Toyota Venza and Lexus RX Are Top Safety Picks

The all-new 2009 Toyota Venza and redesigned 2010 Lexus RX received Top Safety Pick awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. To earn Top Safety Pick status, vehicles must rank Good — the institute’s top crash rating — in front, side and rear impacts. They also must be equipped with electronic stability control.

The two models join 20 other Top Safety Picks in the midsize SUV category. Cars.com’s David Thomas recently reviewed the new Venza and thought it was an attractive buy for small families. Mike Hanley took on the updated Lexus, which is one of the company’s most popular models.

2010 Lexus RX 450h review (Cars.com) 
2009 Toyota Venza video (Cars.com)

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

Video: 2009 Toyota Venza iPhone Streaming Bluetooth Audio

When I reviewed the Toyota Venza a few months ago, I couldn’t believe the company didn’t include a USB port for MP3 players. An analog auxiliary jack was standard, and you had to upgrade to a more expensive stereo for Bluetooth streaming audio. One problem, only a few cell phones and MP3 players have Bluetooth streaming capabilities, and an adapter for an iPod can run between $50 and $150.

Then came news that Apple was adding this technology to the iPhone this summer. Our resident tech expert, Matt Raskin, is of course already running the beta version of this new software on his iPhone, and he lent it to me to check out in the Venza. Watch the video above to see it in action, and let us know whether you think this is the future of in-car audio.

The 2010 Toyota Prius, on sale this May, and the just-announced 2010 Subaru Legacy will also have available Bluetooth audio.

Toyota Super Bowl Commercial Asks, "Are You Venza?"

Well, are you? Are you Venza?

Using what could be the strangest automotive tagline since “The Fit is Go,” Toyota will launch a media campaign during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLIII for its new Venza crossover.

From the description, Toyota is going to position the Venza for folks who are into cool design.

We’re not sure about the approach, but the company spent some serious time investigating it.

"With the launch of Venza, we wanted to dig deeper, so we reached out for new research that combines cognitive neuroscience, anthropology and sociology," said a spokesperson from the ad agency.

We’ll see how that works Sunday. 

More Super Bowl Commercial Coverage

Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Toyota Venza

Two weeks ago, I took to the Pennsylvania countryside to test an all-new model from Toyota, called Venza. Despite the name — a combination of the word “venture” and the Monza racetrack in Italy — the vehicle is almost entirely practical. Who would have thought Toyota could do such a thing?

Seriously though, this enlarged wagon/crossover/non-SUV will be hard to sell, simply because people won’t know what it is. But after reading the review, it might become clearer who will want to buy one.

2009 Toyota Venza Review
More Venza News

Pricing Announced for 2009 Toyota Venza

Later this morning we’ll have a full review of the all-new Toyota Venza live on Cars.com, but for now we’re able to bring you pricing for when it goes on sale in early December. Actually, only the V-6 model goes on sale in December, with four-cylinders to follow in January, but at least you’re now armed with what either will cost you.

Toyota went simple with the Venza in terms of trim levels. There are four: The base four-cylinder front-wheel-drive Venza starts at $25,975, not including destination. It’s rated at 21/29 mpg city/highway, close to the base Camry’s 21/31 mpg. An all-wheel-drive version costs $1,450 more and gets 20/28 mpg.

The V-6 front-wheel-drive model starts at $27,800 and gets 19/26 mpg. All-wheel drive is once again $1,450 more, and its mileage is rated at 18/25 mpg. Destination is another $720.

Option pricing is below.

A Quick Look at the 2009 Toyota Venza

Last week I went to southwestern Pennsylvania to drive the all-new 2009 Toyota Venza. Loosely based on the Camry sedan, the Venza is directly aimed at those who are not interested in full-blown SUVs and want something that’s not only easier to drive, but easier to get in and out of as well. The term “boomer” came up more than once.

I’m prevented from discussing how it drove for another week, but look for a full review of the Venza next Monday, Nov. 3, along with its pricing. In the meantime, check out more Venza photos in a number of colors below.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: 2009 Toyota Venza

One of the most intriguing new production cars in Detroit was Toyota’s new crossover, the Venza. Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder got an exclusive up-close look at the interior, which is quite luxurious for Toyota. Also check out its trick center console. If you wanted to see more of the Venza, then this is the video for you.

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.

2008 Detroit Auto Show: Toyota Venza

• Competes with: Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Outback
• Looks like: A Lexus RX SUV
• Drivetrain: 2.7-liter four-cylinder or 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 with six-speed automatic; front- or all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Late 2008

When we first heard about the Toyota Venza, we weren’t sure why Toyota needed a five-seat crossover based on the Toyota Camry. The popular Highlander was recently redesigned, it seats seven and it’s also based on the Camry. Now that the Venza is here and we have real specs on it, we’re even more unsure of its place in the market.

The Venza is almost exactly the same length as the Highlander, at 189 inches, and almost the exact same width. The Venza does come with an all-new four-cylinder engine in the base model, which the Highlander doesn’t, but we don’t have power numbers on it yet. The available V-6 is the same one that’s in the Highlander. The Venza will also come in both front- and all-wheel-drive models. The wheels you see pictured are the standard 20-inch variety for the V-6 model. Four-cylinder buyers won’t get shortchanged, though, as 19-inch wheels are standard on it.

Driving dynamics should be different from the Highlander, of course, as the Venza has a different suspension setup, a lowered height and those big wheels. The interior, too, is radically different — almost at a Lexus level when it comes to looks. That makes us wonder how much this will cost, and if that will bring in buyers. Take a look at the photos below and let us know what you think of this all-new Toyota.