A few blocks away was a very typical Eugene driveway, with a Prius and Previa. Now the Prius is gone, replaced by its obvious successor. This is happening quite rampantly all over town. What will eventually replace the Previa?
Before long, I’ll be able to make a new Model 3 version of the shot below:
Except that the Mark V has long gone too.
I’ll go with a Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid – that is, if they still need a van. I see alot of people who buy a minivan only once or twice and move to a small crossover afterward when the kids are grown..
But what I’m more curious about is in the Model 3 version of the multiple Prius shot, what will replace the Mark V? I’m trying to think of which car relates to a Model 3 in the same way a Mark V does to a Prius – about the least fuel-and space-efficient car juxtaposed with the most efficient?
Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade? Terribly cramped inside for how huge they are.
Or maybe one of the purposely space-inefficient Crossover “Coupes” like an X4/X6, GLC/GLE Coupe, Q8 etc?
You’re right that most people move on from minivans when their kids grow up, but the Previa is a special oddball. And they’ve kept it this long.
My in-laws moved on from a Mazda MPV (that was a few years newer than this Previa) to a new Toyota Highlander.
I would expect all those Prii to find a new home after their owners upgrade. I think the Prius will be Oregon’s modern day VW Bug: Thrifty, hippie-like, and impossible to kill.
After reading a bunch of web postings about the “controls” and “self surveillance” capabilities of the Model 3, and seeing them (mostly 3’s, but also S’s and X’s) literally all over my neighborhood, and talking to owners, I must admit I am sorely tempted to try one out.
Get thee behind me, Satan!
Amazing there are so many Model 3’s popping up.
As for the Previa’s replacement, take it from a guy that’s owned four – there is no replacement except for another Previa (Estima)…:-)
Subaru Outback
Model Y maybe
I’ve got a feeling that it will either be a Model Y or a Telluride replacing the Previa.
Maybe a hybrid Highlander.
In Canada it would be a Toyota RAV 4 or a Honda CR-V
Unless a pickup was needed to enter the scene – enter an F-150 or Silverado or Ram 1500
I just saw a Model 3 while out this morning. All I could think of is how horrible it will be to keep that flat face on that white car looking good after a few years of stone chips and bugs. Yuck. Pick your Model 3 in a dark color, boys and girls.
Funny how the CC effect keeps popping up! I just mentioned yesterday to a friend how it used to be in a Trader Joe’s parking lot, 80% of the cars were Of the Prius variety and now it’s Teslas with a small sampling of Prius models. Such sheep! All those loyal Prius owners who preached its virtues to the rest of us now dumping them for the next big thing.
Toyota has been very defensive about not offering any full EVs, believing the limited number of batteries currently available are better put to use in a large number of hybrids rather than a small number of fully electric cars. Still, it feels to me like Toyota is leaving money on the table by not having any. Here, too, I’ve seen former Prius owners driving Model 3s, or if they can’t afford one, a Leaf or Bolt. Will these people come back to Toyota for their next car if they have an EV by then?
Meanwhile, Prius sales are falling as hybrid buyers are lured away by numerous worthy alternatives – three (Corolla, Camry, and RAV4 hybrids) of which can be found in the same showroom. The Honda Insight, Hyundai Ioniq, and others are also very competitive.
A few days ago I had the misfortune of passing through San Jose during afternoon rush hour. I counted over 100 Model 3’s in just a few miles before I stopped keeping track. At one point all four lanes in front of me had Model 3’s, side by side with a fifth Model 3 behind one of them. Unfortunately I missed a great Windshield Outtake. And a few weeks ago I chatted for a while with the original owner of a supercharged Previa AllTrac. He told me he’ll never sell it.
Lexus RX, perhaps?
The logical pick is Tesla Model X if money is not an issue, or get a Sinenia all wheel drive van. If he or she wants a SUV, get CX9, which is much better than Highlander. Keep the Previa traditional, get Flex, Perius V ans C-Max. These all can fit the Previa task while keeping the uniqueness.
I own a Previa. And someday, a Model Y. However, my Sienna will probably go away in favor of the Y (or a used X if the third row isn’t big enough). I’ll NEVER sell the Previa. I made that mistake once already. I was lucky to find this one for only $375.