Is the Toyota Previa discontinued?
Yes, the Toyota Previa minivan has been discontinued. The Previa was produced by Toyota from 1990 to 2005 in most markets, but it is no longer in production or available for purchase new.
The Toyota Previa: A Brief History
The Toyota Previa was a mid-sized MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) that was known for its unique "egg-shaped" design and rear-wheel-drive layout. It was introduced in 1990 as a replacement for the Toyota Van and was marketed as a more spacious and versatile family vehicle. The Previa was available in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations and offered seating for up to eight passengers.
The Previa was produced for 15 years, with the last model year being 2005. It was eventually replaced in Toyota's lineup by the more conventional front-wheel-drive Sienna minivan, which was introduced in 1997 and has become one of Toyota's best-selling models.
Reasons for the Previa's Discontinuation
There are a few key reasons why the Toyota Previa was ultimately discontinued:
- Declining Minivan Sales: The overall minivan market has been shrinking in recent years, as consumer preferences have shifted towards SUVs and crossovers. This made it difficult for Toyota to justify continuing production of a niche model like the Previa.
- Outdated Design: The Previa's unique "egg-shaped" design and rear-wheel-drive layout were considered outdated compared to the more conventional front-wheel-drive minivans that had become the industry standard.
- Lack of Updates: Toyota did not significantly update or redesign the Previa during its 15-year production run, which made it less competitive compared to newer minivan models from other manufacturers.
Ultimately, the combination of declining minivan sales, an outdated design, and a lack of updates led Toyota to discontinue the Previa in favor of the more modern and popular Sienna minivan.
