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 They've long since been replaced by minivans, SUVs and crossovers.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:

• 

  Inferior material - 2011 Toyota Venza
  By normone - December 29 - 3:48 pm

  Toyota it would seem uses some below standards materials when it comes to carpeting. My Venza has developed a hole in the floor carpet located on the drivers side. With only 32,000 miles and the purchase of the extended warrantee all the Dealer and Toyota states that it is a wear item. I am hoping that the rest of the vehicle holds up better.

• 

  still pretty happy after 15K - 2013 Toyota Venza
  By ldecastro1 - November 23 - 5:10 pm

  I bought my 2013 Venza LE AWD last April, so I have almost had it one year. Overall, I am very happy with my purchase. I liked the exterior design when they 1st came out several years ago. The inside of the car is very roomy all around. The kids have plenty of space in the back and the car is wider than most. I am a pretty big guy, so I appreciate the width of the drivers seat. It also has a nice large trunk. The electric steering take a bit to get used to (feels a little loose at first) and this car also rides pretty rough compared to most American-made cars. You really need to take it for a long test drive before you buy it. This car is absolutely amazing in the snow.

• 

  Ugh! At 7K the transmission went out! - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By Penny - November 19 - 6:53 am

  After a car accident with our 2007 Camry, we purchased the Venza with much optimism, With in 5K miles the gas pedal stuck on the floor mat, yikes! But we later removed the mat and had no more problems. Then the car was jumping forward and then the next day the all the dash lights were lit up and at 7,233 miles the transmission died. No help from Toyota, or the dealership to help us get rid of the lemon so we traded it into the Ford dealership and I am driving an Edge. I thought the negative comments about Toyota was just a bad press campaign but I guess the media got it right for once. My confidence with the car was eroded with these experience, and no one seems to care or wanted to help.

• 

  Disappointed first time Toyota owner - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Disappointed Owner - November 17 - 1:56 am

  When I first saw the Venza I just had to have one, I really like the look of it. Ive had it not quite 3 months and am very disappointed, I have loud wind noise that drives me absolutely crazy. I work around a lot of noise so when I get in I dont like to have to have the radio on, but its the only thing that will drown out the noise. Ive taken to the dealer three times and their best response is, all we can tell after driving yours and another new one on the lot, the wind noise is inherent to the Venza, to me this is unacceptable in a brand new vehicle. And here I thought I was spoiling myself by buying it. After yrs of owning a Honda, I bought this. Big message, going back to a Honda.

• 

  Nice and good car - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By speedmonster - November 14 - 4:36 pm

  Compare this car and my old Honda CR-V, it is huge different you can see, sense, feel. Etc. In the crv, the noise from road is disturb no matter you were talking with other passenger, on the phone or listen to the music. In venza, it is so comfort and quite. Just own this car for 2 days, maybe still in honey-moon, will posted more once noticed problem been discovered after while. Up to now, it is great.

• 

  A car thats growing on me quite well. - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Planetal - October 31 - 8:13 pm

  I perhaps am different that most, as I purchased this car to essentially carry stuff as Im a weekend musician and needed a car capable of carrying quite a bit of equipment. I hate mini-vans and SUVs are horrible in terms of load-in and load-out (plus drive AWFULLY) so this or a Subaru were it. This car does what I wanted it for quite well. I didnt initially care for the handling of the car, as it feels heavy to me, but once I became used to the car it drove quite well. It drives quite well fully loaded with equipment as well as filled with adults. The stereo sounds great, the bluetooth and nav work well and the care is very comfortable. The more I drive it, the more I like the car.

• 

  Unbelievable Vehicle! - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Dave - October 19 - 9:46 pm

  I bought my new Venza in January from Jerrys Toyota in Baltimore, and have loved it from the beginning! The ride, handling and exterior styling is great! Drives like a Lexus (traded in a RX300).

• 

  Stylish and luxury - 2013 Toyota Venza
  By mkzid - October 6 - 6:34 am

  My wife and I leased a 2010 Rav4 Limited V6 and our lease was up. We decided to get a new 2013 Rav4 however was disappointed to see it no longer had the V6 as an option. As we walked through the dealer lot a 2013 Attitude black limited AWD V6 Venza caught our eye. It was stylish and had a great set of 5 spoke 20" wheels. We took it for a test drive and the ride was fun however very very quiet compared to the 2010 V6 Rav4. We loved the new Entune Nav system and the current LED daytime running light as well as the HID main headlights were nice. We liked the panoramic roof and the power lift gate. The seats were comfortable and very adjustable. The dual chrome exhaust were a nice sporty touch.

• 

  Unhappy with I Phone Compatibility - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By SCT1023 - September 27 - 11:53 am

  I have owned this vehicle for less than 2 weeks and have had a major issue with the blue tooth and I Phone (3G) compatibility. While the phone synchs well, recipients of my calls cannot understand my voice. There is a compatibility issue that Toyota is not willing to recognize. I would recommend that all IPHONE users not purchase this vehicle. Absent that, the car is wonderful, but since I paid significantly for this feature, I am most unhappy.

• 

  This is a Great Vehicle - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By Bill - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I love driving this vehicle as it has a smooth,quiet, and comfortable ride. I have read comments about this car having a cheap interior, but I think the interior is very well appointed and the controls are well placed. We also drove the Ford Edge and I liked it, but we have not forgiven Ford for handling a couple of inferior vehicles we purchased from them in the past.The Venza also cost less with more features than the Edge. The Venza is the most enjoyable vehicle I have ever owned.