Author Topic: Test Drive: 2015 Toyota Venza Limited V6 (Read 19212 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** February 05, 2015, 06:28:19 am »

Rollin' on twenties.
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OliverD · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2015, 08:36:33 am »

The thing that fascinates me most about the Venza is its relative success and failure in the Canadian and U.S. markets. Canadians buy the Venzas in droves vs. our southern neighbors.

Compare those numbers to the Camry:

tpl · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2015, 08:51:29 am »

Because we like hatchbacks?

Snowman · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2015, 09:03:19 am »

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.

Noto · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2015, 09:10:38 am »

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

redman · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2015, 09:15:59 am »

"However, it’s been eclipsed by newer offerings from other manufacturers"
Well put an in keeping with Toyota fashion, late cycle changes and updates. Refreshes cost money but do initiate new buyers. A formula that Toyota\Scion has yet to optimize or save for the Lexus div.

Danno001 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2015, 09:29:28 am »

Quote from: Snowman on February 05, 2015, 09:03:19 am

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?

mixmanmash · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2015, 09:31:46 am »

Quote from: Snowman on February 05, 2015, 09:03:19 am

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.

I bet the price was as much as buying 17" wheels and winter tires.

SaskSpecV · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2015, 09:49:10 am »

Quote from: NoTo on February 05, 2015, 09:10:38 am

Another win by Brendan! So enjoyable to read.

Agreed, great article Brendan. I don't give a rat's azz about the Venza, but I sure enjoyed reading the article anyway!

When the Venza was introduced, I was hoping that its standard 20" wheels would be seen in time as the moment when ridiculously-sized wheels jumped the shark. Based on current vehicular trends, I don't think I was right...

JRM · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2015, 09:52:42 am »

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.

Snowman · « **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2015, 09:53:08 am »

Quote from: Danno001 on February 05, 2015, 09:29:28 am

Quote from: Snowman on February 05, 2015, 09:03:19 am
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

Great_Big_Abyss · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2015, 09:57:47 am »

Quote from: Snowman on February 05, 2015, 09:53:08 am

Quote from: Danno001 on February 05, 2015, 09:29:28 am
Quote from: Snowman on February 05, 2015, 09:03:19 am
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

I guess for some people that's an issue. For others (me) it's really not.

Plus I don't mind the look of an all black car with black steelies and black wheels. Looks kinda badass.

OliverD · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2015, 10:15:18 am »

Quote from: tpl on February 05, 2015, 08:51:29 am

Because we like hatchbacks?

That's part of it, but in the U.S. the Outback sells in huge numbers and I think the Venza is going for a similar market.

Brendan McAleer · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2015, 11:06:00 am »

Quote from: JRM on February 05, 2015, 09:52:42 am

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.

johngenx · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2015, 11:15:26 am »

In the US the Venza is seen as a wagon - and Toyota also offers the well-selling Highlander. Subaru has no Highlander-type offering, and with the OBW's recent shift to looking a little more SUV like, it's allowed it to succeed in the US.

Also, in Canada, the pricing of the Venza is pretty aggressive and allows buyers to get in at less than Highlander prices - significantly so.

hemusbull · « **Reply #15 on:** February 05, 2015, 12:01:01 pm »

Being a very good vehicle itself doesn't takes away the fact it is nowhere between Highlander and RAV4. And thi is on top of the fact Toyota left Matrix position empty. No wonder sales are falling...

Solstice2006 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 05, 2015, 12:06:41 pm »

Quote from: NoTo on February 05, 2015, 09:10:38 am

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!

Fobroader · « **Reply #17 on:** February 05, 2015, 12:12:05 pm »

Great review as always. My biggest problems with this vehicle are the overly large, cartoonish rims which come with eye wateringly expensive tires and that I just never really liked the looks of the thing.

ArticSteve · « **Reply #18 on:** February 05, 2015, 01:17:52 pm »

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

Not until the Camry receives a new platform. 3 or 4 years on

vols1 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 05, 2015, 01:46:43 pm »

To me, the Venza looks like someone inflated a hatchback. It's kind of jelly bean like. The proportions just look wrong. Also, the leather in this vehicle looks like plastic. Nice size inside though and the entry height, which I think is a little higher than say a Camry, would be good IMO.