We here at Top Gear Philippines are quite fond of the ’90s. We’re not sure if you’ve deduced that yet from our regular appreciation for ’90s automotive icons, especially the JDM specials. In hindsight, it was an amazing era for cars in general.
We’re not just randomly getting sentimental, though. We’re throwing it back after seeing a recent post from Toyota USA, where it showcased an absolutely pristine-looking Previa. Have a gander.
If you’re not familiar with the Previa, it was one of the ultimate soccer-mom vans from the 1990s. Sliding doors, modular and comfortable seats—it’s got the basics covered. It’s got a solid cabin overall.
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The Previa was previously sold here in the Philippines, and perhaps you could say it was ahead of its time. The market wasn’t yet big on more reasonably sized people-haulers like the MPVs of today. It was either you get a Mitsubishi Versa Van or a Toyota Hiace. More comfortable seven-seaters didn’t make a lot of sense yet at the time. But we digress.
It’s been a while since the Previa was available in the Philippines. Heck, also since the model was sold anywhere, for that matter. Toyota has already discontinued the Previa—or the Estima, as it is called in Japan—perhaps to make way for both more practical options and bigger vehicles alike. An example of the latter is the Sienna, which is still available today as a hybrid in markets like North America.
Anyway, we’re not hoping for a comeback of sorts—we’re just here for the nostalgia. Who can relate? Do any of you guys have any memories of the O.G. Previa?
