Toyota's 2009 Venza - a fresh take on the passenger car

Toyota has taken a new direction in the development of a vehicle that blends comfort and style in a five-passenger sedan that delivers the utility and versatility of an SUV. The all-new 2009 Toyota Venza is essentially 70 percent car and 30 percent SUV. It is a car-optimized vehicle, similar to the Camry Wagon, but with SUV properties.

Venza comes with two engine choices - a new base 2.7-liter four-cylinder that makes 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and a like amount of torque in pound-feet at 4,200 rpm, or a more powerful 3.5-liter that cranks out 268 horses at 6,200 rpm, while delivering 246 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. One may order the Venza in front-wheel or all-wheel drive with either engine.

In terms of trim levels, the Venza focuses on a single-grade strategy. Aside from engine choice and drive configuration, there's an array of standard features and equipment, with several stand-alone options and packages making it possible to personalize.

The four-cylinder Venza FWD begins at $25,975, with the AWD model starting at $27,425. V6 models begin at $27,800 for FWD and $29,250 for AWD. All Venza models come with an impressive standard equipment inventory.

Venza's exterior displays an imposing frontal styling with a distinctive grille, headlamps and fog lights. The shape is aerodynamic, featuring short overhangs with pronounced fenders, a forward A-pillar, sharp and definitive character lines, a low roofline, wrap-around tail lamps and sweeping rocker panels. The Venza was designed to appeal to consumers seeking the value and dependability of a Camry, the refinement and comfort of an Avalon and the versatility and utility of a Highlander.

The interior design focuses on enhancing the driving experience both visually and functionally. The center console's flow emphasizes a unique 60/60 layout, providing both the driver and front passenger with the feeling that 60 percent of the space is readily accessible. Storage and auxiliary outlets and connections are innovative and versatile. The rear cargo area features 60/40 split fold-down seats with one-touch fold-down levers and a tonneau cover.

I experienced both engines and several levels of content during the national press introduction, but my review is of an AWD model powered by a 2.7-liter, four-cylinder motor, finished in Tropical Sea Metallic with an interior of ivory cloth with light gray and ivory trim panels accented by a faux-wood/carbon fiber inlay pattern. The base price was set at $27,425 while the final tally came to $30,830.

Summary

I can really find nothing to nit-pick with the new Venza. Obviously, the V6 is much peppier than the four-cylinder, but even it delivers satisfying performance.

Venza provides exceptionally easy ingress and egress - easier in fact, than most cars, and particularly better than the majority of SUVs, yet with a higher ride height and sight line for enhanced visibility. The sight line is higher than Camry, while rear load-in height is lower than Camry and nearly as low as the Sienna van.

The ride quality and handling characteristics are particularly car-like, making it pleasurable to drive. Steering is electronically powered. Acceleration is more than adequate with the four-banger, but considerably better with the V6. Venza is fuel efficient with EPA ratings of 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the four-cylinder and 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway for the V6.

The Venza is an all-new vehicle that is pleasing to all the senses and unique in its approach. It lends itself well to customization as exemplified by Five-Axis in tricked-out models exhibited at the SEMA show in Las Vegas.

source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/16/MTAE16TJC0.DTL