The Toyota Estima receives a dependability rating of 4.5 out of 5 on RepairPal. When compared to other cars in its class, this amounts to above average reliability.
The car’s lengthy lifespan and the majority of owners’ good reviews attest to its dependability.
In This Article...
How is the Toyota Estima?
With its lengthy lifespan, Toyota has been able to perfect the Estima, whose generation is known for its high level of dependability, particularly in later model versions. The timing chain used by the engine won’t need to be replaced frequently.
Our test vehicle’s engine is notorious for occasionally requiring more oil than it should. Although it’s not a typical problem, it’s crucial to check your engine’s oil on a frequent basis. If you must top off frequently, have the car inspected as soon as you can to prevent further harm.
The steering rack may develop a knock, which can only be remedied by replacing the rack or performing a complete rebuild, both of which can cost up to $1,000. When inspecting a car, lock the wheels and listen for strange noises. Also pay close attention when the vehicle is traveling over mildly uneven terrain.
Does the Toyota Estima use little fuel?
The entirely revamped Estima Hybrid minivan will go on sale in Japan beginning today, according to a Toyota announcement. (Previous post.) On the Japanese 10-15 cycle, the new Estima Hybrid offers fuel economy of 5.0 l/100km (47 mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 116 g/km.
As the first hybrid minivan in the world and the first mass-produced vehicle to include the E-Four (electric four-wheel-drive) technology, Toyota debuted the first Estima Hybrid in 2001.
Why was the Toyota Estima discontinued?
Toyota decided to introduce the second-generation Estima since the first-unique generation’s and inventive design was becoming outdated. Yes, the egg design is adorable, but only having one rear sliding door when other models had two was starting to be a drawback.
At the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota unveiled the HV-M4 Concept, the first look at the upcoming Estima. The proposal depicts what is unquestionably the most bizarre-looking dashboard of the 1990s while keeping the egg shape. A television screen in a bubble was located on the center console.
The concept car’s futuristic design and quirky dashboard were carried over to the second-generation Estima’s production model in 2000. Sadly, the TV screen was taken off.
The design of the MPV’s powertrain was another significant improvement. The ground-breaking mid-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration was replaced with a traditional front-engine, front-wheel drive configuration.
However, Toyota has really increased the comfort and space of the MPV with this choice. In actuality, the Camry at the time shared the Toyota K platform with the second-generation Estima.
The second-generation Estima also received a pair of rear sliding doors. This makes the Estima an obvious contender for families. The seating arrangement, which was available in a variety of folding configurations, improved the Estima’s utility.
Customers have the same configuration options as with the last Estima: 6-, 7-, or 8 seats. However, it should be noted that the second-generation Estima is lower and narrower than the first.
Inside, each passenger has personal air conditioning and lighting for comfort. But enough with the comfort of the passengersspeak let’s about that odd dash!
With the instrument panel and buttons facing the driver, the dashboard of the second-generation Estima provided superior comfort. The Optitron instrument panel was also well-lit and provided the driver with enhanced visibility.
The second-generation Estima was sold outside of Japan in Europe and Australia under the names Previa and Tarago, respectively. The 2.0-liter turbodiesel (116 PS/250 Nm) and the 2.4-liter gasoline engine (156 PS/225 Nm) were both available for the Previa in European specification.
A 4-speed automatic transmission was an option for the petrol type but was standard on both variants.
However, since this was the last model of the Previa to be sold in Europe, it was not intended for the region.
A 2.4-liter engine, a 3.0-litre V6 (220 PS/294 Nm), and a hybrid powertrain were all available for the Estima in Japan. The Toyota Estima Hybrid was the first hybrid MPV in the world and established the standard for hybrid MPVs for the following ten years.
A 2.4-liter gasoline engine and two electric motorsone in the front producing 17 PS and the other at the rear producing 24 PSworked together to power the Estima Hybrid.
The third-gen Estima is essentially a slightly modified version of the second-gen model, which saw the Estima turned into a futuristic MPV spaceship. All the components that made the Estima what it was stayed because Toyota didn’t want to alter the recipe.
egg-shaped pattern? Check. An advanced dashboard? Nearly there, but double-check. enough room and practicality? Check-a-roo!
The third-generation Estima, which debuted in 2006, had the same FF configuration as its forerunner while gaining a larger engine. The 3.5-liter 2GR-FE V6 engine was modified to produce 280 PS and 340 Nm. A 6-speed automatic was subsequently connected to this.
The third-generation Estima comes standard with a 2.4-liter gasoline engine. The power output was increased to 170 PS this time, and it was mated to a 7-speed Super CVT-I gearbox with a manual option.
The third-generation Estima also marked the launch of UMW Toyota’s formal Malaysian sales operation (UMWT). The MPV, which was introduced in 2014 but marketed as the Previa, started at RM 258k. There was just the 2.4-liter engine available, although it was paired with a 4-speed automatic.
The Malaysian-spec Previa was feature-poor for a large MPV at that cost. Parking assist, lane-keep assist (LKA), and dynamic radar cruise control were all included on the Japanese Estima, but none of them were on the Previa, which had two airbags.
It was not surprising that the Previa had a low sales performance because Malaysians preferred the grey market Estima, which offered more options, despite the fact that it did not come with warranty coverage. Shortly after, UMWT quietly discontinued the Previa.
The Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) ADAS suite, which comprised AEB, ACC, LKA, and BSM, was added to the third-generation Estima in 2016.
This facelift only provided two engine options due to the removal of the V6 engine: a 2.4-litre gasoline engine and a 2.4-litre hybrid engine.
The Estima had a cosmetic upgrade that gave its front end a sharper appearance, giving it the appearance of Darth Vader, but without the desire to violently choke you.
Speaking of innocuous, the Estima facelift was the first Toyota to have anti-UV glass, allowing for a cooler inside. This feature has the SPF 50+ rating and is approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
There is no getting around the reality that the third-generation Estima was an aging MPV, even with this major facelift. Its appeal was dwindling as more consumers chose the more opulent Alphard/Vellfire.
Only in Japan did the Estima continue to be sold, but with monthly sales rarely exceeding 800 units, Toyota decided it was time to discontinue the venerable egg-van.
Toyota did precisely that in 2019. The MPV, with its distinctive and futuristic appearance, was once seen as a breath of fresh air. We won’t see anything like it again at a time when MPV sales are declining globally.
However, the Estima used to actually command the roads and was adored by the families who used it to transport their children.
The Toyota Estima’s engine type.
One diesel engine and one gasoline engine are available for the Toyota Estima. The petrol engine is 2398 cc in size, compared to the diesel engine’s 1989 cc. It has an automatic transmission option. The Estima’s mileage varies depending on the model and fuel type.
What is the lifespan of a Toyota Estima?
An Estima should last between 270,000 and 300,000 kilometres. Given the required maintenance and the engine type, the minivan can survive significantly longer. Estimas can have either gasoline or diesel engines, with the latter being more durable and less expensive to repair.
Toyota Estima: What is it?
The Toyota Previa, also known as the Toyota Estima in Japan and the Toyota Tarago in Australia, is a minivan that Toyota produced over the course of three generations from 1990 to October 2019.
Estimais it a hybrid?
Today, “Toyota” (Osaka Toyopet in the Osaka area) and “Toyota Corolla” dealers will begin offering the newly revamped Estima Hybrid minivan for sale across the country in Japan.
The Estima Hybrid was the world’s first hybrid minivan when it was first introduced in 2001, showing new promise for hybrid vehicles.
The world’s first deployment of the E-Four (electric four-wheel-drive) system on a mass-production vehicle and the ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake) system gave it outstanding maneuvering stability, and it achieved breakthrough fuel efficiency and clean exhaust emissions.
How does the hybrid Toyota Estima operate?
Despite its importance, the Estima Hybrid still has too many flaws to appeal to the general population. The Estima is bigger and more useful than any hybrid we’ve tested before, but by successfully integrating a four-wheel-drive configuration, Toyota could have created a whole new market for electrically powered off-roaders.
How many engines are required for one car? Bi-motor cars are nothing new, but Toyota’s most recent hybrid combines three engines to deliver the best possible fuel efficiency for family transportation.
Toyota has given its hybrid technology a considerably broader appeal by installing its most recent gasoline/electric powertrain in the Previa, which is marketed as the Estima in its native Japanese market. The vehicle also has four-wheel drive and a seven-seat configuration. The Estima is as simple to operate for the driver as any people carrier with an automatic gearbox, but it is significantly more intelligent on the inside.
Similar to the Prius saloon, the new car has a hybrid drivetrain that combines a 131 horsepower 2.4 liter VVT-i gasoline engine with a 17 bhp electric motor to power the front wheels. The only source of propulsion for the rears is a 24 horsepower electric motor.
When driving normally, only the gasoline engine is used; but, when you apply pressure, all three motors start to operate to deliver the most thrust. At urban speeds, the car’s gasoline engine completely shuts off, and two electric motors move it forward in complete silence and with no emissions.
When necessary, the rear-wheel motor is engaged to increase stability and cornering control. Automatic battery charging recycles energy that would otherwise be lost during braking, and an effective CVT gearbox puts the finishing touches on the technology.
It’s certainly ingenious, but does it actually work in real life? Not exactly. The automobile is heavier than a typical MPV, making acceleration difficult. The cost savings aren’t immediately apparent though; Toyota advertises 50 mpg, but we only got around 25 mpg due to the strain the extra weight put on the petrol engine. Estima won’t be formally exported by the corporation to Europe, so purchasers might find it challenging to justify shipping their own.
However, this is a significant step in the transition to alternate power sources as it is the first four-wheel-drive hybrid in the world. Customers will have to make significant compromises, but they can be confident that they are driving the most effective tri-powered vehicle available.
What was the Toyota Estima’s successor?
The distinctive egg-shaped Toyota Estima, also known as the Previa and Tarago in various countries, was first introduced in 1990 as a mid-engine, permanently 4WD MPV. It was terminated in 2019 after three generations. Since then, the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire and the Voxy/Noah have occupied its position in Toyota’s product lineup.
The Estima has a devoted following even though it is no longer for sale, and according to Japan’s Best Car Web, many Toyota dealers in Japan want to see the Estima make a comeback. According to the dealers, the moniker is simply too popular to ignore.
Also read: A comfortable and elegant secondhand Toyota Estima is yours for RM 40,000. (ACR50). How much do upkeep and repairs cost?
Toyota replies that a very powerful full-range line-up of MPVs already exists with the combination of the Alphard/Vellfire, Voxy/Noah, and the Sienta. The model range of the corporation in Japan has become needlessly complex and has a large number of overlapping models, which reduces production productivity.
Since all Toyota dealers can now sell any Toyota model thanks to the updated unified dealer network, there is less of a need to supply particular models to particular dealer networks. As a result, the Estima is no longer necessary since the Alphard and Velfire can satisfy the needs of the same customers.
It now appears that a compromise has been made, and Toyota will bring back the Estima nameplatebut with a twist.
The new generation Toyota Estima, according to Best Car Web’s sources, will be an electric-only (BEV) model, setting it apart from Toyota’s existing lineup of hybrid MPV models.
The Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra are currently supported by the same Subaru-Toyota co-developed e-TNGA platform, which is said to underpin the revived Estima.
Lexus UX 300e and Toyota bZ4X to debut as EVs in 2022, according to UMW Toyota?
Since then, Toyota has declared that it will introduce at least 15 electric vehicle (EV) models by 2025, with 7 of them coming from the bZ series. But none of the 15 vehicles that have been mentioned thus far are MPVs.
Read also: Checkmate? Toyota, the leading EV player in the world, will sell 3.5 million EVs by 2030 after launching 16 models and announcing 14 more.
The new generation Toyota Estima, according to Best Car Web, will be introduced in Japan by 2025.
Are Estima and Sienna the same?
For your family and the grandparents, you need a vehicle with seven seats.
And for your regular cello-filled outings with your child’s buddies to the symphony.
Exists a substitute for the very huge minivans that moms currently drive across the US?
And you might find yourself at the wheel of a big car, as the Talking Heads song sings.
In this instance, a large car.
Since the “multipurpose vehicle” or minivan was originally introduced in the US, there is a car that has grown exponentially, and I’m not only referring to sales:
The Toyota Sienna’s length has increased from 4.84m (191in) in 1997 to more over 5.10m in modern times (200in).
The engines have expanded alongside the bodies.
And a lower fuel economy follows from that.
Perhaps it would be better to start by asking, “How do I get out of this?” rather than, “Well, how did I get here?”
Even though you may educate your kids how to ride a bike to the orchestra, how will their cello get there?
And only few grandparents ride bicycles.
Therefore, a seven-passenger vehicle is still required.
Think about requesting a smaller minivan.
Consider a Toyota Estima, which is about a foot shorter than a Toyota Sienna at 4.80 meters (189 inches) in length (the larger Sienna is made specially for the US market and is available nowhere else).
Choose the Toyota Estima Hybrid if you want to go the additional mile.
No, CelloMom hasn’t driven an Estima for a test drive because doing so would necessitate traveling to Australia or Japan (where it is known as the Tarago).
But the Sienna and Estima Hybrid are contrasted in the table below.
According to the JC08 standard, which is sometimes an overestimate, the 2.4L hybrid achieves 42 mpg; CelloMom projects a real-use mileage of