Ever since it launched in March 1990 for the 1991 model year, the Toyota Previa was unlike any other minivan. The standard formula, established by Chrysler, contained a transversely mounted engine driving the front wheels. The Previa with an inline 4-cylinder engine lying on its side, mounted amidships, driving the rear wheels through a 4-speed automatic and a driveshaft. Another shaft runs forward and drives the air conditioning, alternator and supercharger (if fitted) under the hood. Toyota said it was designed this way to facilitate its all-wheel drive (called All-Trac). Despite the unique layout, the Previa still competed against the more conventional Chrysler Town & Country and Mercury Villager, both upscale vehicles with 6-cylinder engines. The Previa's Roots supercharger was added as an option to compensate for the lack of a larger engine.
Year-to-year changes
1996
Only the supercharged engine remained for the Previa's last two model years, before it was replaced by the Sienna for the 1998 model year.
1997
The last 96 units of the 1997 Previa were sold in 1998.
Retail prices
As of December 27, 1993:
- $22,918 (1994 Toyota Previa DX)
- $26,148 (1994 Toyota Previa DX with all-wheel drive)
- $26,578 (1994 Toyota Previa LE)
- $29,718 (1994 Toyota Previa LE with all-wheel drive)
As of October 5, 1994:
- $22,318 (1995 Toyota Previa DX)
- $25,648 (1995 Toyota Previa DX with all-wheel drive)
- $26,578 (1995 Toyota Previa LE)
- $29,718 (1995 Toyota Previa LE with all-wheel drive)
As of April 7, 1995:
- $23,338 (1995 Toyota Previa DX)
- $26,808 (1995 Toyota Previa DX with all-wheel drive)
- $27,788 (1995 Toyota Previa LE)
- $31,068 (1995 Toyota Previa LE with all-wheel drive)
As of October 1, 1995:
- $24,318 (1996 Toyota Previa DX)
- $27,858 (1996 Toyota Previa DX with all-wheel drive)
- $28,858 (1996 Toyota Previa LE)
- $32,198 (1996 Toyota Previa LE with all-wheel drive)
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