MT GARAGE

Arrival: 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid XLE

EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ

40/37/39 mpg

“Over the next year, we’ll find out if this hybrid Toyota SUV brings Lexus-like luxury to the masses.”
Miguel Cortina

Base Price $37,175 As Tested $39,735

Mainstream luxury is an elusive concept, yet the 2021 Toyota Venza encompasses that and more.

The midsize SUV makes a statement with its elegant design and clean cabin, which those taking a quick glance could mistake for a Lexus interior. But as a Toyota, the Venza brings the value and accessibility the automaker is known for. For the next year, we will be driving Toyota’s hybrid-only SUV, which was a finalist in our most recent SUV of the Year competition.

The Venza competes against a growing group of crossovers, such as the Chevrolet Blazer and Honda Passport, but instead of offering something sporty or outdoorsy (like Chevy and Honda do), Toyota went the other way and delivered an upscale design with a well-equipped package.

How is our long-term Toyota Venza specced?

Although all Venzas come well equipped, we opted for the XLE trim level, the middle of three Toyota offers. (The LE serves as the base model, and the limited tops the range.)

Toyota only offers two packages on the XLE—a premium audio system and the SofTex package. The former replaces the standard 8.0-inch touchscreen with a 12.3-inch touch display with navigation, adds three USB ports (four total) and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and replaces the base six-speaker stereo with a nine-speaker JBL sound system. This $2,050 package, which also adds capacitive touch buttons under the infotainment display, gives the interior a clean look. The SofTex package adds leatherette seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and powered front seats—all for $510.

Like all Venzas, our XLE is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, which adds a handful of safety technologies to make the environment safer and take some stress off the driver. Features such as lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, radar cruise control, and automatic emergency braking are all standard.

The Venza earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, falling short of the coveted “Plus” recognition because of the Marginal and Acceptable headlight ratings. On the crash tests, however, it scored Good ratings across the board.

What about the engine?

All Venzas share the same hybrid powertrain, which combines a 2.5-liter I-4 engine with three electric motors to provide 219 hp total. All-wheel drive is standard, as one of