Used Toyota Previa MPV 2000 - 2006 review
Roomy, refined, hassle-free transport
MPV
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What's the used Toyota Previa like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Reliability
Stuart Milne
Updated: 1 January 2006
How we test cars
What's the used Toyota Previa like?
The big Toyota is all about carrying people in comfort and does it well.
You get seven comfortable seats - some versions even have eight - but they don't fold into the floor. However, you can slide the five rearmost chairs backwards and forwards to share out the legroom. There's not much luggage space if you leave all the seats in place, but you can remove them to leave a stadium-like 2929 litres of cargo space.
Overview
Roomy, refined, hassle-free transport
Pros
- The Previa seats up to eight
- sliding rear doors
- refined and quiet
Cons
- Lacks the versatility of more modern MPVs
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Also impressive is the way the Previa drives. The handling is tidy, the steering beefs up nicely as speeds rise, and the ride, which is a little firm in town, is composed and smooth.
The Previa makes a good long-distance motor, too - stable on the motorway, refined and quiet. It's all topped off with a reasonable driving position (although tall drivers will want more legroom) and good visibility.
Tips & Advice
Make sure you’re insured for the test drive
Short-term car insurance – also called test-drive insurance – will ensure you’re legal when you’re shopping for your next car
Will the car fit your needs?
As part of the test drive, fill the car with regularly-carried luggage, and make sure the family can get comfy before you buy
Ownership cost
How much does cost to run a Toyota Previa?
Official UK cars aren't cheap to buy - imports can be more affordable. But, once you've bitten the bullet, any Previa should hold its value well, which means you can recoup some of the premium when you flog it on later. You can also reckon on finding a buyer without too much hassle, especially if you've got the turbodiesel.
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Fuel economy is another reason why the 2.0 D-4D is in more demand. You can get nearly 40mpg so long as you don't cane it or trundle around all day in town. The 2.4 petrol will sting you for mid-20s to the gallon most of the time and you'll be doing well to nudge it into the 30s, even on a motorway run.
Insurance costs are reasonable - group 12 for the petrol models and a modest group 11 for the diesels. Service costs are comparable with most other seven-seaters', too.
Tips & Advice
Organise your motoring life
Whether you need to keep tabs on your insurance renewal, sort breakdown cover, or book a service, My What Car? has you covered
Our recommendations
Which used Toyota Previa should I buy?
There are only two engines: a 154bhp 2.4 petrol and 114bhp 2.0 turbodiesel. The petrol is cheaper of the two to buy, but you'll have to keep feeding it plenty of fuel, which soon eats into your saving. Most are hooked up to a four-speed automatic 'box, but this saps the engine's power. So, if you want the 2.4, sniff out one with a manual gearbox.
Overall, though, it's worth paying extra for the turbodiesel. It has stacks of the low-down muscle you need for everyday driving, and is ideal for lugging seven people around. It's also smooth, quiet and economical given the Previa's size.
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All models gained climate control in August 2001, but even the earliest, most basic models have air-con, twin front and side airbags and an alarm. We'd be happy with basic spec (T2 on later cars, GS on early ones). It's better value than T3 (GLS on early cars). T Spirit (CDX) is the plushest.
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How reliable is the Toyota Previa ?
Toyota Previa
Read reliability
About the writer
Name: Stuart Milne
Title: Digital editor
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Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.