Overview & Reviews
It's been decades since midsize wagons were the vehicle of choice for American families. They've long since been replaced by minivans, SUVs and crossovers. The Toyota Venza, however, could very well be described as a modern take on the old station wagon formula. The sleekly styled Venza boasts carlike handling, good fuel economy and plenty of versatility. Though lacking the ruggedness inherent in an SUV or the option for a third-row seat, the Venza is an otherwise ideal choice for families.
Current Toyota Venza
The Toyota Venza is related to Toyota's Camry sedan, so in a way you could think of it as a beefed-up Camry wagon. It sits relatively low to the ground, which makes it easier for passengers to get in and out. There's seating for up to five people, as no third-row seat is offered. Toyota has built in plenty of storage nooks and crannies to keep things organized, and there are plenty of cupholders, too. Cargo capacity with the rear seats folded down is just north of 70 cubic feet, which should suffice for most families.
Under the hood you'll find either a 2.7-liter four-cylinder that makes 182 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque or a more robust 3.5-liter V6 that cranks out 268 hp and 246 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is optional. Towing capacity when properly equipped is 3,500 pounds.
The Venza is offered in LE, XLE and V6-only Limited trim levels. Standard feature highlights for the LE include 19-inch alloy wheels (20 inches on V6), dual-zone automatic climate control, a touchscreen infotainment interface, a power driver seat, Bluetooth and a CD player with a USB/iPod interface. Stepping up to the XLE gets you keyless ignition/entry, power-folding mirrors, a power liftgate, Toyota's Entune smartphone integration system, a rearview camera, leather upholstery and heated front seats. The Limited tops it off with xenon headlamps, a panoramic sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, a navigation system and an upgraded sound system.
Driving the Toyota Venza isn't a sporty experience, but in reviews, we've found this tall wagon handles reasonably well on curvy roads given its utilitarian purpose. On the highway, the overall ride is quite comfortable. The base four-cylinder engine provides adequate power to motivate this sizable wagon, although the V6 is obviously the way to go if passing folks on the highway takes precedence over achieving the best fuel economy. In terms of everyday usability, the Venza is an excellent, highly refined choice for just about anyone who needs to haul kids, pets, scuba gear, golf clubs and other family recreational cargo.
Used Toyota Venza Models
The Toyota Venza debuted for the 2009 model year and has received only minor changes. From 2009-'11 Toyota sold the Venza with just optional packages rather than the more traditional trim level structure implemented for 2012. The 2013 model year gained the Entune smartphone integration system and a slight exterior styling update. These latter Venzas are identical to the current version apart from the unavailability of a few convenience features, such as power-folding mirrors and front and rear parking sensors.
User Reviews:
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Love / Hate - 2010 Toyota Venza
By William Wilson - November 14 - 10:23 pmI love the reliability, great looks, comfortable ride and functionality. The interior finishes are average. I hate the loud creaking and cracking noise which eminates from my rear sunroof when I go over the smallest imperfection in the road. Dealer had vehicle for an entire week and gave up trying to find this noise. Im embarrassed to travel with my clients. This noise started around 60,000 miles and is nearly unbearable at 80,000 miles. Theres no good reason a $30,000 car should sound like its coming apart at the seems with only 80,000 easy miles on it. I had planned to keep this car for 200,000 miles. Ill be replacing it with any vehicle other than a Toyota.
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The Best - 2009 Toyota Venza
By sramirez - November 10 - 8:23 amI just bought my Venza and I just Love it. It is the best car I have ever had. It is very comfortable and easy to drive. The storage and space is perfect.
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Love this car! - 2013 Toyota Venza
By oxamanduhx51 - November 3 - 4:20 amWhen I was looking for at this vehicle at first, I love the style of it! I almost bought one without driving it first. Lucky for me, one of my customers happened to have one and he let me drive it. I fell for it! I read a lot of reviews that said it lacked in the driving, they said it wasnt fun to drive, I feel the total opposite! I am a Toyota person, my 1998 Camry has 365k on it and still on the road today. I was spectacle of the quality of the newer Toyotas and that of the 3.5 V6 (ticks on start up like a sewing machine) which is why I went with the 2.7 4 cylinder. I have literally no complaints about this Venza at all!
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I LOVE THIS CAR...or whatever it is - 2010 Toyota Venza
By Dustin - November 1 - 2:26 pmI just bought a new 2010 Venza yesterday and I am already in LOVE with it. I had on 05 Tundra and an 07 Camry so I have been loyal to Toyota even amidst the recalls. They are great cars and very safe and affordable. The Venza is such a comfortable ride and is extremely aesthetically pleasing on the inside and out. I have a base model and the standard features are insane for the price. This car has a luxurious feel but is versatile and fun to drive. I am 23 and have no kids so I strictly bought this car for the looks and performance. Its not a soccer mom car by any means. Turning radius is GREAT and cabin is very quiet. GET ONE! :)
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8k mile update on Kitty - 2010 Toyota Venza
By luvtoyota10 - October 11 - 12:06 amMy Venza is the best car i have ever owned. It is very reliable. I love the blizzard pearl color. It performed well in the snow. I never slipped. The interior is soo roomy. Very comfortable also. I love driving it. I have had no problems with the car. But the gas mileage is not great I avarage 22.7 mpg and i think city on the sticker is about 25 mpg but besides that. It is a beautiful car.
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Believe what your hearing about Toyota - 2010 Toyota Venza
By Robert Kellington - September 28 - 5:46 pmI have 1,500 miles on my brand new Venza 4cyl AWD, and I have knocking in the engine. This happens every day when I put it in drive and go. This vehicle is very deceiving when you initially buy it. Once you have been in it awhile, you realize all the fancy stuff surrounding you masks the quality problems. The noise level as other blogs are saying is true, loud. Im concerned with other problems too, the driver window when half way down makes a rattle noise and the steering wheel when turning makes a ticking noise. I have owned a 89 Camry and 2000 4Runner and always sworn by Toyota, so I ignored all the bad PR and went out and bought this Venza. I should have listened to the news!
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We Love Our 2009 Venza - 2009 Toyota Venza
By Thom - September 28 - 8:13 amHappiest my wife has ever been with a car!!!! And, during the recent snow we received, the AWD Venza proved its mettle on snowy and icy roads. It is a very safe vehicle that handled superbly in very adverse driving conditions. It is stylish, roomy, comfortable, and full of quality everywhere you look. We cant wait to take our first road trip in this vehicle. We both enjoy driving it and we really like the way it handles. The leather seats are very comfortable. The stereo is excellent. The controls are driver-friendly and easily accessible. The safety features are excellent. Love the airline style overhead reading lamps for the rear passengers. Love the dual climate control. Outstanding buy!
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Tires not that much of an issue. - 2011 Toyota Venza
By imcdowell - September 11 - 4:41 amLook at Yokohama Parada Spec-X 420 treadwear rating are 194 each set of 4 with tax in Texas is $915 installed at Discount Tire, Good year has a cheaper tire ar $125 each but it has lower tread rating and a more aggresive tread that will lead to more road noise. The good years can be had for under $600 installed but they would be inferior to the Yokohamas . Remember this car is a more comfortable alternative to a SUV their tires will usually cost almost as much and in some cases more.
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Beware of Gas Mileage and Erratic Acceleration - 2010 Toyota Venza
By bosnol - September 7 - 8:10 pmAlthough stylish and roomy, the Venzas gas mileage, even for a 4 cylinder, is poor compared to what is advertised, especially since we are careful, conservative drivers. It might be the overly sensitive accelerator pedal that results in excess gas consumption. The ride is not smooth either compared to the Ford Escape (we have had an Escape for 2 years). The satellite radio does not perform as well as it does in the Ford models such as the Escape. The dashboard mileage display screen is wired way too sensitive and cannot be adjusted.
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Love love love my 2015 Toyota Venza XLE - 2015 Toyota Venza
By Chelsea - August 12 - 3:46 amI test drove countless crossovers and suvs before settling on the Venza (highlander, 4-runner, pilot, escape, explorer, outback, forester, etc). It provides the luxury, comfortability, and safety that I require in a vehicle. I wish it got a little better gas mileage, had a better turn radius, and the Bluetooth were a little clearer. Other than those minor complaints, the Venza has more than lived up to my standards. No complaints from passengers either. Easily fits 63" 250# males in the back seat, without feeling squished. Plenty of leg room for all passengers. I would not trade it in for anything. It was also a great value at $32k new, having all my required features (leather heated seats, panoramic sunroof, keyless entry). Wish they wouldnt have discontinued this model.
