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 They've long since been replaced by minivans, SUVs and crossovers.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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  Cant go wrong with a Toyota!!! - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By J.Holmes - June 17 - 7:43 am

  Love my little red wagon, thats what I call my Venza. Just love it!! Its fun to drive and gets very good gas mileage. Ive been getting anywhere from 22 to 24 miles to the gallon...and I live up desert area and its very hilly. Climbs hills no problemo! I get a lot of looks and people coming up and asking about my wagon! My husband and I we love the sporty look of the Venza. The only thing I wish we had gotten was cloth seats, dont care for the leather seats. But solved that problem just bought seat covers. Good Job Toyota! Love it!!!

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  Venza 6 months - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By rlionel - June 11 - 4:42 pm

  MyVenza was purchased new. After 6 months and 7,500 miles, it drives just like new! Have not had one problem with my Venza. The ride is smooth, just came back from a 500 mile trip! Gas mileage was 27 mph overall for the trip! I have the 4 cyl. At 182 Hp it is very sufficient! The Venza is versatile, the cargo space is excellent. Seats fold down all or 1/2! Plenty of storage space! Electric back door is great Sound system is also excellent, especially the blue tooth phone and streaming audio from my IPhone. Start button is great! The only issue is with the small back up camera. screen is way too small! I have had many suvs, this drives like a car, but sits up high. I would buy another!

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  99% perfect - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Bill - May 28 - 5:10 am

  Bought the car in December for my wife and we love it. Just finished a 16 hour drive and stepped out feeling great! Most comfortable car I have ever driven (I am 67). It hauls 4 people and golf clubs with no problem. We have the Blizzard Pearl and it really draws the looks and comments.

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  LOVE THE CAR...HATE THE BUMPY RIDE!!! - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By wjfun - May 16 - 2:42 pm

  I purchased my car in Nov 2011, didnt notice the bumpy ride right away. I love everything about the car except the ride. Ive been told its the tires. Does anyone else have this problem and if so what have you done about it? I hate to spend the money on new tires and that does not solve the problem. Although I have read other blogs and people have complained of the bumpy ride....great car but I want a smoother ride....HELP!!! wjfun

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  The Venza is a Great vehicle & Practical - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By deepsouth - May 9 - 2:13 am

  The Venza is very fun, comfortable and easy to drive. Long trips the Venza rides smooth. V6 has great pick up. Coming off a V8 Sequioa. The Venza gets lots of looks.

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  Great Car for family - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By jnayak - April 20 - 4:30 pm

  We bought a 2009 Toyota Venza, we got a good deal on a V6 3.5L for the Price of 4 cyl 2.7. The build quality of Venza is far more superior than the Ford Edge, Nissan pathfinder and the Murano. We like the standard features which includes most of the updgrades in other cars. The only disappointment was that the sales lady at the dealer ship was not quite up to speed with the recall on the floor mats for the venza. When i asked her about it she said that Venza is not impacted but I found out on the Toyota website about the recall on Venza. Overall we are very happy with the car, the ride is smooth and the interior feels like a lexus.

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  Love My New Venza - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Pretty Boi - April 14 - 8:56 am

  Just traded my 06 Solara SLE for a new Venza in Sunset Bronze Mica. I have received so many compliments on the color of this car alone. It handles very much like a sedan and the ride height is perfect. It also has a large number of useful luxuries.

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  Happy With This One - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By David W - April 11 - 8:10 pm

  After 1 month the mileage has been 22 city and 29 highway. The mileage computer is not as accurate as my calculator but it is close enough. Plenty of room inside and materials are of respectable quality. Venza handles well in town and on the road. The ride is a bit choppy on the road compared with the Volvo wagon it replaced, but is an OK ride. The in town ride is smooth and awesome. Very happy with Venza and would recommend it to anyone.

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  Love My Venza!! - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By LOVE IT!!!!!! : ) - March 31 - 8:13 pm

  Love my Venza!!! My husband is a big guy and we spent a whole day going from dealership to dealership to find a car with comfort and room size. Everything is made so compact these days but when we sat in the Venza we could not believe the room and comfort of this classy looking vehicle!! Just took a trip to New Jersey 6 hrs each way. We have made that trip many times in Lincolns and Grand Marques yet never enjoyed it like we did our Venza!!! We get 23 miles City and 28 Highway!! Just took friends out with us yesterday for a trip to the Cape and they were amazed at the comfort of the ride and the room in the back seat, one of them is very tall and said he has never been so comfy in any car.

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  Venza or Camry - Easy Decision, Venza! - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By dave - March 24 - 11:53 pm

  Needed the ease of entering and exiting vehicle that a SUV offers rather then sitting down into a sedan. This was the perfect choice. In between a sedan and SUV. Picked it up last week, first one sold at dealer. Impressed with design and performance. The base model comes with all the features you would expect to pay more for in Camry LE. Dual A/C, fog lights, power driver seat, instrument display for temp, time, trip, lighted vanity mirrors, built in satellite radio, nice rims, tinted glass. Far more value and features then Camry LE sedan model offered let alone roomier.