Four days, a little over 580kms and here’s what I thought of the Toyota Previa.

If you’re after an MPV which can comfortably seat 8, has all the safety features and adequate gadgets to provide a pleasurable driving experience, then this may well be the MPV for you.

The sliding side doors are a very valuable feature because, when you have sliding doors, there is no chance any children exiting from the rear will open their doors onto the poor innocent car next to yours.

There is a good onboard stereo system with six speakers, single disc CD player and steering wheel controls for channel selection and volume control.

However, I was disappointed to find there was no i-pod connection; perhaps this will be included in the next generation Previa.

The driver instrument panel with speedo, fuel gauge etc is presented in a nice arch, which covers three quarters of the dash board.

While it is artistically pleasing, it is not very easy to use. I found I had to constantly think about checking my speed as it meant looking to the left and down, rather than straight down as I am used to.

On the plus side, the speed I was going was slightly less than what I was seeing on the speedo from my viewpoint.

There are a total of 5 child seat anchorage points, three for the centre row and two for the back row.

The centre row of seats slide forward enabling access to the back row of seats, however, this really does require an adult to do, as the seats are rather hard for little people to maneuver.

Getting out of the back row of seats is however, much easier for younger people, as there is a foot lever to push down on, which automatically slides the centre seat forward.

If both rows of seats are in use, leg space is more than adequate for children and teens. When only the centre row of seats is in use, then there is enough leg room to swing an elephant… okay, maybe not an elephant, but definitely a cat.

Summer heat will prove no problem, as the air conditioning unit is great.

Air conditioning vents are also located in the middle and rear of the car. A master switch is located on the centre gearstick console so the driver can deactivate it if passengers are not using it sensibly.

And of course, the Previa has opening windows in the centre of the car. However, I personally found the ‘whoop whoop’ sound which comes through the windows from approximately 80km, unacceptable.

At this point you will have no other option but to insist the middle windows stay closed.

Thankfully, there is a window lock button on the driver’s armrest, because inevitably someone will protest at having their window shut.

Now, cup holders are always an important feature on an MPV. The Previa has four cup holders for the rear seat, two cup holders for the centre row of seats, along with a flip down centre console, which accommodates a further two drink bottles.

The passenger and driver each have one door drink bottle holder and a flip out two cup holder gadget in the centre console.

We all know you shouldn’t leave valuables in your car right? But realistically it’s not always possible.

Guess what? There is a neat little hidey hole in the boot, accessed via the lift up cover. The spare tyre is also under there, but hopefully you won’t need it very often.

It’s a great space to hide or simply store the laptop, phone, handbag and probably a few other bits and pieces too.

Cruise control is a valuable feature and the Previa has single km speed increments up and down accessed by simply pushing the lever up or down as desired.

I found it is a little aggressive when reaccelerating to reach its set cruising speed.

Tyre noise and traction is good and provides for a comfortable ride.

Being a two wheel drive vehicle and longer than your average car, the Previa doesn’t seem to enjoy taking sharp corners at high speeds and prefers you to drop down a few kms more than you would normally need to.

Instead of a handbrake, the Previa has a foot operated park brake, push to engage, then push again to disengage.

As far as safety goes, on board the Previa is traction control, vehicle stability control, hill start assist control, ABS with brake assist, EBD and, of course, a host of airbags.

The Previa comes in a choice of five different external colours with a grey internal trim.