The 2021 Toyota Venza starts at $32,470

"LJ909" (lj909) 08/24/2020 at 12:11 • Filed to: 2021 Toyota Venza, Toyota Venza, Toyota, venza, Pricing

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Back a fter a 6 year hiatus (it was discontinued for 2015) the Venza returns for ‘21 as a Lexus-like hybrid only crossover for...who knows? Here’s the pricing breakdown.

There are only 3 trim levels of the Venza to choose from: LE, XLE and top line Limited. As I mentioned before, the Venza is a hybrid only this time around. All trims get powered by the same set up. It gets a 2.5 liter I4 along with 3 electric motors, the 3rd of which is on the rear axle. Total combined output is 219 horses. MPG figures are an impressive 40 city/37 highway/39 combined. Unfortunately this engine is paired to a CVT, the only transmission option. AWD is also standard on every trim.

Venza LE

The base LE s tarts at the aforementioned $32,740. Standout standard features include:

18” wheels

Height adjustable hands free power lift-gate

8 way power driver’s seat

8” touchscreen and 4.2” color LCD screen in speedo

AndroidAuto & Apple CarPlay

4 USB ports

Blind spot and rear cross traffic alert and Toyota Safety Sense

There are 6 exterior colors (Blizzard Pearl,Coastal Gray Metallic,Black,Ruby Flare Pearl,Titanium Glow,Blueprint) and 2 interior seat fabrics (gray or Black) to choose from. 2 exterior colors (Blizzard Pearl & Ruby Flare Pearl) are $425 options. The other 4 colors are no charge.I stuck with Black on Black. There are no options packages at this trim. There are the typical accessories of things like floor mats, wheel locks etc, of which there are 16 total. With none of those selected, the Venza LE rings in at $32,470.

Venza XLE

The next trim is the XLE. Starting at $36k even, it builds on the LE by coming standard with:

19” wheels

Heated front seats

LED headlights & DRL’s

Silver roof rails

7” color LCD display

Front and rear park assist with auto braking

Considering that is the gist of what the XLE comes standard with over the LE, I don’t see anything that would command a $3,350 price difference. The XLE gains one exterior color over the LE for a total of 7. Called Celestial Black, its a $425 option. Interior seat coverings gain 6 choices and the option of 2 tone fabric/SofTex faux leather, or just all SofTex seating. Color choices are either Black, Gray, Black/Java. I choose the last one. Choosing the fabric/faux leather requires the addition of an option package. Speaking of which…

There are 3 option packages on the XLE:

Premium audio with dynamic navigation and JBL $2,050 or $2,560 : Price depends on if you choose the fabric or 2 tone SofTex/Cloth seating: Ups the screen size to 12.5”, 9 speaker JBL audio system. 3 additional USB ports for a total of 7, wifi hot spot with 2 gb 3 month trial.

SofTex Package $510 : Required if wanting to choose any of the seating covered in the faux leather. Also includes heated & ventilated front seats, 8 way power driver’s seat with memory function and lumbar support, 4 way power passenger seat, driver and front passenger seatback pockets, leather trimmed heated power tilt & telescoping steering wheel.

It should be noted that none of the 3 packages can be chosen together. So to pretty much get everything, I choose the $2,560 JBL package with Black/Java interior. With no accessories selected, the Venza XLE rings in at $38,560

Venza Limited

The final trim of the Venza is the $39,800 Limited trim. Its probably as close to a Lexus as you can get without buying one. Its standard features include:

19” super chrome alloy wheels

Heated and cooled front seats

StarGaze fixed pano roof with power sunshade

Digital rearview mirror

Birds eye view camera

Heated leather steering wheel

7” LCD speedo display

12.3” touchscreen

No changes on the Limited trim on the exterior color front. It gets the same 6 standard colors as the LE. And in a nod to how cheap the industry is, there is no actual leather seating on this top trim either. Its still just choices of either gray, Black or Black/Java SofTex.

There are 3 option packages on the Limited trim:

Advanced Technology package $725 : Includes a HUD with speedo and hybrid system indicators, rain sensing wipers.

Star G aze fixed pano roof $1400 or $2125 : when combined with the Advanced Technology Package: The fixture of this package is the electrochromatic fixed pano roof who’s opacity can be turned on or off.

I added this last package as it makes the most sense. With no accessories, the loaded out Venza Limited rings in at $41,925.

As I have to always ask with these crossovers,who is this exactly for? If you look at the specs, its comes close in a lot of measurements to the Rav4, which makes more sense. In fact its width and wheelbase are the same as the Rav4, but the Venza is just slightly longer at 186.6 to the Rav4’s 180.9 inches. As with most crossovers, inside its small enough to not make sense as well, with both the Rav4 and Highlander having more cargo carrying capacity, and the Highlander able to hold more people in more room. But with its swoopy design, that cuts into the roof and sight visibility. So the Venza amounts to nothing more than a more luxurious, pricer, less practical Rav4 Hybrid. But Toyota thinks its design and exclusive pano roof might win over buyers. And thats kind of sad.

Spanfeller is a twat > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 12:28

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Its for me.

Am bitches. 

facw > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 12:33

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Hmm, that appears to be just be a more rounded RAV-4. I should have known Toyota would want a real crossover instead of trying to slip in another lifted Camry wagon.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 12:33

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For whatever reason, I’ve always liked the first Gen Venzas. I think the proportions were good and it was more of a tall wagon than an SUV.

Anyways, this one blows.......

MUSASHI66 > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 12:36

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It is amazing how they ruined it from the old model which was very appealing to me, with the AWD V6 drivetrain. I imagine this one will ou tsell the old one 10:1.

fintail > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 12:42

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Reminds me of a lifted Avalon . I don’t mean that in a good way.

This will be another one to watch out for making blind lane changes on the highway, and not handling roundabouts properly.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 12:42

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Meh. Seems like another generic crossover.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 12:51

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The Venza hasn’t sold shit since 2015, so why did this car get a revamp? 

sn4cktimes > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 12:57

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I find the last pic amusing. Why’s he got his hand on the “ gear selection lever” like a fighter pilot while he’s driving? Need to put in neutral? Gotta fast Park- mode it? Not like there’s really anything to do with it while driving... gotta fire them missiles with that thumb grip? Just put one hand on the wheel and another on a cell phone like most people I see driving around... customers could relate more easily.

fintail > sn4cktimes 08/24/2020 at 13:12

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It’s an exciting dynamic driver’s car!   

CompactLuxuryFan > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 13:15

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I think this is probably the best looking vehicle in Toyota’s lineup right now, maybe tied with the Land Cruiser. It looks like a JDM Lexus or something (like badging a G37 to Skyline). And I love the Harrier name. Too bad it’s “Venza” in the US. Most unfortunate is the powertrain but this should easily be the best Uber around. I’m thinking the Rav4 Prime may cannibalize some sales. 

LJ909 > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 08/24/2020 at 13:17

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Same. My aunt had a red one and I actually found it decent. It was a good competitor for that weird Accord Crosstour. This new one though? Senseless overkill for a market already over-saturated .

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 13:18

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Design and pano roof. That is exactly why my sister in law bought another murano. Used, from carmax with the warranty (that has already paid for itself). So yes, that is a very real thing. I hate that it is, but many people simply dgaf about cars. My brother is also a car guy, but he went with the happy wife, happy life route and did not push back on the decision.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 13:22

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LJ909 > fintail 08/24/2020 at 13:22

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A raised Avalon would probably work...

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 13:30

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Nice write-up minus random non spaces after periods. Might want to fix that.

I really enjoyed this. Not that I am the target market. I liked the last gen Venza as an AWD lifted V6 wagon that you would recommend to your rich aunt but not something I’d ever drive. This one I couldn’t even do that. It seems not quite luxurious enough to be Lexus but too pricey for a Toyota.

Also, the color choice sucks. Black, white, gray, silver, and a meh red.

At least they had the balls to offer some non black interior options that no one will select. Not that anyone would special order these to have a good interior exterior color combo.

LJ909 > sn4cktimes 08/24/2020 at 13:34

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These automotive pics/videos make never make sense. Its like the old Celine Dion Chrysler commercial that showed her laughing while downshifting a Sebring Convertible. Made no sense.

LJ909 > CompactLuxuryFan 08/24/2020 at 13:42

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It really is. It would work in the Lexus lineup I think. But with it being so similar to the Rav4 ( I think they may even ride on the same platform and share the powertrains) it just makes no sense to consider this on design alone. Unfortunately that’ s exactly what people will do.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 13:42

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I still laugh at them because my wife, from Japan, says the word Venza sounds like a phrase for toilet seat. Not sure how that passed marketing in Japan. 

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > sn4cktimes 08/24/2020 at 13:48

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Well as someone who has worked on shows and stuff I suspect they don’t want to block the console shot, which it would if his hand/arm were on the wheel. Then what do you do with the other hand, I can see the DP telling him to put it there.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 08/24/2020 at 13:50

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People devour RX here, these will sell like hotcakes. 

LJ909 > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 08/24/2020 at 13:52

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Its sad that people shop like that. I personally never could do that. That all should be considered in conjunction with the value proposition.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 08/24/2020 at 13:53

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I don’t doubt it for a second.

ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 13:55

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Seeing all the options (electrochromatic sunroof!!) you can get topped out at $41k really reinforces how overpriced my Gladiator was. Sure do like it, though.

LJ909 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 08/24/2020 at 14:03

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Thanks. I don’ t know who the target market is actually. I think because its not needed in the lineup. Its a crossover for crossovers sake. You also pointed out its in a weird gray area of not being luxurious enough for Lexus, but too pricey for Toyota. The interior fabric choice suck because they off that fake ass SofTex instead of real leather. The only real leather in the interior is the wheel.

j369 > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 14:09

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i have 7 cars and i really like the venza. might get it to replace my 2005 prius with 300k miles . rav4 hybrid is nice, drove 2k miles in my buddy’s XSE but the venza is a little different and looks nice. I just want a quiet numb peaceful car that wafts along (still considering used S550 but the fuel consumption might hold me back from truly dailying it) after driving my miata or s2000 .

current garage as a disclaimer

p85 model s

mercedes sprinter

fiat 500e

328i wagon e91

nb miata

ap1 s2000

2005 prius

LJ909 > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 08/24/2020 at 14:10

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Its the same deal with why the Buick Lacrosse couldn’ t be sold with that name in Canada.

LJ909 > ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy 08/24/2020 at 14:11

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You dont even get power windows in the base Gladiator and I think they cost almost the same.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 14:11

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Let’s see what sort of person Toyota thinks will buy it:

People who don’t look before backing. Got it.

If it had real leather and a Lexus badge, it would sell well to wealthy upper middle class people who have always been upper middle class and can’t imagine not being upper middle class. As of now, it serves as a reminder why Toyota sells their fancy cars as Lexus here.

I also don’t see how they would ever make much money off them. This is the sort of car people buy outright to drive slowly and carefully for 10 years before trading it in on whatever the modern equivalent is. It’s not the sort of thing you’d lease for three years or constantly trade up on. Not to mention the target audience isn’t terribly large to begin with.

Really, I think they could have looked at the old Venza and decided it didn’t need to exist. That had much more going for it and it sold poorly.

LJ909 > j369 08/24/2020 at 14:18

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Nice lineup. But I wouldnt get this. Get an actual Lexus or skip this altogether and get the Rav4 Prime. Makes much more sense.

dogisbadob > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 14:22

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The sunroof doesn’t open?

dogisbadob > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 14:34

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Chrysler is a joke, so it totally makes sense :p

j369 > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 14:45

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rav4 prime is too hard to find/overpriced. If lexus puts this drivetrain in one of their vehicles i would consider it

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 15:18

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I agree. Different priorities for different people, I guess. I think her requirements, in somewhat order went like:

Price,  Medium suv, premium features, Design (she likes the styling), then whatever else. I was trying to nudge them in the direction of a cpo Lexus RX350, but for the price of the loaded Nissan with the Doug warranty, they were having a hard time finding the big sunroof. That was the deciding factor. SMH. Oh well, the Nissan is a nice place to spend time and is comfy, so as long as she is happy haha

CompactLuxuryFan > LJ909 08/24/2020 at 16:16

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Well won’t the materials, etc be more in line with a Camry than a Corolla/RAV-4 ? N ow that small cars are so big you’re not gaining much usable room when stepping up from compact -> mid-size but I think there’s still a noticeable quality difference. So this is I guess kinda like an Edge/Passport to the Camry/Highlander. 

benn454 > CompactLuxuryFan 08/24/2020 at 17:08

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 If this is the best looking Toyota they need to fire their design team, burn down the building, salt the earth, and start over.

CompactLuxuryFan > benn454 08/24/2020 at 17:35

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I mean...

benn454 > CompactLuxuryFan 08/24/2020 at 17:55

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 Yuck.

Forrest > sn4cktimes 08/31/2020 at 03:18

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Park it like it’s hot.