2009 Toyota Venza: Crossover Crusin'

Written by Dorothy Redmond

I have been anticipating the launch of the Toyota Venza Crossover since witnessing the oohs and ahhs incited by the FT-SX concept vehicle which Venza is based on at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. After three years of expectancy, I finally got a formal introduction in the back hills of Farmington, Pennsylvania.

The Venza, set to launch in late 2008, is touted by the automaker as “a versatile five-passenger vehicle that couples the styling and comfort of a car with the flexibility of a Sport Utility Vehicle to give customers an alternative to the traditional sedan.” The Venza fills the gap in the Toyota lineup between Camry and Highlander and sits in class alongside the Avalon. So how does the baby in the family fit in?

From first glance, I found the Venza to be a little reminiscent of the Dodge Caravan. The vehicle features an aerodynamic shape with short overhangs, forward A-pillar, crisp character lines, and a low roofline and ground clearance accented with a distinctive grille, headlights and fog lamps giving it a feeling of simple elegance. From behind, an angled rear hatch, spoiler and wide wraparound tail lights that interconnect with the hatch door are a shift away from the more traditional SUV styling themes prevalent in today’s market.

However, the interior design and overall functionality is where this vehicle shines. I put ingress/egress to test by hopping in and out of the vehicle with my arms filled to the brim with bags, a latte and purse. I found that despite my bulky load, I was able to enter with ease without that inevitable uncomfortable plop on the seat. The sweeping integrated rocker panels and narrowing of the doorsills give greater access with a higher sightline. The overall dimensions are unique as well with a rear load-in height lower than Camry and almost as low as the Sienna Minivan.

Once inside, the fun really begins with an extra roomy cabin designed to make the driver and passenger both feel as if they have 60 percent of the space for front seat occupants. Venza also has a litany of thoughtful interior features that really showcase Toyota’s commitment to functionality and value. Drivers can enjoy tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel with integrated audio controls, cruise control and an overhead console with map lights. Standard dual-zone automatic climate control, second row seat vents, three 12-volt power outlets and tush friendly seats keep the cabin comfortable and cozy. Another highlight is the creative interior storage. Venza has an adjustable center console with sliding cover and armrest, three MP3 player holders with wire concealment features and comes equipped with an auxiliary audio jack and an additional 12-volt power outlet. Map pockets and bottle holders are also integrated into the driver and front passenger doors.

Venza offers all-wheel drive, foldable rear seats, a large cargo area, and up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity. In addition, it comes with standard features usually found on luxury autos. Some of these items include: high intensity discharge headlamps with an automatic high beam feature that detects oncoming vehicles and automatically switches the headlamps from high- to low beam, chrome-accented door handles on the front side doors that lock and unlock all four doors and rear hatch door, a panoramic roof with power tilt/slide function and a separate fixed glass panel over the rear seats, and power windows with auto up/down function and jam protection on all four doors.

The Venza has a total of seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear roll-sensing side curtain airbags.

The Venza has an array of entertainment packages to choose from. It comes standard with an AM/FM six-disc, in-dash CD changer with integrated satellite radio, MP3/WMA playback capability and six speakers. Optional packages include JBL Synthesis surround sound AM/FM six-disc, in-dash CD changer with integrated satellite radio, MP3/WMA playback capability, hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth and 13 speakers. Also available is a voice-activated, touch-screen, sixth-generation DVD navigation system.

Venza offers two engines to give customers more flexibility and fuel economy when considering their driving needs. The 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine outputs 182 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque. Estimates for Venza fuel economy are 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the four-cylinder, front-wheel drive model. Also available is a 3.5-liter V6 with 268 horsepower and 246 pound-feet of torque. The V6 FWD has economy ratings of 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway. Both engines are mated to a six-speed sequential-shift electronically controlled automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i). Venza also employs uphill/downhill shift logic control that selects the proper gear for driving conditions and helps provide moderate engine braking during downhill driving.

I put the technology to test on Farmington’s winding roads and hills and the Venza did not disappoint. I was impressed by its superior handling and control, which made me feel very comfortable at the helm very quickly. The vehicle’s lower center of gravity and larger wheel base gives the driver the best of both worlds with electronic power steering employed to minimize steering effort and provide a ride experience more like that of a sedan.

I can easily see the Venza stepping in as the premier family vehicle and a modern take on the station wagon. Toyota has provided a vehicle that is responsive to the needs of consumers searching for the value package in the challenging economic climate. Venza delivers in areas of safety, fuel efficiency and comfort at an affordable price. Ranging from $25,975 for the four-cylinder with front-wheel-drive model to $29,250 for the V6 with all-wheel-drive, this would be my choice for a cross country adventure, commuter carpool or family excursion.