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2009 Toyota Venza Review

June 15, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Think of it as a shorter, sleeker Highlander
Automobile Magazine

Simple, handy, and logical control system for audio and climate
Consumer Guide

Crossover? Wagon? Whatever it is, it looks good in the metal
Car and Driver

To hear Toyota tell it, the 2009 Toyota Venza is the most revolutionary thing to happen to the auto industry since the assembly line. The reality, however, is that the new Venza Toyota is just another in the long list of crossover vehicles to hit the market lately.

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that Toyota has gone to great lengths to create a new vehicle class with the 2009 Toyota Venza. Cars.com reports that "the Toyota folks aren't calling the Venza a crossover, but they aren't sure it's a car, either," and "they're not even dubbing it a wagon or a hatchback—all they want to make clear is that the Venza is not an SUV." For those looking for a traditional title for the 2009 Toyota Venza, it is essentially Toyota's latest crossover. There's not much variety in the model lineup either, according to Cars.com, where reviewers explain, "Toyota went simple with the Venza in terms of trim levels. There are only four," which consist simply of the various combinations of the two available engines and two- or four-wheel-drive options. Most reviewers appreciate the new exterior styling of the Venza Toyota, and Car and Driver decides that "whatever it is, it looks good in the metal." The Detroit News loves the "clean and unassuming looks," while MyRide.com praises the "attractive styling."

The interior of the Venza Toyota also wins praise from many reviewers. ConsumerGuide points out the "large gauges are easy to read," and "with or without navigation, Venza has a simple, handy, and logical control system." Car and Driver also notes that "aesthetically, the Venza interior features many nice touches," but at the same time they find that "the dual-zone HVAC controls seem as if they were crammed into the design at the last minute." Back on the positive side of things, Cars.com reports that the trip computer, which contains a variety of data and controls, "sits squarely atop the dash," which is "the perfect place for such a screen in terms of keeping the driver's eyes trained on the road, and it's unbelievably crisp and clear."

Conclusion

Don't let Toyota fool you—the 2009 Toyota Venza is, in fact, a crossover, and not a bad-looking one at that.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Think of it as a shorter, sleeker HighlanderAutomobile MagazineSimple, handy, and logical control system for audio and climateConsumer GuideCrossover? Wagon? Whatever it is, it looks good in the metalCar and Driver To hear Toyota tell it, the 2009 Toyota Venza is the most revolutionary thing to happen to the auto industry since the assembly line. The reality, however, is that the new Venza Toyota is just another in the long list of crossover vehicles to hit the market lately. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that Toyota has gone to great lengths to create a new vehicle class with the 2009 Toyota Venza. Cars.com reports that "the Toyota folks aren't calling the Venza a crossover, but they aren't sure it's a car, either," and "they're not even dubbing it a wagon or a hatchback—all they want to make clear is that the Venza is not an SUV." For those looking for a traditional title for the 2009 Toyota Venza, it is essentially Toyota's latest crossover. There's not much variety in the model lineup either, according to Cars.com, where reviewers explain, "Toyota went simple with the Venza in terms of trim levels. There are only four," which consist simply of the various combinations of the two available engines and two- or four-wheel-drive options. Most reviewers appreciate the new exterior styling of the Venza Toyota, and Car and Driver decides that "whatever it is, it looks good in the metal." The Detroit News loves the "clean and unassuming looks," while MyRide.com praises the "attractive styling." The interior of the Venza Toyota also wins praise from many reviewers. ConsumerGuide points out the "large gauges are easy to read," and "with or without navigation, Venza has a simple, handy, and logical control system." Car and Driver also notes that "aesthetically, the Venza interior features many nice touches," but at the same time they find that "the dual-zone HVAC controls seem as if they were crammed into the design at the last minute." Back on the positive side of things, Cars.com reports that the trip computer, which contains a variety of data and controls, "sits squarely atop the dash," which is "the perfect place for such a screen in terms of keeping the driver's eyes trained on the road, and it's unbelievably crisp and clear." ConclusionDon't let Toyota fool you—the 2009 Toyota Venza is, in fact, a crossover, and not a bad-looking one at that. 2009 TOYOTA VENZA STYLING | [7 out of 10] Automobile Magazine: "Think of it as a shorter, sleeker Highlander" Consumer Guide: "Simple, handy, and logical control system for audio and climate" Car and Driver: "Crossover? Wagon? Whatever it is, it looks good in the metal" To hear ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2009 Toyota Venza seems to be tailor-made for older drivers looking at crossovers and needing easy entry and exit and big gauges. The Nissan Murano is the opposite; it's racy, with less interior room and an emphasis on sporty handling. The Ford Edge is the oldest of this trio, and feels a little ponderous when driving—it's quite heavy—but has a smart, upright package that's also nicely conservative in appearance. Somewhere in the middle in terms of function—but off in left field in terms of design—is the Subaru Tribeca, which despite a smoothing-over for '08 is still quite polarizing. The Venza does offer one important feature that's not available on any of these competitors: a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine.

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See the Toyota Venza in Other Years:

2010 | 2009

Comments (23 total)

  1. By Tim #1, Posted: 12/12/2008

    Baby Lexus?

    I like it. I love the Infinity FX35, but can't afford it. The Nissan Murano is plain ugly in my opinion. (How can two versions of the same vehicle be so different.) The Venza is perfect for me. Looks great, has good power even in the four cylinder, and I can afford it. The more I look at it, the more the Venza reminds me of a lowered Lexus RX350.

  2. By Shane #2, Posted: 1/3/2009

    7?

    So the dash (according to one publication) looks cheap...so a 7? This is a Toyota not a domestic. Quality!

  3. By Nada #3, Posted: 1/18/2009

    Malibu Maxx

    Looks like they did an almost exact copy of the Malibu Maxx.
    I fail to see the big hype. Just another car company copying another car copies product.

  4. By Mike S. #4, Posted: 2/5/2009

    Expensive

    I dunno guys/gals, $20,000+ in this economy??? Come on! How can people afford it? Let's get good new cars down to 12000-15000 instead.

  5. By Bernie Mendoza #5, Posted: 2/19/2009

    Nothing like the Maxx!

    The Maxx does not compare. Its 3.5 liter engine (same as in the Malibu) only puts out 200 HP. The same displacement in the Venza gives you 268 HP! Alot more kick, it has more room and its easier on the eyes. Similar...yes, but a copy? No way!

  6. By Gail #6, Posted: 3/17/2009

    2008/09 Toyota Venza -Paint

    Has anyone heard of problems or poor quality of paint on the Venza exterior?

  7. By Nathan #7, Posted: 3/21/2009

    Paint Issues

    I have had a Venza for 2.5 months mostly love it -- BUT the exterior paint looks like I have had the car 10 years -- scratches everywhere... swirly

  8. By  Toyota Venza #8, Posted: 4/4/2009

    Great car

    I'm going down to test drive one tomorrow. Some of these comments worry me though.

  9. By PanhandleWilly #9, Posted: 4/15/2009

    Venza...new?

    C'mon...Toyota "invented" the Chrysler Pacifica 10 years after the fact and has the gall to think they've presented us something new. A Pacifica looks better, runs better and has the get up and go of a muscle car. This has a Toyota sticker...and apparently really bad paint. If you buy one of these the message you send is clearly that you can't exist outside a herd mentality.

  10. By PanhandleWilly #10, Posted: 4/15/2009

    Venza...new?

    C'mon...Toyota "invented" the Chrysler Pacifica 10 years after the fact and has the gall to think they've presented us something new. A Pacifica looks better, runs better and has the get up and go of a muscle car. This has a Toyota sticker...and apparently really bad paint. If you buy one of these the message you send is clearly that you can't exist outside a herd mentality.

  11. By Mike #11, Posted: 4/17/2009

    Another Toyota Success!

    We love our new Venza, including the Pearl White color. The styling and interior room are outstanding. Very quite ride for a crossover. Much better than our Murano. The only quibble I have is that the audio system does not sync with iPods or iPhones. (This is a $300 add on.)

  12. By Dan #12, Posted: 4/20/2009

    RE: Baby Lexus?

    The Infiniti FX and the Murano look different because they ARE different. The FX is rear-wheel drive (FM platform, shared with G35/37, M35/45, EX35, 350/370Z) and the Murano is front-wheel drive (D platform, same as Altima and Maxima). They aren't re-skinned versions of the same vehicle and aren't anywhere close to being related architecturally. I give Infiniti credit for not sharing any vehicles with Nissan (Aside from the QX56/Armada which is supposedly going away). Sorry about the non-Venza rant but these comments peeve me.
    --------
    I love the Infinity FX35, but can't afford it. The Nissan Murano is plain ugly in my opinion. (How can two versions of the same vehicle be so different.)

  13. By Benjamin #13, Posted: 5/25/2009

    Mr

    I don't know what sort of dope the guys on that says the Pacifica is better than the Venza. I've driven them both and the Chrysler doesn't come close in performance, build quality or value. Sounds like sour grapes from some guy whose car company is going under because they can't keep up.

  14. By EdK #14, Posted: 6/22/2009

    Bought the Venza and love it! It's an Avalon wagon/crossover. The Venza weighs 1,000 lbs LESS than a Pacifica, with more first and second row room. We don't need the third row/way-back room. High level of interior finish, gorgeous leather seats, 2.7 liter/6 speed performance and MPG. I've driven both the Venza and Pacifica, and the Venza won, hands down!

  15. By Annie g #15, Posted: 7/9/2009

    Just gone from Chrysler suv to Venza. Wow! I actually enjoy driving now. Quality ride and appearance. Blue tooth option definitely worth money. Inside is like the Lexus we used to have. Have V6 and getting 23 in city. So far everyone shown wants one. Don't understand low rating but it seems to me reading the "experts " opinions is not as useful as the "real" experts out there. That is the car owners. Will keep eye on paint. Wonder if it's under warranty? My rating is 9

  16. By Bill #16, Posted: 7/20/2009

    Bought my Venza in May. After 6k miles driven I can say with authority: A definitive step up from my Murano - more power,space, style, comfort, gas mileage, and runs on regular gas. More creature comforts and cargo space as well.
    Interior fit not what I would hope for. Needs a better standard sound system and extenders on the sun visors. I'm averaging 20 mpg in city and consistently 30mpg on the highway.
    I love this car.

  17. fb_565881742 avatar by Kelly Glenn #17, Posted: 7/31/2009

    Just drove every and I mean every compariable vehicle from Nissan, Ford, Mazda, skipped Chysler because there is no need. The Venza was by far my fav and I am getting one delivered early September - well worth the wait! The drive the interior comfort not too mention the knowledge that it is a Toyota! Don't let any comment fool you drive one for yourself we did! Price, style, comfort nothing came close!

  18. By Vince L. #18, Posted: 8/6/2009

    I needed a vehicle larger than a sedan for my sales job but not an SUV or minivan. Looked at the Murano, wasn't happy about the look, cargo space, or premium fuel requirement. I went to the Toyota dealer and drove the Venza V6 AWD after doing all my homework. Loved it. Had the wife drive it. She loved it(especially the center console that holds her pocketbook!) Bought one in Classic Silver with Grey cloth interior, AWD, Panoramic Sunroof, Push Button Start, Power Rear Door, and JBL Synthesis/Bluetooth sound system. Felt the $1400 was better spent on AWD than leather interior for when I drive in the mountains(Had an under $30K budget and struck a hard deal!) Very smooth, responsive, and surefooted vehicle, not SUV like at all. Ride home from the dealer was in a severe thunderstorm...VRS, TRAC and AWD kicked in when I needed it at an intersection and totally impressed me! First tank averaged 18 MPG (mostly city) but have to admit I was hard on the gas, the V6 is very smooth and powerful. Great car, but you can touch $40K if you load up on the goodies!! Bargain hard...I did!!

  19. By Pat #19, Posted: 8/11/2009

    I love my Venza. My husband takes it on the weekend and leaves me with his Acura TL! I have a very small beef with it. Anyone else have the trim over the roof rack come off in the car wash? We have had the trim replaced and it did it again! Hangs right off the side or even falls off and have to run back and retrieve it. Surely mine can't be the only one doing this.

  20. By Johanne Champagne #20, Posted: 8/17/2009

    We love our new red Venza but the paint is not thick or not strong or something. We're babying this car, washing it with no touch car wash once a week, parking far from everything but the car is scratched all over the place, you can't look at it sideways without a scratch appearing and the edges of all the doors are white instead of red (paint's gone). It looks like there's less than a single layer of paint on this car and it's not holding up. It's a fantastic vehicle but will look like heck very soon.

  21. By ah ah ah #21, Posted: 8/25/2009

    GOT A PAINT PROBLEM? Want protect your car from paint problem? just buy 5starshine wax to avoid paint problem. NASA use it to their ships.

  22. By  Paul #22, Posted: 8/26/2009

    Big scam!, December 8, 2005
    By Thomas Hood "Hoodie" (Fresno, CA USA) - See all my reviews
    It is basically $1.00 worth of wax. It's not any better than Turtle wax which is $2.47 at your local Walmart and it gives you 20X more. What a joke. It might last 1 or 2 washes and thats it. We called every branch of the military to see if they really use this stuff as he states in his add. No one does. Not the Navy, ARMY, etc... no one! What a liar and scammer! Do what I dad and report him to the Better business bureau and the state attorney general. According to the IRS he hasn't reported any income from his scam sales. They are looking into this. I hope Glenn Scamady goes to jail. No wonder Google delisted him for playing search engine games. Avoid this scum. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this
    Read more
    http://www.amazon.com/5-Star-Shine/dp/B00006AK5M

  23. By Tom Fine #23, Posted: 10/29/2009

    I've been looking into the Venza and I have a Camry Hybrid and own a pile of crap Chrysler, I would never buy another, I have bought the vehicle twice, the Toyota (mt 3rd Toy) only gas and go. Waiting for hybrid Venza

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