Toyota may be preparing to resurrect its most unconventional people-mover.Reports surfacing from Japanese outlet, MotorFan, indicate the automaker is actively working on a modern successor to the mid-engined, egg-shaped Previa minivan-known in its home market as the Estima.According to the report, Toyota plans to slot the resurrected family hauler into its global lineup as a more dynamic, "driver-oriented" alternative. While Japanese outlets are notoriously optimistic, Toyota has lent substantial credibility to the rumors by embarking on a massive, coordinated global trademark campaign for the "Estima" nameplate over the past several months.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe company has officially registered the badge not just in Japan, but across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia.The upcoming model is projected to ride on a version of Toyota's ubiquitous GA-K modular architecture-the same front-engine platform that underpins the Camry, Crown, and RAV4-which, unfortunately, leaves the original's quirky mid-engine layout behind. Using GA-K would allow the van to easily adopt one of Toyota's popular plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains, a detail that is allegedly key to the project's development.The original Previa, co-developed by Toyota's Japanese and American design studios, carved out a cult following in the U.S. from 1991 to 1997. Its futuristic silhouette came from a unique packaging solution that stuffed a 2.4-liter inline-four engine at a 75-degree angle flat beneath the front seats to maximize interior floor space. Americans swapped the Previa for the more conventional, front-wheel-drive Sienna in 1998.A concept version of the resurrected van could show up as early as the 2027 Japan Mobility Show, with a production-ready model potentially ready to follow for the 2028 model year.Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
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