Toyota Venza/Harrier to gain Plug in Hybrid this year – Report

In April 2021, Toyota announced that it plans to expand its electrified vehicle range from 55 models then to around 70 models by 2025. One of the 15 xEVs will be a Toyota Venza Plug-in Hybrid/Toyota Venza Prime, as per a report from Best Car Web.

On the Toyota Venza ‘Prime’

The Japanese publication says Toyota will partially improve the Harrier, which it calls Venza in the U.S., in October 2022. The company will introduce the plug-in hybrid system as part of this update. The Venza plug-in hybrid’s electrified system “is supposed to be” based on the same 2.5L engine as the RAV4 plug-in hybrid (RAV4 Prime).

The RAV4 plug-in hybrid, which is in short supply in the U.S., employs the A25A-FXS 2.5-liter Dynamic Force Engine that produces 177 hp at 6,000 rpm and 165 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm. Two motors assist this engine, the 5NM unit at the front and the 4NM unit at the rear. The 5NM motor generates 179 hp and 199 lb.-ft. of torque. The 4NM motor develops 53 hp and 89 lb.-ft. of torque. The combined net power of the engine and electric motors is 302 hp. An 18.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack stores the energy, with an AC 6.6 kW charging time of 2.5 hours.

There’s no word on the U.S. launch of the Toyota Venza PHEV. However, a leaked regional internal document from New York that detailed the launch timetable for the year revealed that a new Venza is not among the models Toyota plans to introduce in the U.S. in 2022. Note that Toyota has not said anything about the Prime version of the Venza, which it sold a modest 5,128 units of in the United States in 2021.

Toyota Venza Hybrid

Grades

The Toyota Venza is currently available in the U.S. in LE, XLE, and Limited grades. The LE grade includes 18-inch multi-spoke two-tone alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 8-way power driver’s seat, and a 4.2-inch color MID. On the safety front, Pre-Collision System with Daytime/Low-Light Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, plus Daytime Bicyclist Detection, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), and Road Sign Assist (RSA) are standard.

The XLE grade sports 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels with a chrome finish. It features touch-operated climate control, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 7-inch color MID, and a passive keyless entry system. It adds Park Assist (front and rear parking sensors) with Automated Braking to the list of safety equipment.

The Limited grade brings upgrades like 4-way power front passenger’s seat, front-seat ventilation, unique seat bolster stitching, JBL sound system, 360-degree camera system, and fog lights.

Specifications

A hybrid system is standard in the U.S.-spec Toyota Venza. It uses the aforementioned 2.5-liter Dynamic Force Engine but in a slightly different tuning. The maximum output is 176 hp, and it’s available at 5,700 rpm. The maximum torque is 163 lb.-ft. and it’s available at 5,200 rpm.

There are two electric motors, one at the front and one at the rear. The front motor (3NM) produces 118 hp and 149 lb.-ft. of torque. The rear motor (4NM) develops 54 hp and 89 lb.-ft. of torque. The maximum power output of the hybrid system is 219 hp (combined net horsepower). The traction battery pack is a 0.9 kWh lithium-ion unit.

Prices

The Toyota Venza hybrid costs USD 32,890 in the LE grade, USD 36,425 in the XLE grade, and USD 40,380 in the Limited grade. These prices exclude a USD 1,215 delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee. If launched in the U.S., the Toyota Venza Prime could start above USD 35,000.

Featured Image Source: Toyota