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Delayed: 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. When will it be Launched – or Even Announced?

We cannot wait to see the first-ever 2021 Sienna Hybrid minivans. But when are they arriving?
2020 Toyota Sienna XLE Blizzard Pearl color profile side view

A Toyota insider I recently spoke with referred to the upcoming 2021 Sienna as one of the worst-kept secrets in the car business. We know it is going to be redesigned, which makes fans and enthusiasts happy.

We also know it will be launched as an all-hybrid for the first time ever. This should thrill families looking to save dollars at the gas pump. Especially for longer road trips when fuel dollars seem to creep up on our budgets quickly.

There is really just one problem with this news, though. It has not even been announced yet.

2021 Sienna Hybrid Potential Specs

This move to a Hybrid Sienna for the 2021 model year falls totally in line with Toyota’s aggressive plan to produce a massive amount of its vehicles with hybrid or alternative fuel power plants.

One thing we know for sure is there will be no gasoline-only 2021 Toyota Sienna – only hybrid.

There are also quite a few potential scenarios that I am anxiously awaiting to learn. For example, will the 2021 Sienna Hybrid be exclusively available as an all-wheel drive, or will it have front-wheel drive options as well. This would fall in line with the current 2020 Highlander Hybrid.

YOU MAY ENJOY: Watch my video review as I test drive the 2020 Highlander Hybrid to see what mpg I can get.

How about charging choices? Most Toyota hybrid vehicles run on a combination of gasoline and electric, with no plug-in options, like a 2020 Camry Hybrid or Avalon Hybrid.

But, will it arrive with the ability to charge it right in our garage or at work? This would fall in line with a 2020 Prius Prime and the celebrated, upcoming 2021 RAV4 Prime.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime Supersonic Red color front end and profile view

By the way, I cannot wait for RAV4 Prime. It produces 302 horsepower. Wow!

2021 Sienna arrival date

Yes, the world crisis is affecting virtually every business and industry in terrible, horrible ways. This obviously includes the automotive industry. Vehicles planned for refresh and redesign entries will more than likely be delayed. Hopefully only for the short-term.

The rumor traveling in many Toyota circles is we were to expect a new 2021 Sienna Hybrid sometime summer of 2020. That rumor has changed to “it has been delayed.”

I am unsure what this means, and I hope we are looking at just a temporary delay. Possibly fall of 2020?

The longer Toyota waits to announce this all-new 2021 Sienna, the more this same speculation without solid facts will continue. However, it is fun to brainstorm a little.

Time for your thoughts on 2021 Toyota Sienna

Here are my two cents on the 2021 Sienna Hybrid. People are looking forward to seeing what the gas mileage will be. This is a big deal for consumers.

There are also many people who are waiting for one all-important statistic – the horsepower numbers. Will an all-hybrid Toyota Sienna have acceptable power to go up hills and get up to speed on highways?

I have a hunch that consumers will be quite pleased when all is revealed.

But when?

Thanks for reading everyone. See you next story when I explain why 2021 Highlander XSE will drive like no other Highlander ever.

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Comments

Mark (not verified)    May 4, 2020 - 10:27PM

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I would love to see a Sienna Prime as it would skip over the plain vanilla hybrid and get a lot of buyers and aid their mileage numbers dramatically.
Also if Chrysler can offer a plug-in Pacifica, Toyota should at least match it.
Maybe that is what is holding them up.

Gord (not verified)    May 9, 2020 - 2:00PM

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Who knows as it most likely will have the CVT trans just like the highlander and they have not been proven to be reliable when towing. I think on the Lexus RX hybrid towing is not allowed if I remember correctly. We have been towing a 3200lbs travel trailer for 15 years now with our Siennas' without problem, but that is with normal auto trans. Freind towed a 2800 lbs travel trailer with his Patfinder rated at 6000lbs and his CVT trans went last summer with only 60K km on it!

Marcos G. (not verified)    May 12, 2020 - 1:28PM

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The CVT in a pathfinder, are not comparable to the Toyota ECVT, this is a fact that many auto journalists either get wrong or do not understand. The ECVT is a planetary gear set and two electric motors, it's extremely reliable.

Joe (not verified)    May 18, 2020 - 11:37AM

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Just saw the live stream event. I am disappointed there is no Prime version of either Venza or Sienna. Perhaps, we will have to wait until the mid-cycle refresh to see it. Maybe they will update with solid state batteries by that time?

Chip (not verified)    May 5, 2020 - 5:06PM

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If a gas model is not available, this two-time Sienna owner will be moving to Honda. DUMB move!

Mark (not verified)    May 6, 2020 - 11:11AM

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Hybrid is still a gas vehicle. It just uses less gas. Cheaper to run, higher resale value. Better vehicle than the ones you owned before. I have had three Siennas and two Odysseys. Currently I think the Sienna will be the better car if it is offered as a hybrid.

Gord (not verified)    May 9, 2020 - 2:05PM

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Yes there is a gas motor but it will be most likely the one that is in the 2020 Highlander hybrid a 4cyl engine with 240 HP and the worst part it will have a CVT transmission. No good for us as we tow a camping trailer with ours for years now. So we are going to have to move on if I can't locate a 2020 in the trim and colour that we want. If I can we will buy a 2020 and just have an extra van and tow with our 2017 until its done usually at 250K-300K km for us as we do that in about 5-6 years max with all the travel. Our 2017 is at nearly 130K km right now, so most likely 3 more years before we are done with it.

Robert C Eckart (not verified)    May 7, 2020 - 5:02AM

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I agree with you, 100%! No gas model, No Sienna for me!
Stupid idea, Toyota.
When my 2015 Sienna Limited wears out, I will look to buy a Pacifica or Odyssey.

Joe (not verified)    May 6, 2020 - 3:42PM

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I have been waiting forever for a Sienna hybrid. Toyota has been making hybrid vans for the Japanese market for over 10 years that get over 40mpg without ever bringing them here. A Sienna AWD Limitied would be my dream car (a little weird I know). I hope with out the drive shaft, they could make 2 rows of fold and stow seats, and have a spare tire instead of the run flats.

Gord (not verified)    May 8, 2020 - 12:12AM

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I think its a bad move as well for no gas only option. They just wont sell enough hybrid models. Look at the Pacifica sales numbers for gas vs hybrid. This will kill the Sienna. Currently have a 2017 our 3rd Sienna and it will be the last if no gas only option available.

Mark (not verified)    May 8, 2020 - 7:47PM

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If price is the motivation for gas only, I understand. The problem with any vehicle is that the total cost includes operating costs. Toyota has very competitively priced hybrids unlike the first ones. They offer savings every day with lower fuel costs.
If you are really looking to save money buy a three year old car and let the first owner eat the depreciation.

Gord (not verified)    May 9, 2020 - 2:13PM

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For us we don't see the fuel saving benefit as most (95%) of travel is at 50 mph or more and very few stops as we live in the country, very remote area. We are not against a hybrid in general, wife has a Camry hybrid and we juts don't see almost any fuel savings compared to her previous gas-only Camry. As we have a lot of hills where we live it is a constant up and down and 85-90% of the time we are in gas mode and very rarely on battery only. For us the extra cost wasn't worth it. If we lived in a city or suburbs I can see the advantage.

As I said previously I don't think there will be enough sales for a hybrid only Sienna and either they will add a gas -only option or will kill off the Sienna and stick to SUVs and cars.

If the put in the 3.5 V6 hybrid with the traditional 8 speed or a rumored 10 speed then I don't mind looking at one as it will work for towing. If it is the 4cyl and the CVT then time to move if no 2020s can be found.

Joe (not verified)    May 9, 2020 - 2:33PM

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I agree. Totally stupid not offering one on the Prius. I almost went for a 2010 instead of my V for that reason. I really liked the idea of the solar sunroof cooling the car especially since I was living in FL at the time. Think of all the solar + sunroof that can fit on a Sienna.