Suburban Dad in Detroit: 2009 Toyota Venza

This Toyota is a bit of a mystery to me. It seems to fill a need few people have, but the automaker says it's heard from consumers that they'd like SUV functionality in a sedan. Hence, the Venza.

From a family point of view, some of the features I like after seeing the car at a distance and reading PR notes include the stadium seating in the second row, giving kids a better view of the road. Hopefully that would translate into less car-sickness moments in the backseat.

As for appearance, the Venza looks very much like a member of the Camry family; I call it the Camry Hatch. The interior looks very good (read $$$) and the wheels are enormous, giving perhaps a steadier drive. It's available with a four-cylinder or a V-6, but there's no word on mileage estimates.

One person at the show here referred to the Venza as Toyota's "Lowlander," and maybe that idea will get families into Toyota's newest model.

More info and pictures of the 2009 Toyota Venza

Comments

[Bowrider]

I think this might be Toyota's answer to the Murano, the RX-9, and the Tribeca.

[bilbo]

The answer is Venza. What was the question again? This seems better suited as the RX replacement.

[LK]

Wait, if they already have the RAV4, the highlander, and the 4runner (is that discontinued?), and sequina(sp?), what gap are they trying to fill?

[Tony]

No gaps. This is more like Volvo Cross Country. May be little bigger and little cheaper, better.
I would buy this in the heartbeat if:
1. Price would be under $24K
2. 4 Cyl fuel economy will be like 24/30 minimum.

[Dave T.]

Tony,
You may get the mileage I don't know about the price...

[Liger]

This is a really nice looking car, especially for a Toyota. Seems like this might fit in the Chyrsler Pacifica class of cars?

[Jay]

Looks like a stretched out Ford Edge especially with that chrome grille. Also, why didn't they just call it "Camry Hatchback/Wagon".

[Questions]

The reason they use another name is so they can add another model line and say that it also gets 30 mpg on the highway. That way Toyota can say they have the most models that get 30mpg. If they called it a Camry Hatchback/wagon, they couldn't call it an additional model.

[Troy in Ft Walton Beach]

Looks like it may steal some sales from the honda Cr-V as well.

[Tony]

Number one reason that they don't call it a "wagon" is because word "wagon" is a curse in modern automotive industry.
They don't call it Camry because Camry is a World car and Venza is for US only. Now, imagine that wagons really did became super popular again and Toyota decides to bring back that real Camry wagon. What are they going to call that?
Toyota already has biggest lineup in the industry and biggest lineup over 30mpg. Up front, for those who diagree: I don't count that GM and Ford make 3 different cars out of same body, engine, etc.
Lets see...
Honda has Fit, Civic, Accord
Toyota has Yaris, Corolla, Camry, Matrix, Prius.
Toyota is hands down winner. so Venza wouldn't change the already existing status.

[Jay]

"Wagon" is not curse in modern automotive industry. Most import "brands" market their "wagons" as "wagons" (see Volvo, BMW, Audi). Its the so-called auto experts here in the U.S. that brain wash us its a crossover, SUV, tourer, etc. Simple rule: If it has more than 4 doors and its based off a car platform, its a wagon or hatchback...

[J]

Did anyone thought of the Subie Forester when looking at this?

[Phaeton]

Oddly enough, i like the tail end of the car moreso than the front. The front looks a little too edge like to me. Maybe a different grille would work. The creased lines overall are a nice touch and a bit of a deviation from the bulbous design direction of their other cars like the highlander and the rav (not that those are bad, just different). I would like to see this below 24k but with an option package like the SR5 i would imagine this is going to jump towards the 28 to 30k range quick. That being said I dont think the mileage will match that of the 4cyl camry. All the added weight of a bigger body can't help matters much. Maybe a hybrid edition can help punch the number to the mid 30's. But not knowing how much the initial mpg is, i am just playing a guessing game.
Looks like the matrix has a older more mature brother now. Nice to see the auto industry in general start moving closer toward wagons and a renissance in small hatches.

[Tony]

Forester would be much smaller then this Venza. Imagine huge Avalon. Now, cut 10 inches of length (long hood and trunk) and add 3 inches of width. Thats - Venza.
Forester probably can just drive into it.

[J]

Tony,
The Matrix and Corolla are essentially the same vehicle, except the former one could be called Corolla WAGON.

[Tony]

J, Matrix and Corolla not as same as Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable.
They may be have same basic platform, and powertain. But they don't share the body and chassis. Audis and VWs have same thing, they share platforms and powertrains but they make different cars. While American makes are known for basically sticking different grill ornament and call it a different name.

[LM]

Matrix/Corolla = same chassis. Different sheet metal. Maybe the wheelbases are different, but its the same chassis and engines.

I think this might weigh too much to get 30mpg. We'll see.

[Dave T.]

sorry Tony the guys are right. The Matrix does share the same chassis with the Corolla. They feature different exterior and interiors of course. Same engine too.

[Tony]

Gentlemen, I have no doubts that Corolla and Matrix are closely related. I would say, they are cousins, but no brothers.
As chassis goes, there is one big difference. Corolla has rear multi-link suspension and Matrix has double-wishbone. I guess, it is related to the fact that Matrix will have AWD option.
My point was that you can't take a door from corolla and fit it on matrix. But Ford/Mercury - yes, you can.
Corolla and Matrix have same parts, but cars are different. Mercury/Ford have same cars with different names and minimal differences, like body trim parts.

[J]

But Toyota calls it Corolla Matrix as the formal name, plus they blend the sales number together.

[Tony]

J, you still missing the point.
Original question was, "should we count Matrix and Corolla as two different cars?" I think we should because there are enough differences.
(you can't fit body parts from one onto enother. You can't fit most underbody parts from one onto another).
Now. Take Mercury Sable and Ford Taurus and you'll find same doors, body, most underbody parts, etc. And this is regardless of formal name.

[J]

Tony,
You still don't get it.
They are the same car, except it is in different bodystyle.
Taking your example, A Sable's grille doesn't fit on the Taurus.
A Vibe's door doesn't fit on a Matrix, but they are still the same car.

[Holly]

All arguments aside, it's a winner, as long as the price stays below the typical $30,000 range, and Yota can get the great MPG out of it. I've researched cars to buy for the last 3 years. Still own my 95 Camry, because...the trunk is huge, the gas mileage is phenomenal and the engine just keeps going. If you go for a vehicle based on looks (you that don't like the grill) you might as well pay the big bucks for some engineered nightmare that reaches 100,000 miles and kicks the bucket. Boys will be boys...meaty car names are such a concern, but who cares what it's called as long as it goes and goes and goes. I think of it as a fuel economic Magnum. Better visiblity and certainly better MPG. So it doesn't have a Hemi. Rolling my eyes. At least it will go for 300,000 miles if well taken care of. GO Yota!

Holly,
Any car will go for 300K if well taken care of.