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| Toyota Venza exterior |
The Venza nameplate returns after a six year hiatus upon a two-row midsize SUV sold in other parts of the world as the Toyota Harrier. A harrier is a predatory bird as well as a breed of dog, and is a much cooler name than Venza. However, I assume Toyota executives believe Venza carries some familiarity to American car buyers, so they decided to stick with the old name. That being said, the new Venza bears near to no resemblance to the original. The first Venza was a sort-of all-wheel-drive wagon version of the Camry with some Highlander elements thrown in. It was too burly to be considered a true station wagon, and yet not butch enough to pass as an SUV like the Nissan Murano or the Ford Edge. This new Venza is definitely an SUV--or crossover if you prefer that term--and lines up much better with the Murano and Edge, plus newer competitors such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda Passport, and Chevrolet Blazer.
As a trump card in a very competitive segment, Toyota has decided to offer the 2021 Venza exclusively as a hybrid. The Venza uses the same powertrain as the RAV4 Hybrid, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and three electric motors to produce 219 horsepower. Fuel economy is expected to match the RAV4's rating of 40 mpg.
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| Toyota Venza interior |
But why the decision to go all hybrid? For Toyota, it makes good business sense. Of the more than 448,000 RAV4s sold in the US in 2019, 20 percent were hybrids. The RAV4 hybrid has also usurped the Prius as Toyota's best-selling hybrid vehicle. With the Venza using much of the same hardware as the RAV4 but starting at a higher pricepoint, Toyota is able to reduce development costs and maximize profits.
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| Toyota Sienna exterior |
Now let's take a look at the 2021 Sienna. This is the first total overhaul of the Sienna since the previous generation debuted a decade ago. The redesign moves the Sienna to Toyota's TNGA-K platform found throughout much of the brand's lineup. It also gives the Sienna a much needed helping of style. Siennas have traditionally borrowed styling cues from the current generation Camry, and this one is no different. It takes full advantage of the aggressive design language first introduced on the XV70 Camry in 2017. Just adding some character lines along the van's flanks make a world of difference and fix the slab sided appearance of the previous generation.
It may surprise some people when they open the hood and see that the 3.5-liter V-6 engine is gone. In its place is a 2.5-liter gas engine paired with two electric motors that produce a total of 243 horsepower. This marks a 53 horsepower drop compared to the outgoing Sienna's V-6. However, fuel economy is estimated to grow to an impressive 33 mpg. All wheel drive is still an option although now a third electric motor powers the rear wheels.
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| Toyota Sienna interior |
Inside, the Sienna features what Toyota calls a Bridge Console. The shift lever, cupholders, a wireless charger, and small storage cubbies are all within easy reach of the driver or front passenger. Below that is a hollow space perfect for larger personal items such as a purse or a bag. It's an elegant, modern design that helps class up the entire cabin. The Sienna needs all the upscale ambiance it can find to help justify the $50,000 asking price on fully loaded top trim levels.
But even families shopping entry level models should find a lot to like here. The 2021 Sienna comes standard with automatic high beams, a pre-collision warning system with pedestrian detection, radar cruise control, and lane departure alert with steering assist. Available convenience features include four-zone climate control, seven USB ports, in-car WiFi, a rear entertainment system, reclining second row captain's chairs, and a voice amplification system that plays through the van's audio.
Look for the 2021 Sienna to appear on dealer lots by the end of the year with prices starting around $30,000. The Venza should arrive sometime in August with prices ranging between $35,000 and $45,000.
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