Introduction
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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.
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