Flash Drive

2021 Toyota Venza

August 10, 2021 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2021 Toyota Venza Limited

The 2021 Toyota Venza is a new hybrid SUV that resurrects a previous model name.

Engine: 2.5-liter I-4 219 horsepower, 163 lb-ft torque

Transmission: CVT automatic, all-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 40-mpg city, 37-mpg highway, 39-mpg combined

Base Price: $39,800

As Tested: $43,100

Performance:

Impressive fuel economy—our best was 44.4-mpg highway

Three drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport

The Venza shares many Toyota family styling traits.

Sport makes noticeable performance boost

Pleasant driving

Smooth highway ride

Comfort:

High quality interior materials

Stretch-out front row comfort

Unique electro chromic sunroof goes opaque to clear electronically

Power tilt/telescopic steering column with good range

Medium thick, contoured, heated leather steering wheel

Venza front seat room and comfort are excellent.

Lots of good auxiliary controls

Great head up display

Driver power lumbar support

Three temp heated/ventilated front seats

Low rear floor tunnel

Excellent rear seat legroom

Adults can fit in middle position

Middle rear cushion softer than most

Utility:

Very good touch screen functioning

Rear seat room is excellent with ample room for three adults.

Very informative dashboard display

Medium non-locking glovebox

Medium size console bin

Smart phone charging pad

Small front door bins

Power liftgate with great clearance

Good size cargo area

Flat cargo deck, no lift-over

Split folding seats have slight slope

WOW Factors:

Optional electro chromic panoramic sunroof

The optional electro chromic moon roof uses electronics to change from clear to opaque.

Extra wide JBL infotainment screen

Luxury level interior appointments

Excellent head up display

Adult size rear seat room

Whines:

Small door bins

Rear headroom gets close to panoramic sunroof

Bottom Line:

The 2021 Toyota Venza is both old and new. It’s the revival of a previous model, but now it’s exclusively a hybrid. Size wise it slots between the compact RAV4 and the mid-size

The 2021 Toyota Venza rear 3/4 view shows its sloped roofline.

Highlander. It comes with standard all-wheel-drive and an impressive suite of safety features. The new Venza is a very pleasant car to drive, but it’s not a sporty SUV, nor was it intended to be. The Venza shines in the spacious, high quality interior, impressive fuel economy, excellent safety features and famous Toyota reliability.