1997 Toyota Previa Consumer Reviews

My Favorite Van Ever

Written by: Dennis on 11/12/2008

Vehicle

1997 Toyota Previa 2 Dr LE Sprchgd 4WD Passenger Van

Review

I have owned lots of vans, and the Previa is far and away the best van I have ever owned. Build quality is unbelievable (it's a Toyota, stupid), handling is exemplary with the mid- engine and AWD. Fuel mileage is 19 mpg around town, with up to 24 on the highway. I'm a Toyota salesman, and I sold this van new to an engineer and bought it from the family after he passed away. I constantly am amazed with the number of people who ask me if I want to sell it. Never is a hundred years.

Favorite Features

Handling

Suggested Improvements

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Best Minivan ever

Written by: Alf Skrastins on 04/14/2008

Vehicle

1997 Toyota Previa 2 Dr LE Sprchgd 4WD Passenger Van

Review

My 1997 AWD Previa is the third one that I have owned. I previously had a 1991 and a 1994. All three have been completely trouble free, for a total of over 620K mi. The supercharger gives the 2.4 litre engine the punch of a V6, while delivering great gas mileage. I've been searching for a replacement for 5 years, but nothing made these days even comes close. The Sienna is too long, fat, low and is just not as much fun. If Toyota ever made a reasonable replacement for the Previa, I would buy it in an instance.

Favorite Features

Supercharged mid-engine design AWD with reasonable clearance plus a car-like ride. Super well thought out interior with flip up rear seats and swiveling middle seats.

Suggested Improvements

Just make them again. A hybrid version would be great.

17 out 17 people found this review helpful

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Final model year of the great Previa

Written by: Carlton on 01/28/2007

Vehicle

1997 Toyota Previa 2 Dr LE Sprchgd 4WD Passenger Van

Review

An amazing vehicle: mid-engine, supercharged, all-wheel drive, 7-passenger with plenty of room, yet 2 inches shorter than the Camry! This was our 2nd Previa. The first was a 1992 LE AWD. We bought that one with ~37k mi, sold it with ~150k mi, and last I knew, it now has over 220k on it. I bought my '97 with 50k mi and it now has 164k. It has been VERY reliable (as was the '92) and I would buy another if they still sold them. The Sienna is nice, but it is longer, lower, and the AWD model has those stupid/expensive run-flat tires.

Favorite Features

Reliability, SUV height and room with compact car footprint, middle row captains chairs that can be faced forward or backward.

Suggested Improvements

Center console is plasticy.

13 out 13 people found this review helpful

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Great family car, LOTS OF ROOM

Written by: tdiaz on 01/08/2007

Vehicle

1997 Toyota Previa 2 Dr LE Sprchgd Passenger Van

Review

I love this van, it's roomy and comfortable. The captain seats are great, it runs great. We have taken it on several long distant trips and it ran perfectly. We have had no mechanical problems, it has been well taken care of. Would definitely recommend. A++

Favorite Features

Captain seats, leg room in the back.

Suggested Improvements

Center console.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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The Best Van Ever Made Period.

Written by: dysphonix on 01/07/2003

Vehicle

1997 Toyota Previa 2 Dr DX Sprchgd Passenger Van

Review

Excellent, reliable car. Great handling on street, snow, rain, etc. Good acceleration for a car its size. Reliable...I have over 140.000 miles on mine, and never gave me any trouble or has broken down. Not even a radiator hose! Quality Japanese engineering. Too bad they discontinued it.

Favorite Features

Supercharger! Easily removable seats.

Suggested Improvements

Not everyone has an average Japanese stature ;) Could use more leg room up front.

7 out 8 people found this review helpful

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