The Toyota Gaia is a Japanese market MPV manufactured and marketed by Toyota from 1998 to 2004. The Gaia shares a platform with the Toyota Ipsum (sister car) and Toyota Caldina (platform sharing). It was manufactured from May 1998 until September 2004 for the Japanese market. The Gaia was sold only at Japanese dealerships called Toyopet Store next to the Corona. April 2001 saw DVD-based navigation, a precursor to Toyota's G-Book navigation system added as an option, and the 3S-FE engine was upgraded to the 1AZ-FSE with AWD. The 1AZ-FSE features Toyota's D-4 direct injection system. The vehicle was named for Gaia; the primal Greek goddess personifying the Earth.
History of the Toyota Gaia
The Toyota Gaia is a seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that was introduced by Toyota in Japan in 1998. It was designed as a comfortable and spacious family car that could accommodate a large number of passengers, while also offering a high level of safety and reliability. The Toyota Gaia was based on the same platform as the Toyota Ipsum and Toyota Camry, and it was offered a choice of three different engines: a 2.0L I4 DOHC 3S-FE engine, a 2.0L I4 DOHC 1AZ-FSE engine, a 2.2L I4 SOHC 3C-TE turbo-diesel engine. The Gaia was available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations, and it featured a range of advanced safety features, including anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), and a driver's side airbag. The interior of the Gaia was designed to be spacious and comfortable, with a high roofline and large windows that provided excellent visibility for all passengers. It also featured a number of convenience features, such as power windows, power steering, and air conditioning. The Gaia was produced from 1998 to 2004, and it was eventually replaced by the Toyota Isis. While it was never offered for sale outside of Japan, the Gaia remains a popular choice for families in the domestic market, thanks to its spacious and practical design, advanced safety features, and reliable performance.
Price
The price range for a used Toyota Gaia varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $1,400 and going to $3,100 for the latest year the model was manufactured.
Specs and Performance of the Toyota Gaia
Engines:
- 2.0 L I4 DOHC 3S-FE
- 2.0 L I4 DOHC 1AZ-FSE
- 2.2 L I4 SOHC 3C-TE turbo-diesel
The Toyota Gaia's 2.0L engine delivers 150 hp (112 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 147 lb-ft (200 Nm) of torque at 6,000 rpm. Toyota marketed the Gaia as a front-wheel-drive (FWD) vehicle, and it was available with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Dimension-wise, the Toyota Gaia measures 4,620 mm (181.9 in) long, 1,695 mm (66.7 in) wide, and 1,640 mm (64.6 in) high. Its wheelbase measures 2,735 mm (107.7 in) and has a curb weight of 2,755 lbs (1,250 kg).
Release Date
The Toyota Gaia was marketed and available from 1998 to 2004. It was discontinued to make way for the new Toyota Isis.