The wife decided our 2007 Toyota Estima Van is too big for our now empty nest – both kids are out of the house and on their own. We both still really like the Estima – it’s a perfect van, but the wife finds it a little large wheeling down some of Tokyo’s tinier streets. So off we went to the local Toyota “Netz” dealer to look for something smaller. In talking to the salesperson, I learned Toyota had ceased production of the Estima and the RWD Mark X four-door sedan – both of which I have owned. RIP old friends…
Estima and Mark X production actually ended over a year ago with model year 2020, so I somehow missed that. Evidently both were a victim of the never-ending popularity of the all-conquering SUV/CUV/Crossover/High Thingee. Let’s look a little closer at these two now legacy models.
The Previa has been given a lot of love here at CC – well deserved in my opinion. While North America only received Gen 1, it remained in production in Japan and Asia in Gen 2, Gen 3 and Gen 3+ versions as the Estima and Tarago.
The quirky Gen 1 model was certainly unique with its mid-mounted four cylinder engine canted 90 degrees laying on its side. We had three of them, and the only reason we had that many was we had an overseas assignment where we couldn’t take the one we owned in the states, and when overseas, couldn’t take the one we had there back home to the US. Other vans did some things better, but the Previa was tops in the criterion I rated highest – reliability. They were all bulletproof – exactly what you want in a van that serves as a shuttle for the wife and kids.
Gen 2 Estima (2000-05)
Gen 3 (2006-16)
Gen 3+ (2017-19)
The Gen 2 and 3 versions were a little more traditional – based on the transverse FWD Camry platform, but kept the somewhat quirky styling. I really liked the looks of our Gen 3 2007, not so much the facelift in 2017.
Toyota’s Alphard/Vellfire large van, introduced in 2002, has continued to remain fairly popular, but it made the Estima somewhat redundant as both were similar sized. Maybe I’m biased but I think the Estima is much better looking than the Alphard. But the buying public has spoken – so long Estima/Previa…you won’t be forgotten…
Mark X Gen 1 (2004-08)
Gen 2 (2009-19)
The Mark X was not that unique or remarkable on its own – it was a typical RWD 4-door and only survived through two generations, but it was significant in that it was the follow-on to the long-lived Mark II, one of Toyota’s most significant models – and critical to the growth and success the company has achieved today.
Mark II Gen 1 (1968-72)
Gen 2 (1972-76)
Gen 3 (1976-80)
Gen 4 (1980-84)
Gen 5 (1984-88)
Gen 6 (1988-92)
Gen 7 (1992-96)
Gen 8 (1996-2000)
Gen 9 (2000-2007)
The Mark II was built from 1968 to 2007, and was a core model in Toyota’s lineup during that entire period. At one point in the middle of its tenure, it spawned off two variants; the sportier Chaser, and the more luxurious Cresta – all built on the same platform (as well as the US market Cressida). These three constituted a large portion of Toyota’s overall sales in Japan during the 1970’s – 80’s. I had a 1982 and a 1988 Cresta, and a 2002 Mark II – all great cars. Here in Japan, with the end of the Mark X, the only remaining RWD 4-door hardtops/sedans from Toyota are the Crown, the Lexus LS and IS, and the limited production Century.
It appears what we’ve seen occur in North America regarding the ascendancy of the SUV/CUV/Crossover is being reflected here in Japan too. As someone who admires and likes both vans and sedans, it makes me a little wistful…
My son is of that age where he is now thinking about cars – although not yet eligible even for a driving permit, that’ll be early next year. One of his older buddies at the skate park has a Previa so he’ smitten with those. And now he’s sending me pictures of various cars – Dad, how about a Cresta? Sorry, son, not in N.A., but let me show you a Cressida!… Dad, how about a Chaser? Sorry, son, not in N.A either but let show you another Cressida… Ooh, Dad, those came in a wagon? Yes they did… Last night came the transition to Volvo wagons – Dad, how about a V70? Did you know we used to own a 740T wagon and your mom had a V40? Really??? Yup, but let me show you another Toyota…
He’ll be a CC reader yet, I think. Bummer re the Estima and Mark X, but I guess if people stopped buying them that’s how it goes. At least there’ll continue to be tons on the used market. The Gen 3 Estima somehow always reminds me of the second generation Nissan Primera, they both have that sort of fairly sheer, somewhat androgynous and fairly unadorned yet somewhat sleek and tall look about them. Must have been the era I guess.
Sounds like your son has inherited your passion for all things automotive – that’s great…
I had the exact same conversation with my son around ten years ago…I was successful and he’s been driving Toyota’s ever since…one of my few “Dad” successes…:-)
Here in North America, we neither have the second generation – on Toyota Previa/Estima but we did have the similarly sized and designed Camry platform based Sienna minivan. Same can be said with the Mark X, we do have the similarly sized and design Camry even though the Camry since 1984 replaced the Corona here in North America. The Avalon which a decade later replaced the Cressida is in essence was based on a stretched Camry platform as well.
The Alphard looks like a caricature of the current Lexus Big Maw look. Perhaps it could be featured in a revival of one of Japan’s monster movies.
Toyota actually sells a Lexus version of the Alphard, in other markets. It’s called the LM. I mean, it’s probably the most comfortable thing short of a Phantom or Century, but good lord, that face…
A friend up graded her people mover recently to the top of the range Nissan Elgrande you name it there will be two of them in it and comfy as to ride in and a Skyline 3.5 V6 up front for motivation a far cry from the Honda Oddity she had previously, similar spec to the Lexus Alphard
I actually thought that Alphard was wearing camouflage until I looked closer…
Looks like the last two Mark Xs are Camry-based
Mark Xs are quite popular used imports here in both sedan and wagon Steamer Previas are everywhere too including the hybrid editions which I would guess use the Camry hybrid drive train, Toyota have a hybrid of everything in their lineup now from Hino trucks downward in size to the very popular Aqua I was behind a late model Toyota Crown at a traffic light on the weekend and spotted a Synergy drive badge on the back and an Alphard hybrid exists as well, as spawned from the Prius that thing really was a gamechanger.
I thought it would never happen, but the Alphard makes the Aztek look like a classy design. If it were made by GM people would be screaming DS!
I knew the Mark X (is it the letter ‘X’ or the Roman numeral ‘X’?) was being discontinued, but am stunned to hear the Previa is too – replaced says Toyota NZ, by the Hiace-based Granvia. I would have thought the car-based Previa is far superior in quality and styling to a commerical-van-based Granvia… My brother-in-law has a 2019 Previa he bought new, it’s got the original Gen 3 front, so I guess export markets didn’t get the Gen 3a. I really liked the original Gen 1 Previa, Toyota really took a chance on the mechanical layout and styling, and I think it paid off for them. RIP Previa.
The vans were always called Tarago here, right back to the original angular ones of 1983.
Rather like rabbits, of the (guesstimate) 50,000 sold here since then, so far only 60,000 are still on the roads. (It is believed there is one in a wrecking yard in Woy Woy, but this has not been confirmed). They cannot be killed, and though they do not actually breed, demand is such that plenty of JDM Esteemas have leaked in 2nd hand. Demand stayed high to the end: there is always someone out there having too many kids, remember.
It has been replaced by the HiAce van malformed Granvia, as seen (and recoiled from) in the form of the Alphard above. The name is probably intended to invoke “grand” and “via”, but instead sounds instead more like some sort of gruesome museli for the elderly, which is fair enough I guess, as the styling does look like something gran ate and regurgitated yesterday.
Yes, I shall miss the design elegance of the Taragos.
To soothe our nerves, below is a picture of the Tarago Reservoir in the rolling and verdant hills of South Gippsland, Victoria, after which the vans were originally named.
I never knew that’s where the Tarago name came from Justy – thanks for the info – beautiful area too.
Do spouses like and appreciate being referred to as “the wife” or “the husband” instead of “my wife” or “my husband”? The wife the couch, the toaster, the backyard. Now back to the subject. I would never purchase a Toyota, they don’t exist to me, but I have always liked the Previa.