Toyota already offers the RAV4, Highlander, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser. So who would have guessed they might need another SUVish vehicle? Well, last year they introduced the new Venza anyway.

How does the Venza fit in Toyota's line, and who might it appeal to? I took one for a test drive to find out.

Toyota Venza Styling

Toyota categorizes the Venza as a car, but it certainly doesn't look like a car. Instead, the Venza resembles the Nissan Murano and Ford Edge. However, its roofline is about three inches lower than those of the Murano and Edge. Within the Toyota line, its height splits the difference between the Camry sedan and Highlander SUV. 

Toyota has the Highlander to serve midsize SUV buyers whose top priority is room and utility. So the Venza is about style. As already mentioned, the roofline is low (compared to an SUV), and the rear pillars are raked well forward. No box here.

The four cylinder is shod with huge 19-inch wheels, and the V6 gets even larger 20s. Such large wheels trick the eye into perceiving a vehicle as smaller than it actually is. In this case, more than a few people will probably glance at the Venza and perceive it as a supersized hatchback.

The most controversial aspect of the exterior is undoubtedly the front grille. But this is common these days. We're living through an age of overwrought grilles.

Inside, the Venza has an interior that appears sporty at first glance, courtesy of a prominent center console that slopes downward from the instrument panel. The upper surface of said instrument panel is covered with a novel wavy texture. I kind of liked it. It blends well with the faux carbon fiber trim that attends the cloth upholstery.

Spring for leather, and the faux fiber is replaced by scads of faux mahogany that looks rich from ten feet away, but quite fake once you're sitting in the car. Too many surfaces, especially the plethora of storage compartment lids, have a raw hard plastic look and feel to them.

Overall, I like the aesthetic concept of the interior, but the detail execution leaves a bit to be desired.

Toyota Venza Accommodations

The driving position in the Venza is like no other. You sit about halfway in between where you would in a car and an SUV. The instrument panel is low, for a minivan-like view forward. The cabin is notably wide. And yet there's that prominent center console for a dose of sportiness. The front seats provide very good if not great comfort and support.

In back there is plenty of room, but the rear seat is mounted a little too low to the floor for optimum adult comfort. As in many other cars where this shouldn't be a problem, I couldn't find a seating position where I could comfortably relax. The problem involves where to put my feet, so the manual recline is of no help. Rear air vents are a welcome feature.

Because of the Venza's lower roof, the cargo area isn't quite as tall as in some competitors. But it is wide, and the rear seat of course folds to extend it. A folding front passenger seat to fit very long objects would be useful, but is not offered.

Toyota Venza Performance

I've driven a number of Toyotas with the Venza's optional 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, and so already know that V6 revs smoothly and pulls strongly. Consequently, I opted to test the base engine, a new-for-2009 182-horsepower 2.7-liter four. Acceleration with the four is just adequate at around town speeds, but that's actually better than I expected. The gearing of the six-speed automatic certainly helps, with downshifts just a slight dip of the throttle away. At highway speeds the gearing can't compensate, so the four feels more strained. While I'd personally rather have the V6, the four is sufficient for many, maybe even most buyers.

Thanks to the driving position, the Venza feels much more like a car than its closest competitors. A large, not terribly sporty car, but a car nonetheless. Handling, like acceleration, is passable. Lean is moderate, body motions are well-controlled, the ride is considerably firmer than in a Highlander, and the steering has more heft to it than most systems these days. Still, nothing about the driving experience made me want to seek out a curvy road. So the grip afforded by the wide treads is of dubious benefit.

The ride is quiet on smooth roads. It can get a little bumpy and noisy on roads that haven't been well-maintained, but avoids becoming harsh. Credit the moderately firm suspension and oversized wheels with their low-profile tires. Remember, this is a vehicle for people who place a top priority on exterior appearance. Toyota probably assumes that people who prioritize ride quality will opt for a Highlander or even a Sienna minivan.

Toyota Venza Price Comparisons and Pricing

Pricing for the Toyota Venza started at $26,695 for 2009, and at $27,025 for the 2010. (I drove a 2009, but the 2010s should be reaching dealers soon if they haven't already.) The closest competitor for the four-cylinder variant might be Mazda's CX-7, which is offered with a non-turbo four for 2010.

Comparing 2010s, the Mazda has a much lower starting price. Add features to the CX-7 that are standard on the Venza such as an auto-dimming rearview mirror and rear spoiler, and the gap closes to $3,380. Compare invoice prices, which can be a better indicator of what you'll pay, and the gap is about $2,200--Toyota dealers have much wider margins than most. Adjust for remaining feature differences, such as the Venza's standard dual-zone automatic climate control, CD changer, and power driver seat, and the difference is as small as $445.

So, if you thoroughly adjust for dealer margin and features, the Venza seems very attractively priced compared to the half-size smaller CX-7. Look only at base sticker prices, though, and the Toyota appears considerably more expensive.

Compare a loaded ($38,325) Venza V6 AWD to a similarly loaded Nissan Murano SL, and the Toyota is about $1,100 less at MSRP and $2,200 less at invoice. Adjusting for remaining feature differences reduces the Venza's price advantage by about $500--the Nissan has a few additional features of questionable value like lower bodyside cladding and a power-folding second row. The Nissan does have more comfortable seats, and generally feels a little more "premium."

Prices change frequently, and differences will vary based on feature level. To quickly generate these and other comparisons with the specific features you want, visit my Web site, TrueDelta.com. (It's the only site that provides true "apples-to-apples" price comparisons.)

TrueDelta's page for the Venza:

http://www.truedelta.com/models/Venza.php

Last Words

In the end, the Toyota Venza is not outstanding in any way but generally competent in nearly every way. It's a Camry wagon, but with sportier styling and a firmer ride. One thing separates it from the crowd: a more car-like driving position. If you feel like you're sitting too low in a car, but too high in a Nissan Murano or Ford Edge, and you want the functionality of a large hatchback, the Venza could be the car for you.

But is it a car, or an SUV? I'm still not quite sure. It's time for Toyota to follow Ford's lead and add a "crossover" tab to its website.

Note: I've given the four-cylinder three stars, because it was adequate in most ways, but then so are most competitors. If I drive the V6, it might earn a fourth star.

A Note on Toyota Venza Reliability

I cannot practically cover reliability within the context of this review. However, many people are interested in such information, so I've been collecting my own data. Results are posted to TrueDelta.com, with updates every three months. Unlike other sources, TrueDelta clearly identifies what difference it will make if you buy a Toyota Venza rather than another vehicle by providing "times in the shop" stats.

To report results, TrueDelta needs reliability data on all cars--not just the Toyota Venza--from people like you. To encourage participation, those who help provide the data will receive free access to the site's reliability information. Non-participants pay an access fee.

Details here:

http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php

Alphabetized links to my other vehicle reviews can be found on my profile page.
Amount Paid (US$): 27,500
Model Year: 2009