Toyota revealed the next-generation 2021 Toyota Venza last week as the Japanese automaker’s latest midsize two-row crossover. Viewed through the General Motors lens, the all-new Venza arrives as a rival for new Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, so we’re putting all three models side-by-side in the following GM Authority Dimensional Comparison, looking at the exterior dimensions, interior dimensions cargo and towing capacities, powertrain, and base price.
Exterior Dimensions
Let’s start by checking in on how big these crossovers are. From the off, one thing is abundantly clear – the 2021 Toyota Venza is significantly smaller than both the Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia.
As it turns out, the 2021 Toyota Venza is based on the same platform as the RAV4, and sports an identical 105.9 wheelbase. The Blazer and Acadia both have much longer wheelbases, measuring in at 112.7 inches and 112,5 inches, respectively.
The new Venza is also shorter in terms of overall length and overall heigh, and it is narrower in terms of overall width when compared to the two GM crossovers. The only measurement where the Venza has a bigger figure is in terms of ground clearance, with the Toyota showing 8 inches of clearance to the Blazer’s 7.4 inches and the Acadia’s 7.2.
Finally, curb weight figures land the Venza slightly above the Blazer, but well below the Acadia.
| Toyota Venza Hybrid | Chevrolet Blazer | GMC Acadia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase: | 105.9 | 112.7 | 112.5 |
| Overall length: | 186.6 | 191.4 | 193.6 |
| Overall height: | 65.9 | 67 | 661 |
| Overall width: | 73 | 76.7 | 75.4 |
| Ground clearance: | 8 | 7.4 | 7.2 |
| Base curb weight: | 3,860 (LE) | 3,810 (L w/ 2.5L) | 3,956 (SL w/ 2.5L) |
- Units: length in inches, weight in pounds
- Without roof rack
Interior Dimensions
Given its smaller exterior dimensions, one would expect the Venza to sport smaller interior dimensions as well. As it turns out, that assumption would be correct, with the Toyota showing smaller measurements across the board.
That said, the differences here are relatively small. The biggest difference can be found in front shoulder room, with the Acadia posting 59.4 inches to the Venza’s 57.4 inches, a difference of 2 inches.
| Toyota Venza Hybrid | Chevrolet Blazer | GMC Acadia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front headroom: | 38.6 | 39.8 | 40 |
| Rear headroom: | 39 | 38.6 | 39.6 (second row) / 37.2 (third row) |
| Front legroom: | 40.9 | 41 | 41 |
| Rear legroom: | 37.8 | 39.6 | 39.7 (second row) / 29.7 (third row) |
| Front shoulder room: | 57.4 | 59.1 | 59.4 |
| Rear shoulder room: | 56.9 | 58.6 | 58.7 (second row) / 54.3 (third row) |
- Unit: inches
- All metrics without sunroof
Capacities
While passenger volume and complete cargo volume specs are still forthcoming for the 2021 Toyota Venza, we do know that the new crossover offers 36.3 cubic-feet of space in the rear trunk, significantly more than the 30.5 cubic-feet offered in the Blazer. That figure is also far above the 12.8 cubic-feet offered in the Acadia, although it must be said that the Acadia does come with three row of seating, which cuts into available rear cargo room when the rearmost seats are up.
| 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid | 2020 Chevrolet Blazer | 2020 GMC Acadia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger volume: | TBA | 107.8 | 143.8 |
| All seats up: | 36.3 | 30.5 | 12.81 |
| Second row lowered: | TBA | 64.2 | 41.72 / 793 |
| Towing: | TBA | 1,500 (FWD) 4,500 (AWD) | 1,000 (FWD) 4,000 (AWD) |
- Units: volumes in cubic feet, towing in pounds
- Behind third row
- Behind second row when third row lowered
- Second and third rows lowered
Powertrain
Without a doubt, one of 2021 Toyota Venza’s most noteworthy features is its standard hybrid AWD powertrain. That obviously means fuel returns are far above those of the Chevy Blazer and GMC Acadia, but the GM products make up for it with optional V6 engines that produce a good deal more power than the Toyota’s electrified ‘four.
| Toyota Venza Hybrid | Chevrolet Blazer | GMC Acadia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Engine | 2.5L I4 Hybrid | 2.5L I4 | 2.5L I4 |
| Horsepower | 219 HP | 193 HP | 193 HP |
| Torque | TBA | 188 LB-FT | 188 LB-FT |
| Drivetrain | AWD with electric rear axle | FWD | FWD |
| Transmission | Plentary CVT | 9-Speed Auto | 9-Speed Auto |
| Fuel Economy (City / Highway) | 40 MPG (combined) | 22 / 27 (FWD) 21 / 27 (AWD) | 21 / 27 (FWD) |
| Optional Engine 1 | Turbo 2.0L I4 | Turbo 2.0L I4 | |
| Horsepower | 230 HP | 230 HP | |
| Torque | 258 LB-FT | 258 LB-FT | |
| Drivetrain | FWD or AWD | FWD or AWD | |
| Transmission | 9-Speed Auto | 9-Speed Auto | |
| Fuel Economy (City / Highway) | 21 / 28 (FWD) 21 / 27 (AWD) | 21 / 28 (FWD) 21 / 27 (AWD) | |
| Optional Engine 2 | 3.6L V6 | 3.6L V6 | |
| Horsepower | 308 HP | 308 HP | |
| Torque | 270 LB-FT | 270 LB-FT | |
| Drivetrain | FWD or AWD | FWD or AWD | |
| Transmission | 9-Speed Auto | 9-Speed Auto | |
| Fuel Economy (City / Highway) | 20 / 26 (FWD) 18 / 25 | 20 / 26 (FWD) 18 / 25 |
Pricing
We end this comparison by looking at the base price. Unfortunately, pricing information for the 2021 Toyota Venza has yet to be revealed, but we do know that the Chevy Blazer starts at $29,995, while the Acadia starts at $30,995. Given its standard hybrid AWD powertrain, we’d expect the Venza to come with a higher starting price than either of the GM products.
| 2021 Toyota Venza Hybrid | 2020 Chevrolet Blazer | 2020 GMC Acadia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSRP: | TBA | $29,995 (I4) / $33,995 (Turbo I4) / $34,495 (V6) | $30,995 (I4) / $40,895 (Turbo I4) / $36,090 (V6) |
- Unit: USD Dollars, including destination
What do you think of the new 2021 Toyota Venza? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Blazer news, GMC Acadia news, Chevrolet news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
The Venza shocked me. I suspect we’ll get one is top Limited trim. It’s a lot of package with great economy and looks like they went with the sleek Mazda look instead of rugged RAV4 which my wife wants (currently drives a 2018 CX5 GT with everything)
If it can tow around 3000lbs we’re set. Nice to be able to drive a short 3km to launch the boat and not have to take my Silverado all the way to the cottage for that purpose.
The Blazer looks much nicer IMO. 308 HP is no slouch.
Venza with the anemic, incredibly harsh and noisy RAV4 4 cylinder engine ? Don’t make me laugh. There is zero comparison with V-6 Acadia. Having owned an ’04 RAV4 ( too little for me for any distance ) we looked at and drove a ’19 RAV4 last Fall and quickly discovered the joke that Toyota puts in it for an engine. Getting into the throttle to simulate accelerating onto a busy Interstate and hearing and feeling that “buzzy”, noisy RAV4 engine immediately killed any further consideration of another Toyota. We would up with and are very happy with a ’19 Acadia SLT FWD with the 3.6 V-6 and are recording honest high 20 MPG fuel economy.
I think GM has done a good job with the exteriors of the Blazer and Acadia……..but the Venza blows both out of the water with a much better and softer looking interior.
For some reason GM is stuck on hard plastic………Hey GM, please get out the Glass Ivory Tower…..even the Nissan Murano interior is much better than the Acadia or Blazer……
I don’t see the Venza being anywhere near as much to drive as the Blazer with that v6………But it will be more comfortable for us old farts…..
If ya like a dashboard w a IPAD glued onto the dash, right in line of vision and a BuzzBucket ride….buy the Toyota….
Reliability and resale easily will go to the Venza. We had a 2010 V6 Venza and the wife loved it. Despite it’s stellar reliability I wanted her to have something new with modern safety features. Venza had been discontinued after 2015 so I wanted to get her the twin Lexus RX 450 With all the bells and whistles while doing my part to help the environment with high gas mileage. We were trying to get past the angular looks when we saw. 2015 pearl white Venza with the V6 and a back up camera, double sunroof, and 20,000 miles on it. I couldn’t get her to even look back at the Lexus. The Venza’s just right ride height and good look did it. I had looked for these exact features down too the color for two years and had given up so needless to say when I saw the GM Authorities story about the Venza last week I was ready to call the dealer. That 4 cyl engine might be a deal breaker. The CVT that was in the Lexus felt like it was an old transmission that was slipping all the time searching for gears. It was horrible, especially for a $60 K car. Now combine that with a loud rice rocket 4 banger and I doubt it. I must admit that a test drive is absolutely in my future. She deserves anything that she wants!
I doubt the Venza will be cross shopped with the GM pair often. The Venza seems to be in the same class or subclass as the Ford Edge….which is a niche I’m glad exists and like very much. GM tried to get into this space with the blazer, but IMO its’ longer wheelbase prevents it from truly fitting in.
Now that I think about it, the Venza may be more similar to the upcoming (and delayed, I assume) Buick XT4-Envision-Enspire-Whatever-GX.
Aside from better mileage, I don’t see what’s to like about the Venza. And that infotainment screen looks like it popped out of toaster or was glued on as an afterthought.
The Blazer exterior is much, much nicer. The Venza has an almost laughable Wheelbase. The Front overhang is just gross.
But man I know I keep saying it, GM needs better interiors and they need them now more than ever. Auto Sales will most likely tighten up and Customers will more than ever Demand the absolute best for the least amount of their money.
As stated GM needs to step up its game with interiors and upping it’s mileage figures which are falling behind in many cases. They had Voltec but tunnel vision Mary won’t have any part of it so for the next few years GM will have no answer for this!