Managers Specials
2009 Toyota Venza Arrives
2009 Toyota Venza
By J.P. Vettraino
On Sale: Fall 2008
Expected Pricing: $23,000-$33,000
Whichever label you want to give it, the new Toyota Venza looks like a winner.
The 2009 Venza seats five, like the Camry, rather than seven like the Highlander. Its rocker height, or the lip around the bottom of its passenger doors, is low, making it easy to lift feet inside, yet the hip point for seated occupants is higher than the typical sedan's. The combination should deliver a mix many buyers seek: easy ingress and egress, with a higher seating position for a better view around tall vehicles on the road.
Toyota hasn't published cargo volume for Venza, but by appearances its capacity will fall somewhere between Camry and Highlander. There isn't as much space behind the Venza's second seat as there is in the Highlander, which has enough room for an optional third row. Yet the space in back of the Venza compares favorably to the Camry's trunk, and it increases when the rear seat backs are folded flat. A couple of easy-to-use levers allow Venza's 60/40 split rear seat to be folded from the back when the rear hatch is opened, without walking around to the side doors first. It's load floor seems lower than that in the typical SUV.
The Venza's base engine will be a big, new four-cylinder displacing 2.7 liters. Toyota hasn't released its horsepower or torque ratings. The upgrade will be the same 3.5-liter V6 offered in several Toyota products, including Camry and Highlander, generating 268 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 246 pound-feet of torque at 4700 rpm. Both engines come with a six-speed automatic transmission, and Venza will be offered with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. With the V6 and proper equipment, maximum towing capacity will be 3500 pounds.
We'd anticipate that Venza has a fully independent rear suspension, but it's also possible that it's equipped with a space-saving solid axle of some sort. Toyota isn't saying yet and we weren't able to crawl underneath for a look. A Toyota engineer on hand at the Detroit auto show said Venza is at least partially based on the Camry. The Camry has an independent rear suspension, though that doesn't necessarily mean the Venza will.
We're sure it's fitted with a full complement of front, side and head-protection airbags, with a small knee-protection bag for the driver. It also features Toyota's new STAR active safety system, which integrates anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and vehicle stability control with a rollover mitigation system.
Even the least expensive Venza will come well equipped. Standard features include automatic dual-zone air conditioning, cruise control, a six-CD changer, tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio controls, remote keyless entry, an electro-chromatic rearview mirror with compass, rear wiper and privacy glass. The Venza will also be offered with at least a couple of new, big-ticket options. Toyota's first panoramic sunroof has separate glass panels over the front and rear seats, with the one in front literally opening to the top of the windshield. The Automatic High Beam headlight system automatically dips to low beams for oncoming traffic, then returns to high beams when the road ahead is empty.
The 2009 Venza should reach showrooms with the traditional model year changeover in early fall 2008. It will be built at Toyota's assembly plant in Georgetown, Kentucky.
(Excerts taken from NewCarTestDrive.com)
*Disclaimer: Fees are in the price or payment, except TT&L.
