The “milestone” vehicle was the hybrid 2021 Toyota Sienna minivan
The Indiana-built Sienna entered Toyota’s history books today. (Toyota)
The 30-millionth U.S.-assembled Toyota vehicle rolled off the line this week at the Princeton, Ind., manufacturing plant. The “milestone” vehicle was the most recent major model redesign by Toyota, the hybrid 2021 Toyota Sienna minivan.
With a flash of its lights and a honk of the horn, the fourth generation of the family-mover, in Predawn Mica paint, moved off the production line and into Toyota’s history book.
The 2021 Sienna is the first minivan in the segment to be offered with all-hybrid technology, Toyota says.
With seating for eight, the minivan is sold in five trim levels in front- or all-wheel-drive configurations. Starting prices range from $35,635 to $51,075, including the $1,175 freight charge from Princeton, Ind. Find the Sienna configurator here.
The gasoline-electric powertrain is comprised of a 189-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 134 kW (180 hp) electric motor, and a 40-cell, 288-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Total combined system power adds up to a net 245 hp. Its electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission has a sequential shift mode.
Certified as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle, the new Sienna has EPA fuel economy ratings of 36 mpg city, 36 highway and 36 mpg for front-drive models and 35/36/35 mpg for AWD; on the recommended 87 octane fuel.
Toyota to debut 3 new electrified vehicles for U.S. market
This group photo illustrates Toyota’s new electrified vehicles.
Toyota Motor North America also announced today its plans to debut in the U.S. market this year, three new electrified models – two battery-electrics and a plug-in model. The new models were not identified.
The carmaker says that by 2025, its goal is to have 25 percent of new vehicle sales be electrified models, and by 2030 expects that to increase to nearly 70 percent. And between now and 2025, Toyota and Lexus models, globally, will have an electrified option.
According to Toyota research, a purely electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid can provide similar environmental benefits for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Company research also claims the PHEV is much less expensive to buy and own, compared to the BEV. Without any incentives, the five-year Total Cost of Ownership of a long-range BEV is significantly higher than the PHEV. And even with pricing incentives, the TCO of a long-range BEV is much higher.
