Is the Previa Front-Wheel Drive or Rear-Wheel Drive?
2 Answers
Previa is currently rear-wheel drive. Development History: The early Previa models (from the 1990s) were indeed front-wheel drive; however, they were later changed to front-wheel drive. The Previa, originally known as the Toyota Big Bread or Big Overlord, typically adopts rear-wheel drive like most passenger vehicles, but the Big Overlord uses front-wheel drive. Models: Previa is the transliteration of Big Overlord. The 2.4L version is the China-spec model, while the US-spec model is called the Sienna with a 3.3L displacement, all of which are front-engine, front-wheel drive (FF) configurations. The Prado, later renamed the Land Cruiser, features full-time four-wheel drive (4WD) across all models.
I remember our old Previa was a 1998 model, and it was rear-wheel drive, which felt quite exciting to drive, especially when taking high-speed turns—it was very stable. However, in winter on snowy roads, it tended to skid, so I had to drive carefully, always feeling like the car was swaying, unlike the newer models that are much simpler. The car had plenty of space, perfect for family trips, and the trunk had no problem fitting luggage. The only downside was that the rear-wheel-drive layout made maintenance a bit more troublesome, like needing frequent checks on the drivetrain. If your Previa is from recent years, say 2010 or later, it’s mostly front-wheel drive, more fuel-efficient and easier to handle. In short, the older ones were RWD, the newer ones FWD—quite a change, but both are practical. As an owner, based on personal experience, I’d say just pay attention to the era when considering the drivetrain type.
