Could the 2021 Toyota Venza Be Modeled After Japan-based Toyota Harrier?

Toyota is ready for a big reveal in less than a week when it announces not one, but two, new hybrid models. I have read the wire and seen a great amount of speculation from multiple sources about what these may be.

Toyota Tacoma Hybrid. Toyota 4Runner Hybrid. Toyota Corolla Crossover Hybrid. Something completely new. These are some of the writings from my colleagues across the country.

Personally, my guess is Toyota will announce a 2021 Sienna Hybrid and a 2021 Venza Hybrid. I wrote about it earlier this week in my Torque News / Toyota News column.

I may be wrong. It will only be several days until all is revealed.

Let us discuss a potential new Toyota Venza.

2021 Venza makes sense

There is a place in Toyota’s lineup for a 5-passenger SUV that is larger than a RAV4 but smaller than a Highlander. This would be the ideal platform for the return of the Toyota Venza.

Venza will arrive as an all-hybrid drivetrain. No gasoline-only option. It should have two rows of seats, like a 2020 RAV4, but not three rows like a 2020 Highlander.

We are unsure if it will be a traditional Toyota hybrid vehicle like a Camry Hybrid or if it will feature a plug-in option that we find in a Prius Prime or RAV4 Prime.

(2021 Toyota Harrier image)

I suspect it will be offered in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, but there are no details and certainly no confirmation on this fact.

Yes, if 2021 Toyota Venza specs are announced on May 18th, it will mark the re-birth of the original Toyota Venza from the early and mid-2000s.

This all seems so new. Yet, somehow so familiar.

It reminds me a lot of a certain vehicle marketed and sold in Japan – Toyota Harrier.

2021 Toyota Venza and Toyota Harrier

Toyota just announced a redesigned 2021 Harrier. First introduced in 1997, this new Harrier model will appear sometime in Japanese markets in June 2020.

If you are unfamiliar with the name Toyota Harrier, think Lexus RX and it may stir up a more familiar face.

Look at the simplified, elegant profile with sleek flowing lines and you can see how beautiful this SUV is. Harrier will be built on the new TNGA-K platform to offer a stiff body structure and smooth ride comfort. Toyota Safety Sense in some form will be featured as well.

Interior seems to be spacious and may include new luxury features such as a larger 12.3 multimedia screen and panoramic glass roof. Plus, all the Toyota goodies we have come to know and appreciate.

2021 Harrier will be offered to consumers in both gasoline-powered and hybrid power plants and will come in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

The hybrid version of 2021 Toyota Harrier utilizes the combination of a 2.5-liter inline-four direct-injection engine and electric motor power to produce anywhere from 218 horsepower to 222 horsepower.

But what about Toyota Venza?

Time for your thoughts on 2021 Venza

I feel in the United States a potential 2021 Venza would be sold as hybrid only. Probably FWD and AWD choices, but who really knows at this point.

Popular 2020 RAV4 Hybrid is one of the hottest vehicles in America and it delivers a similar production output at 219 horsepower.

To offer buyers a versatile vehicle wedged between the RAV4 and Highlander target audience, especially if it has sufficient cargo space, could be a major victory for Toyota.

What do you think of the idea of a Venza return? Would you put it on your short list of vehicles to consider? How about if it is only sold as a hybrid? Are you comfortable enough with Toyota hybrid technology over the past 20 years to buy one?

Thanks for reading everyone. See you next story when I compare 2021 RAV4 Prime vs RAV4 Hybrid. Who wins?

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