MM Full-Review: 2021 Toyota Venza
09-26-20, 07:23 AM
#47
Lexus Champion
09-26-20, 07:30 AM
#48
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Thanks. 
It was generally a pleasant experience reviewing it.
Can't say for sure, but my strong guess is that some automakers are doing that because it is easier and cheaper than integrating it ito the dash. It might (?) also, in some cases, make it easier to repair or replace.
There are a few fan/climate buttons available underneath the center air-vents, but, yes, many functions are on the screen. However, the screen itself is not difficult to use by past Toyota standards....I've seen worse.
Several of us in the thread have already discussed the front overhang, and have varying opinions. I'm generally not one that finds fault with overhangs, and I like the benefits they can, under some circumstances, give to stability and ride-comfort. I'll admit, though, that they can make parking a little more difficult, with their added length.
(The parking has been an issue on my Lacrosse...one reason why I'm downsizing to an Encore GX)
Check your local dealer-stock. Should be starting to arrive by now.
It was generally a pleasant experience reviewing it.
I agree the tacked on video board is an annoyance.
Is the only input by touch screen? No other buttons/***** visible as an alternate in the photos.
The Venza appears to be an excellent offering, awd-hybrid in a beautiful design. Well done Toyota. The front overhang complaint is a stretch and basically crap.
(The parking has been an issue on my Lacrosse...one reason why I'm downsizing to an Encore GX)
I look forward to seeing one and test driving it.
09-26-20, 07:32 AM
#49
Lexus Fanatic
I don't believe it would. (down the road it might get updated) Japan made Toyota's quite often (not always) receive more things and design features that are just left off American made Toyota's. That is not to say that all Japan stuff gets it....sometimes it’s the other way but not often.
For example:
A Japan made RAV4 that is available in Asia as well as some other countries receive a full pano-roof that goes into the rear seats.
feature differences and upgrades between world market Toyota's often built in Japan compared to US made models is all over the range of models.
For example:
A Japan made RAV4 that is available in Asia as well as some other countries receive a full pano-roof that goes into the rear seats.
feature differences and upgrades between world market Toyota's often built in Japan compared to US made models is all over the range of models.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 09-26-20 at 07:51 AM.
09-26-20, 07:35 AM
#50
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by JDR76
Are you saying the Venza wouldn’t have those if it was built in NA?
09-26-20, 07:57 AM
#51
I thought the claim was that Japan built was better quality. That was what we were talking about not some different hardware added like what is being fostered. It's like comparing different models with more features. Apples and oranges.
09-26-20, 08:02 AM
#52
Lexus Fanatic
I don't think I made that claim....I just think the Japan designed and built vehicles are a little more special than the US made models or USA designed models like Tundra/Avalon and Tacoma....a little more complete...but build quality between Japan RX or Canada made RX are very likely indistinguishable.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 09-26-20 at 08:06 AM.
09-26-20, 08:12 AM
#53
Lexus Champion
I don't believe it would. (down the road it might get updated) Japan made Toyota's quite often (not always) receive more things and design features that are just left off American made Toyota's. That is not to say that all Japan stuff gets it....sometimes it’s the other way but not often.
For example:
A Japan made RAV4 that is available in Asia as well as some other countries receive a full pano-roof that goes into the rear seats.
feature differences and upgrades between world market Toyota's often built in Japan compared to US made models is all over the range of models.
For example:
A Japan made RAV4 that is available in Asia as well as some other countries receive a full pano-roof that goes into the rear seats.
feature differences and upgrades between world market Toyota's often built in Japan compared to US made models is all over the range of models.
09-26-20, 08:17 AM
#54
Lexus Champion
Toyota puts the Lithium Ion batteries in other NA built vehicles. No reason why they wouldn’t do that on the Venza if it were built here.
09-26-20, 08:18 AM
#55
Lexus Fanatic
09-26-20, 08:25 AM
#56
Lexus Champion
09-26-20, 10:32 AM
#57
Lexus Fanatic
09-26-20, 11:00 AM
#58
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
09-26-20, 01:34 PM
#59
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
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...
INTERIOR:
...Most of the ergonomics inside are good-to-excellent, and the gauges are clear, colorful, and easy to read, with bright blue needles. The operation of the video-screen controls/icons is one of the best I've seen yet from Toyota, and the stereo sound quality is excellent...my test vehicle had the Premium Audio package-option. A hybrid power-flow-indicator can be configured if desired, which will show you when you are running on either the gas or electrics (or both). A superb (and, IMO, properly-designed) fore/aft-motion shift lever for the CVT transmission is on the console (no zigzags), and smoothly glides through the gear-ranges like butter....too many vehicles today are dumping this for quirky push/pull buttons, rotary-twist-*****, E-joysticks, L-shaped patterns, and other gimmicks. My advice to those automakers....don't fix what ain't broke. Being a state-of-the-art vehicle, virtually all of the conveniences, Multimedia, and safety features one would expect are included or available, particularly on the Limited model.
The only really tacky-looking thing inside, IMO, is something that Toyota, Ford/Lincoln, and some other automakers seem fixated on...the Etch-a-Sketch-type mounting of the video-screen housing on top of the dash, instead of properly integrating it into the dash like GM, Kia, and other automakers do. Some people don't mind it, but I'm just not a fan of that tacked-on look...in the Venza's case, mounted directly over the center-dash air-vents. But it wouldn't necessarily be a deal-breaker in my book....there are plenty of other nice things in this vehicle to compensate.
What is the purpose of the big wedge/block part of the passenger side upper dash?
The brown/gray combo doesn't work for me.
and the etch-a-sketch screen with huge bezel area looks very weak for 2021.
and not offering full digital gauges in a 2021 model is a weak too.
and you may like the 'proper' shifter, but it just looks ancient and cheap to me and takes up way too much room.
are the climate and other center stack controls 'proper' buttons, or are they just touch areas?
09-26-20, 02:04 PM
#60
Lexus Fanatic
Yeah that screen is just...yack.