Generally, large and sensible people movers don't exactly set my pulse racing, particularly when they're clad in "Refrigerator White" as my 2011 Toyota Venza AWD is. But there's something about the rakish roofline and 20" multi-spoke dubs that sets the Venza apart from its more generic brethren.
It's a look that had me scratching my head, wondering how to define it. Is it a wagon? A crossover? Four inches shorter than its competitors, the Venza could technically be considered a wagon, but its utility, cargo space and style make it more likely to be labelled a crossover.
While I'm not exactly sure what "Venza" really does mean, to me it will be forever synonymous with "Girls having a good time". As luck would have it, my week spent with the Venza coincided with several previously scheduled outings with some of my favourite gal pals.
First up, a lunch date with some colleagues at a chi-chi restaurant founded by one of Toronto's current favourite "chefs-du-jour", followed by some leisurely browsing through the plaza's oh-so-tony boutiques.
Since the best way to test a vehicle is to use it the way it was intended to be used, I volunteered to drive. To evaluate a people-mover properly, I reasoned, one must first fill it with people.
Although there's nothing overly exciting about the Venza's cabin, there's abundant room for me and my passengers. The rear seats recline, however they don't slide back and forth like some of the competitor's, nor is there a three-way split. But they do fold down to increase cargo space to almost 2,000 litres – slightly more than in the Ford Edge.
The shifter is mounted high on the sleek centre stack, which frees up room between the front seats for a large console bin.
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| Wagon, crossover – however you define it, the Toyota Venza has much to recommend as a stylish and flexible people-mover. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com) |
It's a look that had me scratching my head, wondering how to define it. Is it a wagon? A crossover? Four inches shorter than its competitors, the Venza could technically be considered a wagon, but its utility, cargo space and style make it more likely to be labelled a crossover.
While I'm not exactly sure what "Venza" really does mean, to me it will be forever synonymous with "Girls having a good time". As luck would have it, my week spent with the Venza coincided with several previously scheduled outings with some of my favourite gal pals.
First up, a lunch date with some colleagues at a chi-chi restaurant founded by one of Toronto's current favourite "chefs-du-jour", followed by some leisurely browsing through the plaza's oh-so-tony boutiques.
Since the best way to test a vehicle is to use it the way it was intended to be used, I volunteered to drive. To evaluate a people-mover properly, I reasoned, one must first fill it with people.
Although there's nothing overly exciting about the Venza's cabin, there's abundant room for me and my passengers. The rear seats recline, however they don't slide back and forth like some of the competitor's, nor is there a three-way split. But they do fold down to increase cargo space to almost 2,000 litres – slightly more than in the Ford Edge.
The shifter is mounted high on the sleek centre stack, which frees up room between the front seats for a large console bin.
 |
| Although there's nothing overly exciting about the Venza's cabin, there's abundant room for me and my passengers. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com) |