The Toyota Previa Is the Weirdest Minivan Ever

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The Toyota Previa is a minivan -- but it's not just any minivan. It's a really weird minivan. Today I'm reviewing a Toyota Previa to show you why the Previa is the weirdest minivan ever.

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[xjonferx]

As “weird” as the car might be, i think modern age vans should really look into bringing back the swivel seats. Those look amazing!

[BringTheBoomStudios]

I love it when Doug reviews 90s-2000s economy cars

[sirexo]

Lamborghini huracan: 780k views.

Toyota MiniVan: 3.2m views😂🔥

[televisualfreedom]

This had HUGE sentimental value to my family growing up in the 90s. My family had migrated from Vietnam in the 80s to start their lives anew after the Vietnam war and live the American Dream. The Previa was a HUGE icon for my family's humble beginnings. On my mom's side of the family, she had three sisters who lived on the SAME street with their families and they each owned their own Toyota Previas: a white one, a tan one, and a dark red one. It was my first taste of Americana, being first generation born in America with migrant parents. It is a GOAL of mine to purchase one in the future.

[chrisvogel]

Having owned a previa for over 20 years now I can say you found about half of the odd features.
First you don't add or check the oil under the seat unless you are changing the oil. There is a oil tank under the hood. The car monitors the oil level in the engine and if needed pumps some in. It looks like a washer bottle but has big OIL labels.

Next serious engine access is done by taking out the passenger seat, pealing back the carpet and removing most of the hump. In 300, 000 miles I have done this once to replace the 25 year old valve cover gasket that was beginning to leak. Odd thing is that you know it is time to do that bit of maintenance by smell. Being a lay down flat 4 banger toyota put a small channel under the valve cover so that when the rubber got old enough to leak the oil would drip into the channel and be directed back onto the catalytic converter where it is burned off. preventing drips under the car. Never seen anything like that outside racing regulations.
The engine also has drive shafts running out both the front and back of the engine. Back to the transmission but the front shaft runs to the front of the car where a pulley assembly runs the alternator, AC compressor, power steering pump, and supercharger (in those fancy models). This puts all of those accessories where you can get at them.

I have the bench middle seat which can also be turned around. We took several cross country trips that way. Kids faced each other and could watch movies and play games together. It also left enough room for 2 medium sized coolers between the bench and the front seats. The bench was also easier to remove than the captains chairs. This left just over 8 feet of dead flat cargo space. Nice for sleeping, moving pianos (several times), and 4X8 seats of plywood and sheet rock. (Too many to count) Moving the seats also leave nice hooks on the floor that work well as tie down points, which I have used to move the occasional motorcycle. (and said piano)
You mentioned towing. Which it does surprisingly well. Better than my 4 runner and another toyota pickup. I think it has to do with the smaller wheels and long wheel base being more stable.

Mine being a 1991 model it doesn't have "no stinking airbags". This give this car the most cavernously huge glove box in history. the spring loaded hatch opens upwards leaving a bucket big enough to fit to put a full face helmet in, with room to spare. Being the product of the 90's Star Trek the next generation styling we have always referred to our previa as the "Space Potato", but the swoopy dash has a function. It moves the center controls back far enough that you can reach them without shifting or stretching.

You have heard good thing about reliability? Quite the understatement. While living in the southwest desert heat has done a number on some of the plastic pieces. This van is truly unkillable. Look around a bit and you find examples approaching 1, 000, 000 miles.
While we have moved on to a newer, more modern nick nacky, and much more maintenance heavy Odyssey, we keep the Previa around as our utility and teenager vehicle.

[EmperorKarsa]

My family had a Gold Previa just like this one. One of the things I miss the most is listening to the rain on the roof when we were parked somewhere. I loved that old van and I curse the deer that destroyed it.

[scottkrah]

Doug finally got around to reviewing his own car.

[joshuaquinn]

My family bought a white one new in 93. I called it the egg, and I believe the official color name was eggshell. It wasn't supercharged but it was rear wheel drive, and had a moon roof over the front seats and a pretty big sunroof in the back. I learned to drive in it and drove it to high school and college. We sold it at 312, 000 miles but I do miss it. Big nostalgia

[Xylos]

As a kid, that would've been awesome to roadtrip in. Even the front passanger seat has a literal desk for a laptop or food from a drive-thru. So luxurious. Exactly what a minivan ought to be.

[erickportillo]

Doug is the type of person who holds a business conference inside a 1997 Toyota Previa while his parents drive him and his business partners around.

[Jayx]

It’s 2:05 AM, I have to wake up at 6:30, and I’m watching a Toyota Previa review.

[PatriciaFreddy]

This is not a weird car. I remember this as a child. WE LOVE IT. Its futuristic, the seating can be optioned to sit like a plane, it has backseat AC adjustable. This was an awesome van.

[falkenlaser]

My parents have owned two of these, and still use the second one, which got voted “Coolest Ride” in my sister’s high school senior year book.

[kassidystyles]

Doug is like one of those people who break into a car and only steal the owners manual

[MindfulMusic]

Doug the type to get great food service at a restaurant and not tip because the waiter/waitress didn't explain the quirks and features of each dish.

[tiberiusjim]

I remember when I worked as an oil change tech at a drive-thru shop we had a Previa come in. The driver refused to get out of his seat (he seemed surprised that the filler cap was under it) when it came time to add new oil, so I had to stand there filling it up while he stayed in his seat all reclined and half folded. It was almost as awkward as his van.

[LaRusso]

Finally a proper supercar and not those crappy Ferraris.

[rorycahill]

A supercharged, mid-engined minivan. Definitely a 10/10 for cool factor

[SergioLopez-tqwq]

Doug, the type of guy who makes me watch a 23 minute video about a Minivan

[martinodendaal]

I love the design of the Previa. In my opinion it was one of the most beautiful Minivans ever made.