This Toyota People Mover Could Be Coming to Australia

A trademark for the word “ESTIMA” filed by Toyota has been marked as registered on IP Australia. Although this does not confirm any official plans for a local launch, this could mark the possible arrival of a new Toyota Estima MPV in Australia.

Three generations of the Estima people mover were sold in Japan between 1990 and 2019, with international variations badged as the Tarago in Australia and the Previa elsewhere. 

The locally sold Toyota Tarago was then replaced by the Granvia, although it too later met its end earlier this year as its Autonomous Emergency Braking system did not comply with the requirements of newly introduced legislation. 

The new design rules – coupled with the Granvia’s relatively poor sales figures – saw the MPV discontinued with no replacement in Australia. 

Rumours regarding the Estima’s return have been circulating for some time, but in late-2024, Japanese publication Best Car reported that the Estima nameplate would be returning. 

Reports on what platform and powertrains the new Estima will use are conflicting. 

Initial reports from Best Car suggested that it would ride on Toyota’s battery electric e-TNGA platform, while Forbes later reported that an inside source had suggested that it would instead use the GA-K platform, supporting both hybrid and electric powertrains. 

While Toyota has not confirmed any local plans, this trademark registration suggests the Estima nameplate may hold some future relevance in the Australian market.