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2021 Toyota Model Year Changes
  
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4Runner

2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Edition

2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Edition courtesy Toyota Newsroom

A Trail Special Edition includes all-weather floor mats and cargo mats, a roof-mounted cargo basket and a 40-quart cooler rated to keep food frozen up to 7 days. No particular off-road enhancements come with the package, which is available in 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive.

TRD Pro models get revised looks, Fox internal bypass shocks and Nitto Terra Grappler all-terrain tires on stronger alloy wheels. Dual-zone automatic climate control is also now standard on TRD Pro.

LED headlights are standard. All trims now have standard Smart Key System with Pushbutton Start.

86

Eighty-sixed.

Avalon

2021 Toyota Avalon XSE Nightshade

2021 Toyota Avalon XSE Nightshade package, courtesy Toyota Newsroom

The biggest news for 2021: an all-wheel drive model will be available, though strangely, only with a non-hybrid 4-cylinder, a power-plant not previously associated with the Avalon. The 205-horsepower 2.5-liter engine is intimately related to the Camry's standard engine, though with an extra driveshaft. Due to the loss of the V6, the Avalon AWD is no more expensive than the front-wheel drive model: $35,875 plus destination. Avalon XLE and Limited will offer the all-wheel drive option. Weight is up by 10 pounds for the AWD, and with a third less horsepower. A heated steering wheel is standard with AWD.

XSE models offer a new Nightshade package, with (sigh) black wheels, grille, mirrors and trim. We're almost hoping for the gold package to return. A non-Nightshade XSE isn't available.

Avalon Hybrid

2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid stock photo

A lithium-ion battery replaces the older Nickel-cadmium design, resulting in a loss of almost 30 pounds of curb weight.

C-HR

2021 Toyota C-HR stock photo

A new Nightshade edition is based on the XLE, with black wheels, mirrors and other trim.

Camry

2021 Toyota Camry AWD @2019 LA Autoshow

The Camry AWD is the big news. The first all-wheel drive Camry comes only with the four-cylinder non-hybrid engine.

The Camry L is discontinued, making the LE the entry level Camry. Heated seats are now optional on LE and SE, still standard on XLE and XSE. A heated steering wheel is now optional.

A rear seat reminder is new and standard on all models, it alerts the driver to check the back seat when the trip ends if a rear door had previously been opened.

A new 7-inch or 9-inch infotainment system makes it easier to use.

Camry Hybrid

2021 Camry XSE Hybrid

Camry Hybrid now comes in a sporty, luxurious XSE trim. A new 7-inch or 9-inch infotainment system makes it easier to use.

Corolla

2021 Toyota Corolla

New rear seat side impact airbags protect from side collisions in the back; they're standard. Rear Cross Path Warning has been added to the optional Blind Spot Warning.

Compact spare and satellite radio are now standard.

Corolla Hatchback

2021 Corolla Hatchback Special Edition

2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Special Edition courtesy Toyota Newsroom

Rear Cross Traffic Warning joins Blind Spot Warning as an option on SE Automatic, standard on XSE. Rear side impact airbags are a new feature, standard on all models, they join the front and rear seat side curtain airbags and front seat side airbags to improve protection from side collisions.

A Corolla Hatchback Special Edition includes "Supersonic Red" paint (available separately), side sill aero effects, rear spoiler and other custom body features.

Corolla Hybrid

2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Blind Spot Warning is now available as an option and it includes rear cross traffic warning. Rear side impact airbags are a new standard feature. The compact spare is no longer offered.

Highlander

2021 Toyota Highlander XSE at 2020 Chicago auto show

A new XSE variant of the family crossover adds a sporty flair, with 20-inch wheels and a unique grille, front spoiler, headlamps and a retuned steering feel. Inside two-tone seats and carbon-fiber styled trim jazz it up. It is not available in a hybrid version.

Hands-free liftgate is no longer offered on Limited models, only Platinum.

Land Cruiser

2021 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition from Toyota website

The Land Cruiser Heritage Edition with its five-passenger configuration continues and now is offered with three-rows of seats as well.

Mirai

2021 Toyota Mirai

The Mirai, after skipping the 2020 model year, gets gorgeous new sheet metal, about 100 miles more range on a tank of hydrogen (about 400 miles total), and becomes rear-wheel driven

Prius

2021 Toyota Prius

No changes.

Prius Prime

2021 Toyota Prius Prime stock photo

Android Auto compatibility is now standard on all trims.

Toyota Safety Sense upgraded to 2.0, adding Lane Trace Assist and Road Sign Assist, systems that enhance the tracking in the middle of the lane and alert the driver to changes in speed limit and other road signs.

Rav4

2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime at 2020 Chicago auto show

The big news is the most eco-friendly Rav4 and the most powerful ever created. The Rav4 Prime's 2.5-liter plug-in hybrid produces a total of 302 horsepower and has an electric motor on the rear axle for full-time all-wheel drive.

Rav4 XLE now has a standard power driver's seat.

Sequoia

2021 Toyota Sequoia Nightshade

2021 Toyota Sequoia Nightshade Edition courtesy Toyota Newsroom

Sequoia also gets a Nightshade Edition: cue "Paint it Black" by the Stones. The Nightshade is based on the Sequoia Limited, but with black wheels, grille and trim. The Stones treatment comes with a $1000 price-tag.

Sienna

2021_Toyota_Sienna_Family_01

2021 Toyota Sienna family courtesy Toyota Newsroom

The Sienna is redesigned for 2021 and will now include a standard hybrid powertrain. It hasn't caught up with the Pacifica entirely, as the Sienna Hybrid is not a plug-in, but its fuel mileage (33 MPG combined) is 10% better than the Pacifica Hybrid's when its gasoline engine is running. But the Sienna will offer all-wheel drive as an option along with its hybrid engine; the Pacifica Hybrid doesn't offer all-wheel drive, only with the regular engine. The Sienna Hybrid also can tow 3500 pounds, 3500 pounds more than the Pacifica Hybrid and only 100 pounds less than the standard Pacifica. This is all accomplished with a 234-horsepower version of Toyota's 2.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid engine. Optional All-Wheel Drive is electric, so no driveshaft.

The 2021 Sienna is truly new, as it sits on a new platform, or chassis, the TNGA-K, shared with the Highlander, Camry, Avalon and Lexus ES. A more sophisticated multi-link independent rear suspension should improve ride and handling.

Blind Spot Monitor is standard on all models. A rear seat reminder is also standard, alerting the driver to check the back if the rear doors had previously opened. Second row seats gain side airbags for the passengers' torsos.

A new Platinum model is the new top-level model. An available refrigerator and vacuum cleaner makes us wonder: will there be a toaster or an iron in the glovebox?

The liftgate and the sliding side doors both gain an available hands-free kick to operate feature.

An electric parking brake replaces the old pedal and the cruise control finally moves to the steering wheel.

Supra

2021 Toyota Supra stock photo

The brand new for 2020 Supra gets more power for 2021! And less... The inline 6-cylinder turbo receives a power boost of 47 horsepower, but now a new entry-level turbocharged 4-cylinder is available, lowering the price to get into a Supra down to $43,945. 

The new 6-cylinder is rated at 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque, while the 4-cylinder produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet. The 4-cylinder comes with smaller 13-inch brakes and does without the power seats, electronically adjustable suspension and active rear differential. The stereo has 6 fewer speakers. The new 2.0 4-cylinder also has smaller, non-Brembo brakes.

More subtle tells that a Supra is a 4-banger: polished stainless exhaust tips instead of brushed and glossy black side mirrors. The 2.0-liter also rides a little higher, 51.1 inches, 0.2 inches taller than the 3.0.

The 3.0 Launch Edition is, of course, no longer offered for 2021, but a new special version, the A91 Edition, will be produced, 1000  units worth in two colors: nocturnal (black) and refraction (blue).

Tacoma

2021 Toyota TACOMA NIGHTSHADE

2021 Toyota Tacoma Nightshade Edition courtesy Toyota Pressroom

Tacoma also gets a Trail Special Edition. Based on Tacoma SR5, the Trail Special Edition comes with black seats with tan stitching, all-weather floor liners, 120-volt outlet in the bed, lockable bed storage, gray alloy wheels with Kevlar All-Terrain tires and the grille from the Tacoma Limited. Trail Special Edition is available on 2WD or 4WD models.

Tacoma is also available in a Nightshade Edition. Based on Tacoma Limited it features a black leather interior, smoke-colored 18-inch alloy wheels, black exhaust tips, fog light trim and grille. It is only available in black or gray exterior paint.

Tundra

2021 Toyota Tundra

Satellite radio is now standard on all models.

A new Trail Edition offers storage to help with camping and hiking. Based on the SR5 Crew Max 4x2 or 4x4, it includes the SR5 Upgrade Package (38 gallon fuel tank, front bucket seats, driver's lumbar, telescoping steering wheel, etc.) and adds lockable insulated storage in the bed to use as a cooler.

2021 TOYOTA TUNDRA TRAIL EDITION Lockable Box.

2021 Toyota Tundra Trail Edition lockable box, courtesy Toyota Pressroom

Venza

2021 Toyota_Venza LE

2021 Toyota Venza, courtesy Toyota Pressroom

A blast from the past, the Venza has returned. As a hybrid only, the Venza with its 219-horsepower 2.5-liter gas/electric all-wheel drive powertrain is rated at 37 city and 47 highway MPG by the EPA. All-wheel drive is also standard on all three trims: LE, XLE and Limited, and it takes advantage of the hybrid electrification by pushing the rear wheels purely through a 118-horsepower electric motor, eliminating clutches, driveshafts and a rear differential.

Safety equipment benefits from Toyota's commitment to providing standard safety: front collision warning, automatic braking, post collision braking, lane departure warning, Lane Tracing Assist, sway warning (indicating fatigue), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, brake assist, and eight airbags are all standard. Rear seat monitoring is also standard, reminding the driver to check the back seat if a rear door had previously been opened.

Benefiting from the lack of a driveshaft and a hybrid battery that resides under the passenger compartment, cargo capacity is big: 28.8 cubic feet with the rear seats in use and 55.1 with them folded. The rear seats recline and back seat passengers have 37.8 inches of legroom, more than an Audi A4 Allroad, BMW X3, Buick Encore, Range Rover Evoque, Lexus NX or a Volvo V60 or V90 Cross Country.

Lots of luxurious features are standard: power, hands-free rear liftgate, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, wireless phone charging (Qi standard), power driver's seat, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto phone compatibility. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, automatic dimming rearview mirror, built-in garage door opener, memory seats, navigation computer and more are available as options or part of the higher trims.

Toyota hopes the Venza will pick up additional crossover customers slotted between the Highlander and Rav4.

Yaris

Discontinued.

 
 

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