Have you ever noticed that in movies where the story depicts the future, everybody is driving around in the same type of bubble-shaped vehicle that virtually drives itself and doesn’t shut up? Of course, watching The Jetsons episodes when I was a kid made me believe that after the year 2000, we’d all be scooting around in flying cars. If you’re like me, you watch all of this and imagine how boring cars of the future will be.
Since buying and maintaining a motor vehicle is expensive, choosing one that will fulfill the multiple duties we ask of it, one that is environmentally-friendly, one that performs well and one that we look good in is pretty tough.
Toyota’s Venza seeks to be all that; the multi-use, Swiss Army knife car that can do it all. This type of vehicle could very well be the transport of the future. Okay, it doesn’t fly, it doesn’t drive itself and doesn’t talk (although some cars did in the ‘80s). It also isn’t boring to drive—well, to a certain extent—but more on that later.
The Venza certainly isn’t lacking in style. More striking than just about every other vehicle in Toyota’s model range, it gathers up chopped wagon style, a concept vehicle look and a sport-utility vehicle stance all in one.
The massive chrome grille and 20-inch wheels are definitely novel for Toyota. A low roofline means small side windows and slightly challenging outward visibility, while the Venza’s ground clearance, which is higher than a Camry on which it’s based, aids entry and exit for people who have bad backs and other body sufferings.
Inside, yours truly thinks the Venza’s interior looks pretty good, with an interesting design and including one of the most genuine-looking woodgrain trims around. On the other hand, some fellow staffers criticize the vehicle’s Rubbermaid-inspired dash covering. Climate control info is located at the base of the windshield instead of at the bottom of the centre stack, which is good.
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| Toyota’s Venza seeks to be that Swiss Army knife car that can do it all. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
Since buying and maintaining a motor vehicle is expensive, choosing one that will fulfill the multiple duties we ask of it, one that is environmentally-friendly, one that performs well and one that we look good in is pretty tough.
Toyota’s Venza seeks to be all that; the multi-use, Swiss Army knife car that can do it all. This type of vehicle could very well be the transport of the future. Okay, it doesn’t fly, it doesn’t drive itself and doesn’t talk (although some cars did in the ‘80s). It also isn’t boring to drive—well, to a certain extent—but more on that later.
The Venza certainly isn’t lacking in style. More striking than just about every other vehicle in Toyota’s model range, it gathers up chopped wagon style, a concept vehicle look and a sport-utility vehicle stance all in one.
The massive chrome grille and 20-inch wheels are definitely novel for Toyota. A low roofline means small side windows and slightly challenging outward visibility, while the Venza’s ground clearance, which is higher than a Camry on which it’s based, aids entry and exit for people who have bad backs and other body sufferings.
Inside, yours truly thinks the Venza’s interior looks pretty good, with an interesting design and including one of the most genuine-looking woodgrain trims around. On the other hand, some fellow staffers criticize the vehicle’s Rubbermaid-inspired dash covering. Climate control info is located at the base of the windshield instead of at the bottom of the centre stack, which is good.
 |
| Inside, yours truly thinks the Venza’s interior looks pretty good, with an interesting design and including one of the most genuine-looking woodgrain trims around. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |