The 2021 Toyota Venza Stole the Best Hybrid SUV Award
We’re starting this morning with a bit of an upset. Sorry, Toyota RAV4 Prime, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Jeep Wrangler 4xe. There is a new champion in town. The 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid just swooped in and stole the best hybrid SUV award.
The 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid wins best hybrid SUV
Wow, tell the champs to move over. There is a new best hybrid SUV in town, and it’s the 2021 Toyota Venza. These rankings are provided by Roadshow, and to be specific. The Toyota Venza won the category for the Best Midsize Hybrid SUV.
The Toyota Venza won for undergoing a much-needed transformation from a frumpy crossover to a prover SUV that provides comfort and efficiency. The Vanza is well insulated and provides a quiet ride, while competitors such as the RAV4 Hybrid are known for a loud engine whine.
Plus, the Venza provides an incredibly smooth ride over dips and bumps. It handles in a similar way to the luxury performance of a Lexus SUV. The front seats are comfortable and supportive. Also, you can opt for heated and ventilated seats, and the dual-zone climate control system is quick and efficient.
How does the Venza Hybrid perform?
Roadshow praises the 2021 Toyota Venza for having a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle 14 engine that’s paired with three electric motors to provide 219 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. These numbers may seem low, but the Venza can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.6 seconds.
This speed is average. It’s one second behind the Honda Passport but faster than the V6 Jeep Grand Cherokee. But the Toyota Venza isn’t rated for towing. This could be a deal-breaker for those looking to haul campers or trailers.
But on a positive note, all-wheel drive comes standard. The electronic on-demand AWD system will automatically kick in if slippage occurs. You should be able to traverse through snow and other slippery conditions just fine.
The 2021 Venza gets an EPA-estimated 40 mpg in the city and up to 37 mpg on the highway. The driving modes include EV, ECO, Sport, and Normal, allowing you to match optimal performance to various conditions.
The EV mode enables the vehicle to operate in electric-only for low speeds and shorter distances while the Sport mode sharpens throttle response. You can also select the level of regenerative breaking you would like.
The Toyota Venza excels in tech
Roadshow also enjoys the 2021 Toyota Venza because it’s loaded with modern tech features. For example, the optional electrochromic sunroof provides transparency or opacity at the click of a button.
An 8.0-inch touchscreen comes standard, but you can upgrade to a 12.3-inch unit. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa come standard. The larger screen comes with in-dash navigation and a nine-speaker JBL premium stereo system.
Inside the gauge cluster, there is an available 7-inch multi-information display that delivers crucial driving info, safety alerts, and more. Plus, the Head-Up Display (HUD) projects your speed and safety alerts on the windshield.
Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control.
If you’re in the market for a highly rated hybrid SUV, you can get started in the 2021 Toyota Venza for about $32,670. It’s rated as the best hybrid midsize SUV, so it’s worth giving a shot.
