It’s hard to deny the supremely good quality that Toyota builds into every car. Although I had already sampled the V6 AWD Venza, I was rather please with this 4-cylinder version. Both Venzas are great cars. The Kentucky built Venza has a lot more going for it than Toyota quality.
Had Toyota asked my opinion (few automakers have the guts) I would have changed the nose and called the Venza the “Colorado Camry.” That is not a slant against the Venza – quite to the contrary, this is a great machine for our beautiful state.
Starting at around 27K for the base model, FWD 4-cylinder – my tester with AWD, leather and the nearly $6,000 upgraded “comfort package” brought the total up to under $35,000. Unlike my tester, this package includes the dramatic panoramic sun roof. 
I understand that many feel that 35K is steep for an AWD Camry 4 banger wagon. I suppose you could look at it that way; however, I look at it as a Lexus-like machine for a bargain price.
Lexus-like?
The interior with the optional leather surfaces is most impressive. Room is generous front and (especially) back with large enough seating for my beefy posterior. I dare say the rear seats are a tad flat, leaning the rear reclining seatbacks help readjust positioning for optimum comfort. Headroom and legroom are excellent. The doors are very large with ingress and egress made very easy. Seat height is just a hair lower than the Toyota Highlander and RAV4.
I especially like the handsome multi-configurable center console.
The all new 2.7-liter double overhead cam (DOHC) 16-valve, 4-cylinder motivator produces 182 horsepower (which makes182 lbs feet of torque). 2.7 liters may seem big for a 4-cylinder and it is. Driving the FWD 4-cylinder will net 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. AWD figures are about 1 mpg less which is better than many competing 4-cylinder wagons.
This Toyota IS a wagon and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Many folks are tired of the unnecessary bulk and tippy riding of SUVs and many Crossover SUVs. This Toyota Venza gives a much better ride than competing SUVs while still providing about 8 inches of ground clearance, comfortable seating for 5 and great cargo capacity. Yes, there is no 3rd row seat and that helps keep the overall size and weight (which is under 2 tons) acceptable.
The payoff is in piloting the Venza around town.
By foregoing the ubiquitous third row (which a high percentage of drivers truly do not need) the Toyota Venza 4-cylinder is light on its toes. Performance, especially handling and general maneuvering is quite good. Acceleration is not great although many would agree that you do not buy a product like this to melt the asphalt (I averaged around 9 seconds 0 to 60). If you want speed – get the muscular 3.5 liter V6 which produces 268 horsepower (that makes 246 lbs feet of torque).
For once, I was not in the mood to abuse this car during testing. It was such a mild-mannered machine, I wasn’t in the mood. Still, when the insane microburst storm hit south of Denver in early July – I stormed through in the surprisingly capable Venza. Rain, hail, tree bark and flooded intersections were no match for the Toyota Venza and the good torque from the 2.7 liter, 4-cylinder yanked me out of some nasty road conditions.
So impressed was I that the easy-going Toyota Venza was placed upon my personal torture course (mud, ruts, rocks, broken asphalt and sand) near the South Platte River. Aside from the fairly numb steering not telling me what the beefy front, 19 inch wheels were doing – the Toyota Venza powered through crud that would be considered by most rather inhuman. The roughly 8 inches of clearance was just enough to keep it out of trouble while still allowing for a low enough center of gravity to be helpful.
When all was said and done, I averaged a hair under 18 mpg (combined).
That’s not too bad considering my thrill of accelerator abuse.
Is this vehicle a better performing wagon than my current favorite the Subaru Legacy/Outback? Nope. But it is more comfortable, easier to load and more economical. If it weren’t for the melted nose and squinted headlights, I would be enamored. As it stands – this car looks great from the sides and rear.
If you were thinking about a commodious, comfortable, (somewhat) affordable, well-made station wagon that makes sense, have a gander at the Toyota Venza 4-cylinder AWD.
This is a fantastic car for the Rockies!
Comments
A combined 18 mpg (say 19 mpg wo/AWD) for a 4 cylinder wagon in 2009 is not impressive. Those are close to SUV numbers. Both the Volvo XC60 and Audi Q5 have similar/better combined mpgs (18 and 20 respectively) then the Venza and are 6 cylinders offering more power. The game changing on its way is the 4 cylinder 2010 Chevrolet Equinox FWD. GM has finally gotten the message and has engineered the FWD version to get a combined 26 mpg (22/32 hwy) and the AWD version a respectable combined 23 mpg (20/29 hwy). Skip the Venza and wait for the Equinox.
I have the 4 cyl FWD model and would agree with everything except the comfortable ride comments. This vehicle with the 19" tires, rides rough. So far, I think it rides like my old 1987 Jeep Wrangler. I am trying to appreciate the ride, but so far, I would rather have the ride of my traded in MKD.
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