Feb 5, 2009 -
All-New 2009 Toyota Venza Delivers the Goods
The all-new 2009 Toyota Venza crossover is intended to blend styling, comfort, and practicality into a package that many buyers are craving. While some may see the Toyota Venza as just another crossover vehicle, others are seeing the Venza as a bold new direction for Toyota that offers something that few of its competitors can.
Although the resemblance is thin, the Toyota Venza is based on the FT-SX concept vehicle, which debuted at the North American International Auto Show back in 2005. But other design studies, such as the 1995 concept from Lexus called the FLV, or Further Luxury Vehicle, are also attributed to the final Venza design.
According to Toyota, the Venza is 70 percent car and 30 percent sport utility vehicle. At first glance Toyota Westminster dealer customers say Toyota’s math looks just about right. After all, much of what underpins the new Venza is what also can be found in the Toyota Camry sedan. In fact, the Venza is even built at the same plant in Kentucky where the Camry is built.
The Toyota Venza is less of a SUV, but Kingston Toyota dealers say it still maintains some SUV characteristics. It offers the all-weather capabilities thanks to all-wheel drive, plus the convenience of an eight inch ground clearance, both of which are identical to the Toyota Highlander crossover.
Buyers can opt for either front- or all-wheel drive, and can choose between either a four cylinder or a six cylinder engine. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Drivers can also opt for interior conveniences such as the heated seats, satellite navigation combined with a backup camera, a premium sound system, and high-intensity discharge headlamps. These features, combined with sleek styling, held give the Venza more of a premium feel according to Cheyenne auto dealers.
Although the Toyota Venza offers fairly competitive ground clearance for a crossover, Lexington Toyota dealer drivers have found that it’s very easy to enter and exit the vehicle. Inside, there’s plenty of space, with some dimensions measuring fairly close to those of the Camry. Seats in the rear are wide and can easily accommodate taller passengers.
Cargo space is one area where the Toyota Venza is lacking. Behind the second row (no third row is available) there is 31 cubic ft. of cargo space available, which is less than that of the smaller RAV4 and of course the Highlander crossover. That being said, the interior of the Venza is clearly more about luxury than utility as upscale materials and a more posh look has been executed throughout. Many buyers will think of the interior as being akin to Lexus interiors rather than a Toyota interior. That being said, there are plenty of Toyota Venza accessories available to help utilize the existing car space.
Safety has also been an important consideration for the new Venza, as it offers ABS, electronic stability control, brake assist, curtain air bakes for all passengers, and seat mounted airbags, all of which are important to Albuquerque Toyota dealers customers. While crash testing results from the NHTSA have not been released just yet, it’s expected that the Venza will achieve strong ratings.
The 268 horsepower V6 engine offers plenty of power for the Toyota Venza, while the 182 horsepower four-cylinder is a more economic choice. But Cleveland Toyota repair predicts the latter certainly won’t be a common option as performance will suffer due to the Venza’s hefty weight. The V6 will achieve around 19 mpg in city driving and 26 mpg on the highway. The four-cylinder will get slightly better fuel economy, with 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
Refined and roomy, Lewis Automotive believes the Toyota Venza certainly offers crossover shoppers a fresh new design. It will also deliver a level of refinement that may even be unexpected for a Toyota crossover. While the look of a tall station wagon won’t appeal to everyone, there will be plenty of buyers that want a comfortable alternative to bulky SUVs and boring me-too crossovers. For those buyers, the Toyota Venza may be just about perfect.
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