Topic: Pretty Good Review on 2009 Toyota Venza

[rrocket]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=137526?tid=edmunds.h..topfeatures.venzaft.0.*

What Works:
Surprisingly, the styling — our Venza got lots of looks; useful cargo space; agile handling; good fuel economy.

What Needs Work:
Like many Toyotas, the Venza lacks soul from behind the wheel, but that doesn't stop it from being a practical choice.

Bottom Line:
If Americans can come to love a wagon, the Venza appears to offer all the benefits with few of the shortcomings.

[sailor723]

Interesting comment about "no soul". It kind of sums up the results whenever we were car shopping and looked at a Toyota. It's always been hard to explain why we've never bought one (features,looks,reliability are all good) but they just don't "do it' for me. I guess car buying is still at least 50% the irrational "I like it,I'll take it" factor.

[Wolverine]

I really didn't expect the Venza to be nothing less than a great car. It looks very good, to me, the best looking car on Toy line-up. Hope Toyota can bring this to Brazil. Last time I went inside of a Camry i didn't like what I saw, mainly for a car that costs 145K.

[Ex-airbalancer]

It would look  nicer if the front chrome and the same colour as the body
Wonder what the price point will be in Canada?

[ggweci]

It would look  nicer if the front chrome and the same colour as the body
Wonder what the price point will be in Canada?

Agreed.  Maybe there will be some accessories available?  or you could just have a body shop paint it if you choose.

I'm patiently waiting for CDN pricing as well.  The only thing I've heard is that it will start under $30K (read: $29,995).  Fully optioned, I'm assuming mid-$40K.

[Craig]

Got my eye on this one for 2-3 years down the road, to replace the 05 X-Trail.  We'd be giving up some ground clearance (which we actually use when we brave snowstorms to go skiing), but I gotta believe it would drive a damn sight better than the X.

Soul?  Please, we're both engineers.  We're dead inside.

[ArticSteve]

Fully optioned, I'm assuming mid-$40K.

 

and how many fully optioned Camrys are sold in Canada presently     10%

34K will get you the 4 banger in 2 wheel drive with leather, roof, heated seats, compass.  Essentially loaded including the Camry driver's knee airbag.    All ya would ever want in a soul less appliance unit like this.

Corolla, Matrix, Venza.   

[Ice]

I think the majority of Venza's sold will be the no options I4 or V6.  The AWD and fully optioned leather and vista roof will probably be rare.  And to be honest the "base" (there aren't really any trims for this vehicle) I4 has pretty much everything.

[Ted]

Why Toyota Canada made touring package not available on V6 FWD?

[Agiledood]

31K for the AWD V6 with no options.  Still gets you all you need.  Pack on the option packages and it tops out at 39K before taxes. 

We've driven the AWD V6 twice now and it really is a great ride and choice for a family car.  Great ride and pretty decent handling.  The price spread between base 4 cyl and AWD V6 is about 3K.

I agree with Edmunds summary, I found the electric power steering kills what it otherwise a pretty sweet ride.

[Ice]

I haven't driven a Venza so I don't know but what is it about the EPS that people don't like.  I've driven cars with and without it and I'd like to think that I would notice a big difference but I don't.  My XRS has EPS as well...I love the steering on my car...its very weighty in its feel but is also very responsive.