THE Toyota Previa has a vast interior in all its guises with seatbelts for everyone, good looking styling and very high quality build and finish.
It’s been the only eight seater people carrier available here apart from van-based models although some offer more room and only seven seats.
Comfort is excellent in all and, for such a big vehicle, so are handling and road-holding.
They hold value well, making them more expensive than rivals for a given age and mileage but they are worth more when you sell.
Engines are either an economical 2.0-litre diesel or a fairly thirsty 2.4-litre petrol. Many of the petrols come with a five-speed automatic gearbox while diesels all have a manual.
Avoid any of the four-wheel-drive Lucida imports unless you get a cast iron guarantee because spares can be difficult to get.
Other imports are OK as long as they are immaculate, with plenty of history. Like all Toyotas, the Previa should have excellent reliability.
Interior
The interior feels spacious and light, equipment leaves nothing lacking, there is good legroom for all, and refinement on the move is excellent.
Seats are very comfortable, and there is more luggage space than in many other MPVs with all of them in place.
FAST FACTS
Toyota Previa
Price: Pay £7,500 for an '03 03-reg T2, £11,000 for an '05 55-reg T3
Mechanical: 114bhp, 2,362cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving rear wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 109mph
0-62mph: 13.2 seconds
Combined mpg: 39
Insurance group: 12
CO2 emissions: 191g/km
BIK rating: 23%
Marks: 9/10
Main rival: Renault Espace