2009 Toyota Venza V6 AWD Review (video)

A crossover SUV is a concept that plenty of shoppers are still trying to wrap their heads around. The vague term is given to certain products that have ingredients and characteristics similar to other products, but that can't be placed into a precise category.

What Spam is to meat, the crossover SUV is to family haulers.

Venza is sculpted with more energy and alertness than recent offerings from the conservative automaker.

Toyota has just complicated the crossover market even further by tossing in a so-called crossover sedan. It's called the Venza, and it's engineered and designed exclusively for us North Americans. Venza was a well-kept secret until Toyota surprised the media and public alike with its birth announcement during last year's auto show circuit.

What's next, a 300 horsepower Yaris?
Apparently, someone filled the drink machine at Toyota's design center with Red Bull. Venza is sculpted with more energy and alertness than recent offerings from the conservative automaker, and it's likely the most exciting looking model to hit their showrooms since the MR2, Celica and Supra left the market.

Viewed from the side or rear, Venza's super-slick, sculpted body rewards the efforts of those who stare. The tester came with fog lamps and a set of giant 20-inch wheels to help it stand out, a goal furthered by the large taillamps, dual-outlet exhaust and compact, athletic silhouette. Overall, there's a fantastic sense of style here-- even if the grille calls to mind a food-processor's cabbage-shredding attachment.

A trend-setting interior
The interior is a radically styled piece of work. It's trimmed with contrasting colors and textures, many of which wouldn't look out of place in a premium sedan. The instruments have a futuristic and high-tech appearance, and the climate and audio controls are separated into logical clusters on the centre stack. Some will notice a few Lexus-esque touches, too.

The tester's cabin was accented with wood and leather and included heated front seats, a dual-pane sunroof and even automatic high beams. These generally work well-- though they can't be adjusted for sensitivity or lead-time before switching off for an oncoming motorist. You may prefer manual control over the high-beams, as I did.

A multifunction display screen works as a clock, climate control system and trip computer, and it also doubles as a backup camera in reverse. Storage compartments abound, and the enormous center console can be reconfigured in numerous ways. It features illuminated cupholders, a hidden power outlet, and even an integrated holder for a phone or MP3 player. If an award is ever invented for 'best center console', this one would probably win.

The instruments have a futuristic and high-tech appearance, and the climate and audio controls are separated.