2009 Toyota Venza Video

Toyota went with an aggressive, unique look for the new Venza, and Cars.com reviewer David Thomas wonders if this startling design will attract buyers or turn them off. It would be a shame if it did keep them from taking a look because, as he notes in his video review of the 2009 model, the Toyota Venza has a lot to offer, especially for the right-sized family.

2009|Toyota|Venza

Comments

I'm going to test drive this car on Monday! I can't wait!

Nice review. One correction: the base Highlander has 17" wheels. The Sport and Limited come standard with relatively large 19" wheels, not 18s as stated in the video.

i must say that i think this is an incredible car/wagon/suv, whatever u want to call it... toyota has a winner, the only bad thing is that it might steal from lexus sales

The Magnum did not sell well. The SRX and PAcifica did not either. Same goes for R class. Why? People do not want crossovers that look like station wagons. Just because Toyota gave this vehicle AWD doesnt mean people see it as a crossover. The wheels are too big and they make the brake rotors look tiny. The interior looks nice, but when I sat in it the quality was like most Toyotas meaning full of hard plastics. The Equinox is a better choice for me. Its cheaper, looks better and has features you cant get on Venza like a 40GB harddrive and full ipod integration.

Whoa there Original Sheth, I think your prediction is way too premature... I have a feeling that the Venza will sell better than its contemporaries because its simply styled better, will probably have better reliability and has as good as an interior as a Equinox. Even in this terrible economic climate, the Venza is selling quite well, you can refer to the latest Movers and Losers list compiled by cars.com. Besides, I'm not sure how many consumers will want to buy a vehicle from a bankrupt hull of a company that GM currently is.

happy:

What basis do you have to presume the Venza will be more reliable? The fact that its a Toyota? Sorry, that doesn't constitute proof. Looks are subjective but I do not like the Venza's grille, gangsta roofline (a la Magnum) or the too large wheels. The equinox looks good from every single angle than I have seen. The interiors are likely to be a draw but the Equinox will be cheaper and have more features. The Venza has been moving a few thousand units a month, nothing earth shattering. I believe the current Equinox is outselling the Venza. I do like how you went off on a bankrputcy tangent. Since the product isnt better you decided to use the overall financial condition of the company as the major deciding factor.

Venza is a Toyota version of vehicles we have seen in the past. They did not do well and there is no reason to think the Venza will be any different. Americans are not fans of large wagons. Venza sold about 3600 units last month. Not bad but not great considering the extensive marketing that has been done. cadillac sold more CTS' by comparison.

I went to car show to see Venza but ended up getting Highlander 2.7L.
Venza is a hot-looking car with nice comfort for 4. The drawbacks are - those huge wheels and the rear seat that has a hump in the middle.

I took Highlander because it has much more room and it is cheaper to buy and maintain. Of course, Venza comes with standard features Highlander don't, like auto climate control. But I can live without it. And I can live without 19 inch wheels. The rear seat is better in Highlander because it has a lower middle section, which is more comfortable to the middle rider then raised middle section. Leg room is just amaizing.

I think, for a family, which moves from sedan to Venza it going to be a big upgrade, but for people moving from a minivan to Venza is going to be a disapointment.
Ah! it is only you and your wife? - Get a Civic!

I dont get how Toyota figures this vehicle isnt going to hurt RAV4 and Highlander sales. The 3rd row seats in both are unusable for adults so thier 7 seat capacity isnt a huge advantage over the Venza. The Venza has a much better interior than the RAV4 and is more efficient than the Highlander. I dont see this bringing in new customers, just siphoning off sales of their two crossovers.

Original sheth,

stop beating yourself. What Toyota did is, it created selection of cars so that once you in Toyota, you don't need to look anywhere else. Here is a car for any taste. May be Venza will eat something out of Highlander or RAV4 but together they might bring more then RAV4 and Highlander would.

The big difference is there is NOTHING in this class with as much interior room and cargo room as the Venza. The class is the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano by the way, not the Equinox which is smaller than all of them. The equinox sits just above CR-V and RAV4 in interior room despite being 10 inches longer.

The Venza also starts $4K more than the Equinox though. i think price is its big stumbling block. But it already IS selling well considering it's an all new model with a funny name in a crappy economy.

DaveT:

I didnt compare Equinox's interior volume to the Venza but I think we can agree they are in the same ballpark. Since the Equinox seats 5 like Venza it has copious amounts of legroom in the 2nd row. The engines between the two line up well. I'm not sure what quantifies as a success for Toyota, but I'm sure a vehicle that sells 40k units in year isn't considered a smash hit for that company. This is the largest automaker in the world, not MAzda or Suburu we are talking about. I'm sure this vehicle will satisfy lifetime Toyota owners but generally speaking it looks like a station wagon with big rims and Americans dont want wagons.

tony:

I'm sure Toyota agrees with your assessment. Keep in mind that GM and Ford took that approach for many years and now people are saying they have too much product overlap. How many crossovers does Toyota really need?

Venza has 34 cu ft behind 2nd row, equinox has 31. Venza has 70 cu ft of total storage space vs 64 for the Chevy. Venza has 39" of rear legroom vs 40" for the Chevy. Venza has 108 cut ft of passenger space vs 100 for Chevy. They arent too far apart in space. The Toyota is wider and that appears to explain the slightly larger interior volume figures.

OS,
1. your rear legroom figure is wrong: 2010 Equinox, 37.2 inches. Venza 39.1

2. Unfortunately not all companies measure their interior room the same way. That's why we do things like put four golf bags in the back of the cars in these videos to show how big or small they really are. Wait til you see what the Equinox can really handle then make a comment.

In the end the consumer will sit in each one and decide which is right for them. The Venza's 8 more cubic feet of interior volume is nothing to sneeze at.

And the untold stats are shoulder and hiproom where the Venza tops the Equinox by more than five inches! I have no idea how it "only" beats it by 2 inches in rear legroom either. It's simply vast in the back seat of the Venza.

Again, stop arguing like we're making absolute judgments and not posting accurate numbers. Because I then have to go spend my time offering our readers the accurate measurements etc to refute your comments.

Again, the Equinox isn't even a competitor. It'll have issues with the Rav4 and CRV on price. The Venza is aimed more at the Edge and Murano.

OS

" Keep in mind that GM and Ford took that approach for many years and now people are saying they have too much product overlap. How many crossovers does Toyota really need? "

This is nothing compare to GM - Ford overlaps. Traverse - Acadia - Outlook ---- This is real overlap.
RAV4 - Highlander - Venza ---- not so much.

And besides all that. Why do we still discuss GM? In about 2 months this company will be gone.... the way we now it.

OS,
I think the Venza is marketed as a premium lifestyle vehicle (like the Ford Flex and Murano, like Dave T. stated above), most people who buy these things are probably going to go for the luxury editions with leather and navi that boost profits for Toyota, despite the relatively low volume being sold (as opposed to high volume products like the Corolla). Toyota probably even conceived this vehicle because its probably mounted on some platform it shares with some other Toyota product, thus lowering the cost to Toyota to manufacture a contender in the market for near luxury crossovers. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that a shopper who buys a Venza or Flex or Murano might not be buying with a family in consideration (many will, but there will also be those buying such a vehicle for looks, especially the Venza, which I consider to be functional, yet gorgeous)thus comparing this to the RAV4, Equinox, Highlander, would not make sense, because those vehicles do not have the styling characteristics of such a class of vehicle *note the distinct styling of the Flex and competitors* Therefore, I'd say this car has worked out well for Toyota, and would have sold many more units if the economy were in better shape. Overall, I'm just totally taken in by this vehicle, if I am ever in the market for a replacement SUV or even a sedan, I would look at this product.

DaveT:

I didn't know that cu ft figures are an inappropriate way to compare the capacity of vehicles. I was unaware that you had a superior method of measuring storage space. For the time being I think I will assume the Venza and Equinox have similar amounts of space behind the 2nd row. The legroom figure I got was from a GM site. If it's wrong, then I suppose it needs to be corrected. Since the Equinox's 2nd row slides I am pretty sure it has at least as much rooom as the Venza's 2nd row.

I have no idea how you can say without with absolution that the Equinox and Venza would not compete. I do not think a few inches of width are enough to say these vehicles are in totally different classes. The bottom line is that the Venza has about 8% more interior space than the Equinox. For some that may be a huge difference but it wont be for many. Within Chevy's lineup the Equinox is the most likely Venza competitor.

In overall width the Toyota is 2.5" wider than the Chevy. That's where I got that figure.

Please ease up on the arrogance, you dont have to spend any time "refuting" anything I am saying. My info came from http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/proddesc.jsp?year=2010&regionID=1&divisionID=1&type=0&vehicleID=8278&section=dim&page=&butID=6 where all Equinox dimensions are listed. Where did your rear seat figures come from? I don't make up facts.

Tony:

I would imagine that you ignore any media coverage that is not flattering to Toyota but the point I made about the need for the Venza has been made in several reviews. Reveling in Gm's troubles won't change that fact. Whether GM is here or not Toyota's issues are the same. Once a brand gets too big any new entry runs a risk of cannabilizing sales of existing nameplates.

"In the end the consumer will sit in each one and decide which is right for them."

I agree so let the customers decide if these vehicles will compete. I know the Equinox competes with the RAV4, but so does the Venza which was my point. You should know better than most that people often go to a dealership to look at one model but are attracted to a similar model. If there is a law that says prospective RAV4 owners wont look at the Venza or potential Venza owners wouldn't check out an Equinox with similar cargo space and hp I have never heard of it.

OS,
Like I said, measuring methods ARE different from some brands on rear cargo space. Not all specs are equal. That's why when I see 2 inches difference in rear legroom I would tell people to actually go check it out in person. Did you watch the video above? I mean you can really see the room illustrated nicely.

Here's where we get our Equinox numbers
http://media.gm.com/us/gm/en/news/events/autoshows/09naias/brands/chevrolet/10_NAIAS_Chevrolet_Equinox.htm

We can only go with what the automakers provide us. If we use the same sources at all times than hopefully we'll make less mistakes. NOW the rear seats in the Equinox do slide rearward, and if that's the larger figure that may explain things. But that would cut into the cargo area number too.

In the end it is not arrogance, it is more annoyance because I don't want consumers being confused by commenters stating facts and figures that don't match what we have as official and report as accurate.

OS,

you're right - I totally ignore the media.

You're totally right that when company gets too big - it is a call for trouble. This is any company, any industry. This is what happen to toyota - the demand is much lower so, the company can't cover the cost - simple. But it has nothing to do with lineup as long as same factory can produce multiple models.

This is where Toyota is so different form GM. GM has multiple models that are representing same type, same size, same everything - different panels and nameplate. Just like my example of outlook, acadia and traverse. Every Chevy has a Saturn, GMC or Pontiac equivalent.
Toyota doesn't have SAME cars. Even Corolla and Matrix are different enough to say they are different cars. For Toyota, the rebaging, as close as it gets, is represented by Camry/ES, Landcruiser/Lexus...

All it is fot Toyota is to adjust for a smaller market. They are still holding a nice share of the market and it grows. For GM it is to be small or die. They don't grow their market share.

May be the overlap you have in mind is a pricing overlap. Well, again, may be, may be , may be. I don't care if Camry XLE goes into Avalon's price range. Because, may be I want more agile Camry loaded to the top in preference to bulkier, bigger avalon with less options. Nothing wrong with that.

DaveT:

My info came from GM. If GM has a discrepancy then it should be corrected. I consider any information from the manufacturer to be "official" so I'm not sure why you are inferring I am going with some fly by night source for my information. The other figures seem to line up so I'm not sure why the rear legroom number is different. We can go with the 37.2" figure since that is more than most (if not all) midsize sedans. It might be slightly smaller but my original point was that the Equinox is in the BALLPARK with the Venza. 8% less space and 2" less of rear legroom does not make the Equinox a penalty box.

I have no intentions of confusing anyone that visits the site. I think anyone with eyes can see the two vehicles are similar in powertrain, price and mission. One is more wagon-like and the other follows the conventional crossover formula.

"This is where Toyota is so different form GM. GM has multiple models that are representing same type, same size, same everything - different panels and nameplate."

But that doesnt describe the Camry and Avalon or the camry/ES350? Its the same thing. I know that doesn't fit in with your "Toyota does no wrong" philosophy but its the same thing. According to your logic Toyota should have ONE midsize sedan, not two or three. They should have ONE compact car, not 5. They should have ONE midsize crossover, not 3. Can you explain the double standards?

In case you missed the last few months of action GM is phasing out Saturn. That gets rid of a lot of the overlap you are obsessing over. Pontiac is going to lose most of its models and within a few years the Malibu will be the only mainstream midsize sedan in GM's stable. The Outlook is going away so that leaves the Traverse and Acadia to battle with the non luxury 3 row crossovers.

The camry and avalon are very similar. You act like the Avalon is a huge car. Its a few inches longer than the camry and has a smaller trunk. It comes with a standard V6 and has a few more luxury features but it's just a slightly enlarged camry. Toyota also has overlap between the Land cruiser and LX470 and the Highlander and RX350 and the Matrix and Scion models as well as the Highlander and 4Runner. Now they are coming out with a lexus hybrid that looks like a Prius with a different front end in spite of the fact they just moved the Prius upmarket with lexus like options. It makes no sense.

"But it has nothing to do with lineup as long as same factory can produce multiple models."

And you think GM doesn't do the same thing? That was my point. GMC doesn't have its own factory. Neither does Buick or Saturn. It is not a great use of engineering resources to make two vehicles from the same platform with different styling. The main drawback is that you have to spread the marketing dollars out. That is what most critics have focused on with GM's myriad of brands. With the plan that has been submitted that will be rectified by reducing brands and models.

happy:

1. Any vehicle would be selling better if the economy wasn't in bad shape, not just the VEnza

2. I don't get into vague marketing terminology to group vehicles. I don't know what a "lifestyle vehicle" represents but I can tell you the Venza and Equinox have two engines, 6 speed transmissions and similar features and prices. The flex is considerably larger and seats 7. It also comes with a V6 only and is more expensive.

3. All manufacturers make new products off existing platforms, not just Toyota. They all do the same things to achieve economies of scale and to save money.

4. Based on current sales rates and competing products the sales rate of the Venza is modest. And this is in spite of a well funded ad campaign. I'm not sure what barometer is being used to determine that this vehicle is doing well. Toyota sold about 7 times as many camrys as they did Venzas last month. The last 4 vehicles that have adopted a similar formula have not done well. The Venza is the Toyota version of the SRX or Magnum and I don't see why the results will be any different.

DaveT:

I don't dispute the Venza is spacious. All I said was that I would buy the Equinox over this vehicle. Rear legroom is not a concern of mine since the Chevy has enough space. Price, styling, warranty and features are concerns of mine however. The Chevy has remote start, a 40GB hard drive, USB port, programmable power lift gate and memory seats. Aside from the oversized rims the Venza is still a blandly styled middle of the road product from Toyota. I don't like the Edge inspired grille or the gun slight windows. Didn't like it on the Magnum and I don't like it here. I'm sure if this entire discussion was about the Magnum no one would take issue with anything I'm saying.

Nothing is a concern of Shet unless it is a GM vehicle. Dave I have no idea why you would bother responding to such a disreputable individual. Shet consistently tries to slant arguments in his favor by quoting insubstantial or incorrect information, then adding "well it is what I believe," as a last ditch effort to claim some credibility. I remember you thought about banning him some time ago, how about it?

Belly:

As usual you make no sense whatsoever. I provided the link where I got my information. When have you ever provided a link for anything you rambled on about here? Never because you make up stuff on a regular basis. I don't even know what your "this is what I believe" statement is in reference to because I clearly explained why the Equinox and Venza are similar vehicles. I don't think that DaveT saying they aren't comparable is to be a taken as the final verdict when there are so many similarities.

OS,

You just keep on pushing the technical things but not getting anything out of it.
Ok, technically, the Avalon and the Camry are same thing. But they are very different from the consumer stand point. Consumer don't car that you know that it is same. BTW, Avalon IS much bigger inside - its a big boat. I've tested it.
And then you compare Highlander to 4Runner. So, what kind car pro you are if you can compare 2 absolutely different things? Do you actually realize that Highlander is a car and 4Runner is a truck? And may be Toyota sells 4Runners here now only because it is a global car. Cost them nothing to send few over to USA. But in Africa 4Runners are very popular because they go everywhere.

"According to your logic Toyota should have ONE midsize sedan" - And they do, OS - the CAMRY. Ah, Lexus... Of course. But the Lexus is more like 30G min, not 20G like the Camry.

OS, I think, all of us know that Toyota sort of went GM way. But GM is still long way! Again, the Toyota is may be tempted because their market share grows. But GM is simply dumb because they lost it and wouldn't recognize. They kill Saturn? LOL. They needed to kill Saturn, Pontiac, Buick yesterday.

I am very proud of your stabborn GM support but sorry, in 50 days the GM will be gone. And then what?

To be fair I think it's certainly true people will compare the two vehicles. However, a majority of people shop on price as the #1 factor and the Equinox and Venza are $4K different in price.

This must be a popular segment if Honda is preparing one to go up against it. I like the Venza and I think it fits nicely into Toyota's line up.

"But they are very different from the consumer stand point. Consumer don't car that you know that it is same. "

They are very different? really? Both are spacious soft riding sedans sold by Toyota with the same powertrain. I do not think there is a huge difference.

Your excuses about Toyota's ever increasing lineup are very thin. I did not say that overlap had anything to do with factory location. You say the 4Runner and Highlander don't overlap because one is a traditional SUV. Their prices and missions overlap even if they go about things in different ways. I don't think the fact that the 4Runner is made in Japan has much to do with anything.

"But the Lexus is more like 30G min, not 20G like the Camry."

I would only compare the XLE with the ES350. I don't think any potential ES customer would be checking out a base model camry with an I-4 and wheelcovers. You didn't mention the other vehicles I addressed that compete in the same segments under Toyota's various brands.

"They needed to kill Saturn, Pontiac, Buick yesterday."

You continue your stunning display of ignorance. Buick is being kept because it's a volume brand in China and future models will be engineered for both markets. Its not about stubborn support of GM, I support attractive product. Generally speaking Gm's recent offerings are more attractive than Toyotas and just as fuel efficient. On top of that GM is matching or exceeding Toyota in interior desing while giving more car for the money with a better warranty. Sorry, I don't consider hype when evaluating vehicles. I know Toyota has a lot of hype behind its name and a fanatical customer base but when you look at the actual products they are average. You can't find anyone who can justify buying a Toyota over the competition without mentioning "reputation for quality" or "better resale". You don't hear anything about value, styling, performance, technology or quality of service at Toyota dealers. It's always about supposedly superior quality and resale.

"To be fair I think it's certainly true people will compare the two vehicles. However, a majority of people shop on price as the #1 factor and the Equinox and Venza are $4K different in price."

I thought the Equinox started about $3k less. Well it's probably closer to $4k than $3k but I think that is due to the Venza having more standard equipment. I don't think full pricing has been released yet but the LT models probably line up very closely with the base Venza. We will see soon enough. If the Equinox is that much cheaper across the board I would say advantage Chevy.

"This must be a popular segment if Honda is preparing one to go up against it. I like the Venza and I think it fits nicely into Toyota's line up."

Its a non existent segment that used to be occupied by the Magnum and Pacifica. There are few large station wagons on the market. Not sure how you figure its a burgeoning class of vehicle. We will see if Toyota can convince Americans to buy a wagon. Remember, there used to be a Camry wagon and it didn't do well.

Sounds like someone hasn't taken his meds today.

ziggy:

Not really. Name three Venza competitors in this popular vehicle class you are referring to. Its a wagon and Americans are not into wagons. That is one reason why the new SRX doesn't look like one.

Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, Mazda CX-7, Dodge Journey...

Bravo ziggy

"Buick is being kept because it's a volume brand in China and future models will be engineered for both markets."

OS,
Thats if GM still exists then

"I don't think the fact that the 4Runner is made in Japan has much to do with anything."

Highlander is also made in Japan

"They are very different? really? Both are spacious soft riding sedans sold by Toyota with the same powertrain. I do not think there is a huge difference."

Not for you - we already know that. But for many - yes. This is why some people get Avalon, not Camry, not Taurus. ES350 overlap? ES is there to pick some business from people looking not for a car but for a nameplate. I can't otherwise justify purchase of ES350.

And OS. I don't really care or support Toyota. For me, it is important so they stay in business for the next 5 years while my warranty is active. And then they can die, bankrupt, disappear, whatever. But today they make BEST AVERAGE CONSUMER product. This is why they winning over the World.

The Venza is a nice vehicle. I like the looks and the concept of it but don't know If I would buy it though. For car-like qualities I perfer the Camry (which I already own) I'f needed more space then I'd probably upgrade to the Highlander. Having said that I'm sure there will be plenty of people who will want this vehicle. I'll definiately make a point to go to a Toyota dealership and test drive one.

Also to say the stationwagons are not popular in the U.S. is only partially true. While the "wagon" style of the sixties and early seventies still survives, somewhat, in other countries it actually evolved into the minivan and SUV in the U.S. While most american do not prefer the traditional wagon body style like the Outback or the Magnum, they do want the hatchback styled, longer wheelbased vehicle that provide hauling ability and versatility. This is why the SUV, CUV and minivan have replaced the traditonal wagon and are popular. In essence they are americas stationwagon.

"Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, Mazda CX-7, Dodge Journey..."

THe Edge and Murano have conventional CUV profiles. The Venza does not. The Venza is no more of a crossover than the Magnum. I'm not sure why you can't tell the difference. Cadillac called the SRX a crossover but it didn't matter because it looked like a wagon.

The Journey has not sold well thus far.

Bravo indeed.

"OS,
Thats if GM still exists then"

Tony:

Here's a tip: there is no need to mention GM's situation in every response. I think most Americans are aware of their condition but considering the POTUS has said publically that GM is going to around I find your constant harping on their pending demise to be a little odd. If Obama has said GM will be around I am not sure why you keep assuming they wont be.

"But today they make BEST AVERAGE CONSUMER product. This is why they winning over the World."

Toyota became the #1 automaker by shrinking less than GM. Lexus sales have been in decline for well over a year and last month they were passed by BMW in sales. Toyota is poised to post its biggest loss ever and VW has plans to overtake them in less than 10 years. Toyota is "winning" in PR but their products are average. Average is OK today because cars are better than they have ever been. That said, Toyota's recent efforts are falling short of what Mazda, GM and even Ford are putting on the market. At least with the Venza they have reversed the trend towards dull interiors full of hard plastics. Unfortunately, the Corolla and Matrix didn't get the Venza treatment.

ziggy:

I agree that the CUV has replaced the wagon. No argument there. My position is that Americans dont want CUVs that LOOK like cars. I have named recent entries that looked like wagons or even minivans and they have not been successful. Americans expect a crossover to have an SUV like profile and a higher seating point. I almost forgot about the Taurus X which was EXACTLY the same thing as the Venza- it did not sell well at all. Oh and the Malibu Maxx is yet another example of failure.

"VW has plans to overtake them in less than 10 years"

in 1939 VW already had those plans. OS, I LOL

Original sheth:
We don’t agree on everything. However, I have to agree about what you said about the Venza. Like I mentioned in my post on this subject, If I were in the market a car I’d get another Camry and if I wanted something with more room I’d go for a Highlander. For you, I’m sure it would be something GM. While the Venza looks good, to me does fall in that ill fated “CUV that looks too much like a car” category you mentioned. Toyota may have also made it tough sell by trying to slot it in the middle of the RAV4 and Highlander. However, I’m sure this vehicle will suit the tastes of some. But maybe not enough for it's continued existance. How this vehicle sells, time will tell. Given past failed attempts from other car companies that made vehicles of this sort, it doesn’t look good.

"in 1939 VW already had those plans. OS, I LOL"

Toyota is much weaker than VW in the Euro market and the Japanese market (which Toyota dominates) is in permanent decline. VW may be able to do what it says. Some are saying it will be #2 after 2009.

"For you, I’m sure it would be something GM. "

Not really. Just because I dont automatically assume every vehicle from Japan is perfect doesnt mean I only buy GM. My first car (used) was a Legacy. For my next vehicle I am thinking about the 6 or Equinox or a used luxury car. If I like a GM product there is a reason, I don't advocate GM products for no reason. I don't live in Detroit and have no connection to the auto industry.

Original sheth:
I stand corrected for assuming.