Farmington, Pennsylvania - Toyota has made one thing sparklingly clear: the new Toyota Venza hitting dealerships this January is neither a crossover (they made it a point of honour to talk about it for over 90 minutes without once mentioning the word) nor a wagon. The exact term is impossible to coin, however, and the Japanese manufacturer would love to create a new type of vehicle.
Yet, the Toyota Venza is the very definition of a crossover, both in mission and overall style. Some might even rather wickedly point out that the Venza is nothing but a modern adaptation of a Camry station wagon.
Style galore
But you have to admit, in terms of style, the 2009 Toyota Venza has no cause to be jealous of anyone. Its lines are flowing and its grille is modern and imposing, reflecting the concept behind the lineup while lending it an original look: it is truly a success.
It has captured the themes that Toyota holds dear (though vibrant clarity isn't one of them this time) and breathed new life into them. The result is an imposing yet altogether elegant car (vehicle, I mean vehicle). Because let's be honest, the Venza is anything but small with an overall length of 4,800 mm and a wheelbase of 2,775 mm. In fact, it's longer than the Ford Edge and not as tall, which makes it the Edge's main rival.
To complete the ensemble, Toyota has shod the Venza in 19-inch wheels in its 4-cylinder version and 20-inch wheels in its more powerful incarnation. Stylish, yes, but someone still needs to explain to the manufacturer that winter tires aren't cheap anymore, especially the big ones.
A smart interior
Toyota put a lot of care into designing the cabin. The materials are of good quality, and the layout is equal to what we've come to expect from the Japanese manufacturer. But this time, Toyota took a few risks with the styling.
A good-sized centre console commands attention, for instance, and the shifter is planted directly into the dash board. This same console harbours retractable cup holders, a spot to plug in your MP3 player (the controls of which aren't transferred to the vehicle, however) and lots of storage space.
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| A few hours behind the wheel convinced me that the Toyota Venza is a pleasure to drive. |
Yet, the Toyota Venza is the very definition of a crossover, both in mission and overall style. Some might even rather wickedly point out that the Venza is nothing but a modern adaptation of a Camry station wagon.
Style galore
But you have to admit, in terms of style, the 2009 Toyota Venza has no cause to be jealous of anyone. Its lines are flowing and its grille is modern and imposing, reflecting the concept behind the lineup while lending it an original look: it is truly a success.
It has captured the themes that Toyota holds dear (though vibrant clarity isn't one of them this time) and breathed new life into them. The result is an imposing yet altogether elegant car (vehicle, I mean vehicle). Because let's be honest, the Venza is anything but small with an overall length of 4,800 mm and a wheelbase of 2,775 mm. In fact, it's longer than the Ford Edge and not as tall, which makes it the Edge's main rival.
To complete the ensemble, Toyota has shod the Venza in 19-inch wheels in its 4-cylinder version and 20-inch wheels in its more powerful incarnation. Stylish, yes, but someone still needs to explain to the manufacturer that winter tires aren't cheap anymore, especially the big ones.
A smart interior
Toyota put a lot of care into designing the cabin. The materials are of good quality, and the layout is equal to what we've come to expect from the Japanese manufacturer. But this time, Toyota took a few risks with the styling.
A good-sized centre console commands attention, for instance, and the shifter is planted directly into the dash board. This same console harbours retractable cup holders, a spot to plug in your MP3 player (the controls of which aren't transferred to the vehicle, however) and lots of storage space.
 |
| Toyota put a lot of care into designing the cabin. |