{"id":147781,"date":"2020-05-18T11:00:10","date_gmt":"2020-05-18T15:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thedetroitbureau.com\/?p=147781"},"modified":"2020-05-17T17:51:59","modified_gmt":"2020-05-17T21:51:59","slug":"toyota-goes-all-hybrid-with-new-venza-sienna-models","status":"publish","type":"reviews","link":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/reviews\/toyota-goes-all-hybrid-with-new-venza-sienna-models\/","title":{"rendered":"Toyota Goes \u201cAll-Hybrid\u201d With New Venza, Sienna Models"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
The 2021 Toyota Venza will be offered exclusively as an all-wheel-drive hybrid.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Toyota has confirmed plans, first reported by TheDetroitBureau.com more than a month ago, to introduce two new \u201call-hybrid\u201d models. That includes both the next-generation Sienna minivan and a new, two-row utility vehicle bringing back the Venza badge that was pulled from the U.S. market in 2015.<\/p>\n

While the 2021 Toyota Sienna and Venza models will share the basic Synergy Hybrid Drive system found in the Japanese automaker\u2019s familiar Prius model, they will follow the direction of the latest-generation RAV4 Hybrid which is the most powerful version of Toyota\u2019s best-selling SUV.<\/p>\n

While the two new models will deliver some of the highest mileage numbers in their market segments they \u201calso (will be) delivering an unexpected level of performance,\u201d said Bob Carter, Executive Vice President of Sales, Toyota Motor North America, \u201crelying on the instant torque coming from their electric motors.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Toyota marks 20th anniversary of Prius with new special edition.)<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The new Venza’s drivetrain uses a 2.5-liter gas engine paired with three electric motors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 2021 model will take the Venza nameplate in a new direction. The original version was pitched as a two-row crossover but was really more of a tall wagon that didn\u2019t click with U.S. buyers. The new model is more in line with the current Toyota crossover line-up and will slot into what Carter called \u201cthe sweet spot between the RAV4 and Highlander.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like the smaller of those two, the Venza will be offered only in a two-row configuration, but it will offer a more upscale look and features. \u00a0That starts with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 12.3-inch display with navigation available as an option. Upgrades also include a 1,200-watt, nine-speaker JBL Premium Audio System, a head-up display and the new Star Gaze electrochromic glass roof which can switch from clear to various frosted modes with the touch of a button.<\/p>\n

(Toyota reveals \u201cflexible\u201d plan aimed at safely starting to re-open U.S. plants.)<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Venza is aimed to slot in-between the two-row RAV-4 and three-row Highlander.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 2021 Venza also will get the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 advanced driver assistance package which includes pre-collision detection for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians, active cruise control, lane departure alert and other features.<\/p>\n

Under the skin, the new crossover will share the basic TNGA architecture anchoring such Toyota models as the Prius. And it will also be offered solely with a gas-electric hybrid drivetrain that will offer as much as 40 mpg in the EPA Combined test cycle. But, like the hybrid version of the RAV4, Venza puts a premium on performance.<\/p>\n

The crossover\u2019s version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive will pair a 2.5-liter gas engine with three electric motors to deliver a peak 219 horsepower combined. Power is primarily delivered to the front wheels but the third motor kicks in when torque is needed at the back wheels.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The 2021 Toyota Sienna also goes all-hybrid, but will be offered in either front- or all-wheel-drive.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The new Venza will be offered exclusively in all-wheel-drive configuration. The 2021 Toyota Sienna, however, will be available either in a two-motor front-drive package or an optional three-motor AWD configuration. Though the minivan features the same basic drivetrain, its output has been bumped up to 243 hp \u2013 reflecting Sienna\u2019s heftier mass \u2013 and will deliver a Combined 33 mpg.<\/p>\n

Sienna has been one of a dwindling line-up of minivans available in the U.S. market. Toyota officials are betting they can increase its appeal with the 2021 makeover by delivering a mix of new features, better performance and more sporty design.<\/p>\n

(Toyota cutting NA production by a third through October.)<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of people love minivans but they\u2019re not thrilled by the boring by the boring look,\u201d said Kevin Hunter, the president of Calty Design, Toyota\u2019s U.S. styling unit, \u201cso we tried to change that up\u2026putting a lot of passion and excitement and energy into\u201d the 2021 model.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The 2021 Sienna will feature a new, high-line grade aimed at empty-nesters and the more affluence family buyers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The goal was to give the next-gen Sienna a more SUV-like exterior appearance, with a more powerful nose and better on-road stance. Inside, meanwhile, the 2021 model is \u201cless bus-like,\u201d said Hunter, one of several Toyota officials who joined in on a media webinar offering an advance look at the two new hybrid models.<\/p>\n

While minivans may have a soccer-mom reputation, industry data reveal there are several distinct buyer niches, including upscale empty-nesters who like the comfort and roominess such people-movers can offer, especially on longer trips. To play to that audience, Toyota is introducing a new, top-line grade with a variety of new, luxury features. These include an onboard vacuum and refrigerator, a digital rearview mirror, captain\u2019s second-row chairs with ottomans, the seats being able to slide fore and aft by as much as 25 inches.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also a more sporty, ute-like XSE with dark 20-inch split 5-spoke wheels and more aggressive front and rear bumpers.<\/p>\n

(Toyota warns of trouble ahead as global sales are hammered by the coronavirus pandemic.)<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The overall look of the new Sienna is a bit more SUV-like, with a less bus-like interior.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As one would expect of a vehicle whose primary market is as a family-hauler, however, the 2021 Sienna is loaded with Toyota Sense driver assistance systems, like Venza.<\/p>\n

The decision to launch the two new models in all-hybrid form is no surprise considering Toyota\u2019s focus on the technology which it launched exactly 20 years ago with the original Prius model. The automaker has laid out plans to have every product in its line-up offered with at least some form of electrified powertrain option by 2025 and expects those models to account for 25% of its global sales.<\/p>\n

How the two new hybrid models will play out at a time of cheap fuel is unclear, Toyota officials acknowledged, though the emphasis on performance should help. Notably, said Carter, the hybrid is now the best-selling version of Toyota\u2019s RAV-4 which is, meanwhile, the automaker\u2019s top-seller in the U.S.<\/p>\n

Toyota expects to sell somewhere \u201cin the 50,000 range\u201d of Venzas each year. It did not discuss sales targets for the Sienna. Expect to see Venza roll into U.S. showrooms by \u201clate summer,\u201d said Toyota brand boss Jack Hollis, with the next-gen Sienna to follow late in 2020.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Toyota confirms earlier report by TheDetroitBureau.com, revealing two all-new, all-hybrid models. Reborn Venza SUV features all-wheel-drive; new Sienna minivan a sporty makeover and choice of FWD or AWD. Both emphasize performance as well as mileage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":147792,"menu_order":0,"template":"","tags":[],"category_reviews":[27,18,19,28,30],"make":[111],"post-state":[],"category_old":[118,150,151,131,319,142,156,152,154,316,163,132,129,161,122,137,139,128,291,206,288],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/reviews\/147781"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/reviews"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/reviews"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/147792"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=147781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=147781"},{"taxonomy":"category_reviews","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category_reviews?post=147781"},{"taxonomy":"make","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/make?post=147781"},{"taxonomy":"post-state","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post-state?post=147781"},{"taxonomy":"category_old","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category_old?post=147781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}