Topic: 2009 Venza pricing for Canada released

[Honda Owner]

All I know is that it looks like a Camry, sounds like a Camry, and acts like a Camry.

What exactly is wrong with that, Greg?

[Greg B.]

The question was whether it should be classified as a truck. A Camry is not a truck.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

By having it classified as a truck, it brings up their truck CAFE numbers. which is important given the Tundra and Sequoia. They're not the only ones who do this. The Magnum was also classified as a truck.

[Thinking Out Loud]

The Magnum was also classified as a truck.

    (not at you, BT! - the Magnum classification)

I think Chrysler got the original minivan - based on k-car mechanicals as we all know - classisfied as a truck to get around CAFE. 

I suppose we have Chrysler to thank for the start of the nonsense over whose-it whazzit nomenclature of vehicle types......

If we aren't sure, see if it is in the Toyota Truck showroom or the Auto showroom 

[Ex-airbalancer]

 It's a Camry with a new rear clip and a nose job.

Clueless as usual, eh Greg?  It shares more with the Higlander than it does Camry platform-wise.

The floorpan has Highlander in front, beefed up Camry in the middle and a unique to Venza in the rear.  Suspension lifted almost all from Highlander, though shocks/spring rates re-tuned specifically for the Venza.

This is not a "badge engineered" vehicle since the chassis/floor is unique to the Venza and no other Toyota uses it (yet?).  For badge engineering at it's finest, please see GM SUVs  (Acadia, Enclave, Outlook) and Pontiac/Chevy small/midsize cars.

And FWIW, the EPA classifies this vehicle as a light truck (even though we all know it's no truck).

Closer to a HL then a Camry, are you smoking the happy tobacco again
Was in to see one today, even my wife said it nothing like a HL.and she likes the Venza. She likes it in brown The salesman said it was based on a Camry
The Venza is huge inside, ton of room in the rear seat and one of the best rear seats I have sat in.
I think this will take a lot sales from the HL and most other CUVs out there
The drive seat is also excellant,

[ArticSteve]

The drive seat is also excellant

leather?

[Ex-airbalancer]

The drive seat is also excellent

leather

it was cloth, the wife said it would have to be leather

[ArticSteve]

The drive seat is also excellent

leather

it was cloth, the wife said it would have to be leather

I asked because there is significant difference in feel.  Still, both are first rate.

Many ppl will not realize that lumbar support is also in the cloth seat.

[ArticSteve]

I guess the staff at Canadian Driver are clueless as well then. I quote:

"Designed and built in North America for this market only, the five-seat Venza offers consumers an alternative to an SUV or minivan (or a sedan, for that matter) by combining attributes of each of those vehicles on its Toyota Camry platform."

It's not clueless if ppl understand what "platform" sharing actually is.  However, IMO, it is superficial reporting because it confuses ppl like yourself that think it's simply a matter of "It's a Camry with a new rear clip and a nose job". 

A few vehicles that share the same "platform":

Toyota Supra coupe and the Lexus RX300 SUV
Volkwagen New Beetle and the Audi TT roadster
 Volkswagen Passat and Audi A4 and A6 in all models

All vehicles built from a single platform have the same welding points, allowing them to share a single assembly line and have similar wheel housings.  However, under-body parts like the floor pan and rails receive spacers and extensions.  After that they can be AWD, V6, I4, hatches, rag tops, vans, whatever.

Mechanically, the Venza shares more with a Highlander than a Camry.  Functionally, the Venza is much closer to the Highlander than the Camry.

[Greg B.]

A few vehicles that share the same "platform":

Toyota Supra coupe and the Lexus RX300 SUV

Well, we already knew that Lexuses were nothing more than tarted-up Toyotas... 

[Honda Owner]

Well, we already knew that Lexuses were nothing more than tarted-up Toyotas...

Ergo, a Buick is just a tarted up Chevy.

[ArticSteve]

A few vehicles that share the same "platform":

Toyota Supra coupe and the Lexus RX300 SUV

Well, we already knew that Lexuses were nothing more than tarted-up Toyotas... 

I'm more than confident that not one member of this forum would know that a Toyota Supra shared the same "platform" as a Lexus RX300.

Don't see the RWD Lexus models in the Toyota lineup.

[Ice]

Didn't know that at all.  Sort of an interesting fact actually.  I guess the key thing is whatever gets it done.

And to be honest the Highlander was always a CUV...never was a SUV by modern definition.  The Highlander platform based in part on the Camry platform.  None of these things should be surprising to car enthusiasts...cars and companies share parts and platforms all over the place.  If it gets the job done then why not?

[johngenx]

Diesel version?

[ovr50]

"And to be honest the Highlander was always a CUV...never was a SUV by modern definition."

You are correct in that, the HL always has been a crossover since it's intro in 2001. The 4Runner is a true SUV.

[inco]

A few vehicles that share the same "platform":

Toyota Supra coupe and the Lexus RX300 SUV

Well, we already knew that Lexuses were nothing more than tarted-up Toyotas... 

I'm more than confident that not one member of this forum would know that a Toyota Supra shared the same "platform" as a Lexus RX300.

Don't see the RWD Lexus models in the Toyota lineup.

That really is a surprise because I was of the opinion that it was simply built on the Highlander platform, which came from the Camry IIRC.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Here a review by the CL forum http://www.clublexus.com/forums/car-chat/398168-review-2009-toyota-venza.html

[sailor723]

Interesting review. I see he also thinks the wheels are "way oversized" and "out of place on this type of car"
If it was close between the Venza and another vehicle I could see the wheel issue pushing me towards the other car.

I do think he makes a good point in that is a different type of vehicle and one that should do well. I've always been more of a fan of an AWD tall wagon/hatchback type vehicle than a SUV.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Yes, the wheels do look over sized
and it looks like 16 could fit over the brakes
Which for the the winter would be nice, more rubber to bounce off the pot holes

[Honda Owner]

The large wheel thing is a fad at the moment and the limit has been reached. Nobody needs 20" wheels on anything. On a car like the Venza, 16" would be all that is necessary. See what it costs to replace big rubber.