2021 Toyota Venza hybrid crossover and 2009-2015 Venzas
New for 2021
The Venza has returned as a hybrid-only, all-wheel-drive only car, using the Hybrid System II powertrain (hybrid parts are warranted for eight years or 100,000 miles). Fuel economy is expected to reach 40 mpg in the base LE trim. The RAV4 and Highlander are built on the same platform, but the RAV4 is smaller and taller, and the Highlander is longer and taller; the Venza, in short, is in the Goldilocks position between them.
The original Venza was a US-only Camry wagon, made in Kentucky; the new one is global, made in Japan, and based more on the Lexus RS than the Camry (though they share a platform, and the engine is shared with the Sienna).
2021 Toyota Venza features include (depending on model/options) a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with nine JBL speakers, 7-inch gauge cluster display, digital rear-view mirror, and 10-inch color Head-Up Display. Other options include a panoramic glass roof and heated and ventilated front seats. Standard safety systems include pre-collision warning (with low-light capability, pedestrian detection, and daytime bicycle detection); that equipment includes a full-speed dynamic (radar-based) cruise control. Buyers who want them can use the lane departure alert, automatic high beams, lane-trace assist, and road-sign assist.
The blind spot monitor and rear cross path alert systems are handy on highways and in parking lots; there’s no fear of backing out from between those two black Yukons with rear cross path alerts. The XLE and Limited also come with front and rear parking assist, with automatic braking.
All Venzas will have AWD and all Venzas will be hybrids; despite 219 horsepower, they are estimated to achieve 40 mpg combined city/highway (EPA). The system uses a 2.5 liter DOHC four-cylinder gasoline engine with three electric motors; the engine is similar to the one in the new Sienna, so refer to that page for the details. This car too will get normal, economy, and sport modes (no EV mode, though). It also comes with the amazing predictive efficient drive, which memorizes commonly taken routes and optimizes engine controls to increase efficiency.
The Venza will be sold in LE, XLE, Limited grades, starting this summer. The base models have an 8-inch touchscreen stereo with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay; the Limited has standard premium audio and navigation from a 12.3 inch touchscreen display. The standard stereo is a six-speaker setup with a four-channel amp, while the JBL system has 9 speakers powered by a 12-channel, 1200-watt amp. The stereo is easier to hear, too, with a great deal of sound prevention and insulation work.
There 36.3 cubic feet of space behind the second row; the lithium-ion battery pack is under the rear seats. Cupholders can go up to large drinks, and the center stack can handle the largest iPhones of 2020.
The optional panoramic roof has an electrochromatic glass tech that lets drivers frost or unfrost the window within one second, with the touch of a button. All models get a standard hands-free power liftgate.
The standard gauge cluster display (formerly “trip computer”) is a 4.2 inch color design, while XLE and Limited get a 7-inch one. The Head-Up display provides a speedometer, hybrid indicator, and other information at eye level. The optional digital rearview mirror has a garage door opener and can switch to a rear camera to deal with tall passengers or too much cargo; it also reduces headlight glare. The Limited also has a 360° camera setup. New for 2021 is an optional rear-camera washer.
The body is based on the new TNGA-K platform, which uses high-strength steel extensively; the front suspension uses the usual struts, while the rear is a multi-link design. The brake system has active cornering assistance which reduces understeer in some cornering situations. The hybrid system’s differential torque pre-load helps with acceleration and braking on slippery (or normal) roads, and helps with steering performance as well. The base LE has 18-inch alloy wheels; the XLE and Limited have 19-inch chrome-finished alloys.
The electric AWD works on-demand, using a separate electric motor for the rear wheels, applying up to 100% of torque to the front wheels or up to 80% of torque on the rear wheels, as needed—and showing the distrubtion on the display.
All Venzas have standard power setas—8-way for the driver, 2-way for the passenger, except four-way on Limited. The optional heated front seats have three levels, while ventilated seats (Limited) use the air conditioner for more comfort. The system uses Lexus technology to only apply air conditioning to occupied seats.
The 2021 Toyota Venza comes with a 3/36 basic warranty, 60-month rust warranty, 60-month powertrain warranty, and 8/100 hybrid powertrain warranty (10 years/150,000 miles for the HV battery).
2009 Toyota Venza crossover
The 2009 Venza crossover was a Camry wagon exclusively for North America, with a slab-sided look (not unlike the Prius) and a design sleeker than most crossovers. In profile, the Venza looked more like a Dodge Magnum wagon than an SUV; it had better headroom and a lighter, more airy interior than the sleek and low-slung Dodge. The Venza’s door sills were high compared with the Camry, but visibility was still good; the stylish slanted rear window cut into cargo space.
At launch, the five passenger Venza was equipped with the Camry’s 268 HP GR-series V6 and a six speed automatic transmission with sequential shift. Towing capacity of 3,500 lbs is more than double the capacity of the average sedan. All six cylinder Venzas will be fitted with dual exhaust and 20 inch alloy wheels. Later in the year a brand-new 2.7 liter RZ-series four cylinder with 19 inch alloys joined the lineup.
The interior was uncluttered, with the shifter positioned in the vertical portion of the center console, freeing up the floor console for storage. Interior room was described as “making each front seat occupant feel they have 60% of the total room.” The Venza was designed by Toyota in California and developed in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Production was at the company's Georgetown, Kentucky complex.
The Venza's engineering and design were targeted for North America. A lower rocker design allowed occupants to more easily step in and out of the vehicle than a typical sedan. Yet, Venza had higher ride height and hip points for better driver visibility. The hatch had a low cargo height; levers on each side of the cargo area allowed the 60/40 split rear seats to fold flat. The rear seats reclined by up to 14 degrees.
The center console extended from the instrument panel to a center compartment with a sliding cover which revealed a large storage well. The compartment was lit and had an auxiliary audio jack and 12-volt power point. Climate controls were on the upper center console along with an iPod/MP3 storage compartment with wire management and illuminated dual cupholders.
All Venzas had standard auto dual zone air conditioning, AM/FM six-disc CD, tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio controls, remote keyless entry, electrochromic rearview mirror with compass, a multi-information display, cruise control, optitron gauges, rear wiper, and privacy glass.
The interior had chrome accents; an optional leather-trimmed interior used wood-grain-type trim and seats stitched with dark piping, coordinated with the linear grain dashboard and steering wheel. A storage compartment with an additional 12-volt power point on the passenger side of the front center console could hold maps and magazines.
The panoramic roof was optional, and had separate glass panels over the front and rear seats, with a power tilt/slide function on the front glass.
The Automatic High Beam headlight system was a first for Toyota (a similar system debuted in the 1930s on some Pierce Arrows; and on 1952 Cadillacs).
Optionals included a navigation system with JBL audio, satellite radio, and Bluetooth®; a premium JBL audio system with AM/FM six-disc CD changer, satellite radio capability and Bluetooth®, rear seat entertainment system, a Smart Key System, back-up camera and a power rear door.
Venza was sold in front- and all-wheel-drive form. The 3.5 liter V6 produced 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 246 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm with a towing capability of 3,500 pounds. The base model was a new 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. Both were mated with a six-speed sequential-shift electronically-controlled automatic transmission.
2009 Toyota Venza crossover dimensions
Length: 189.0 inches
Width: 75.0 inches
Height: 63.4 inches
Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
Ground clearance: 8.1 inches
Wheels: 19-inch alloy wheels (four-cylinder);
20-inch alloy wheels (standard on V6 and available on four-cylinder)
Tire Size: 245/50R20 or 245/55R19 depending on wheel size
Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs. (V6)
Seating Capacity: 5
