Toyota’s iQ and Prius to spawn seven-seater MPV

We really can’t emphasize the consumer shift towards more compact vehicles and it seems like automakers are catering to that shift even when it comes to minivans. According to AutoExpress Toyota’s next MPV will be based on the Estima concept and surprisingly - the iQ and the Prius.
A source told the publication that Toyota is “looking at a seven-seater based on the Prius. It would use a lithium-ion battery, and could be here by 2012.”
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topneuro - 12/17/2008 1:43:04 PM

+2 Boost

An improved and electric Kia Rondo, if it achieves a charge range of 100+ miles will sell very well.

JUGNU - 12/17/2008 2:02:31 PM

+2 Boost

All new for 2007 Toyota Privia MPV is the production version of the above Estima concept.

JUGNU

thetruth01 - 12/17/2008 5:23:35 PM

+1 Boost

Being packaged "smart"ly, like the iQ, does not make it based on the iQ. That's a little misleading. And it also cannot be based both on the Estima and the Prius, two other distinct vehicles. How about... based on the Prius, similar to the Estima, with technology gleaned from the iQ. Not quite as awe inducing as spawn of Prius and iQ, but a little more plausible.

woood - 12/17/2008 9:53:28 PM

+1 Boost

Estima is based on the Camry platform. Its called Previa in Asia.

t_bone - 12/17/2008 11:53:00 PM

+1 Boost

I like the packaging. I'm all for interior space without bloated SUV dimensions.

truckman - 12/18/2008 4:00:34 AM

+1 Boost

Lets see how efficient it is, and I hope it is reliable.

XYZZ - 12/18/2008 4:32:34 AM

+1 Boost

toyota = reliable

what's to question?

truckman - 12/19/2008 4:11:14 AM

+1 Boost

I used to be a Toyota fan, haven't you heard about there slipping quality? Class action law suits...Even the biased Consumer Reports have stopped blindly recommending every Toyota made. These are facts not opinions, sorry to be the unpopular one to inform you.I am a glutton for punishment for telling it like it is.lol

XYZZ - 12/18/2008 4:39:21 AM

+1 Boost

have been seeing a bunch of "Globe Trekker" reruns on PBS.

some company was doing cross-desert treks thru central africa, down to sudan. vehicle of choice: toyota landcruisers. they had a 'train' of 4 or 5.

tonite's program featured another trek across the sahara. smaller company had only ONE vehicle. of course, it was also a landcruiser.

seeing it as a small speck all alone, with only sand dunes from horizon to horizon, one could readily understand people would pick the absolutely MOST reliable vehicle on the planet.

on the 3-day trek, just about only other transport encountered was CAMEL caraavans.

truckman - 12/19/2008 4:19:33 AM

+1 Boost

I am a fan of the older solid axle Landcruiser! The new one just doesn't do anything for me at all. Toyota has slipped in quality in the last couple of years. Then again the current Landcruiser is aperantly off road worthy? I would take the Jeep Rubicon any day, The Jeep wouldn't be any more or less reliable but it would be a lot cheaper to fix and would be head and shoulders better off road.Toyota is still getting by with this perceived image that they are as tough/reliable as the old solid axle trucks of the past.