According to a Toyota dealer meeting, the new 2021 Sienna minivan is an all-hybrid.
If a leak at a dealer meeting suggests otherwise, the 2021 Toyota Sienna will only be available in a hybrid gas-electric model. A sneaky picture taken at an AllCarNews company meeting was published recently by the AllCarNews Instagram account. It corroborates many of the information we have reported about future Toyota products (second slide below).
However, the latest news about an all-hybrid next generation Sienna is notable. It will be available by the end the year. The leaked photo shows Toyota’s next-generation vehicle launch timeline. It features an all-hybrid powertrain lineup.
It is not clear what engine configurations would be available for the 2021 Sienna. One possibility is to use a hybridized version the current 3.5-liter V6 with port-injected injection. This could be modified to run on the more efficient Atkinson cycle. The 2020 Highlander Hybrid has replaced its 3.5-liter engine with a 2.5-liter hybrid inline-four. This prioritizes efficiency over speed.
The next generation Sienna could follow in the footsteps of the current model, with either a base four-cylinder engine or an electrified V6. This wouldn’t be the first time that the minivan has an inline four base engine. The current-generation Sienna was able to get by with a 2.7-liter 4-pot for its first two models, but it struggled to cope with the weight of the family hauler. A hybrid four might work well if the Toyota Sienna 2021 is properly lightweighted when it transitions to the company’s TNGA platform.
It is possible that a plug-in hybrid “Sienna Prime”, also appears likely. We expect the Toyota RAV4 Prime powertrain to be switched over wholesale. It is a 2.5-liter inline four engine that has one front and one back electric motors, powered by a high capacity lithium-ion battery. The Sienna Prime will have 302 horsepower (225kilowatts) compared to the 296 hp (221kW) of the current Sienna V6.
The photo leak claimed that Toyota will release an “all new crossover” in the fall. It would also include the hybrid Sienna. The new model could be either the Corolla Cross, or the resurrected venza. We believe the latter since the timeline includes an “all-new CUV”, which will arrive next year.
Toyota’s powertrain innovations are not surprising since the Prius was introduced in Japan in 1997. The company’s battery technology has improved in recent years, making it more affordable and compact. This allows for more electrified vehicles. The hybrid Sienna is a first for the company and will finally give the Chrysler Pacifica plug in some electrified competition.