More so than most any of its real competition, the 2011 Toyota Venza V6 remains true to the hallmarks of the SUV crossover movement. Not only is it car-like to drive and easy to get into but it also managed to score a very decent 21.2 mile per gallon average over the course of a week. This was made all the more remarkable by all of with the added weight of my tester’s optional all-wheel drive system and the added temptation of a deceptively powerful 3.5 liter V6 engine.
While the Venza is available with a base 4-cylinder option, the V6 motor’s 268 horsepower/246 lb. feet of torque works wonders with the ultra-smooth six-speed and brings this five passenger tall wagon from rest to 60 miles per hour in just 6.7 seconds. This is the type of vehicle that could easily lead you down the path to traffic court due to more than a few unintended speeding citations.
The 2011 Toyota Venza looks very much like a stylishly modern take on the station wagon concept. The squared out haunches and prominent grille give it an air of sophistication and class. It may not be ground breaking to look at but the 2011 Venza is possibly the most handsome looking SUV or crossover in the entire Toyota lineup. So there goes the notion that Toyota doesn’t have a styling department on staff.
Interior and Utility
While some crossover buyers might be put off by the fact that the Venza only seats five, you have to ask yourself realistically how often you might need to carry seven people all at once. So by focusing on making the Venza’s interior roomy enough for just five adults, Toyota has created an SUV crossover with one of the most comfortable back seats in its class. Leg, hip and headroom are all ample even for those who are more likely to be hitting the drive-thru than the gym.
The interior is hushed and quiet at cruising speeds but I did have one rear seat passenger complain on a rather rough stretch of road that there was a bit of tire roar heard out back. This fact was probably down to the fact that the second row bench rides very close to the rear wheel well. On smoother tarmac, however, the noise went away. Or perhaps this passenger was hearing things as I never heard anything from the driver’s seat.
Build quality inside the 2011 Venza is very impressive and all controls are perfectly placed so both the driver and passenger can reach them easily. The dash mounted automatic transmission shift lever proved a nice place to rest my hands during a rather long freeway drive. My tester’s 13-speaker JBL audio system also delivered excellent sound quality and although it is only available as part of an option package it is highly recommended.
Considering how maneuverable and compact this SUV feels like to drive, it is amazing how much cargo capacity is on offer. The nicely shaped 30.7 cubic foot cargo area has a low lift-in height and once you fold the second row of seats your junk carrying capacity swells to a U-Haul aping 70.1 cubic feet.
Driving Experience
The most amazing part of the 2011 Toyota Venza, given the fact that it is based on a modified Camry platform, is how adept this SUV crossover is at cornering all the while giving up nothing in ride comfort. Steering feel is a touch light but is communicative and progressive. Toyota proved with the Sienna SE minivan that it could make any car fun to drive and the Venza proves this yet again.
This isn’t to say that the 2011 Toyota Venza is a sports car by any stretch of the imagination but it does do a fine impersonation of a fun to drive family sedan/wagon. There is none of the usual floatiness or scary body roll you so often find in other SUVs. Often times I find driving an SUV to be a chore but I actually found myself enjoying drives in the Venza. This is not to say that part of the fun didn’t come from Toyota’s snarlingly powerful corporate 3.5 liter V6 which is truly an underrated gem.
Perhaps the only problem is that the 2011 Toyota Venza V6 is so darn refined. Toyota mastered the art long ago at Lexus and clearly it has trickled down into the more affordable Venza. In fact, the Venza proved so capable that it made me wonder why anyone would spend the extra money on a Lexus RX350 barring the obvious badge appeal.
But this brings to mind, of course, which vehicles really do compete most closely with a 2011 Toyota Venza equipped as lavishly as my test model which featured navigation, rear seat DVD entertainment for the kids, a power tailgate, back-up camera and of course all-wheel drive for a final tally nearing the $40,000 mark including destination.
That may seem like a lot of money for a crossover from a mainstream automaker but my test unit was as fully loaded as any Venza could possibly. In fact, I can’t really think of any electronic gizmo or feature that it lacked. Even the leather was high quality enough to cut the mustard in the rarified world of a premium luxury SUV.
If you are in the market for a five passenger family crossover like the 2011 Toyota Venza V6 AWD be sure to check out these other models as well. But if you do decide to go with a Venza you can rest easy knowing that you own one of the more fun to drive, refined and impressively packaged SUV crossovers on the road today.
Other Models to Cross Shop
When looking for a natural competitor for the 2011 Venza, most people look to Honda’s Crosstour niche crossover that launched about the same time as this Toyota. But for $35,270 you can get a Tech Package equipped RDX crossover (navigation, back-up camera, awesome Acura/ELS premium audio) which has a similarly powerful 2.3 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that returns similar fuel economy figures.
The Venza has a slightly larger back seat but cargo capacity for both is pretty evenly matched. The only downside to the RDX is the fact that no rear seat DVD entertainment system is available as an option. The RDX, however, does handle and steer more like a hot hatchback than an SUV and is more fun than even the Venza. Decisions, decisions.
2011 Honda Accord Crosstour 4WD EX-L
This fully loaded version of Honda’s Crosstour stickers a little over $36,000 but comes equipped much like the Venza just without the rear seat DVD entertainment system. (Hint: they do sell aftermarket systems.) The one downside to the Crosstour is that cargo volume is less with 25.7 cubic with the second row of seats in place and 51.3 with the second row folded flat.
Maybe you don’t have $40,000 (or even $35,000) to spend but that doesn’t mean you have to give up all of the features and utility that make owning one of these SUV crossovers so appealing. That’s where the 2011 Kia Sorento EX-V6 AWD comes in. It may have room for seven but it somehow manages to still offer up a comfortable second row of seats. The V6 engine and six-speed automatic in the Kia are also hugely impressive and a lavishly equipped model barely squeaks past $31,000.
Vehicle Tested: 2011 Toyota Venza V6 AWD
Base Price: $29,750
Price as Tested: $39,604 (including destination)
Option on Tester: Rear Seat DVD Entertainment--$1,680, Voice Activated Navigation--$2,580: (includes back-up camera, JBL AM/FM 4-disc CD 13-speaker audio system, XM radio with Navtraffic, USB/iPod connectivity, Hands free Bluetooth), Tow Package--$220, Floor/Cargo Mat--$269, Premium Package #2--$4,345: (includes leather seats, heated front seats, mahogany wood trim, HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps, Smart Key with push button start, Power liftgate, heated outside mirrors and windshield washer nozzles, chrome accented door handles)
Engine: 3.5 liter V6
Power: 268 horsepower/246 lb. feet of torque
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
0-60: 6.7 seconds
EPA Fuel Economy: 18 city/25 highway
Fuel Economy (Observed): 21.2 miles per gallon
Fuel Tank Size: 17.7 gallons
Cargo Capacity: 30.7 cubic feet
(With Second Row of Seats Folded): 70.1 cubic feet
Tow Capacity: 3,500 pounds
Crash Test Ratings: IIHS “Top Safety Pick”
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper
5 years/60,000 miles powertrain
Vehicle Assembled in: Georgetown, Kentucky
Vehicle Provided by: Toyota Motor Corporation
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