Toyota Estima Hybrid Minivan Unveiled in Japan
Monday June 26, 2006
While we've been hearing rumblings over the last few years that Toyota may introduce a hybrid minivan here in the states, it's already done so -- twice -- in Japan. Toyota recently announced that the second-generation Toyota Estima hybrid minivan is now available for sale in Japan. (Check out the Japanese-language Estima site for more info.)
While it's unlikely that the Estima in its current form will ever appear on our shores, it does indicate that Toyota hybrid technology may be appearing in a Toyota minivan stateside sooner than you think. As soon as we have additional news regarding any hybrid mnivan models we'll post it here.
Comments
Our family would like to get a minivan and we’d love for it to be a hybrid so we can be more environmentally responsible, even if the cost advantage of buying less fuel doesn’t pan out. I believe all minivan makers should be aggressively moving toward producing hybrids. We’re trying to delay a minivan purchase so we can get one of the first hybrids on the market.
We are a family of four, and currently suffer along with two sedans. We need one vehicle to be a lot more flexible for long trips. We’d also like to be able to also take two grandparents or two of our kids’ friends with us when we drive around town.
It seems that a family of four looking for more space should have a much more fuel efficient option than the Saturn Vue Greenline. The latter Saturn SUV is also offers a little less space than we’d prefer.
P.
let me know when hybrid minivan is available in the USA
I’ve been driving a Toyota Previa for the last 14 years in Canada. I am looking for a new hybrid Dodge Caravan or a hybrid Toyota minivan. My kids have already grown up, but I still want to purchase a minivan for its convenient 7 seaters & big cargo space when I need it. The question is which auto manufacturer will be the leader for marketing this high demanding hybrid minivan in North America? I’m still waiting!
Too bad Toyota does not have the intestinal fortitude to release a hybrid minivan since Toyota is scared of what the US Congress (under advice from automobile lobbyists) would do to to prevent Toyota from destroying the US automobile industry’s minivan business in North America… Looks like capitalism is NOT alive and well in the US.
@Steve: The first minivan manufacturer to make a hybrid should do well, I think — there is quite a bit of pent-up demand for such a vehicle.
We’ve had a Prius for 3 yrs (60K+ miles) and LOVE it. We would really, really like to get a hybrid minivan, and have been holding off for 2 years on replacing our now 10 yr old Grand Voyager in the hope that Toyota will come out with one in the US. PLEASE Toyota - hurry!
My wife relatives in Thailand own a 2007 Estima minivan. I had the opportunity to ride on it and I think it is the best car I have ever seen
…we’d love for it to be a hybrid so we can be more environmentally responsible, even if the cost advantage of buying less fuel doesn’t pan out.
Translation: we want to look green but don’t care whether or not we really are. Probably a sizable market niche on the left coast.
I am still driving my 2004 Previa Executive and don”t understand why this new and attractice car is not on sale in Europe until now.
I got money burning a hole in my pocket so bad I need to buy a minivan. My choice right now is the Honda Odyssey but if Toyota comes out with a hybrid then it’s no contest. Come on Toyota! Forget the U.S. auto lobby, they’re a bunch of dinosaurs. Let’s have the hybrid minivan!