Fast-forward to May 2020, and Toyota announced that it was bringing back a new and shiny Venza for the 2021 model year. However, the Venza for the 2020s still hasn’t shaken off its sedan roots as it rides on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) K platform, which is shared by, you guessed it, the Camry. But as opposed to the previous iteration, it is able to set itself apart from the potential stigma of just being a tall Camry wagon — namely, the hybrid drivetrain.
Much like the Toyota Sienna minivan, the Venza is only available as a hybrid. With the electric motor system and gas engine working in tandem, it generates 219 horsepower. That translates to 37 combined miles per gallon. All-wheel drive is also standard across the current range of Venza.
With the introduction of the TNGA platform and more hybrid models like the newest generation of Toyota Sequoia, it makes sense for Toyota to bring back a mostly familiar nameplate with the Venza, even though it has little in common with the previous generation. For Venza’s sake, hopefully, buyers take a liking to the crossover’s “glow up.”
