Meet Toyota’s latest midsize hybrid crossover utility vehicle (CUV), the all-new 2021 Toyota Venza. Packed with a host of advanced and useful tech features, the 2021 Toyota Venza also promises smooth acceleration, handling, and an overall comfortable and eco-friendly ride.
This is Toyota’s 10th hybrid in its lineup and it features a high-efficiency, 219 horsepower, 2.5 liter DOHC four-cylinder engine with three electric motors, a variable valve timing-intelligent system, variable cooling system, and a variable oil pump also helm maintain engine efficiency.
It’s also equipped with a newly-developed lithium-ion battery that powers the electric motor. Toyota says that all its hybrids, including the Venza, offer quiet acceleration and optimized performance.
It allows normal, eco, and sport driving modes to fit all kinds of driving personalities. EV mode is also present and activates an electric-only drive designed for low speeds and short distances.
Onboard the Venza is a Predictive Efficient Drive navigation system that helps to optimize battery charging by analyzing driving habits and memorizing road and traffic conditions.
Handling is taken care of by the electronically controlled brake system featuring Active Cornering Assist which, as the name suggests, aids in cornering situations. The torque pre-load function enhances acceleration and deceleration controllability on both normal and slippery roads.
Wheels come in the form of 18-inch multi-spoke two-tone pieces on the XLE white the Limited comes with 19-inch multi-spoke tires with a super chrome finish.
Diving into more of its tech features, the Toyota Venza features an 8-inch touchscreen on the dash with Audio Plus for the LE and XLE variants. XLE customers can also opt to upgrade to a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with versatile display controls. This comes standard with the Limited variant.
Venza customers will be given a 3-month all-access trial to satellite radio, HD radio, and Toyota Remote Services. They can enjoy HD audio with Venza’s 6-speaker system with a 4-channel amplifier. Alternatively, you can get even better quality by upgrading to the Venza-exclusive JBL Premium Audio System which features 9 speakers including a rear 12-channel, and a 1200-watt amp rear subwoofer.
The all-new 2021 Toyota Venza features a fixed panoramic glass roof the company calls Star Gaze. It’s crafted with electrochromic glass technology that allows transitioning from transparent to frosted with a single button.
Drivers can enjoy the 4.2-inch color multi-information display (MID) on the Venza LE and a 7-inch MID on the XLE and Limited. It’s able to suggest optimal acceleration for eco-driving with a “game-like scoring function” for the driver.
A 10-inch Heads-Up Display (HUD) is situated at eye-level for easy at-a-glance information from the speedometer, hybrid system indicator, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 functions.
The rearview mirror also takes the form of digital with a HomeLink universal transceiver to help drivers see better when their rear vision is blocked. The onboard camera provides a wide, unobstructed view even if the back is filled up with passengers or luggage.
Additionally, Venza Limited offers an additional Bird’s Eye View camera with Perimeter Scan.
The Interior is made up of standard power seats. The driver’s seat features an auto slide-away function that moves the seat to the rearmost position a driver enters or exits. Once boarded, the seat will auto-adjust the last set position.
Front seats are heated with three levels. The Limited grade offers ventilated front seats which channel air from the air-conditioning system to the seat. It’s also equipped with the same S-FLOW cooling tech that appears on the Lexus.
We took the Venza for a test drive around San Diego and the Venza blew us away with its extremely comfortable and spacious interior. It’s also an absolute pleasure to drive the 2021 Toyota Venza. To top it all off, we think that it’s one of the most attractive CUV’s on the market.