2009 Toyota Venza – A new kind of vehicle?

December 10, 10:13 AMAutomotive ExaminerKyle Busch

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Toyota has kind of taken the unconventional route this time
with a new vehicle called Venza. It’s not really a crossover and
it’s not really a Camry station wagon nor is it an SUV. Toyota
dubs it a crossover-sedan. Is this a new niche that manufacturers
are going to pursue?

Toyota’s offering of a new unique vehicle has produced one
that seems pretty good so far. It will come in only 4 trim levels
including a front wheel drive and an all-wheel drive 4 or 6-cylinder
engine. The 4-cylinder is a 2.7-liter with 182 hp and it should get
about 21mpg city and 29 mpg highway for the FWD model. The
AWD model gets one mpg less. The 6-cylinder model is 3.5-liter
and has 268 hp. MPG ratings are 19/26 for the FWD and one mpg
less for the AWD. Both engines come with what is being said is a
wonderful 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Venza’s exterior styling is good, but it does have somewhat of
a resemblance to the Dodge Caliber. The interior of the Venza looks
absolutely wonderful though. The seats are extremely comfortable
and the dash has nice large gauges for easy reading. The one thing that
is a bit odd though, is the placement of the shifter. It’s mounted high
on the console, probably only 4 inches from where your hand would be
on the steering wheel. The placement feels okay, but it just seems a bit
different only because it’s something I’m not used to. It has very nice
carbon fiber style interior trim unlike the industrial hard plastic of the
Dodge Caliber.

All models of the Venza come with dual-zone climate control,
auxiliary audio jack, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, six disc
audio system, split-folding rear seat, seven airbags, hill start assist,
fog lights, and chrome exhaust tips. The option list in the Venza is
relatively short with such items as a panoramic glass roof with front
power tilt/slide moonroof, DVD navigation system, an upgraded audio
system and then a few upgrade premium packages with leather seats
and HID headlamps. So, basically this vehicle comes nicely equipped
already without any added options.

Did Toyota make a good choice with this vehicle? Well, only time
will tell! However, from what I see so far and what other experts are
saying, the Venza with Toyota’s excellent reliability may well be an
outstanding vehicle for you.

Kyle Busch is the author of “Drive the Best for the Price…” He
welcomes your comments or car questions at his auto web site: www.DriveTheBestBook.com