Up Close: 2009 Toyota Venza

Hatchbacks aren't normally praised for their looks, but Toyota has somehow managed to develop a handsome one in its new Venza. Maybe it has something to do with the car's radically swept D-pillar and interesting taillights. A raked windshield complements the angle of the liftgate glass, and it doesn't hurt that the car's proportions are right on the money. The large grille is a little too upright for my taste, but on the whole the new Venza looks like a car that will appeal to shoppers looking for a large hatchback or an SUV-alternative.

Comments

I really like this car, but the name is very Feminine. Is the this car targeting mostly women?

The looks are feminine as well, much like the RX is a feminine looking vehicle. Nothing wrong with this since, if I cite my stats right, more than 50% of all car buyers are women...

There is nothing feminine about this car. Some don't like the grill. If you don't like the grill - go to some shop and for $200 they can paint it or do something else, like mesh grill.
I would worry about the wheels. One tire like this, 19 or 20 inch, can cost $200. So, think maintanence. Also such tires normally don't have threadwear warranty and the average lifetime about 30K miles. So, think "maintanence" twice.

Hey I love the car, I just don't like the name- Venza. It sounds girly. Does it mean something?

Handsome?? Another review accurately points out that it looks like a Buick. I like the interior, but it looks like one more lame crossover vehicle. Not as bad as the Aztec perhaps, but not handsome.

Why won't car companies commit to a station wagon or and SUV instead of creating these weird things.

Do car journalists ever talk to real people?

To me, this car is absolutely perfect (take out the large wheels). I am only waiting to hear gas mileage on 2.7L I-4 engine. I don't believe it would, but if Toyota can pull 30mpg on this one, I will buy it, replace wheels with 17 inchers and sell 19 inchers on eBay.
And all of the above, of course, if the price will be not too close to $30k. I would get lowest model, it has all needed stuff already.
Do you know that new 2009 Murano has a starting price $1500 lower then 2007 model? And for that all you lose is audio on steering wheel!
So, I think it is good news. Venza will compete with Murano and can't price it too much over!!!

It hasn't been said explicitly but I believe the Venza is simply Toyota's way of continuing its Lexus RX production when the RX is redesigned in 2009.

This is a GOOD thing.

The RX has seen little design change since its inception in 1999. Yes, it was much improved in 2004 with the RX 330 but the current 350 model needs a modernization and a new look to keep it fresh.

Still the current RX model has much merit. It's a best seller and has the potential to continue to sell well as a Toyota. As a very slightly reshaped Toyota with some modern mechanical and technical flourishes, it will do well. The similar and desirable Highlander speaks to a different market -- those migrating from mini-vans and no-longer-needed macho SUVs. The Venza will speak to a more style-conscious and luxury-conscious market without the Lexus badging. It will be, though, very Lexus like. Much of the appeal of the Venza will be that of the RX -- a highly reliable, comfortable, well proportioned and attractive vehicle that is even more valuable given a new affordable Toyota pricing structure. I love the idea.

The RX will evolve into an even luxuriously honed crossover to compete with and, most likely, stay ahead of the new gen Acuras, BMWs, Infinitis, and even the high-zoot American offerings including the Buick Enclave, and Lincoln MKX.

I predict the new RX will have at least a six-speed transmission, possible V-8 option, a new suspension with sportier handling, less ground clearance but slightly more length and storage capacity, and available comprehensive set of new techno gizmos such as keyless start, a set of cameras for parking assist, blind-spot incursion warning system, iPod integration, greater use of LED for instrumentation, internal illumination and external marking. It will remain a five-seater though.

For the Venza, it will be a popular vehicle given the proper pricing. Its Lexus legacy will be a strong selling point.

Dave Burckhard

People in US are not crazy.
They buy Subarus, Volvos, Audis station wagons.
But they ignored when Accord, Camry, Mazda6 had those wagons.
In Europe, wagon or hatchback is a "must have" feature :o).
Americans want their cars to be called CUV, SUV, Crossover...
I guess, it is all those bad memories about those wagons with painted wood on the side. That was patetic at least. So people are not crazy. They just have WRR (wagon rejection reflex)

Jerry,
why are you asking if car journalists talk to real people? We don't build these cars, we just write about them.

The RX will still be based on the Highlander (actually, the reverse is true). This is more akin to a tall Camry hatch that is swoopier than the Highlander, also a tall camry-based vehicle.
It even has the camry grille...more or less.

Dave, I make the comment because very little that I read by car journalists seems to reflect reality, at least as I find it. that of course, is my own view. Calling the Venza handsome is one, but we all have our own tastes.

More, it comes from research I've been doing for the last 3 months to purchase a new car. Like everyone, I have my own requirements for a car. I found very few cars that suited me. As I read reviews of different models, I would test them. I found the reality of the tests to be very different the the description. As a example, I had been driving a Toyota pickup. I tested a RAV4 and a Honda CR-V based on many descriptions of a car-like ride. I found them to be more truck-like than my old Toyota. I don't get it.

I also value fuel economy. Yet most articles criticized the 4 cylinder engines in them as lacking power. To the journalists, power was better than economy. I know many folks that don't share that belief.

That's all I'm saying. What I want and value in a car doesn't seems to be what the industry values. That's why it took 14 years for me to get a new car.

Jerry,
Good to hear your thoughts. Hopefully the reviews on Cars.com are a bit more realistic than most. We try and write from a consumer point of view first and foremost unless we're testing something radical like a Z06.

if you'd like us to make some recommendations for you visit Ask.cars.com and submit a question about what kind of car you need. We'll try our best to give you our best bets.

Dave, if it it makes you feel any better, I bought a 2008 Outback 2.5i partly because of your columns. How you arrived at it was vastly different from the path I took. You were looking at SUV's and ended up with a wagon. I wanted a wagon, but tested SUV's. The Outback is close to what I wanted, and I do like it, but when they come out with a hybrid, I'll trade it in as quickly as I can.

Good job, Jerry.
I support every word you said in the last post.
Most of those "professional" reviews are misleading at least. I can give tons of examples.
2 years ago I was shopping for the minivan. The professionals rated Odissey - 1 and Sienna - 2. After spending 3 days in both of them, my wife and I were agree that Sienna easy -1 and Odissey -2. Also we didn't buy neither one because our 2000 Villager was simply better suited for long trips and had some features that were important to us and were missing from Oddy and Sienna.
As Venza goes, I think it has very attractive design. I like wagons in general. I like things like Cross Country, Passat Wagon, Mazda5, Mazda3 Wagon...
I think, that Venza would suit me perfectly in terms of size, cargo, back seat comfort!. I don't see another car on the market that would be Venza-like. Subarus have terrible backseat comfort. Murano - small cargo. Mazda5 is comfortable only for 4 people and with 5-6 cargo is going down much. Etc...
But I would need to see real Venza's numbers first.

look at the shifter it is in the way but since it is a Toyota it is ok to have it their but if it was an American car that is all they would have talk about

What is it in the way of?

There is a possibility that this car has not the best ergonomics. But the car itself seams to be very functional.
Also, looks like once shifter will go down into gear it wouldn't be on the way anymore.

Anyone that is concerned about the NAME of a car has some definite personal issues.

Really.

the name is horrible and they should get a refund from the marketing brass that approved this

Looks like a bad remake of the Malibu Maxx. Took a picture and said hey, how can we make the front end, the interior, and the rear uglier. You got it, the Venza. The ugly Malibu Maxx.

Looks like a bad remake of the Malibu Maxx. Took a picture and said hey, how can we make the front end, the interior, and the rear uglier. You got it, the Venza. The ugly Malibu Maxx.

yuk.....