2009 Toyota Venza 4WD 5-door Crossover Reviewed by Susan Frissell
	The Toyota Venza crossover vehicle was new to the Toyota lineup in 2009. Somewhat of a successor to the Toyota Camry wagon, Venza falls into the crossover category, a new and appealing group of vehicles. Based on the large Avalon sedan, Venza offers plenty of space, easy access and a fairly quiet ride. The ride isn''t as quiet and smooth as we have come to expect from Toyota, and in fact, Venza performs more satisfactorily on the highway. Venza's lift-back design makes for easy use of the cargo area with rear seating down. However, because of the shape of Venza's rear end, visibility is compromised. This is helped somewhat by the optional back-up camera, a feature that has become very popular with those driving larger vehicles. Our test model came equipped with a large list of options, hiking the total vehicle price to just over $38,000; a lot for this car, we thought. Included in those options were a $4,345 Premium Package that offers leather seating surfaces, 4-way power front passenger seat with lumbar support, driver and front passenger seat multi-stage seat heaters, Satin Mahogany wood-grain style interior trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift-knob with Satin Mahogany Wood-Grain Style Inlay, High Intensity Discharge headlamps with automatic high beam feature, Smart Key System with push-button start, power rear door with jam protection, chrome-accented door handles, back-up camera, anti-theft system, color-keyed foldable power heated outside mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer. Other options included a Voice-Activated Touch-Screen DVD Navigation System with JBL Synthesizer ($2,590), surround sound AM/FM 4-Disc in-dash CD changer with integrated satellite radio, MP3/WMA Playback capability, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology and 13 speakers. Also included: a Panoramic glass roof with front power tilt/slide moonroof, $1,050; and Courtesy delivery veh/TMS/NFS and floor mats and cargo mat, $269. The Venza is equipped with Toyota's 3.5-liter V6 DOHC engine with 268 horsepower; not enough power, we thought. Pickup just isn''t there in the Venza and although it seems to handle this size vehicle when on the open road, it's less than inspiring around town. We would opt for more horsepower in 2010. All-wheel-drive is available in the Venza, and there is talk of a hybrid version to come. The Venza is the first Toyota built to feature the new 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. We can''t imagine any less power than the V6 we drove. Standard equipment on the Venza includes such features as rear spoiler with integrated LED stop lamp, Daytime Running Lights, front dual-zone auto climate control system, AM/FM/6-CD changer with integrated SAT, MP3 player holder with wire management, reclining fold-flat 60/40-rear sear with armrest and one-touch fold-flat function, 3.5 inch multi-information display, power multi-adjustable driver's seat and tilt/telescopic steering wheel with controls, compass and Homelink, remote keyless entry and cruise control. Not as inspiring as hoped, the Venza fell short in our estimation. The engine, although a V6, was less than adequate to pull this weight and the ride, although fairly smooth, wasn't what we would expect from Toyota. As years fade and more vehicle sizes and shapes flood the marketplace, Japanese models are becoming more commonplace and uninspiring in terms of looks. Crossovers may be the favorite wave now, but as everyone scrambles to get into the market, the offerings become more mundane and less desirable. At a price hovering just under $40,000, we want some pizzazz.
SPECS MSRP: MSRP: $27,800; total vehicle price $38,224; destination $720 Engine: 3.5-liter DOHC V-6 24-valve with VVT-1, 268 hp. 3.6-liter V6 SIDI w/VVT & DI, 304 hp. Transmission: 6-speed automatic ECT-I with sequential shift Wheelbase: 109.3 in. Width: 75 in. Weight: 3,870 lbs., automatic; 3,722 lbs. manual Height: 64 in. Length: 189 in. EPA Fuel Economy: 19/26/22 mpg. Category: 4-door Wagon, FWD