Topic: 2009 Venza pricing for Canada released

[Greg B.]

I'd call it a long awaited Camry Wagon  Same length, a few inches wider and taller. 182lb of torque from a NA 4cyl is nice. Colour selection is rubbish as ususal, but nonetheless the car will make a good alternative to a CUV and most likely sell. 

I would call it a Camry Maxx since Chevy did the same thing with a Malibu a few seasons back. That car seemed like a good idea at the time but it was a tough sell. While the Toyo badge will mean some people will buy it regardless of its merits, it will be interesting to see just how popular it becomes. It is not a body style that has proven particularly popular up to now.

[tpl]

4 cil engine for this car is a bad bad idea...

Why?   A 4 cylinder with a small turbo could be tuned to produce the bhp output and the flat torque curve that a car like this should have.

[johngenx]

We owned a 2001 Outback wagon that weighed 3600lbs and had a 165hp four and I never found it dangerous, etc.  It was fine to drive, climbed any grade, and I never thought "if only it had more power..."  And yes, it was often loaded to the ceiling and then some.

In the Venza, I would buy the I4-AWD combo.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The 2001 Outback was 3426lbs (1554kg). My manual transmission 2008 is 3350lbs (1519kg). Of course that includes AWD.

The 3870lbs is for the front wheel drive V6. Edmunds was saying the I-4 will be 3740lbs. AWD will add 175lbs.

I'm not saying it's going to be dangerous, but it's not going to be scintillating either.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I'd be buying a V6 AWD. That 6 is incredible, reasonable on gas, not a whole lot more money.

Despite the somewhat awkward styling, think this is the type of vehicle are lot of people are looking for not quite offered elsewhere: it's crossoverish with elevated seating but extremely carlike, spacious but not overly so, comfortable, reasonably efficient, Toyota reliable, choice of drivetrains, and upscale but priced right alongside the less mature compact SUVs. How could it not fly off the lot?

[Wolverine]

4 cil engine for this car is a bad bad idea...

Why?   A 4 cylinder with a small turbo could be tuned to produce the bhp output and the flat torque curve that a car like this should have.

I agree with you, with a small turbo it would be perfect, but they don't offer a turbo with the I4, at least I didn't find nothing about it on their site.

[Dante]

In my books, any car above 3,500 lbs. should have a V6 and 200+ hp.

[initial_D]

^^   

Especially if carrying passengers on a regular basis.

[ovr50]

I'd be buying a V6 AWD. That 6 is incredible, reasonable on gas, not a whole lot more money.

Despite the somewhat awkward styling, think this is the type of vehicle are lot of people are looking for not quite offered elsewhere: it's crossoverish with elevated seating but extremely carlike, spacious but not overly so, comfortable, reasonably efficient, Toyota reliable, choice of drivetrains, and upscale but priced right alongside the less mature compact SUVs. How could it not fly off the lot?

I agree with both paragraphs above....

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Oh, the only other real negative being the awkward name to go with the styling.

[ArticSteve]

The 2.7 is the genius behind the Venza.  Toyota owns that displacement in a NA I4 motor.

Camrys have 158 hp and 161 Torque lb.ft.  and weigh 3307.  Can't say I have seen a mass market exodus from that vehicle.

Tacoma I4 has 159 HP and 180 Torque lb.ft. and weighs 3510 lbs.   Can't say I have seen those units of to the side of the roadway unable to climb hills.

Venza I4 has 182 hp and torque and weighs 3760 lbs.  Can't say I see the dangers with this power and remember it's TOYOTA power, not the usual domestic nuts and bolts.  

[Leviathan]

A 4cylinder will be ok. Hell, my Tribute is ~3350lbs and has 153hp & 152 lb ft and it moves along just fine.

[Dante]

Venza I4 has 182 hp and torque and weighs 3760 lbs.  Can't say I see the dangers with this power and remember it's TOYOTA power, not the usual domestic nuts and bolts.  

True, there is no danger for Toyota customers as they don't usually expect crisp performance anyway.

LOL Steve, what does it mean "TOYOTA power"? Is there something magic about the power-to-weight ratio in Toyota vehicles that defeats the physics laws?

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Venza vs Murano vs Edge

http://blogs.edmunds.com/strategies/2008/12/comparison-test-nissan-murano-vs-toyota-venza-vs-ford-edge.html

They're not exactly blown away by the Venza.

[initial_D]

Venza I4 has 182 hp and torque and weighs 3760 lbs.  Can't say I see the dangers with this power and remember it's TOYOTA power, not the usual domestic nuts and bolts.  

True, there is no danger for Toyota customers as they don't usually expect crisp performance anyway.

LOL Steve, what does it mean "TOYOTA power"? Is there something magic about the power-to-weight ratio in Toyota vehicles that defeats the physics laws?

In my experience, recently, Toyota Power-ed usually induce sleepiness in the quarter mile. 

[Greg B.]

Venza I4 has 182 hp and torque and weighs 3760 lbs.  Can't say I see the dangers with this power and remember it's TOYOTA power, not the usual domestic nuts and bolts.  

True, there is no danger for Toyota customers as they don't usually expect crisp performance anyway.

LOL Steve, what does it mean "TOYOTA power"? Is there something magic about the power-to-weight ratio in Toyota vehicles that defeats the physics laws?

Doncha know? It's all part of the same mystical aura that surrounds them that makes them perfect vehicles that never need maintenance or repair.   

[Ice]

I'd call it a long awaited Camry Wagon  Same length, a few inches wider and taller. 182lb of torque from a NA 4cyl is nice. Colour selection is rubbish as ususal, but nonetheless the car will make a good alternative to a CUV and most likely sell. 

I would call it a Camry Maxx since Chevy did the same thing with a Malibu a few seasons back. That car seemed like a good idea at the time but it was a tough sell. While the Toyo badge will mean some people will buy it regardless of its merits, it will be interesting to see just how popular it becomes. It is not a body style that has proven particularly popular up to now.

I can appreciate people being skeptical that the wagon that "isn't a wagon" might not fly...I am too.  But...I don't think its all all fair to compare the Malibu Maxx with a Venza.  The old Malibu was nothing to write home about and the Maxx with terribly styling and average everything else wasn't exactly stunning.  I've not driven one but I've been in one a few times and perhaps the owner who also had come to hate it has clouded my judgment but I think the reason that was never a big hit had less to do with the practicality of a hatch and more to do with the rest of the car.

We don't yet know if Venza will be a good vehicle...just that I wouldn't lump it with the Malibu Maxx.

[rrocket]

.


Doncha know? It's all part of the same mystical aura that surrounds them that makes them perfect vehicles that never need maintenance or repair.   

It's about time you started to clue in.....

[sailor723]

It's all expained in the new book "Zen and the Art of Being Toyota" 

[rrocket]

^^^^Exactly!!!!