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2021 Venza, Sienna, AWD & Hybrids Offered

6K views 15 replies 8 participants last post by  Neanderthal 
#1 ·
The Toyota Venza Returns for 2021, and Sienna Gets a Redesign with Hybrid Option

Toyota is bringing the Venza back in 2021 after a six-year absence. The new crossover is all hybrid, including electric all-wheel drive as standard equipment. The five-passenger Venza is estimated to get 40 mpg combined and got a huge makeover for its reboot debut. Everything looks more streamlined, including the baby spoiler on the back roof, and the front end takes a decidedly more hybrid look to match the powertrain. The grille is smaller and lower, and looks to have a shutter system to smooth air around the front.

Speaking of that powertrain, the new 2021 Toyota Venza includes a 2.5-liter four and the Toyota Hybrid System II with a battery and three electric motors. The combination is good for 219 total system hp. Like Toyota’s other hybrids, low-speed acceleration is enhanced by the electric torque, so don’t expect it to be a slouch off the line. Toyota also says the Venza's new hybrid system uses the electric motor to keep the engine revs at a comfortable level.

Three driving modes on the 2021 Venza include eco, normal and sport, while EV mode allows the Venza to travel short distances just using the battery. It also features different levels for regeneration, meaning you can get more juice back to the battery with a little planning.

However, if you spec the navigation system you get Toyota’s Predictive Efficient Drive function, which “analyzes driving habits and memorizes road and traffic conditions to help optimize hybrid battery charging. When the driver selects PED, the system learns repeating routes and is designed to predict when and where the vehicle is likely to slow down or stop. Then, through optimum accelerator pedal release timing guidance, it can help reduce energy consumption.”

The new Venza rides on Toyota’s TNGA-K platform, which underpins a ton of vehicles including the Prius and Sienna minivan (more on that in a moment). The Venza gets Active Cornering Assist that uses the brakes to reduce understeer while cornering. Toyota says you won’t feel it work, but we’ll be the judge of that.

Inside, 2021 Venza buyers get standard power seats, an automatic sliding function for the driver’s seat that helps you get in and out, heated seats, several options for infotainment and radio (including a 12.3-inch screen in top models), and storage spaces for big phones, big drinks and big cargo. It has more than 36 cubic feet of space behind the second row of seats. A new trick for the 2021 Venza is the Star Gaze panoramic roof that frosts over with the touch of a button when the sun is beating down while still letting light in.

Toyota’s Safety System 2.0 package is standard and includes pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure warning and intervention, automatic high beams, lane tracing and road sign assist.

The 2021 Toyota Venza goes on sale late summer, and expect pricing to fall somewhere between the RAV4 and Highlander—so maybe a starting price of around $30,000.



If you need more than space for five, Toyota is bringing a new Sienna minivan to market for 2021, too. Like the Venza it gets a hybrid powertrain, but all-wheel drive is optional. Plus, Toyota tried to make it look like a bullet train!

The fourth-gen 2021 Toyota Sienna was designed by the combined effort of CALTY’s Newport Beach, California, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, studios. It is more aggressive-looking with muscular bodywork that makes it seem like it has rear fender flares. The front end continues with its good looks and the back looks a little more stylized, but similar to the outgoing model. It’s a good-looking van.

The interior of the eight- or seven-passenger Sienna minivan gets an upgrade with a new “bridge” from the armrest to the dash, creating a giant space underneath for storage. Look for seven USB ports, 18 cupholders and a second row that can slide up to 25 inches to give passengers more room. Wi-Fi is offered, as is an upgraded 1,200-watt radio and a rear-entertainment system. There are several options for front infotainment as well, topping out with an 11.6-inch display. Like the previous model, the new Toyota Sienna gets a built-in PA system to yell at (er, talk to) the kids in the back. It also has a digital rearview mirror so when there’s a lot of cargo back there you can still see what’s behind your vehicle using the rear-mounted camera.

The 2021 Sienna tops out at 243 total hp with the hybrid powertrain and a 2.5-liter engine. Like the Venza it has modes for EV, eco, normal and sport. Also like the Venza, it has several levels of braking regeneration. It also uses navigation to predict what the driver might do and adjust accordingly for efficiency.

That both the 2021 Venza and Sienna are going hybrid shouldn’t be a surprise. Most people don’t love putting their hands on a gas pump even when there’s not a pandemic going on. Getting a few more days between fill-ups is a win. Plus, Toyota says, the most requested RAV4 AND Highlander models are both hybrids.

We don’t have official pricing on the new 2021 Toyota Sienna minivan either, but the current base Sienna comes in at about $32,000, so figure somewhere around there. The new Sienna also goes on sale later this year.

https://www.autoweek.com/news/futur... -- High Minus Dormant and 90 Day Non Openers
 
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#2 ·
Toyota's 2.5L A25A-FXS Dynamic Force engine and Toyota Hybrid System II is proving to be quite versatile, with eight different models now equipped with it:

  • 2018- Camry Hybrid
  • 2019- Lexus ES300h
  • 2019- Avalon Hybrid
  • 2019- RAV4 Hybrid & Prime
  • 2019- Crown Hybrid
  • 2020- Venza/Harrier Hybrid
  • 2020- Highlander Hybrid
  • 2021- Sienna Hybrid
 
#3 ·
Smart. I'd put my money on hybrids, especially when offered with the customer-demanded AWD, vs. the limits of an all-electric lineup. We'll see how this works out in a few years. Or a decade. :drive:
 
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#9 ·
#10 ·
"The Toyota Venza Returns for 2021, and Sienna Gets a Redesign with Hybrid Option

Toyota is bringing the Venza back in 2021 after a six-year absence."


I always thought this car fit a good niche, can't believe its been that long already!

Glad to see it back, maybe others will follow; "The Sedan of the 21st Century"?
 
#12 ·
#16 ·
Here we go again....
 
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