well, but it lacked that élan that the French had managed with the Espace. Recent models have still not managed to catch up with the French, and it is perhaps the real mark of success of smaller Toyota MPVs that the Previa has really descended into the neglected end of the Toyota stable.
The Previa is still big - perhaps too much so. When you look at what an Avensis Verso can achieve, then the Previa really becomes redundant. Why drive a car that looks and drives like a bit of whale when you can have all the practicality you could want for a family with a reasonably sized engine, easily adjusted seats and an elegant profile? With its big engines (2.4) and relatively high running costs the Previa is a bit of a dinosaur in a highly competitive segment of the market.
If you happen to be taken by one you will get a pretty reliable car with good specifications, such as air conditioning, sliding side door, reasonable looks and, most of all, Toyota quality. It is also roomy and seats are easily slid or adjusted but they are quite bulky and heavy to remove. There is front-wheel drive, a front-mounted engine and a column gear shift for the automatic gearbox that allows for great space in the front of the cabin.
The Previa is a heavy car, and can wallow a bit when cornering but ride is fine and the overall driving experience is good. However, it is more expensive to run and tax than practically any other MPV and this further adds to one's sense of doubt about the entire logic of the car. This might be a fine car for the US, but in Europe its practicality must be questioned when you consider what else is on offer.
There is no recall history on the Previa, indicating that it is pretty much trouble-free. That may not, however, be the case with some of the very dodgy imported models I have seen around. Its crash testing is average with the EuroNCAP tests showing reasonable scores in the side impact and good scores on the frontal test "although loads on the driver's chest were reasonably high". The test also showed risk of knee injuries for the driver and to a lesser extent the passenger and protection from the recommended child restraints was "patchy".
A 2002 model with 40,000 on the clock has an asking price at one garage of €30,000 while a 2004 model with a 2.4 diesel engine and 9,000 on the clock is on sale at €36,900 at another garage.
FOR: Space and comfort but not a great deal more
AGAINST: Perhaps just too big and expensive to run. Smaller competition, even from Toyota family, makes far more sense