Will the Toyota Venza Get a Plug-In Hybrid Option?
The second-generation Toyota Venza mid-size crossover SUV entered the North American market in 2020. Since then, many consumers have been wondering if this fuel-efficient crossover would ever get a plug-in hybrid option, giving them the option to drive short distances solely on electric power. Toyota’s own RAV4 PHEV and other unexpected brands like Jeep with their Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid are successful in the hybrid market. So it’s only normal to assume that the fuel-efficient Toyota lineup would grow to include the Venza as a plugin hybrid.
There are quite a few signs that the Toyota Venza has a possible plug-in hybrid option on the horizon based on some clues from overseas. Should hold off on purchasing one of these crossover SUVs until it is released? Is it worth buying the current Toyota Venza? Here is everything we know about the Venza getting a plug-in hybrid option.
Does the Toyota Venza have a PHEV option?
The current 2022 Toyota Venza has a large list of wonderful tech-savvy and luxury features. But it does not currently come in a plug-in hybrid option for the North American market. According to Jerry, the Toyota Venza only comes with a standard hybrid powertrain, not a plug-in hybrid system. This standard hybrid system gets wonderful fuel economy at 40 mpg city/37 mpg highway. However, it’s not capable of running in an electric-only mode.
The 2022 Toyota Venza is a model that is committed to its hybrid technology. All three versions of the Toyota Venza, the LE, XLE, and Limited trim levels, come equipped with a standard hybrid powertrain.
PHEV clues from Japan
The Toyota Venza is only known as the Toyota Venza in the North American market. In Japan, however, the Toyota Venza is called the Toyota Harrier. According to Carscoops, next year’s Toyota Harrier will have a plug-in hybrid option. In combination with the standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine, the Toyota Harrier plug-in hybrid is set to make around 302 combined horsepower between the gas and electric motors working together.
The biggest perk to having a plug-in hybrid vehicle is the all-electric driving mode. This can completely eliminate fuel costs for drivers with shorter commutes. Most all-electric modes will drive a PHEV a dozen miles or so. However, the Toyota Harrier PHEV is set to have an all-electric range of 58 miles. For most Americans that is well within their daily commute.
Unrelated to the drivetrain, the Harrier is set to have some cosmetically distinguishing features that will be found only on the plug-in hybrid model. These include things like an exclusive gray metallic paint job and red piping in the interior. With these exclusive features announced, it is also confirmed that the lower-priced Harrier with a standard hybrid powertrain will continue to be produced alongside the plug-in hybrid model.
Will the Venza receive a PHEV model?
Toyota has not announced a Venza plug-in hybrid vehicle. But with the Toyota Venza being a near-direct clone of the Toyota Harrier, there is a huge possibility of the Venza receiving the plug-in hybrid treatment in the near future.
Related: Why Is the Toyota Venza the Perfect Lexus NX Alternative?
