2023 Toyota Venza

Overview

Although the Toyota Venza is intended to compete in the mid-size two-row SUV class, its RAV4 Hybrid-derived bones keep it from providing the same amount of practicality and spaciousness as other crossovers in the segment. Its standard hybrid powertrain—a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with three electric motors—is essentially the same as the RAV4 Hybrid’s. That propulsion system endows the Venza with standard all-wheel drive and fuel economy that blows away the EPA ratings of V-6–powered rivals such as the Honda Passport and Nissan Murano. The Venza’s cabin also provides more impressive features than those two, including an optional panoramic sunroof made from an electrochromic glass that can shift from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button. Unfortunately, neither the Venza’s sharp sheetmetal nor its wow-factor roof distract from its shortcomings, which include its smallish cargo area, buzzy engine, and less passenger space than in the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

What’s New for 2023?

The Venza gains a Nightshade model for 2023 that dresses it in a darker exterior wardrobe than the rest of the lineup. The Nightshade model is based on the mid-range XLE but comes with black wheels, black front and rear bumper accents, a black grille surround, black mirror caps, and black door handles. Exterior colors are limited to Celestial Black, Wind Chill Pearl, or Ruby Red Flare. Elsewhere, the XLE model gains standard LED fog lamps, but the rest of the Venza lineup carries over unchanged to the new model year.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

LE

$35,000 (est)

$38,000 (est)

Nightshade

$40,000 (est)

Limited

$42,000 (est)

The best value of the bunch is the XLE model, which comes standard with front and rear parking sensors, passive keyless entry, and 19-inch aluminum wheels. All Venza models come standard with all-wheel drive, so those who want that feature aren’t forced to shell out extra to have it.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Venza is offered exclusively as a hybrid, powered by a setup comprised of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and three electric motors which together develop 219 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard: One of the electric motors powers the Venza’s rear wheels while the gasoline engine and the other two motors work to spin the fronts. During our test drive of the Venza, we found ourselves disappointed by its driving dynamics, and it didn’t deliver the smooth ride that we expected. At our test track, its acceleration was also mediocre at 7.6 seconds to 60 mph, putting it 1.5 seconds off the pace set by the Passport.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates that the Venza will deliver 40 mpg city and 37 mpg highway, which is almost double the ratings of other two-row mid-size SUVs such as the Passport and the Ford Edge. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route, we recorded 36 mpg. For more information about the Venza’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Based on its dimensions, we expected the Venza’s cabin to be slightly roomier than the smaller Toyota RAV4’s but in reality we found the Venza slightly smaller inside. Not only is passenger space tighter here than in the RAV4, cargo capacity suffers as well, although most buyers will find it adequate. We fit seven carry-on suitcases behind the rear seat and 18 in total with the rear seats folded, versus 10 and 22 for the RAV4. The Venza is the first Toyota to offer the optional electrochromic panoramic sunroof that the company calls Star Gaze. With the flip of a switch, the sunroof’s glass panels go from transparent to opaque; this impressive feature is something (until now) that we’ve encountered only on luxury cars such as the Mercedes-Benz SL-class.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

An 8.0-inch touchscreen is standard on the Venza and stands proudly atop the SUV’s dashboard; a larger 12.3-inch display is optional on the XLE and standard on the Limited. No matter which display is chosen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity are all standard, as well as SiriusXM satellite radio. Upgrading to the larger of the two displays also unlocks in-dash navigation and adds a nine-speaker JBL premium stereo system.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Toyota includes a suite of driver-assistance features as standard on all Venza models. For more information about the Venza’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Standard adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Toyota’s warranty coverage is fairly standard when compared with other mainstream brands, but it sweetens the deal with two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance. The Venza’s hybrid components will be covered by a special eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty, and the battery is covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles.

Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Hybrid-component warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles

Specifications

Specifications

2021 Toyota Venza

VEHICLE TYPE

front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE AS TESTED

$43,045 (base price: $33,590)

POWERTRAIN

DOHC 16-valve Atkinson-cycle 2.5-liter inline-4, 176 hp, 163 lb-ft + 3 permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors, front: 118 hp, 149 lb-ft; rear: 54 hp, 89 lb-ft (combined output, 219 hp); 0.9-kWh lithium-ion battery pack

TRANSMISSION

continuously variable automatic

CHASSIS

Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink

Brakes (F/R): 12.0-in vented disc/11.1-in disc

Tires: Bridgestone Ecopia H/L 422 Plus, 225/55R-19 99V M+S

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 105.9 in

Length: 186.6 in

Width: 73.0 in

Height: 65.9 in

Passenger volume: 95 ft3

Cargo volume: 29 ft3

Curb weight: 3879 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS

60 mph: 7.6 sec

100 mph: 20.9 sec

Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 7.9 sec

Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.8 sec

Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.2 sec

1/4 mile: 15.8 sec @ 89 mph

Top speed (governor limited): 118 mph

Braking, 70–0 mph: 179 ft

Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.79 g

Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.

C/D FUEL ECONOMY

Observed: 36 mpg

Highway range: 520 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY (MFR EST)

Combined/city/highway: 39/40/37 mpg

More Features and Specs