1997 Toyota Previa Review & Road Test at Automotive.com
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Toyota
Previa
1997

1997 Toyota Previa Review

Below is a full, detailed review and road test of the 1997 Toyota Previa written by either the experts at New Car Test Drive or by one of Automotive.com's very own. A full evaluation of the driving experience, price, equipment, and specs are here in ...     read more
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1997 Toyota Previa Review

Functionality with George Jetson looks.
Introduction
It's hard to believe it's been just a dozen years since the first modern minivans

hit the market. Since then, they've revolutionized the auto industry and

largely replaced that mainstay of the "Leave It To Beaver" era,

the station wagon. During this relatively short span, a flood of minivans

has come, and a significant number has gone. That includes the Dustbuster-like

APV models from General Motors and virtually all the original products

from Japan.

It's surprising that the normally creative Japanese have had so much

trouble figuring out the formula for a successful minivan. Their products

have been too small or too tall, underpowered or just plain strange in

a niche where utility, function and safety are the guiding principles.

It looks like Toyota is about to finally crack the code with Sienna,

its third-generation minivan due out this fall. Sienna will, in many ways,

be a clone of the ever-popular Chrysler minivans, the market leaders and

style-setters. Perhaps more important, it will be American-made, and that

has both political and economic ramifications.

But some minivan fans aren't all that enthused about the arrival of

the Sienna. There's a small, but loyal, following for Toyota's current

entry into the market, the Previa. And with good reason.

The Previa's spaceship-shaped package is quirky, but far more functional,

lavish and well-mannered than other Asian imports. True, the price tag

of the Previa is high for the segment. But it is a Toyota, which means

rugged reliability. And that's an important attribute in a vehicle that's

bound to see use as the family bus. So, while it's tempting to dismiss

a product entering its last year of life, the Previa is worth one last

look.

Available in both DX and LE editions, we chose the upgraded LE with

the All-Trac full-time All-Wheel-Drive system to test. Next Page


1997 Toyota Previa