mmarshall

Have you driven a Venza yet? What's your opinion of it?

LexFather

No I haven't but I may if I can get my hands on one.....

LexBob2

Last week I stopped and looked at the Venza. Not bad. It looked bigger in person than I was expecting. It would be an interesting alternative to the RX if you wanted to save some $$'s.

The salesman said all of their early deliveries were AWD V6's with quite a few options. The cars I saw all stickered over $35K.

mmarshall

It is more carlike than the RX, handles better, sits somewhat lower, and enters an area that Subaru has long excelled in with its Outbacks.

LexBob2

If I was in the market for a Venza I'd look at a V6 FWD, if they make one. With TRAC and VSC it would meet my needs, and I'd like the weight savings and better fuel efficiency.

mmarshall

If the FWD model meets your needs, fine, but IL can get some severe winters.

IS-SV

For somebody in the income bracket of a typical Venza ($35K MSRP) buyer, the weight savings and fuel economy gains of the FWD vs. AWD are insignificant. Expect only about 1 mpg savings on fuel economy, petty cash.

The really signicant savings comes with the choice of 4 cylinder motor vs. V6 if you can tolerate the slow acceleration.

I8ABMR

If its a FWD it ruins the driving feel of the car. I love my wifes TL, but when you push it in the twisties the dynamics feels awkward and the torque steer always rears is ugly head on any hard corner exit or curved launch from stand still. My GS set to full stiff on the EDFC will inspire more confidence even though the body will roll mre

I8ABMR

I just went back a found a few old photos of the worked Venza that was at SEMA and the LA auto show

I8ABMR

If I have kids soon and need a little more soace I will check out the Venza. I would definelty work mine like this. 24's and all. Its a great mix of car , suv, and wagon. On top of that it look great when tuned.

I8ABMR

The one shown here has a TRD Super charger, brake kit, coilovers, and a list of many other mods including the 24's

roushracin

Went last Monday and test drove one for a couple of hours. Very nice ride. I took my wife to lunch in it and she liked it a lot. I thought the inside was a little too busy with all the features it had (I had the fully loaded w/nav). Also, the wood looked very cheap. I'm on the fence on this one. It seems when I opened the rear hatch, it just didn't seem like it had the cargo room like an SUV or a wagon. Loved the push start and the smart key entry system though!

IS-SV

Maybe the wood looked cheap because it is cheap plastic.

My last 'yota Highlander had lots of cheap plastic wood on the dash.

LexBob2

I agree with the weird look of the wood-like stuff in the interior. I wonder if they offer an alternative to that?

mmarshall

Toyota, in general, doesn't seem to use very realistic-looking fake wood trim in a number of their models, not just the Venza.