In another era the new-for-2009 Toyota Venza would be named the Toyota Camry station wagon, which is essentially what it is. Today, however, it’s regarded as a “crossover SUV,” through it has little in common with a bona fide sport-utility vehicle, carrying a sedan-like ride height and a decidedly un-truck-like appearance. Wrapped in styling that’s similar to, but is slightly more aggressive-looking than the sedan upon which it’s based, the Toyota Venza is aimed at empty nesters and smaller families by virtue of its five-passenger seating capacity; a third-row seat to accommodate seven riders isn’t offered. While this might alienate the soccer-mom carpooling crowd, it does afford a truly spacious second-row seat with voluminous cargo room.
The Toyota Venza’s cabin is cast with generous use of curved elements that distinguish it from other rides on the road, though we did find it to be a bit busy looking for our tastes. The gear selector is mounted up on the dashboard, rather then down on the center console between the seats; it takes a little getting used to, but it’s otherwise unobtrusive.
As for performance, driving the Toyota Venza won’t cause anyone’s heart to race. A 182-horsepower 2.7-liter four-cylinder is standard, and should be adequate for most buyers’ needs, with a quicker 268-hp 3.5-liter V6 also offered. A smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission is standard. The Venza delivers a reasonably soft ride with relaxed steering and handling, though those who prefer to feel a little more connected to the road will come away nonplussed. All-wheel-drive is available for added dry-road stability and foul-weather traction.
In all, the Toyota Venza is a more-practical alternative to either a sedan or an SUV, with good all-around performance, stellar utility and a dash of style, though it bears a certain lack of driving personality and its $25,975 base price can swell considerably when loaded with optional features.
