Southwestern Pennsylvania is a strange but beautiful place to launch a new vehicle, especially when the trees are in full roar at the end of autumn. Normally a car company would use such a location to mask the fact that their new vehicle is just “so-so.” So we now find ourselves at Nemacolin Resort for the introduction of the new 2009 Toyota Venza with one question in mind: Had Toyota picked this location for the same reasons?
What is it?
The Venza is a five-passenger “vehicle” (Toyota’s word) that combines attributes of a sport utility vehicle with the convenience of a passenger car. Why not call it, uh, a station wagon? It’s the closest thing we’ve seen to one yet, and by the way, “station wagon” is not an objectionable phrase. There. I’ve said it again. It rides low and looks good when pimped. It’s the anti-SUV.
What’s it up against?
The 2009 Toyota Venza can be lumped in with all the other family/cargo haulers in the niche. Among them are the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 328i wagon, the Ford Flex and Taurus X, Saab 9-3 SportCombi, and Subaru Forester and Legacy are but just a few of the competitors.
Any breakthroughs?
Being based on the Camry platform opens up many possibilities for ways to build a crossover. Front-wheel or all-wheel-drive? Seating for five. High or low ride? These were many of the options presented to the designers.
There are not many “breakthroughs,” but lots of innovative use of existing technologies. Lowering the rocker panels has enabled easier ingress and egress. Ditto for the rear load-in height, which Toyota claims is lower than that of a Sienna. On another front, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps don’t make their first appearance on a Toyota, but do show up with the “electric eye” (auto-dimming) feature you may remember from your grandfather’s Cadillac.
We had a chance to try both the all-wheel and front-wheel drive models, as well as the four and six-cylinder versions. It looks like Toyota is serious about having Venza reflect the direction the company’s design philosophy is heading. The object was to improve interior utility while at the same time enhance the driving experience. We think they might be on to something. Finally.
How does it look?
Some of the auto-scribes in attendance at Toyota’s launch were of the opinion that the Venza shares the same profile as its cousin, the Lexus RX SUV. To our eyes, it’s similar but different. It just rides lower.
Designed by Toyota’s Calty Design Studios for the North American market, they are responsible for making the Venza more car-like in its approach. Character lines echo the shape of the wheel wells, and at the same time point towards the trailing edge of the vehicle. Arched window openings with a high waistline break up the largish slab-sided doors which thankfully now have jam protection. The grille area is a Camry-derived style that carries the corporate face forward with a look that at first glance reminds us of Lincoln’s new winged identity. Wrap-around taillights finish the rear of the Venza, which is enhanced by a rear hatch spoiler and crisp folds in the rear fascia. Chrome accents help to add a little bling to sheetmetal.
And inside?
Inside is mix of contrasts and colors. A two-toned color scheme sets things off with a blacked-out dashboard and carpet, contrasted in our test vehicle with light grey leather seating and matching interior plastic. The interior is laid out in what Toyota is calling a 60/60 design, which gives either the driver or front seat passenger the impression that they are able to access 60 percent of the dashboard controls from where they sit. On the driver’s side, a large blue-illuminated speedometer dominates the center of the gauge binnacle, while the other gauges flow outward. A large center stack houses the navigation screen, audio system and climate controls and was covered in a nicely done satin mahogany finished wood grain panel that helps to bisect the front seating area.
The seating is covered with a solid leather look and accented with a contrasting piping. It’s a good style, at least in our gray example, but we would like to see more in the way of side bolstering to hold occupants more firmly in place. While we are on the topic of seating areas, we think it’s time for Toyota to ditch the puckered leather upholstery look that was last seen in Chrysler LeBarons from the mid-seventies. A new smoother finished upholstery style is long overdue and will do much to bring this part of the interior up to contemporary standards and along with the rest of the inside accouterments.
A 60/40-split rear seat offers the ability to make the Venza into a serious cargo hauler. A nice added touch is the addition of two door latch-style handles to cause the rear seats to fold forward for added cargo space. That, and the addition of a cargo area-mounted power port finish out the “way back” with a capacity of 34.4 cubic feet with seats up, and 70.1 cubic feet when they are down.
But does it go?
Well, it’s no Speed Racer, but it is offered with an inline 2.7-liter 4-cylinder that pumps out 182 horsepower and 182 lb-ft. of torque. If you need more, there is the 3.5-liter V6 with 268 ponies and 246 lb-ft. underhood. Both are mated to six-speed automatic transmissions and are available in either front or all-wheel-drive. EPA mileage estimates place the four-banger at 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg highway for the front driver, and 20 mpg in the city and 28 highway, for the all-wheeler. The six-cylinder achieves 19/26 and 18/25, respectively.
Steering was direct and responsive without a trace of sloppiness. Driving through the back roads of Pennsylvania, and then crossing the West Virginia and Maryland borders found us cruising through pouring rains and slick asphalt for our 80-mile test loop. And although Toyota breaks no new ground with front and rear MacPherson struts and electronic rack and pinion steering, it doesn’t seem to matter, as the all-wheel drive sample continued to plow through the downed leaves and wet conditions with nary a whimper. Or a skid.
The front driver was equally at home in a variety of conditions especially as the roads dried out, which instilled more confidence in us to push the Venza harder. As slick and as good looking as the Venza is, it is still going to be treated as an appliance by most of its buyers. Which is unfortunate, because we like wagons, especially hot wagons, and it would be as close to a hot wagon as Toyota has come in a long time. We found the Venza considerably agile considering its weight of 3,760 lbs. with the 4-cylinder, and 3,870 lbs. for the V6. Add another 185 pounds for the all-wheel-drive system.
Speaking of hot wagons, we had a chance to look over two concept cars that will be presented this week at the industry-only SEMA show in Las Vegas. Designed by Five Axis and Street Image for Toyota, they both featured slammed versions of the Venza that rolled on “no”-profile tires and wheels and were fitted with custom body work that gives you the idea of what the Venza could look like in full pimpdidlyumptious mode.
Don’t forget to check back here later this week for Leftlane’s exclusive live coverage of SEMA.
Why you would buy it:
Because you have moved beyond the minivan and the SUV and you are ready for the next suburban mall prowler.
Why you wouldn’t:
You loved the high ride of an SUV or the sliding doors of your old minivan and you miss having all the juice box holders all around.
Words and photos by Mark Elias.
11/03, 12:46 AM
posted by:
441Zuke
what a hideous piece of **** it is like a matrix and RX and a camery had a gng bang, i rather drive a edge or a traverse or a murano
11/03, 12:57 AM
posted by:
VWgrouP
HAHA I agree with you Zuke.
I don’t know what Toyota was thinking when they designed this..
Hey LLN: Maybe its my computer, but could you please change the gallery so that we can see ALL 27 images instead of just the three…
11/03, 1:24 AM
posted by:
zeeck
VW, if you keep hitting the right arrow, it changes the pic, even though the first 8 or so are pretty much the same
back to the car: this car is incredibly ugly…more than a forester…
the only thing that looks decent is the rear, mainly because it it reminds me of a volvo.
basically, paint it brown and it will be the turd of the road…ugh
11/03, 1:45 AM
posted by:
DrFill
Not in love with the grille, but the rest works
You can say the same about the Murano
The new four is whats important, as the Camry, among others, will show it by 2010
Toyota expects a growing market for Venza, with 60k next year. over 120k by 2011
After innovative hits like Rav4 and Lexus RX, expect another home run, but this time the suspense will build first.
Most posters here wouldn’t know a hit from a Flex
Too bad.
You will learn, sooner or later.
DrFill
11/03, 1:48 AM
posted by:
MurcieMe
WHAT is going on with that hideous grille?! Seriously – that ‘pattern’ looks absolutely stupid. The whole vehicle has zero styling pretenses. It looks like what it is, a fatter, heavier Camry wagon. I swear Toyota just keeps making uglier and uglier cars and people keep buying them up! I don’t understand it!!
11/03, 1:51 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
LLN, HID’s are available in the Prius and Avalon, so how is this the first?
To everyone above…. This is the single best looking product Toyota has had in years, and from a non-Toyota guy that’s alot. Also, the Forester? Another knock out, I know you can have your opinions, but dang, you guys are soo off, maybe you need glasses. Traverse is bloated, Murano is ackward to the extreme but nicely built, and the Edge is well, built like crap but does look nice. Toyota, you finally have me as a backer on a product. Maybe just take the Highlander and Rav4 and kill them off, those are two ugly SUVs there.
11/03, 2:33 AM
posted by:
Brendino
Nice to see southwest PA get some love! Are those shots from Ohiopyle?
That grille is a mess (I’d love to chat with a designer and figure out how the heck that gets approved), but other than that it seems like classic Toyota: A bit bland, but functional enough to be great product. Will it find a market, though?
11/03, 2:44 AM
posted by:
bolex
is not bad looking, it kinda looks like Fords current design theme in the grill. trouble is im sick of SUVs…
11/03, 3:02 AM
posted by:
TomF
Like the dimensions. Don’t like the exterior sculpting, especially headlight / taillight treatments. I think there’s a very big market for a vehicle like this for people exiting SUVs who want better economy and reliability. But they made this car too weird-looking to be a mainstream hit — it has some of that Tribeca weirdness about it.
11/03, 8:52 AM
posted by:
melias
JakeK66,
Good catch on the HIDs. Meant to say it was not the first, but it does show up with the electric eye….
Brendino,
Yup, that’s Ohiopyle. A great looking area!
Mark Elias
11/03, 8:56 AM
posted by:
melias
Also,
If you click on any of the photos it opens up a new window on top. At the top middle of the picture frame, click on the Navigation tab. That opens up the little slider with all the thumbnails. Click on those for enlarged images.
Mark Elias
11/03, 9:23 AM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
My God is that one ugly face.
11/03, 10:07 AM
posted by:
Brendino
Mark –
Did you check out the Hummer school at Nemacolin? That would have been a nice way to release after driving a Venza all day!
11/03, 10:31 AM
posted by:
melias
Brendino,
Yes, I did see it, but we kinda sorta have to dance with who brung us, if you know what I mean!
Mark
11/03, 11:09 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
It’s not bad looking as far as Toyota’s go (that’s not saying much).
It’ll sell well because it offers all the blandness that the average car buyer craves. Consumer Reports will love it for it’s appliance-like ability to bore.
I fail to see what this vehicle offers that’s even remotely SUV-like. It tow much, it can’t haul much, it has all the offroad capability of a car, and it doesn’t even ride higher than a car. It offers some of the styling “profile” of a crossover SUV, and that’s it. Even it’s fuel economy isn’t anything to write home about – the V-6 only gets 4 MPG better mileage in both city and highway than my 6,000 lb. 4×4 3/4 ton Suburban (I have a ‘99 which has all the aerodynamics of a brick wall). Based on 12,000 miles per year, that would save 169 gallons, which is about $ 500 a year. Big deal.
11/03, 11:14 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
For a family hauler wagon, that is actually okay. Not cool like the Mazda6 wagon if Mazda would ever offer it to us again (Mazda makes the best looking station wagons), but still nice.
As for Pennsylvania, all the pretty changing leaves in the world will never compensate for the fact that winter sucks massively and so do greasy sandwiches and the Steelers.
11/03, 11:17 AM
posted by:
DrFill
A V6 will get 22 MPG combined
Much more than 4MPG over a 4WD Suburban
More like double
Not that these 2 vehicles should be compared
DrFill
11/03, 11:25 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Say what you want about a Chrysler LeBaron from the mid seventies, but I’ll bet you one of those old M-body wagons weighed less than this no matter what giant lump of cast iron was under the hood.
Oh yeah, the LeBaron also had a better looking grill.
11/03, 11:46 AM
posted by:
Borat
I don’t think this is beautiful, but it is definitely functional. I believe that most of the families who purchase SUV/CUV are not looking for performance or handling. Majority of those families are looking for comfort and convenience; a place to drop toys for Jane and tricycle for Johnny. They also slightly paranoid of large trucks/SUVs and looking for a taller wagon, just in case Milfy collide with SUV not be decapitated. During recession, when bucks count, sub 30K tall wagon will do. The fact that it has reasonable handling and will plow through slush of winter is an extra bonus.
The competition for this is Murano (is it reallly beautiful?), Suby wagon (not all that comfortable for 4, much less for 5 and low, uncomfortable driving position), old technologically CR/ RAV-4 and Highlinder with the same engine, but costlier. You can look at pretty Audi 6, but what that cost? Audi 4 is not family hauler by any stretch of imagination. Venza will win by default – competition does not have the sum of all attributes combined into one package.
11/03, 12:52 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
“Venza” — worst car name since “Sportage.” That Toyota can offer a 2.7 liter 4-cylinder engine with the Camry platform begs the questions of why the 2.7 engine isn’t offered with the lethargic Vibe/Matrix, or xB.
11/03, 1:15 PM
posted by:
DrFill
You will see this engine everywhere by 2010
DrFill
11/03, 1:22 PM
posted by:
pzimet
I like everything about the styling of this except the front end design, and more specifically, the GRILLE. That grille is one of the most hideous design elements I’ve ever seen on a car. That out of the way….it has a nice, sporty wagon profile, a nicely sculpted rear end, and a high quality, interesting interior. I’m curious to see if it drives as well as LLN says.
11/03, 1:38 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
This Venza is so hideous looking, it makes me want to punch a baby. And the name? Venza? Venganza? Vergüenza? Sin vergüenza? That describes it perfectly. Toyota’s Venganza on the US, and they do it sin vergüenza. Horrible. That just makes me want to spit!
Oh, and the gallery isn’t working. I get a blank window.
11/03, 1:58 PM
posted by:
tzu13
The grille… why??
11/03, 2:02 PM
posted by:
A4
it looks like an avalon got gangbanged by a V70 and a lincoln MKX
11/03, 3:09 PM
posted by:
Borat
and it will sell so well, that if Ford will survive you will see copy of this decorated with blue oval. You would see a Pontiac like that, if GM will stay in biz for 24 months.
11/03, 5:35 PM
posted by:
urmomspanties
WTF!!! Why the HELL would they write that this UGLY UGLY car would compete against (ahem) a Ford FLEX and Taurus X….
I’m sorry but ISN’T THIS A 5 PASSENGER VEHICLE? and aren’t both those vehicle’s either 6-7 passenger crossovers????
Doesn’t Ford have in their line-up a 5 passenger crossover…. OH YEAH, ITS CALLED FOR A FORD EDGE!!! WTF are you & Toyota tyring to pull saying this competes against vehicles THAT IT DOESN’T EVEN COMPETE AGAINST…
FORD EDGE FORD EDGE… You & Toyota have really lost touch with reality & products…
11/03, 7:54 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Hey, if Chevy Traverse can call itself a “mid-size” SUV, and compete against vehicles it is 1-2 feet larger than, why not the other way around?
Why would Toyota mention Flex?
Buyers certainly don’t, after another 2000 unit month.
DrFill
11/03, 9:03 PM
posted by:
cereal
Not entirely bad, knowing what other atrocities we’ve seen Toyota make.
@JakeK66 – LLN said that it WASN’T the first one to have HIDs.
The grille – works. I saw this on some of the concepts. It’s a good idea. But a lot of the whole merging -headlamps-with-the-grille thing hasn’t worked well. At angles, it does. At others, it doesn’t.
Too bad. So many people will still criticize this thing for copying the Ford Edge. (which, with evidence, is false)
I’m a little disappointed with those EPA estimates. But, then again, I expected it to be around there anyway. Hmm… I wonder how much this thing is..
But will it sell? Yes. Maybe not in the big numbers the Prius saw the last few years.
But this isn’t bad.
Time will tell.
-eat your cereal
11/03, 11:52 PM
posted by:
sharpie
“EPA mileage estimates place the four-banger at 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg highway for the front driver, and 20 mpg in the city and 28 highway”
“We found the Venza considerably agile considering its weight of 3,760 lbs. with the 4-cylinder”
This thing is heavy! And a 4-banger getting that kind of city mileage is just unacceptable, taking into account that this only seats 5! It’s a useless and heavier Matrix. Toyota probably thought the Dodge Journey was hot stuff too.
11/05, 2:42 PM
posted by:
ricky_b
Toyota has fallen into the same trap as the Big Three. They have proven yet again that when it comes to product placement, they are a follower. They already had RAV4, Highlander, 4Runner, FJ, Sequoia & Land Cruiser. And of those, the Highlander was already on the same Camry/Lexus RX platform. They should have saved the money and come out with a sportier, 5 seater Highlander or they should have gone for the gusto and come out with a Camry sport wagon to competer with the Germans. Too much of the same blandness.
01/18, 9:52 PM
posted by:
ultradad
Looks like they took a photo of a Malibu Maxx and used the same lines and said hey, how can we make the front end, the interior, and the rear, even uglier. Bad remake of the Malibu Maxx. I see nothing original here. Just another bad copy of another car company’s vehicle.
01/28, 10:57 PM
posted by:
the names mustang… boss mustang
id rather a flex
01/28, 11:00 PM
posted by:
the names mustang… boss mustang
and holy hell that is ugly