Toyota’s Venza is part car, part SUV and part station wagon. It’s a crossover that competes with vehicles such as the Ford Edge, Chevy Traverse and Mazda MX-9.
On the road, it drives like a tall Camry, except it is a little wider, and the deep dash and big windshield make it feel like a small minivan.
When it comes to hauling people and things, the tailgate opens to a fairly big cargo space that can be expanded by folding the back seat. The Venza’s roof is not as tall as that of an SUV, but there’s still room for large items when you need it.
Although front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is optional, and that gives the Venza all-weather traction and security. Not quite like an SUV, but close.
The Venza has the Camry’s 109.3-inch wheelbase, and it is built in Georgetown, Ky., home of the Camry, Avalon and Solara. It was designed at Toyota’s Calty Design studios in Newport Beach, Calif., and engineered at the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich.
The styling is somewhat dramatic, with bulging fender flares, chiseled character lines and carlike ground clearance. Low doorsills and wide doors make it easy to get in and out.
Toyota’s newest crossover will be available with a 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 or a 182-horsepower, 2.7-liter four-cylinder. The test car, from Toyota’s press fleet, was an all-wheel-drive V-6.
The Venza comes in one trim level. Base prices start at $25,975 for the four-cylinder and top out at $29,250 for an all-wheel-drive V-6.
While the V-6 offers the best performance, the four-cylinder offers slightly better mileage. The V-6 is rated at 19 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway, while the four-cylinder is rated at 21 city and 29 highway. All-wheel drive drops those numbers by 1 mpg.
The V-6 Venza can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
The Venza has numerous user-friendly features. The lid on the center console between the seats has two cup holders, but it slides back to reveal a deep, nicely sized storage box with a power outlet and an auxiliary plug for an MP3 player. A small door in the dash opens to become a holder for an MP3 player, and it has a hole for the power cord to snake into the console.
Oddly, there is no USB input for MP3 players. A USB port keeps your player’s battery charged whereas the auxiliary plug does not.
Ten beverage holders are located throughout the vehicle.
The instrument panel has an unusual pattern in its surface, and I wasn’t sure I liked it at first. In time I warmed to the new look.
On a highway trip, I noticed a fair amount of wind noise that seemed to be coming from the outside mirrors. Most Toyotas these days are whisper quiet.
The back seat has plenty of room, and it collapses to provide a nice, large cargo space. The squarish rear hatch means the cargo compartment can swallow fairly large items.
Options include a navigation system with rearview camera, a JBL audio system, a power liftgate and a rear-seat entertainment system.
All Venzas have vehicle stability control, anti-lock brakes and traction control. Front, side and side-curtain airbags are also standard. There is also a knee airbag for the driver.
Price
The test vehicle had a base price of $29,250. Options included the heated leather seats, mahogany wood-grain trim, high-intensity headlights, heated outside mirrors, keyless ignition, voice-activated navigation system, JBL audio system and a panoramic glass sunroof. The sticker price was $38,224.
Warranty
Three years or 36,000 miles with a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
2009 Toyota Venza AWD
Engine: 3.5-liter, 268-hp V-6
Transmission: Automatic
All-wheel drive
Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
Curb weight: 4,045 lbs.
Base price: $29,250
As tested: $38,224
MPG rating: 18 city, 25 hwy.
To contact Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tom@tomstrongman.com.
