I have a nose for out-of-the-ordinary cars and today’s Toyota Estima L Aeras G Edition ACR30 is a prime example of that! While driving through the parking garage I noticed this minivan making an attempt to park in a very tight spot. Even though it has the same shame, it didn’t match the ordinary Toyota Previa that we’re used to over here. When I drove passed it, I noticed the different tail lights and front. That’s when I knew I had to take a small detour one level down after I managed to parked my car one deck above.
Following the nose
My suspicions confirmed, it was indeed a second generation Estima and not a Previa. Not that it differs on the outside that much from the Previa, but the Estima was a JDM only model. Walking more up close I noticed the badges stating it is an Estima L and the Aeras version. But what does that mean? I’ll run you through all this Japanese goodness that we didn’t get!
What’s the Estima L?
The second generation Toyota Estima came in two variants: the Estima T and L and Toyota explains the difference between the two on their history page. The T stands for Tradition and Toyota, while the L stands for Luxury and Liberty. Tradition and Luxury are something that I can understand from a big family commuter like the Estima, but Liberty? That’s the last thing you have when you drive around in a landyacht like this. Is this the same Toyota as we know for the GR86, Supra and GR Yaris? Yes, this was the boring Toyota that tried to be respectable. Anyway, I compared the brochures of the Estima T and Estima L page by page and could not find a single difference except the cover page contained an embossed T instead af an L.
In contrary to what I just said, this Estima actually excites me! The Estima isn’t just the boring family commuter. That’s the role of the Previa! The Estima, and especially this Estima L, has a lot of extras: standard navigation, dual automatic sliding doors that open and close on the push of a button and even seven or eight luxurious seats! It’s true the Alphard/Veilfire is slightly larger and more luxurious, but then again it would also be more expensive.
What does Aeras mean?
You may also wonder what Aeras refers to. It is actually the trim level! Yes, I was probably equally surprised as you were! Estima T and Estima L are the model names and, according to Toyota, Aeras is the sports trim level. Aeras is the middle trim level, the trim levels of the Estima from low to high spec are: J, X, Aeras, Aeras-S (Sport), G and G Leather. Naturally the model codes follow the same route: D (Deluxe), E (Luxury), S (Sports), Z (High performance) and Q (Ultimate luxury).
So where does the G Edition come in then? It took me some time to figure this one out and you can’t blame me for not getting it at first. The G and G Leather already are a trim level, but the G Edition adds another seat which makes the total 8 seats. This extra seat is located on the second row of seats and the right captain seat is replaced by a foldaway bench seat.
There was also the option to get it smartened up with the Modelista package:
The DAMD, Wald and Gialla packages mostly consist out of exterior trim pieces, like muffler tips, alloy wheels and expensive crests. I wasn’t able to find any crests, non-OEM alloy wheels or exhaust tims on the Estima above, so no such package was applied.
Specifications
Speaking of specifications, this Estima L is powered by the smaller 2362 cc 2AZ-FE engine. There was a also 2994 cc V6 1MZ-FE with an output of 220hp. This 2AZ-FE outputs a respectable 160hp and this could be a bit on the low side as this minivan weights 1660 kilograms. Luckily there are many tuning capabilities as this engine was used in many popular Toyota and Scion cars: the RAV, Camry and xB to name few. This means there is an excellent aftermarket support available and Mighty Car Mods proved this by turbocharging their Camry featuring the very same engine!
How did it get here?
I also found a clue how this Estima L came to the Netherlands: it’s probably owned by someone living in the UK as it previously was imported and/or serviced by Steven Eagell Toyota dealership in Romford. This Estima was imported into the Netherlands in February 2018, which was two years prior to Bexit. That means the owner probably wasn’t a European fleeing back to the continent.
Like I said earlier, the Toyota Alphard is slightly larger and more luxurious than the Estima. I did spot one in my hometown as well and made a video about it well over seven years ago. I promise to add it to the Down on the Street series soon!
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