Production of the stylish minivan Toyota Estima and Estima Hybrid finally came to an end in October 2019 after a model life of about 13 years. As a result, many people are wondering if the prices of used Estimas have soared.
Looking back on the history of the Estima
When we think of the Estima, we can trace its origins back to May 1990, when the first model was introduced with the slogan “Genius egg,” due to its distinctive one-piece form.
Initially, the Estima was a compact minivan, but Toyota later released a larger model called the Estima Seeda/Emina.
Thanks to its impressive brand power and popularity, the Estima became a big hit and paved the way for the trend of customizing minivans.
The second generation, released in 2000, retained the stylish egg-like design, but switched from the traditional mid-ship rear-wheel drive layout to front-wheel drive. In 2001, Toyota introduced the first hybrid version of the Estima.
The final model, the third generation, included the Estima and Estima Hybrid, which debuted in January 2006. The gasoline-powered Estima featured a 2.4L inline four-cylinder engine and a 3.5L V6 engine capable of producing up to 280 horsepower.
The Estima Hybrid introduced a new hybrid system, the THS-II, which improved both power and fuel efficiency. Since its release, the third-generation Estima has undergone several minor changes, including updates to its interior and exterior.
The first update occurred in 2008, followed by a second in 2012 that included the aero-grade Aeras for hybrid models. In 2016, the third and final update saw the discontinuation of the 3.5L V6 engine, leaving only the 2.4L gasoline engine and hybrid powertrain.
During the 2016 update, Toyota also made the Toyota Safety Sense C standard equipment, providing enhanced safety features for the vehicle. Additionally, the grade system was streamlined, with only the aero-grade Aeras available.
Despite its discontinuation in 2019, the Estima remains a beloved vehicle among fans. Let’s take a closer look at the current used car market for the Estima.
What is the current used car market situation for Estima?
The third and final generation Estima, which includes both gasoline and hybrid models, has seen a slight decline in distribution over the past few months, with approximately 2120 gasoline-powered Estimas and about 550 Estima Hybrids currently in circulation.
In the case of the 2016 model year Estima Hybrids, there are currently around 510 units available, with numbers fluctuating due to an increasing trend and model variations.
The average mileage for both gasoline and hybrid models has remained consistent over the past three months, with approximately 70,000 km and 73,000 km, respectively.
However, the most notable trend is the difference in average price, with gasoline-powered Estimas seeing a slight increase in price from around 970,000 yen three months ago to around 950,000 yen currently, while the average price of Estima Hybrids has decreased from around 1.67 million yen to around 1.63 million yen over the same period.
Overall, the used car market for Estima models indicates a slight increase in gasoline models and a decrease in hybrid models.
Current Situation
The prices of used Estimas have certainly risen slightly. However, this is not solely due to the end of production. Rather, the current market demand for used cars has increased due to the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the supply and demand balance of used cars is tightening, causing prices to rise.
