Topic: Test Drive: 2015 Toyota Venza Limited V6

[Kris78]

I actually really like the looks of the Venza. Of the three sporty looking CUVs - Edge, Murano, Venza - the design still holds it own even with the other two being redesigned. To be honest, the Edge looks a whole lotta boring now.

Just a shame that its styling writes cheques that its performance can't cash...

[Northernridge]

Last time I looked at the Venza was a couple years ago and I quite liked it...It looks good, is well equipped for the price (I looked a mid-tier model that had leather and thought it offered good value) and seemed like a decent sized vehicle...not too big nor too small. I sort of compared it to the Outback thinking that if on-road driving and creature comforts are the priority, then Venza. If the bias is for utility and poor roads, then Outback. Neither is sporty so forget that.

[jyarkony]

To me it still looks a lot better than the '15 Outback (outside only), but the Outback wins hands down with it's vastly better AWD.  The Highlander is more SUV than wagon.  The Venza is a slightly elevated wagon with less seating positions.  So, they're not really all that comparable.

The only reason the Highlander gets mentioned so much here is that it's an example of the refreshing that the Venza needs. Also, given the price point and the relative fuel-economy of the cars, the Highlander's worth the look. It's actually shorter than an Outback in overall length.

Oh, and thanks for the positive words everyone, really helps when writing about less-interesting vehicles like this. 

hey, you volunteered for this one as I recall... just wait till you drive the Murano!

[mmret]

As a successful rapper – no wait, even I can’t say that without laughing. But check these rims, son! Twenties on my ‘Yota, ya heard? What you think I rap for, to push a four-cyl RAV4? Venza for life, yo! *complicated gesture involving mild finger dislocation*

I chortled. Inside anyway. I often think of the same lyric when shopping inside my harshly lit local FreshCo.

Have an upvote my good man.

[Ice]

Another win by Brendan! So enjoyable to read.

I agree with everything stated...it's a decent car, but old. once it's redesigned, it'll be what it once was. Perhaps toyota needs to redesign a bit sooner...but that's expensive

Just because something gets redesigned, doesn't mean its for the better.  And how do we know it will be redesigned?  What happened to the Matrix?  They sold well here.  I think Toyota should offer a proper WAGON based on the Corolla platform, and discontinue the Venza.  As the Corolla is getting quite big.  Need bigger, get a Highlander.  With a sole engine of the 2.4L.  Have lots of options, like leather, nannies, whatever.  17" wheels!

A redesign doesn't solve all problems but it usually does make the sales numbers go back up to a nice level. There is always a rise and fall, usually over a 5 year period, where the car sells in top quantities for the first two years then it drops off, then the mid model change comes, and it goes back up a bit (but not as high as before) and then it drops off. If you leave it for a long time then sales keep dropping...but introduce a redesigned model and the sales jump back up. Good or mediocre it usually goes back up.

I'm still sad about the Matrix but I think Toyota's gameplan is to try and make Scion work with their new hatchback model which is based on the Corolla Auris. Tentatively named Scion iM (http://www.scion.com/concept_cars/iM/?vid=imconcept). I think it's a bit overdone and I'd rather a Toyota Auris just arrive here with a nice punchy engine (something bigger than the Corolla's 1..

[Solstice2006]

I just find the 4 cylinder for the Venza is too little because it's so damn heavy.  I don't care if its a Scion or a Toyota, offer a sedan, hatch, and wagon.  Make it like an Allroad with AWD to give it more appeal, but with a smaller platform like the Corolla. 

[dirtyjeffer]

Make it like an Allroad with AWD to give it more appeal, but with a smaller platform like the Corolla.

like the Subaru XV Crosstrek?

[rrocket]

Make it like an Allroad with AWD to give it more appeal, but with a smaller platform like the Corolla.

like the Subaru XV Crosstrek?

With a stick......gotta have the stick in something small like that!

[dirtyjeffer]

Make it like an Allroad with AWD to give it more appeal, but with a smaller platform like the Corolla.

like the Subaru XV Crosstrek?

With a stick......gotta have the stick in something small like that!

i'd personally get the CVT auto, but the stick is available in the non Eyesight equipped models.

[Solstice2006]

Make it like an Allroad with AWD to give it more appeal, but with a smaller platform like the Corolla.

like the Subaru XV Crosstrek?

Yes was going to mention that in the first post.  But that's a hatch, which is great and all, but adding a wagon would be great.  Like the Elantra touring, Focus wagon.  But raised a few inches, more aggressive looking,

[johngenx]

I'd love a re-branded Crosstrek as the new Matrix.  You could skip the arrogance of the Subaru dealer and save a bunch of fees too.

[initial_D]

I'd love a re-branded Crosstrek as the new Matrix.  You could skip the arrogance of the Subaru dealer and save a bunch of fees too.

You got it, Pontiac. A better vibe to shop at a Toyota dealership.

[mixmanmash]

I'd love a re-branded Crosstrek as the new Matrix.  You could skip the arrogance of the Subaru dealer and save a bunch of fees too.

You got it, Pontiac. A better vibe to shop at a Toyota dealership.

This.

[Danno001]

Good review and I agree...."the Venza is quite dull to drive" Understatement, at times its numbing. The tires are an issue and we had to sit down when we heard the price of the 20" Bridgestone Blizzak WS70's we bought.

Were 18" steels with winters an option?

Yes but it looks like crap 

Pitted alloy wheels after 6 winters look worse imo.

[Snowman]

Good review and I agree...."the Venza is quite dull to drive" Understatement, at times its numbing. The tires are an issue and we had to sit down when we heard the price of the 20" Bridgestone Blizzak WS70's we bought.

Were 18" steels with winters an option?

Yes but it looks like crap 

Pitted alloy wheels after 6 winters look worse imo.

Never had that problem, I apply sealant to the wheels and keep them clean.

[JacobBlack]

^^^ yup. No excuse for steelies IMO.

If someone's budget is severely limited and the difference between them buying winters or not is putting up with steel rims, I'm going to 100 percent support their decision to run ugly steelies for four months a year.

[mixmanmash]

Good review and I agree...."the Venza is quite dull to drive" Understatement, at times its numbing. The tires are an issue and we had to sit down when we heard the price of the 20" Bridgestone Blizzak WS70's we bought.

Were 18" steels with winters an option?

Yes but it looks like crap 

Pitted alloy wheels after 6 winters look worse imo.

Never had that problem, I apply sealant to the wheels and keep them clean.

This.

[pi314]

^^^ yup. No excuse for steelies IMO.

If someone's budget is severely limited and the difference between them buying winters or not is putting up with steel rims, I'm going to 100 percent support their decision to run ugly steelies for four months a year.

I'm with Jacob here. Also, if you're someone like my dad who doesn't care one bit about how a car looks, why waste the money for no added value?

I also find something appealing about Steel wheels. Also easy to know when someone is rocking winters.

Though I'd agree that steelies on a venza would look more clownish than other cars.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Agreed but there is little cost between cheap alloys and steel wheels. If $200 is going to break the bank you should be taking the bus

Cheap alloys are going to dissolve in any place that uses salt. The urethane topcoat on them doesn't hold up and salt water gets behind it and starts corrosion. And how do you guys clean between the tire and bead seat? That's where the leaks occur.

I'm also not going to be washing my cars daily, like some of the OCD freaks on here. 

[OliverD]

^^^ yup. No excuse for steelies IMO.

There's plenty of excuses for steelies.

- Cheaper
- Less susceptible to damage
- If running smaller than stock diameter, the plan black design hides the awkward looking tall sidewalls
- Some people just like the look of them over cheap alloys