2021 Venza
10-12-20, 03:25 PM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (20)
2021 Venza
Link to prior Venza and Sienna thread here: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...nd-sienna.html
carry on.
carry on.
10-14-20, 06:54 PM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
Consumer Reports is currently in the process of doing a full-test, which is not yet completed, but they did rent one and do a First-Drive, which I'll post here. Their initial impressions were pretty much the same as mine were...refined, nice-riding, good fit/finish, and as much or more of a Lexus product than a Toyota....but they didn't like the touch-controls (bitkahuna....you had previously asked about some of those), or the rather high load-floor for an SUV.
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars...test/?pagestop
In Test
2021
BASE MSRP RANGE
$32,470 - $39,800
Destination Charge: $1175
View Pricing Information
In Test
$32,470 - $39,800
ADD TO COMPARE
OverviewRatings & SafetyRoad TestReliabilityOwner SatisfactionPhotos & VideoView Pricing Information
First Drive2021 Toyota Venza Strikes an SUV Sweet Spot
This efficient, well-equipped hybrid is impressive, but there are some annoyances
OverviewThe Venza name returns to Toyota's lineup for 2021 after a six-year hiatus, and it is applied to a whole new vehicle that fills a gap between the RAV4 and Highlander SUVs.
Much like other manufacturers’ recent offerings, this is a two-row midsized SUV that offers style over utility, similar to what Chevrolet has done with the Blazer and Volkswagen with the Atlas Cross Sport. Unlike its rivals, Toyota has a twist: The Venza is available only as a hybrid.
The Venza is a bit more premium than its like-size competition, striking a halfway point between Toyota and Lexus in terms of feel, refinement, and features. It also splits the difference in size between the small and midsized classes because it's narrower than direct competitors such as the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano. The Venza hits a sweet spot that should appeal to shoppers who want a thrifty, smartly packaged SUV but don’t want to pay a premium for a model from a luxury brand. It is large enough to seat four comfortably and compact enough to negotiate city streets.
The base Venza LE is equipped like an uplevel version of other midsized SUVs, with nice conveniences like an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charger, smart key, and hands-free power liftgate.
We rented a Venza Limited, the third and highest rung in the Venza trim ladder. from Toyota to evaluate. It costs about $40,000, but it is packed with features like a 12.3-inch infotainment touch screen, four-way adjustable passenger seat, upgraded audio system, heated and ventilated seats, and 360-degree camera.
The Venza is Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay compatible. Plus, it has trial services that include SiriusXM satellite radio, mobile WiFi, Safety Connect telematics for summoning emergency services, Service Connect dealership communication to arrange service visits, and Remote Connect, an app-based service with remote lock/unlock, remote start, and vehicle finder functions. There are four USB ports in total, with two for rear passengers.
ImpressionsPart of the Advanced Technology Package, the head-up feature has a large 10-inch display for showing speed, fuel economy, and safety warnings. It's very helpful to be able to view information while looking straight ahead, without having to change focus to scan the instrument panel.
Star Gaze panoramic roof is THE show-off feature that will wow every passenger. With a simple button push, the glass roof instantly transforms from clear to frosted. It makes motorized shades seem quaint.
The Venza has an absorbent, comfortable ride that shines in the class.
The cabin is neatly finished. It's nothing flashy, but it is well-assembled and a notable step up from the RAV4. Our particular model was monochromatic, making it look a bit drab, but it is possible to outfit the Venza with contrasting colors for a bit more visual flourish.
Test drivers of different sizes and proportions found the seat to be comfortable, aided by appropriate torso and leg bolsters. The four-way lumbar adjustment also helped. A couple of CR staffers noted that their right knee rubbed against the center console.
The second row has a comfortable bottom cushion and seatback. Foot room was good for most, although headroom was an issue for some. Rear vents keep passengers comfortable, but there are no temperature or fan controls for the second-row riders to use.
Toyota has been a hybrid pioneer, and its leadership still shines today. The Venza is smooth and responsive at low speeds on electric power. But like other hybrids, if drivers are in a hurry, or the need for more power arises, the engine wakes up and becomes vocal.
The Venza comes with Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0 suite of advanced safety and driver assist features. This bundle includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and daytime bicycle detection, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and road sign recognition. The XLE and Limited trims add front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking. Plus, it is nice to have a rear-seat reminder to help prevent accidentally leaving a child or pet behind.
The Venza uses touch controls, rather than buttons and *****. This makes performing some common functions like audio on and off or manual tuning tricky while driving. This was a universal complaint among our testers. On the upside, at least there isn’t a frustrating Lexus-like touchpad.
Even with the front seat in its lowest position, headroom is limited in the front, and some passengers touch their scalp to the roof in the back seat. This may not be an issue for most occupants, but it is worth considering if you take a Venza for a test drive.
The space is deep from front to back, but the load floor is high, impacting both lifting heavy items and limiting the interior height.
The button to turn on the SUV is not integrated into the dash in the traditional location below the right side of the instrument panel. Instead, it looks like an aftermarket add-on tucked into the small storage area in the center console. It is easy to see (rather than being tucked behind the steering wheel), but it juts into the limited storage and blocks the view of the USB ports.
The Venza is narrower than some competitors at this price, such as the Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Edge, and Nissan Murano. This may help with city parking, but it does mean more elbow room for the money than can be found elsewhere.
CR's TakeThe Venza comes across as a Toyota sprinkled with magic Lexus luxury dust, boasting numerous clever touches and refinements that make it a pleasant crossover. It is more pampering than a RAV4, and it is a bit roomier than the Lexus NX. Like many Toyotas, there isn’t much excitement here, but it is quite competent and inoffensive. We found a few annoyances in our initial time with the Venza, but all the key elements (powertrain, interior space, suspension, etc.) have merit.
The high level of standard and optional equipment should draw luxe shoppers like moths to a Tiffany lamp, especially those who crave frugal fuel economy in an SUV. This is the real trick for the Venza: the claimed fuel economy of 39 mpg overall. That is an impressive figure for an all-wheel-drive vehicle of its size. We got 37 mpg overall with the RAV4 Hybrid, which has the same powertrain, and we observed similar figures with our rented Venza, so those claims seem quite valid.
Note though that the newly introduced RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid delivers more practicality and power at a similar price. (Plus, it is eligible for tax credits.) Whatever your fancy, the Toyota small and midsized SUV lineup for 2021 is rich.
The Venza uses a rear-mounted electric motor to provide all-wheel-drive capability. This is a space- and weight-efficient design that takes advantage of the hybrid powertrain. However, in our limited experience, we had more tire spin than expected in certain situations where we anticipated the AWD system would smartly transfer power to the corners with traction. We are interested to see how this works in winter conditions on our purchased test car.
There is a generous roster of infotainment features with the Venza. Our initial experience is mixed. We will explore this much further when we own one and run it through our official evaluation.
We just purchased a XLE trim Venza. With a few options, the total MSRP came to $40,160. Stay tuned as we put on the break-in miles.
WarrantyAll cars come with basic warranty coverage, also known as a bumper-to-bumper warranty. This protects consumers against unexpected problems with non-wear items. Powertrain warranty protects against engine and transmission troubles. Rust through, or corrosion warranty, covers rust to non-damaged components. Roadside aid provides on-location assistance in case of a breakdown and may include limited towing services.
Extended warranties provide peace of mind. Owners of models known to have worse-than-average predicted reliability can mitigate risks with an extended warranty. Generally, we recommend buying a model with better-than-average reliability and skipping this expensive add on. If you do buy an extended warranty, it is key to read the small print to understand what is covered and where you can bring the car for repairs.
Basic
3 years/36,000 miles
Drivetrain
5 years/60,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years/unlimited miles
Hybrid
8 years/100,000 miles
Roadside Aid
2 years/unlimited miles
Maintenance
2 years/25,000 miles
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars...test/?pagestop
In Test
2021
Toyota Venza
BASE MSRP RANGE
$32,470 - $39,800
Destination Charge: $1175
View Pricing Information
In Test
2021 Toyota Venza
$32,470 - $39,800
ADD TO COMPARE
OverviewRatings & SafetyRoad TestReliabilityOwner SatisfactionPhotos & VideoView Pricing Information
First Drive2021 Toyota Venza Strikes an SUV Sweet Spot
This efficient, well-equipped hybrid is impressive, but there are some annoyances
OverviewThe Venza name returns to Toyota's lineup for 2021 after a six-year hiatus, and it is applied to a whole new vehicle that fills a gap between the RAV4 and Highlander SUVs.
Much like other manufacturers’ recent offerings, this is a two-row midsized SUV that offers style over utility, similar to what Chevrolet has done with the Blazer and Volkswagen with the Atlas Cross Sport. Unlike its rivals, Toyota has a twist: The Venza is available only as a hybrid.
The Venza is a bit more premium than its like-size competition, striking a halfway point between Toyota and Lexus in terms of feel, refinement, and features. It also splits the difference in size between the small and midsized classes because it's narrower than direct competitors such as the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano. The Venza hits a sweet spot that should appeal to shoppers who want a thrifty, smartly packaged SUV but don’t want to pay a premium for a model from a luxury brand. It is large enough to seat four comfortably and compact enough to negotiate city streets.
The base Venza LE is equipped like an uplevel version of other midsized SUVs, with nice conveniences like an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charger, smart key, and hands-free power liftgate.
We rented a Venza Limited, the third and highest rung in the Venza trim ladder. from Toyota to evaluate. It costs about $40,000, but it is packed with features like a 12.3-inch infotainment touch screen, four-way adjustable passenger seat, upgraded audio system, heated and ventilated seats, and 360-degree camera.
The Venza is Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay compatible. Plus, it has trial services that include SiriusXM satellite radio, mobile WiFi, Safety Connect telematics for summoning emergency services, Service Connect dealership communication to arrange service visits, and Remote Connect, an app-based service with remote lock/unlock, remote start, and vehicle finder functions. There are four USB ports in total, with two for rear passengers.
ImpressionsPart of the Advanced Technology Package, the head-up feature has a large 10-inch display for showing speed, fuel economy, and safety warnings. It's very helpful to be able to view information while looking straight ahead, without having to change focus to scan the instrument panel.
Star Gaze panoramic roof is THE show-off feature that will wow every passenger. With a simple button push, the glass roof instantly transforms from clear to frosted. It makes motorized shades seem quaint.
The Venza has an absorbent, comfortable ride that shines in the class.
The cabin is neatly finished. It's nothing flashy, but it is well-assembled and a notable step up from the RAV4. Our particular model was monochromatic, making it look a bit drab, but it is possible to outfit the Venza with contrasting colors for a bit more visual flourish.
Test drivers of different sizes and proportions found the seat to be comfortable, aided by appropriate torso and leg bolsters. The four-way lumbar adjustment also helped. A couple of CR staffers noted that their right knee rubbed against the center console.
The second row has a comfortable bottom cushion and seatback. Foot room was good for most, although headroom was an issue for some. Rear vents keep passengers comfortable, but there are no temperature or fan controls for the second-row riders to use.
Toyota has been a hybrid pioneer, and its leadership still shines today. The Venza is smooth and responsive at low speeds on electric power. But like other hybrids, if drivers are in a hurry, or the need for more power arises, the engine wakes up and becomes vocal.
The Venza comes with Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0 suite of advanced safety and driver assist features. This bundle includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and daytime bicycle detection, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and road sign recognition. The XLE and Limited trims add front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking. Plus, it is nice to have a rear-seat reminder to help prevent accidentally leaving a child or pet behind.
The Venza uses touch controls, rather than buttons and *****. This makes performing some common functions like audio on and off or manual tuning tricky while driving. This was a universal complaint among our testers. On the upside, at least there isn’t a frustrating Lexus-like touchpad.
Even with the front seat in its lowest position, headroom is limited in the front, and some passengers touch their scalp to the roof in the back seat. This may not be an issue for most occupants, but it is worth considering if you take a Venza for a test drive.
The space is deep from front to back, but the load floor is high, impacting both lifting heavy items and limiting the interior height.
The button to turn on the SUV is not integrated into the dash in the traditional location below the right side of the instrument panel. Instead, it looks like an aftermarket add-on tucked into the small storage area in the center console. It is easy to see (rather than being tucked behind the steering wheel), but it juts into the limited storage and blocks the view of the USB ports.
The Venza is narrower than some competitors at this price, such as the Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Edge, and Nissan Murano. This may help with city parking, but it does mean more elbow room for the money than can be found elsewhere.
CR's TakeThe Venza comes across as a Toyota sprinkled with magic Lexus luxury dust, boasting numerous clever touches and refinements that make it a pleasant crossover. It is more pampering than a RAV4, and it is a bit roomier than the Lexus NX. Like many Toyotas, there isn’t much excitement here, but it is quite competent and inoffensive. We found a few annoyances in our initial time with the Venza, but all the key elements (powertrain, interior space, suspension, etc.) have merit.
The high level of standard and optional equipment should draw luxe shoppers like moths to a Tiffany lamp, especially those who crave frugal fuel economy in an SUV. This is the real trick for the Venza: the claimed fuel economy of 39 mpg overall. That is an impressive figure for an all-wheel-drive vehicle of its size. We got 37 mpg overall with the RAV4 Hybrid, which has the same powertrain, and we observed similar figures with our rented Venza, so those claims seem quite valid.
Note though that the newly introduced RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid delivers more practicality and power at a similar price. (Plus, it is eligible for tax credits.) Whatever your fancy, the Toyota small and midsized SUV lineup for 2021 is rich.
The Venza uses a rear-mounted electric motor to provide all-wheel-drive capability. This is a space- and weight-efficient design that takes advantage of the hybrid powertrain. However, in our limited experience, we had more tire spin than expected in certain situations where we anticipated the AWD system would smartly transfer power to the corners with traction. We are interested to see how this works in winter conditions on our purchased test car.
There is a generous roster of infotainment features with the Venza. Our initial experience is mixed. We will explore this much further when we own one and run it through our official evaluation.
We just purchased a XLE trim Venza. With a few options, the total MSRP came to $40,160. Stay tuned as we put on the break-in miles.
WarrantyAll cars come with basic warranty coverage, also known as a bumper-to-bumper warranty. This protects consumers against unexpected problems with non-wear items. Powertrain warranty protects against engine and transmission troubles. Rust through, or corrosion warranty, covers rust to non-damaged components. Roadside aid provides on-location assistance in case of a breakdown and may include limited towing services.
Extended warranties provide peace of mind. Owners of models known to have worse-than-average predicted reliability can mitigate risks with an extended warranty. Generally, we recommend buying a model with better-than-average reliability and skipping this expensive add on. If you do buy an extended warranty, it is key to read the small print to understand what is covered and where you can bring the car for repairs.
Basic
3 years/36,000 miles
Drivetrain
5 years/60,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years/unlimited miles
Hybrid
8 years/100,000 miles
Roadside Aid
2 years/unlimited miles
Maintenance
2 years/25,000 miles
Last edited by mmarshall; 10-14-20 at 07:00 PM.
But not available in the USA just Japan
10-02-22, 05:32 AM
#4
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10-02-22, 07:40 AM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
10-02-22, 12:13 PM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
Not just a cut.......the Venza is a BIG cut above the RAV-4. It could easily be sold as a Lexus just as it is....and, IMO, is also a big cut above the previous NX, although not necessarily the latest NX, which is also a big improvement. The last NX was especially disappointing.
10-03-22, 03:06 PM
#7
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