In this handbook, and the associated websites, the term Townace refers to a distinctive body shape from the 1988-1995 (or later ?) period. There was a slight change to the "new shape" in 1993. More recently Toyota have made Townace models which are very different e.g. Noah, and Townace SBV semi-bonneted four-metre van

Toyota have produced English-language manuals for UK-spec Townaces, and for left-hand drive European spec ones, but a rumour of left-hand drive examples in Russia is the only thing that suggests Townaces were ever made other than right-hand drive for the home Japanese market.

Apart from vehicles actually badged "TOWN ACE" the term Townace is used generically to include Masterace and Liteace. Litaces are often slightly smaller. Post-93, "new shape", Townaces are usually (always?) badged as Liteace. "Surf" and "Field Tourer" are regarded as trim levels, but the fact is that there is a wide variety of very significant options within the Townace range, such as Petrol/Diesel, 2.0 or 2.2 litres, Manual/Auto, 7 or 8 seats, skylites/moonroofs/nothing and whether you have 4WD, hot/cool-box, climate control, parking mirrors on the front, built-in compass and clinometer, etc.

The nearest equivalent to the Townace that was made for the UK market is the 1980s Spacecruiser (Tarago in Australia). The Toyota Van, made for the USA market, is much closer to the Townace. The Previa, made for UK, has its own Jap-market equivalent, the Estima Emina and the smaller variant the Estima Lucida, both of which are widely exported and are of interest because, loaded with features, they are a close alternative to a Townace, but pricier and not simply "better".