2010 Toyota Venza Review and Pricing

By Chuck Giametta

Table of Contents
2010 Toyota Venza Review and Pricing
2011 Toyota Venza Review and Pricing
2010 Toyota Buying Guide
2009 Toyota Venza Quote

 2010 TOYOTA VENZA BUYING ADVICE

• The 2010 Toyota Venza is the best car for you if you recognize the quintessential 21st century station wagon.

• You wouldn’t dare be seen in a minivan. Big SUVs are antisocial. Sedans are boring. Wagons are weird. But what if someone combined the handling ease of a sedan, the utility of a station wagon, and the elevated seating position of an all-wheel-drive crossover? You’d have the 2010 Toyota Venza.

• Should you buy a 2010 Toyota Venza or wait for the 2011 Toyota Venza? Little reason to wait. For 2010, Toyota fills a minor gap in Venza’s roster of features, and this roomy five-passenger wagon isn’t likely to change for model-year 2011. Chances are it’ll get a mid-cycle facelift for model-year 2012, however. That means the styling of the 2011 model would last just one year before looking a bit dated. Your 2010 Venza would look fresher, longer.

2010 TOYOTA VENZA CHANGES

• Styling: The 2010 Toyota Venza doesn’t change visually from its 2009 introductory model year. Venza is a four-door wagon based on the basic chassis design of the Toyota Camry sedan. The two have the same wheelbase, which is the distance between the front and rear axles and a key factor in passenger-compartment space. And Venza’s overall body length is actually a fraction of an inch shorter than the Camry’s. But the Venza is much more than a Camry morphed into a station wagon. The difference begins with a body 5.5 inches taller and 3.3 inches wider than Camry’s. For good measure, Toyota gives Venza 8.1-inches of snowdrift-clearing ride height. Moreover, the Venza’s swept-back profile, angled rear hatch, and bulging fenders are complimented by huge wheels. They’re 20 inches in diameter on the V-6 model (largest ever for a Toyota that’s not a truck) and 19 on the four-cylinder model. Stylists at Toyota’s California design studio knew their business when they specified unusually tight tire-to-fender gaps, too. Venza hunkers down with a crisp masculinity absent from the two other crossovers based on this chassis, the Toyota Highlander and the Lexus RX from Toyota’s premium brand. Venza is strictly a five-passenger vehicle; no third-row seat is available. And the interior has a sporting flair with a dual-cockpit design in front and bucket-seat flavor in back. Note that Honda is copying the Venza formula with the all-new 2010 Accord Crosstour. It puts a slightly puffed-up wagon body atop the platform of the Accord sedan, offers all-wheel drive, and sends it out to battle Venza for crossover buyers.        

• Mechanical: The 2010 Toyota Venza carries over mechanically from the 2009 model. Base engine is Toyota’s newest and most-powerful four-cylinder, a 2.7-liter with 182 horsepower. The available V-6 displaces 3.5-liters and has 268 horsepower. Venza’s only transmission is a six-speed automatic that can operate in a separate shift gate to approximate manual-style gear changes. Both engines are available with front-wheel drive or with Toyota’s Active Torque Control all-wheel-drive (AWD). This automatically apportions power front-to-rear for best traction. It does not include low-range gearing because Venza isn’t suited to off-roading. Standard are four-wheel antilock disc brakes with brake assist to automatically apply full stopping power in emergencies. Vehicle Stability Control, also known as an antiskid system, is included; it’s designed to apply individual brakes and modulate engine power to keep Venza from skidding sideways. With the optional towing package, V-6 Venzas can pull trailers weighing up to 3,500 pounds, same as most light-duty SUVs.

• Features: In the only real change to the 2010 Venza, Toyota rectifies a minor shortcoming by adding a USB port for iPod connectivity and making Bluetooth linking standard on all models. The USB interface is new to Venza, and allows you to control your iPod through the audio unit and steering wheel controls. Bluetooth hands-free phone and wireless music streaming had been included only with extra-cost upgrades for 2009. The 2010 Venza comes in a single trim level with options grouped in packages or as individual-order items. Some options were firsts for any Toyota, including high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps that detect oncoming vehicles and automatically switch to low-beam; a panoramic roof with power tilt/slide panel over the front seats and fixed glass over the rears; and power windows with auto up/down on all four doors. Standard on every Venza is an eight-way power driver’s seat and power windows, locks and mirrors. Also included is dual zone automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, and a tilt and telescope steering wheel. Venzas come with a 3.5-inch dashboard screen that displays outside temperature, distance-to empty, and real-time and average fuel economy. Head protecting curtain side airbags, front-seat torso side airbags, and a driver’s knee airbag also are included. The rear seat is split 60/40 into fold-down sections. The standard audio system includes an in-dash six-CD changer with integrated satellite radio and a half-dozen speakers; it retains an auxiliary outlet for iPods in addition to adding the USB link. Leather upholstery and rear-seat DVD entertainment with a ceiling-mounted 9-inch screen are among the extra-cost items.  

2010 TOYOTA VENZA PRICES

• The 2010 Toyota Venza prices increase an average of 1.1 percent over model-year 2009. Basically, every version starts $300 above its previous-year mark.

• With the four-cylinder engine, the 2010 Venza is priced from $26,995 with front-wheel drive and from $28,445 with all-wheel drive. (All prices in this review include the manufacturer’s mandated destination fee; Toyota’s fee is $720 for 2010 models. Note that Toyotas in some Southeastern and Gulf states are delivered by independent providers and may have different destination fees).

• With the V-6 engine, the 2010 Venza is priced from $28,820 with front-wheel drive and from $30,270 with all-wheel drive.

• Among major option packages, the Premium Package 1 (about $3,850) adds leather upholstery, a power passenger seat, imitation wood cabin trim, keyless ignition with pushbutton start, and the HID headlamps. It also includes a rear video camera that projects on the dashboard screen a view of what’s behind when the transmission’s in reverse. Many of these items – and others, such as heated front seats – are available in less-expensive packages.

• The optional voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system (about $2,500) is accompanied by JBL Synthesis surround sound audio and 13-speakers. The JBL setup is available without the navigation system for about $1,100. Venza buyers can choose the power panoramic sunroof (about $1,100) or rear DVD entertainment (about $1,680), but not both. The rear seat DVD system features JBL Synthesis surround sound, the 9-inch ceiling display, two sets of wireless headphones, remote control, auxiliary mini-jack, a 120-volt outlet, and RCA mini-jacks.

2010 TOYOTA VENZA TEST DRIVE

From behind the wheel:

• Toyota projects an eventual 50-50 split in demand between four- and six-cylinder Venzas, and – surprise, surprise -- you’re quite likely to be satisfied with the four. Even in a vehicle that weighs 500 pounds more than a Camry (almost 700 pounds more with AWD), the four-cylinder seldom feels strained if you’re mindful of its limitations. Credit sufficient torque – 182 pound-feet – but also the fine six-speed automatic transmission’s quick, smooth gear changes. Four-cylinder Venza drivers will benefit from taking advantage of the transmission’s manual-type shift feature to summon the right ratio for a given challenge.

• Strong and smooth, the V-6 moves the Venza with less effort. Armed with this engine’s 246 pound-feet of torque, the transmission almost always delivers just the right amount of power whether you’re toeing the accelerator to edge ahead or flooring it to pass or merge. Unfortunately, heavy throttle off the line and from low speeds with the V-6 can trigger some torque steer – unwanted tugging at the steering wheel. AWD is the remedy, and also the prescription for all-season peace of mind.

• A nod to Venza’s brakes, which can be modulated with immensely satisfying pedal feel. A shake of the head to the steering: it’s firm enough when you’re cruising in a straight line, but can be rubbery and inconsistent as you turn. It somehow seems less annoying with the four-cylinder engine; with the V-6, the steering is never really natural or connected-feeling. That’s a shame, because Venza willingly goes where you point it, thanks in part to those generously sized tires. It resists nose plow in aggressive cornering, and while it isn’t exactly nimble, it never feels top-heavy in quick changes of direction. A relatively high seating position helps you see ahead, but beware of changing lanes without studying the side mirrors because chubby rear roof pillars impede your over-the-shoulder view.  

Dashboard and controls:

• Sporty and sophisticated, Venza’s dashboard is shaped with graceful dove’s-wing arches. Along the “spine” is a grouping of controls that flows handsomely into a wide console. The transmission lever is high-set on the left of the console where it falls naturally to hand and invites the driver to slip it into its manual-shift gate and toggle fore and aft to control gear ratios.

• Ordering the navigation system rearranges some audio and climate controls, but they generally share the upper section of the console with the gear shift. It’s a contemporary, asymmetrical effect and a similar sense of refreshing design is evident in the main gauges. Toyota illuminates the instruments in shades of cool blue and white, employing what it calls an Optitron multi-color display. Space-ranger names aside, it enhances legibility without looking gimmicky.

• Controls are logically identified, easy to reach, and move smoothly. Touch the navigation screen or simply intone a wide variety of voice commands and it responds quickly and honestly, conjuring up directions, altering audio settings, dialing a phone number.

Room, comfort, and utility:

• SUV-worthy ground clearance doesn’t mean a high step into Venza’s cabin because Toyota cleverly keeps the body’s perimeter edging low and the doorsills narrow. That also pays off in a cargo-bay lip that’s lower than that of the Camry’s trunk.

• Venza treats its occupants royally, with wide, cushiony seats that stay supportive hours into a journey. Rear passengers are served by expansive leg and head room and backrests that easily recline at the behest of large levers. The rear outboard positions are contoured to suggest individual seating. That leaves the center position slightly less accommodating but still no penalty perch thanks in large measure to extra foot room afforded by the nearly flat floor.  

• Wind noise is well managed and the engines are unobtrusive unless you’re near full throttle. Road noise will intrude, however, and on coarse surfaces it’s a prominent factor for rear-seat passengers. Blame those big tires, which don’t contribute much to ride quality, either. Small road imperfections don’t get through, and Venza’s suspension resists float and wallow over high-speed dips and swells. But sharp bumps, potholes, and tar strips cause some juddering and thumping that almost surely would be better absorbed with more modestly sized tires.

• Venza’s 70.1 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seats folded is about mid-pack among crossovers of similar exterior dimensions, but there’s an impressive 34.4 cubic feet available even with the rear seatbacks upright. A roll-type cargo cover is standard. Utility is enhanced by a grand total of 10 beverage holders. Those in the front console are illuminated. The door map pockets are dominated by bottle holders, leaving little room for actual maps. Toyota pays lots of attention to MP3 fans, furnishing three dedicated holders, including a clever one in the center console that secures your iPod in a gentle spring-loaded grip.

2010 TOYOTA VENZA FUEL ECONOMY

• The 2010 Toyota Venza is among the most fuel-efficient five-passenger crossovers. Four-cylinder Venzas are rated at 21/29 mpg (city/highway) with front-wheel drive and 20/28 with AWD.

• V-6 Venzas are rated at 19/26 mpg with front wheel drive, 18/25 with AWD. Both engines use 87-octane gas. Which will be more fuel-efficient in the long run?

• On paper, the four-cylinder has a fuel-economy advantage of about 10 percent over the V-6. Driven gently, that advantage is likely to pay off as the miles pile up. However, experience shows that smaller-displacement engines don’t always yield significant fuel-economy advantages if you find yourself applying lots of throttle to compensate for their power deficit. The rule is to drive the four-cylinder sensibly if you want to realize its maximum possible fuel savings.    

2010 TOYOTA VENZA SAFETY AND RELIABILITY

• The 2010 Toyota Venza performs exceptionally well in government crash tests that award a maximum five stars for occupant protection. Venza earns five stars for driver and passenger protection in a frontal impact, and five stars for front- and rear-passenger protection in side impacts.

• The government also conducts five-star tests to determine the likelihood of a rollover. Rollovers are a leading cause of fatalities in accidents involving pickup trucks and SUVs, which have a relatively high center of gravity. In rollover testing, both the front- and all-wheel-drive versions of the Venza earned four stars. This is in line with most SUVs, none of which earns five stars in rollover testing. Additionally, the government calculated that the Venza has a 15 percent chance or less of rolling over in a crash, among the lowest for SUVs.  

• On the reliability front, the Toyota brand is ranked among the top seven brands in overall initial quality by J.D. Power and Associates, the leading automotive consumer survey firm. J.D. Power’s initial-quality index measures problems reported during the first 90 days of ownership. Venza owners give it above average grades for overall initial quality and in most measurements of mechanical and features quality. Venza was not rated below average in any category, though some owners graded the design of the accessories only average.

• For dependability after three years of ownership, the Toyota brand earns top marks from J.D. Power with a rating equaled only by Buick, Jaguar, Lexus, and Mercury. The Venza hasn’t been on the market long enough to be included in the latest reliability survey.

2010 TOYOTA VENZA RELEASE DATE

• The 2010 Toyota Venza goes on sale in early November 2009.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE TOYOTA VENZA   

• No appearance changes are likely for Venza until model-year 2012 or so, meaning the 2010 Venza will look fresh for several more years. A full redesign will not come before the 2014- 2015 time frame.    

• Toyota has pledged to eventually make every vehicle in its lineup available with a gas-electric hybrid powertrain. That plan has been sidetracked but not derailed by the economic crisis that has every automaker rethinking product strategy. In any event, the Venza would be fairly far down on the list of Toyotas to gain a hybrid version.

2010 TOYOTA VENZA COMPETITION

• 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour: Just as the Camry and Accord sedans are natural rivals, so the all-new Accord Crosstour comes on the scene for model-year 2010 to battle the Venza. This five-passenger wagon will offer front- and all-wheel drive and a slightly elevated seating position. A V-6 of some 271 horsepower is a certainty and Honda may also offer it with a four-cylinder engine. The Accord Crosstour doesn’t look as sleek at the Venza, but could draw on Honda’s engineering acumen to deliver sportier road manners. And it’s sure to be priced and positioned to give crossover buyers an attractive new alternative.   

• 2010 Nissan Murano: Confining Venza’s competitive set to midsize, five-passenger SUVs nets this nicely executed Nissan crossover. Murano is from the jelly-bean-school-of-design and was all-new for model-year 2009. This second-generation Murano comes only with a 265-horsepower V-6 mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission. Fuel economy is 18/23 for both front- and all-wheel-drive versions. Base-price range is roughly $28,000-$37,500. The higher price is for the LE model, which comes standard with features that pit it against fully-optioned versions of key rivals. Murano won’t change significantly for several more years.    

• 2010 Ford Edge: Ford jumped into the crossover fray with the model-year 2008 introduction of the square-shouldered Edge. Essentially a lower-priced version of the Lincoln MKX, Edge comes with front-wheel drive (18/25 mpg) or AWD (17/23) and hooks its 265-horsepower V-6 to a six-speed automatic transmission. Edge is roomy and solid, but about 250 pounds heavier than key rivals. The weight burden blunts performance, though Ford has steadily improved its fuel economy. Base-price range is $27,000-$36,000. Edge is due a styling update for model-year 2011 and a full redesign for model-year 2014.