Toyota Venza
Encyclopedia
The Toyota Venza is a mid-size crossover SUV (CUV) produced by Japanese automaker Toyota and unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show
in Detroit. Based on the Toyota FT-SX concept car
unveiled at the 2005 North American International Auto Show
, the Venza was primarily engineered at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and designed at the Calty Design studios
in Newport Beach, California. It is currently slotted in size and price between the RAV4
compact crossover SUV, and the Highlander
mid-size crossover SUV that has third-row seating. However, the Venza is an inch longer than the Highlander and for the 2009-2010 model years, the base Venza's MSRP was $1000 USD higher than the base Highlander.
The Venza is built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky
(TMMK) in Georgetown, Kentucky
,, production having commenced on November 10, 2008.
chassis (Toyota K platform) and is similar to Mark X Zio
in concept. Venza is powered by either Toyota's 3.5-litre 2GR-FE
V6 or all-new 2.7-litre 1AR-FE
I4
engine, both mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission
. Front-wheel drive
and all-wheel drive is available as an option. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates fuel economy of 21 miles per US gallon city /29 miles per US gallon highway with the four-cylinder engine. The Venza uses an electric power steering system.
According to Edmunds.com, the Venza's interior design and quality is superior to other contemporary Toyota vehicles.
Unlike other Toyota offerings that have different levels of equipment (such as LE and XLE for the Camry, and Sport and Limited for the RAV4/Highlander), the Venza has only one model trim but with a choice of packages and options. Compared to other Toyota vehicles in a similar price range (such as the RAV4, Camry, and Highlander), whose base models have few amenities outside of air conditioning and power accessories, the entry-level Venza has a long list of standard features. These include fog lamps, 19" alloy wheels (I4), 34 pound 20" alloy wheels (V6), HomeLink
, XM satellite radio, 6-disc CD changer, dual-zone climate control, electrochromic auto-dimming rear-view mirror, 8-way power drivers seat, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, Hill-Start assist control and the Toyota Star Safety System.
Major options include automatic high beams with HID lighting, heated side view mirrors, power liftgate, leather seat surfaces, 4-way power passenger seat, panoramic glass moonroof, Smart Key System, 13-speaker JBL
sound system with Bluetooth
, voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system, backup camera
, and a rear DVD entertainment system with a 9-inch display and two wireless headphones. The Touring Package (containing HID headlights and push button start) and Navigation & JBL Package are only available on the V6 AWD. The Premium Package containing the moonroof and backup camera is available on all but the Venza (I4 FWD), while the leather package is available on all Venzas.
For 2010, the Venza receives a standard USB audio input and Bluetooth hands-free phone capability. Due to this addition, the in-dash 6-disc CD changer is no longer standard equipment. All U.S. models get a $300 raise in MSRP.
All models include Super Electronically Controlled Transmission (Super ECT) 6-speed automatic transmission with Overdrive, Gate Type Shifter, Lock Up Torque Converter, Transmission Cooler.
Other standard safety features:
Seven standard airbags:
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
awarded the Venza its Top Safety Pick accolade in 2009. The Venza is also rated "Good" in the roof strength test, as a result the Venza also received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Top Safety Pick in 2010 and 2011 when roof strength became a criterion for receiving the award.
(TMMK) on November 11, 2008, with over 70% of the Venza's components coming from U.S. suppliers. Toyota projects sales of between 75,000-100,000 Venzas per year. Even though most Toyota vehicles built in the United States
and Canada
are sold in Mexico
, it is one of the North America
n built Toyotas (alongside the Avalon
) not to be sold in Mexico.
In addition to Venza, TMMK produces the Camry, Camry Hybrid, and Avalon
, and previously produced the Solara
. Toyota launched the four-cylinder Venza in February, 2009.
In Canada, the Venza was featured as a prize in the 2009 Tim Hortons
"Rrroll up the rim to win" promotion.
and Nissan Altima
on their website's comparison page both popular mid-size sedans.
Venza contains 34.4 cu ft (0.9740995368 m³). of interior volume, more than its two main competitors – Nissan Murano
, Ford Edge
.
The Venza is currently Toyota's only crossover without a third-row seat, as the RAV4
and the Highlander
crossover SUVs do have the third-row seating. Unlike the RAV4 and Highlander, which are sold in Japan, the Venza is currently only sold in North America. The Venza's counterpart that is sold in Japan, the Toyota Mark X ZiO
, also has an available third row seat while being slightly shorter and narrower than the Venza.
Toyota informed automotive magazine Motor Trend
that it would pass on entering the Venza in the publication's SUV of the Year
competition. Instead, Toyota requested that the Venza compete in the Car of the Year competition. Motor Trend decided that the Venza should not compete in any competition at all since its ride height
is too high to be qualified as a car.
The Honda Accord Crosstour and the Subaru Outback (Limited and Premier trims), are the Venza's main competitors in the loosely-defined crossover
wagon (non-SUV) category. The Accord Crosstour is derived from the Accord Sedan, while the Outback comes from the Legacy
, both analogous to how the Venza shares its roots in the Camry.
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
in Detroit. Based on the Toyota FT-SX concept car
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
unveiled at the 2005 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
, the Venza was primarily engineered at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and designed at the Calty Design studios
Calty Design Research
Calty Design Research Incorporated is a Toyota design studio established in 1973. They have two facilities: one in Newport Beach, California and another in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Calty's primary focus is exterior styling...
in Newport Beach, California. It is currently slotted in size and price between the RAV4
Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV from Toyota. It was the first compact crossover SUV, introduced in Japan and Europe in 1994 and beginning sales in North America in 1996...
compact crossover SUV, and the Highlander
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is a midsize crossover SUV produced by Toyota. It is a taller, heavier version of the Toyota Camry.Announced in April 2000 at the New York Auto Show and arriving in late 2000 in Japan and January, 2001, in North America, the Highlander became the first car-based midsize SUV or...
mid-size crossover SUV that has third-row seating. However, the Venza is an inch longer than the Highlander and for the 2009-2010 model years, the base Venza's MSRP was $1000 USD higher than the base Highlander.
The Venza is built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. is an automobile manufacturing factory in Georgetown, Kentucky, USA. It is part of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America , owned by Toyota Motor Company of Japan....
(TMMK) in Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown is a city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 29,098 at the 2010 census. The original settlement of Lebanon, founded by Rev. Elijah Craig, was renamed in 1790 in honor of President George Washington. It is the home of Georgetown College, a private liberal arts...
,, production having commenced on November 10, 2008.
(GGV10/15, 2008–)
The Venza is based on the CamryToyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a series of mid-size automobiles manufactured by Toyota since 1982, and sold in the majority of automotive markets throughout the world...
chassis (Toyota K platform) and is similar to Mark X Zio
Toyota Mark X Zio
The Toyota Mark X ZiO is a station wagon manufactured by Toyota and introduced in 2007. It replaces the Mark II Blit wagon. The "4+Free" concept allows for a wide range of interior configuration.The ZiO's "three mode" cabin can accommodate from four to seven passengers. In "personal sedan mode," a...
in concept. Venza is powered by either Toyota's 3.5-litre 2GR-FE
Toyota GR engine
The Toyota GR engine family is an open-deck, V6 piston engine series. The GR series has a 60° die-cast aluminum block and aluminum DOHC cylinder heads. This engine series also features 4 valves per cylinder, forged steel connecting rods, one-piece cast camshafts, and a cast aluminum lower intake...
V6 or all-new 2.7-litre 1AR-FE
Toyota AR engine
The AR engine family is a straight-4 piston engine series by Toyota, first introduced in 2008 for the RAV4, and subsequently for the Highlander, Venza, and Camry.The AR series uses a die-cast aluminium engine block and aluminium DOHC cylinder head...
I4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
engine, both mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
and all-wheel drive is available as an option. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates fuel economy of 21 miles per US gallon city /29 miles per US gallon highway with the four-cylinder engine. The Venza uses an electric power steering system.
Pricing and features
US models had starting price of $25,975 for a front-wheel-drive (FWD) 4-cylinder model, and ranged up to $29,250 for the all-wheel-drive (AWD) V6 edition without options.According to Edmunds.com, the Venza's interior design and quality is superior to other contemporary Toyota vehicles.
Unlike other Toyota offerings that have different levels of equipment (such as LE and XLE for the Camry, and Sport and Limited for the RAV4/Highlander), the Venza has only one model trim but with a choice of packages and options. Compared to other Toyota vehicles in a similar price range (such as the RAV4, Camry, and Highlander), whose base models have few amenities outside of air conditioning and power accessories, the entry-level Venza has a long list of standard features. These include fog lamps, 19" alloy wheels (I4), 34 pound 20" alloy wheels (V6), HomeLink
Homelink
Homelink was the UK's first online banking system. It was set up by the Nottingham Building Society in 1983 in association with the Bank of Scotland, using the UK Post Office's Prestel Viewdata system....
, XM satellite radio, 6-disc CD changer, dual-zone climate control, electrochromic auto-dimming rear-view mirror, 8-way power drivers seat, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, Hill-Start assist control and the Toyota Star Safety System.
Major options include automatic high beams with HID lighting, heated side view mirrors, power liftgate, leather seat surfaces, 4-way power passenger seat, panoramic glass moonroof, Smart Key System, 13-speaker JBL
JBL
JBL is an American audio electronics company currently owned by Harman International. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing. Their primary products are loudspeakers and associated electronics. There are two independent divisions within the company — JBL Consumer and JBL Professional...
sound system with Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
, voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system, backup camera
Backup camera
A backup camera is a special type of video camera that is produced specifically for the purpose of being attached to the rear of a vehicle to aid in backing up. Backup cameras are alternatively known as 'reversing cameras' or 'rear view cameras'....
, and a rear DVD entertainment system with a 9-inch display and two wireless headphones. The Touring Package (containing HID headlights and push button start) and Navigation & JBL Package are only available on the V6 AWD. The Premium Package containing the moonroof and backup camera is available on all but the Venza (I4 FWD), while the leather package is available on all Venzas.
For 2010, the Venza receives a standard USB audio input and Bluetooth hands-free phone capability. Due to this addition, the in-dash 6-disc CD changer is no longer standard equipment. All U.S. models get a $300 raise in MSRP.
Powertrain
| Model | Years | Type/code | Power, torque@rpm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venza, Venza AWD | 2009- | 2672 cc I4 (1AR) | 185 PS@5800, 247 newton metres (182.2 ft·lbf)@4200 |
| Venza V6, Venza V6 AWD | 2008- | 3456 cc V6 (2GR-FE) | 272 PS@6200, 334 newton metres (246.3 ft·lbf)@4700 |
All models include Super Electronically Controlled Transmission (Super ECT) 6-speed automatic transmission with Overdrive, Gate Type Shifter, Lock Up Torque Converter, Transmission Cooler.
Safety
Toyota’s standard Star Safety System includes:- Vehicle Stability Control
- Traction controlTraction controlA traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
- Electronic brakeforce distributionElectronic brakeforce distributionElectronic brakeforce distribution ', Electronic brakeforce limitation ' is an automobile brake technology that automatically varies the amount of force applied to each of a vehicle's brakes, based on road conditions, speed, loading, etc...
- Brake AssistBrake assistBrake Assist is a generic term for an automobile braking technology that increases braking pressure in an emergency situation. The first application was developed jointly by Daimler-Benz and TRW/LucasVarity...
- Anti-lock braking
Other standard safety features:
- Hill-start Assist Control
- Tire pressure monitoring systemTire pressure monitoring system-General:A Tire Pressure Monitoring System is a system designed to monitor the air pressure inside the pneumatic tires on various types of vehicles...
- Active head restraints for front-seat occupants, which prevent or limit the extent of whiplashWhiplash (medicine)Whiplash is a non-medical term describing a range of injuries to the neck caused by or related to a sudden distortion of the neck associated with extension. The term "whiplash" is a colloquialism...
in certain types of rear-end collisions. - 3-point seatbelts and headrests for all seats
- Emergency locking retractors (ELR) for all seats
- Automatic locking retractors (ATR) for all seats (except driver’s)
- Front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters
- LATCHLatchLatch may refer to:* Latch , a type of door or window fastener* Latch , a circuit used to store information** A latching relay* Latch , lock on a system data-structure like an index...
(Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) for rear outboard seats
Seven standard airbags:
- Dual-stage front airbagAirbagAn Airbag is a vehicle safety device. It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupants from striking interior objects such as the steering wheel or a window...
s - Driver’s knee airbag
- Front seat-mounted side airbags
- 2-row side curtain airbags
- Fuel pump cut-off switch with airbag deployment
Crash testing
| Frontal Driver: | |
| Frontal Passenger: | |
| Side Driver: | |
| Side Rear Passenger: | |
| Rollover: |
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a U.S. non-profit organization funded by auto insurers, established in 1959 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It works to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes, and the rate of injuries and amount of property damage in the crashes that...
awarded the Venza its Top Safety Pick accolade in 2009. The Venza is also rated "Good" in the roof strength test, as a result the Venza also received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a U.S. non-profit organization funded by auto insurers, established in 1959 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It works to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes, and the rate of injuries and amount of property damage in the crashes that...
Top Safety Pick in 2010 and 2011 when roof strength became a criterion for receiving the award.
Production
The Venza began production at Toyota Motor Manufacturing KentuckyToyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. is an automobile manufacturing factory in Georgetown, Kentucky, USA. It is part of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America , owned by Toyota Motor Company of Japan....
(TMMK) on November 11, 2008, with over 70% of the Venza's components coming from U.S. suppliers. Toyota projects sales of between 75,000-100,000 Venzas per year. Even though most Toyota vehicles built in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
are sold in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, it is one of the North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n built Toyotas (alongside the Avalon
Toyota Avalon
The Toyota Avalon is a full-size car produced by Toyota in the United States, and is the flagship sedan of Toyota in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Middle East. It was also produced in Australia from 2000 until July 2005 when it was replaced in November 2006 by the Toyota Aurion...
) not to be sold in Mexico.
In addition to Venza, TMMK produces the Camry, Camry Hybrid, and Avalon
Toyota Avalon
The Toyota Avalon is a full-size car produced by Toyota in the United States, and is the flagship sedan of Toyota in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Middle East. It was also produced in Australia from 2000 until July 2005 when it was replaced in November 2006 by the Toyota Aurion...
, and previously produced the Solara
Toyota Camry Solara
This page is about the automobile manufactured by Toyota. For other uses, see Solara The Toyota Camry Solara, also more commonly known as the Toyota Solara, is a mid-size coupe/convertible designed and engineered by Toyota...
. Toyota launched the four-cylinder Venza in February, 2009.
Marketing
During the 2008 vehicle launch, Toyota marketed Venza under the campaign 'You're More than One Thing. So is Venza.' According to Autoblog, the name 'Venza' was derived from the words Venture and Monza (racing circuit).In Canada, the Venza was featured as a prize in the 2009 Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons Inc. is a Canadian fast casual restaurant known for its coffee and doughnuts. It is also Canada's largest fast food service with over 3000 stores nationwide. It was founded in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario, by Canadian hockey player Tim Horton and Jim Charade, after an initial venture in...
"Rrroll up the rim to win" promotion.
Classification
Determining whether the Venza is a crossover SUV or wagon isn't clear, so sources often describe it simply as new type of "crossover". Toyota states the Venza blends the "styling and comfort of a passenger car with the flexibility of a sport utility vehicle." According to Toyota, Venza is neither a station wagon or SUV, rather it is targeted at customers who want more room and flexibility than the Camry sedan but desire a smaller size than the Highlander, a mid-size crossover SUV. Toyota lists the Venza's competitors as the Honda AccordHonda Accord
The Honda Accord is a series of compact, mid-size and full-size automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, and sold in a majority of automotive markets throughout the world....
and Nissan Altima
Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima is a mid-size automobile manufactured by Nissan, and is arguably a continuation of the Nissan Bluebird line, which began in 1957. It has historically been larger, more powerful, and more luxurious than the Nissan Sentra but less so than the Nissan Maxima. The Altima is available...
on their website's comparison page both popular mid-size sedans.
Venza contains 34.4 cu ft (0.9740995368 m³). of interior volume, more than its two main competitors – Nissan Murano
Nissan Murano
The first generation Nissan Murano was powered by a 3.5 litre 245 bhp V6 engine, also used in several other Nissan models like the Altima, Maxima, and Nissan 350Z, but specifically tuned for use in the Murano. Available with standard front-wheel-drive and optional all-wheel-drive , the Nissan...
, Ford Edge
Ford Edge
The Ford Edge is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by Ford, based on the Ford CD3 platform shared with previous generation Mazda6 and marketed in rebadged form as the Lincoln MKX...
.
The Venza is currently Toyota's only crossover without a third-row seat, as the RAV4
Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV from Toyota. It was the first compact crossover SUV, introduced in Japan and Europe in 1994 and beginning sales in North America in 1996...
and the Highlander
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is a midsize crossover SUV produced by Toyota. It is a taller, heavier version of the Toyota Camry.Announced in April 2000 at the New York Auto Show and arriving in late 2000 in Japan and January, 2001, in North America, the Highlander became the first car-based midsize SUV or...
crossover SUVs do have the third-row seating. Unlike the RAV4 and Highlander, which are sold in Japan, the Venza is currently only sold in North America. The Venza's counterpart that is sold in Japan, the Toyota Mark X ZiO
Toyota Mark X Zio
The Toyota Mark X ZiO is a station wagon manufactured by Toyota and introduced in 2007. It replaces the Mark II Blit wagon. The "4+Free" concept allows for a wide range of interior configuration.The ZiO's "three mode" cabin can accommodate from four to seven passengers. In "personal sedan mode," a...
, also has an available third row seat while being slightly shorter and narrower than the Venza.
Toyota informed automotive magazine Motor Trend
Motor Trend
Motor Trend is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, issued by Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, and bearing the tag line "The Magazine for a Motoring World". Petersen Publishing was sold to British publisher EMAP in 1998, who sold the former Petersen...
that it would pass on entering the Venza in the publication's SUV of the Year
Motor Trend Car of the Year
The Motor Trend Car of the Year is an award given by Motor Trend magazine, an American monthly that is published since 1949.- Background :...
competition. Instead, Toyota requested that the Venza compete in the Car of the Year competition. Motor Trend decided that the Venza should not compete in any competition at all since its ride height
Ride height
Ride height is the amount of space between the base of an automobile tire and the underside of the chassis; or, more properly, to the shortest distance between a flat, level surface, and any part of a vehicle other than those parts designed to contact the ground...
is too high to be qualified as a car.
The Honda Accord Crosstour and the Subaru Outback (Limited and Premier trims), are the Venza's main competitors in the loosely-defined crossover
Crossover
-Fiction and media:* Fictional crossover, a storyline combining characters or settings from separate fictional properties** Fictional crossovers in video games* Crossover , a 2002 documentary by Justin Lin...
wagon (non-SUV) category. The Accord Crosstour is derived from the Accord Sedan, while the Outback comes from the Legacy
Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car built by the Japanese company Fuji Heavy Industries, and manufactured by its division Subaru since 1989, and is available as a sedan or wagon. Part of the original design goals for the Legacy model was to provide Subaru a vehicle in which they could compete in...
, both analogous to how the Venza shares its roots in the Camry.
Sales figures
| Calendar year | Total sales (U.S.) | Total sales (Canada) |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1,474 | ? |
| 2009 | 54,410 | 12,375 |