The Toyota Venza is Back: 2021 Production Model Unveiled.

[GranTurNismo]

From Carscoops:

The Toyota Venza is back after an absence of nearly five years.

Essentially a renamed Harrier, the 2021 Venza will go on sale in the United States this summer and be offered exclusively with a hybrid powertrain.

Speaking of the latter, the model is equipped with a new hybrid system that features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, three electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack that resides beneath the rear seats. It enables the crossover to have a combined output of 219 hp (163 kW / 222 PS) and a combined fuel economy rating of approximately 40 mpg.

The crossover also comes standard with Toyota’s electric on-demand all-wheel drive system. It features a rear-mounted electric motor that can provide additional traction when needed. Toyota says the system works “seamlessly and transparently,” and can vary torque distribution depending on conditions.

Moving into the cabin, drivers will find a three-spoke steering wheel and an instrument cluster with either a 4.2- or 7-inch multi-information display. To the right, is a stylish center stack which is topped by an 8- or 12.3-inch infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibility.

An assortment of options will be available including a digital rearview mirror, heated and ventilated front seats, and a 10-inch color head-up display. A six-speaker audio system comes standard, but it can be replaced by a JBL premium audio system which boasts nine speakers and a subwoofer.

Another interesting option is the Star Gaze panoramic glass roof. It features electrochromic glass technology which turns the panel from transparent to frosted in just one second.

On the safety front, the Venza comes equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance systems. This means even the base model features a pre-collision system that can detect vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Other standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights and a blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert.

Rounding out the highlights are lane tracing assist, road sign assist and lane departure alert with steering assist. The XLE and Limited trims go even further as they have front and rear parking assist with automated braking.

The 2021 Venza will go on sale this summer and slot between the RAV4 and Highlander Toyota didn’t mention pricing, but the model will likely start in the low $30,000’s. Regardless of how much it costs, the Venza will come with a standard 36-month / 36,000 mile warranty as well as two years or 25,000 miles worth of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

 

[FT-1]

This looks surprisingly upmarket for a Toyota, which I'm not entirely sure is a good thing since it could end up fighting for the same market as the Lexus NX.

 

[GranTurNismo]

This looks surprisingly upmarket for a Toyota, which I'm not entirely sure is a good thing since it could end up fighting for the same market as the Lexus NX.

The Venza is about size of the RX rather than the NX. It's essentially the same car as the JDM market 2020- Toyota Harrier, which the Lexus RX used to be based on. Per usual, the first press photos of new cars feature the car in an upmarket trim, so I'd bet that the Venza wouldn't look so upscale in lower trims. Since higher-up trips of non-luxury cars don't usually sell much, I doubt it would pose much of a threat to Lexus products.

 

[FT-1]

Artisan has worked their magic on the Harrier/Venza:

 

[Veinz]

Do we really need another bloated looking crossover? The interior is nice though. The rear sort of reminds me of a Urus.

 

[GranTurNismo]

Do we really need another bloated looking crossover? The interior is nice though. The rear sort of reminds me of a Urus.

The mid-size, two-row crossover segment seems to be growing in the US, with the introduction of the Chevy Blazer, Honda Passport, VW Atlas Sport Cross, and Subaru Ascender all being unveiled in the past two years.

 

[VXR]

That's a better F-Pace than Jaguar managed.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Do we really need another bloated looking crossover?

"But joyless practicality is why sports-car sales have all but dried up as automakers cough out endless variations on the SUV. The result is automotive monotony, the blandification of America’s roads."

Pretty much says it all.

 

[CTznOfTime]

I hate myself for saying this, and despite hating to see yet another CUV/SUV, but I think I kinda like it ..

I am tempted to say I like this more than the new 3 series coupe.

Is this what happens when we turn 40?

I wish Toyota stayed with the formula of the old Venza, which I think if they evolved it, would look much better than the first gen.

But as it is now, it doesn't look bad at all, in fact it looks like a younger self of the RX it is based on.

If the RX is sharper and destined for "older" folks, this Venza is softer physically and destined for people in their 30s.

 

[GranTurNismo]

GR Venza unveiled:

 

[Pupik]

I was hoping that it be more of a wagon, like the last one. But it just looks to take that narrow parking spot between the Highlander and the RAV4, but with duck-tailed styling. I guess if you're a big enough manufacturer, you can test the market with a potential replacement, but I just don't see how this fills any sort of niche.

I saw the new Venza at a Toyota dealer this week. The VIN (or more precisely, the VDS) screams at you.