What’s New for Toyota in 2021?
For 2021, Toyota continues its commitment to hybrid powertrains. The Japanese automaker made one standard in its redesigned 2021 Sienna minivan and resurrected the Venza name for a new hybrid-only SUV. It also continues to offer the option of a hybrid in the Corolla, Camry and Avalon cars, and RAV4 and Highlander SUVs. The RAV4 also gets a plug-in hybrid powertrain with the new RAV4 Prime.
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Shop the 2021 Toyota Camry near you
Those are just some of the changes to Toyota’s lineup for 2021. Check out the rest below.
Cars
2021 86
Toyota appears to have hit pause on the 86 for the 2021 model year, ahead of a likely redesign for 2022 (we’ve already seen the redesigned 2022 Subaru BRZ, which at least previously shared a great deal mechanically with the 86). Nothing official has been announced as of this writing.
2021 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid
Toyota added optional all-wheel drive to the Avalon XLE and Limited for 2021, and created a new XSE Nightshade Edition. The Avalon Hybrid gets a new lithium-ion battery pack, too. Android Auto compatibility is now standard, and Toyota replaced two USB-A ports with USB-C ports, one front and one rear. Avalon TRD buyers can now add optional summer performance tires.
2021 Camry and Camry Hybrid
The 2021 Camry gets slightly revised front styling, new 7- and 9-inch “floating” touchscreens, and Toyota has added an XSE Hybrid to the lineup. The 2021 Camry also features the latest version of Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of advanced safety tech, version 2.5 Plus. New interior and exterior materials and colors are also available. Prices for the 2021 Camry Hybrid drop considerably.
2021 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid
Redesigned for 2020, the 2021 Corolla gets minor changes, with Android Auto now standard and a new Apex Edition sporty trim. XLE and XSE trims also get blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert as standard equipment (it’s available on the LE, LE Hybrid and CVT-equipped SE).
2021 Mirai
The California-only Mirai ditches its polarizing, angular styling for something much more flowing and Lexus-like. The hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle has both longer range and more power thanks to a new powertrain.
2021 Prius
As of this writing there are no significant changes to the Prius for 2021.
2021 Supra
The revived Supra offers more — and less — power for 2021. The “less” comes from a newly available turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 255 horsepower and 295 pounds-feet of torque. “More” comes from the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder, which has been upgraded in a variety of ways to produce 382 hp (up from 335) and 368 pounds-feet (up from 365). The 3.0 models also get a retuned chassis and reprogrammed power steering, adaptive suspension and stability control for improved cornering performance.
Minivan
2021 Sienna
The Sienna gets a full redesign for 2021, including a new standard hybrid powertrain. There’s more to it than that and more than will fit here, so check out our review and the rest of our coverage for all the details.
SUVs
2021 4Runner
The venerable 4Runner adds a new special Trail Edition to its lineup for 2021, including special TRD Off-Road wheels, a roof-mounted cargo basket, sliding rear cargo tray and custom 40-gallon cooler that can be secured to the cargo tray. TRD Pro models get a retuned suspension and new wheels along with a new Lunar Rock exterior color. All 4Runners get new LED headlights and Toyota Safety Sense-P is standard on all trims.
2021 C-HR
A new Nightshade edition and newly standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 round out the updates to Toyota’s front-wheel-drive-only C-HR “SUV.”
2021 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid
The gas-only Highlander adds a new sporty XSE trim, while the Highlander Hybrid adds enhanced LED headlights to the LE and XLE. Both Highlander and Highlander Hybrid add Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 Plus for 2021.
2021 Land Cruiser
The reported last model year of the Land Cruiser in the U.S. brings back the unique Heritage Edition for another model year with additional exterior colors, as silver and gray join the already available black and white. The Heritage Edition is also available as a three-row model for 2021.
2021 RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime\
Model-year 2021 RAV4 TRD Off-Road models get a new stainless-steel skid plate and the RAV4 Hybrid adds the XLE Premium to its lineup. The biggest change, however, is the new RAV4 Prime, a plug-in hybrid version of Toyota’s popular compact SUV that has 42 miles of electric-only range and 302 total system hp, making it the most powerful and quickest RAV4 yet. You can learn more about the RAV4 Prime in our full review.
2021 Sequoia
Toyota’s full-size three-row Sequoia enters 2021 with a new Nightshade Edition that adds blacked out exterior accents and black wheels; it’s available in black, gray or white exterior paint colors. Toyota Safety Sense-P is standard on all trims of the Sequoia.
2021 Venza
Toyota resurrected the Venza name and put it on a roughly RAV4-sized hybrid-only compact SUV with a luxurious interior that has touches of Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand. You can check out our full review of the new Venza and the rest of our coverage to learn about details like its optional trick electrochromic roof panel.
Pickup Trucks
2021 Tacoma
Like the 4Runner, the 2021 Tacoma adds a special Trail Edition for 2021, along with a new Nightshade Edition. The TRD Pro model adds the new Lunar Rock paint color to the available palette, too. Dual-zone climate control is now standard on all V-6-powered 2021 Tacomas.
2021 Tundra
The changes are nearly the same for the full-size 2021 Tundra, which also adds Trail and Nightshade special editions to its lineup and makes the Lunar Rock paint color available on the TRD Pro.
More From Cars.com:
- Toyota Highlander: Which Should You Buy, 2020 or 2021?
- Toyota Corolla: Which Should You Buy, 2020 or 2021?
- Toyota Camry: Which Should You Buy, 2020 or 2021?
- Toyota RAV4: Which Should You Buy, 2020 or 2021?
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