Comfort is the name of the game
The Venza was designed with the idea of optimising passenger comfort in mind. The warm atmosphere created by the leather and fake wood trim contributes to the feeling of well-being inside the Venza. The seats offer a surprising degree of comfort on straight roads. Lateral support, on the other hand, is on the short side. Behind the wheel, it becomes obvious that the Venza was never intended as a sporty ride.
The features list contains most of the gadgets currently available on the market. One particularly welcome gizmo, considering the poor rearward visibility, is the reverse camera.
I’m not saying that the Venza is sleep-inducing, but the sense of relaxation you feel behind the wheel never fails to surprise. The car does a good job of getting you from A to B without inducing any headaches in the process. Behind the wheel, you never get the urge to test the limits of the vehicle. You’re simply along for the ride. The consequence of such a state of driving bliss is a less-than-dynamic performance, especially when cornering.
Gently as she goes
The V6 version of the Venza enlists the help of one of the most widely used Toyota engines. The competence of the 3.5-litre, 268-hp mill is nothing short of remarkable, especially with its snappy throttle response. However, the combination of all-wheel drive, a high curb weight and 20-inch wheels means fuel consumption never dips below 11 litres per 100 kilometres.
The Venza shares many of its components with the Camry, and both cars drive more or less the same. The steering system is a little vague, as is the suspension, which, despite the enormous wheels, concentrates on passenger comfort. The brakes seem ponderous, suffering the vehicle’s heavy weight.
Competition
It’s difficult to establish any true competition here, but many vehicles do benefit from the same qualities: Ford Edge SEL AWD (from $35,999), Dodge Journey R/T AWD ($30,195), Hyundai Santa Fe 3.3L Limited ($35,445), Mazda CX-7 GT AWD ($38,990), Subaru Outback 3.6 Limited ($38,495). In a few months, the Venza will have a true competitor in the shape of the Honda Crosstour EX-L AWD ($36,900). The Toyota Venza V6 AWD starts at $32,050
Good, but not exceptional
The Venza is a car that tries so hard to please everyone that it ends up losing a lot of flair and a little personality along the way. It does boast an original style, but the fact that some components have been sanitized makes for a less-than-dynamic driving experience. The situation could be remedied by a few small modifications. A stiffer suspension and a more precise steering system would do wonders for the driving enjoyment.
photo:Bertrand Godin
The Venza was designed with the idea of optimising passenger comfort in mind. The warm atmosphere created by the leather and fake wood trim contributes to the feeling of well-being inside the Venza. The seats offer a surprising degree of comfort on straight roads. Lateral support, on the other hand, is on the short side. Behind the wheel, it becomes obvious that the Venza was never intended as a sporty ride.
The features list contains most of the gadgets currently available on the market. One particularly welcome gizmo, considering the poor rearward visibility, is the reverse camera.
I’m not saying that the Venza is sleep-inducing, but the sense of relaxation you feel behind the wheel never fails to surprise. The car does a good job of getting you from A to B without inducing any headaches in the process. Behind the wheel, you never get the urge to test the limits of the vehicle. You’re simply along for the ride. The consequence of such a state of driving bliss is a less-than-dynamic performance, especially when cornering.
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| The competence of the 3.5-litre, 268-hp mill is nothing short of remarkable, especially with its snappy throttle response. |
Gently as she goes
The V6 version of the Venza enlists the help of one of the most widely used Toyota engines. The competence of the 3.5-litre, 268-hp mill is nothing short of remarkable, especially with its snappy throttle response. However, the combination of all-wheel drive, a high curb weight and 20-inch wheels means fuel consumption never dips below 11 litres per 100 kilometres.
The Venza shares many of its components with the Camry, and both cars drive more or less the same. The steering system is a little vague, as is the suspension, which, despite the enormous wheels, concentrates on passenger comfort. The brakes seem ponderous, suffering the vehicle’s heavy weight.
Competition
It’s difficult to establish any true competition here, but many vehicles do benefit from the same qualities: Ford Edge SEL AWD (from $35,999), Dodge Journey R/T AWD ($30,195), Hyundai Santa Fe 3.3L Limited ($35,445), Mazda CX-7 GT AWD ($38,990), Subaru Outback 3.6 Limited ($38,495). In a few months, the Venza will have a true competitor in the shape of the Honda Crosstour EX-L AWD ($36,900). The Toyota Venza V6 AWD starts at $32,050
Good, but not exceptional
The Venza is a car that tries so hard to please everyone that it ends up losing a lot of flair and a little personality along the way. It does boast an original style, but the fact that some components have been sanitized makes for a less-than-dynamic driving experience. The situation could be remedied by a few small modifications. A stiffer suspension and a more precise steering system would do wonders for the driving enjoyment.
photo:Bertrand Godin
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