Ask the Car People.SM


2009 Toyota Venza Crossover

1243 messages,  Last post on Feb 26, 2013 at 9:04 PM

You are in the Toyota Venza Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Venza, SUV

    

Messages Page 9 of 125

#73 of 1243 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test [shockopopper] by kharris

Jan 04, 2009 (8:02 am)

Replying to: shockopopper (Dec 30, 2008 7:03 am)
I generally agree with your comments, but I have a question. You said that "this vehicle makes more sense for aging Boomers who don't want to climb up into their SUVs anymore, but still want some of the higher driving position that they offer". I also saw a similar statement in a brief review of the Venza somewhere else. Why do people say it's easier to climb into? Both the Venza and the Highlander have the same 8 inch ground clearance and both have the high seating position, so how can the Venza be easier to get into?

#74 of 1243 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test [kharris] by petl

Jan 04, 2009 (8:57 am)

Replying to: kharris (Jan 04, 2009 8:02 am)
Venza's height is 6 inches less than the Highlander. It's the interior design and the lower exterior profile (not ground clearance) that likely makes it easier to get into.

#75 of 1243 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test [petl] by macpro

Jan 04, 2009 (9:26 am)

Replying to: petl (Jan 04, 2009 8:57 am)
My brother has a Highlander and I have a Venza and although the ground clearance is the same, it's easier for me to enter and exit the Venza.
 
Toyota has a good example on their web site. They state: "A unique low and narrow sweeping door rocker allows passengers to smoothly slide in and out of the Venza. Unlike SUV's, a low step-in-height eliminates the feeling of having to climb into the vehicle.
 
http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/minisite/venzaexperience/index.html

#76 of 1243 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test [kharris] by qs933

Jan 04, 2009 (2:37 pm)

Replying to: kharris (Jan 04, 2009 8:02 am)
Why do people say it's easier to climb into? Both the Venza and the Highlander have the same 8 inch ground clearance and both have the high seating position, so how can the Venza be easier to get into?
 
I know lots of articles point to the design of the Venza's narrow rocker panel. When comparing it to truck-based SUVs in general (like the 4Runner), the ease of entry becomes abundantly clear. I would guess that it's a little less clear comparing the Venza to other car-based SUVs/CUVs, since even the Highlander is much easier to get into than the 4Runner.
 
The 4Runner's ground clearance is listed as 8.7 inches versus the Venza's 8.1 inches, so it has less to do with the raw figures for ground clearance. It would be interesting to measure how high the driver's seat is off the ground for both vehicles -- I'd bet it's much more than the 0.6 inch difference in ground clearance. If I have a chance, I'll measure it for my 4Runner.
 

#77 of 1243 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test [qs933] by macpro

Jan 04, 2009 (3:29 pm)

Replying to: qs933 (Jan 04, 2009 2:37 pm)
Venza measurements:
 
I adjusted my driver seat to the highest position, then measured from the front of the seat to the ground. It measured 28 inches.
 
Then I adjusted my driver seat to the lowest position, then measured from the front of the seat to the ground. It measured 26 inches.
 
To summarize, seat height varies from 28 inches to 26 inches depending on seat adjustment.

#78 of 1243 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test [macpro] by qs933

Jan 04, 2009 (4:43 pm)

Replying to: macpro (Jan 04, 2009 3:29 pm)
Here are my (2005) 4Runner's measurements:
 
Adjusted the driver's seat to the highest position, measured from the front of the seat to the ground: 33 inches.
 
Adjusted to the lowest position, measured from the front of the seat to the ground: 31 inches.
 
So, in comparison to the Venza;
  - 4Runner seat height: 33 to 31 inches
  - Venza seat height: 28 to 26 inches
 
Looking at the step in to the 4Runner, there are about 8 inches of rocker + running board from the left-most edge of the driver's seat to the edge of the running board. The running board is the first "obstacle," with two levels of the door sill. The upper part of the sill is level with the carpet.

#79 of 1243 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test [qs933] by macpro

Jan 04, 2009 (5:03 pm)

Replying to: qs933 (Jan 04, 2009 4:43 pm)
From the carpet area (driver's side) to the outside edge is 5 inches with 3-1/2 inches being a large plastic area and 1-1/2 inches is metal with the words VENZA.
 
From the ground to entry point is just over 14 inches.

#80 of 1243 Scion Xv by gearhead1977

Jan 15, 2009 (1:50 pm)

The only thing I'm not sure about is the "angry" Toyota grille. Other than that, the rest is pure Toyota. Not exciting, but gets the job done.
 
Will it sell? Probably. In great numbers? Probably not. Does Toyota REALLY need this in their line-up? I don't think so. How about a Scion version of this instead of putting a Toyota badge on it?
 
Maybe someone with an Xb would like mid-size cross-over with a bit more flair. This could be the Scion Xv!!

#81 of 1243 Me thinks ... by exit123

Jan 15, 2009 (3:38 pm)

It appears to be a Camry wagon, but they don't want to call it that because nobody will buy it if they do. Call it a crossover and slap a healthy dose advertising on it, and shazam, it sells like hotcakes!

#82 of 1243 Re: Me thinks ... [exit123] by toyotaslast

Jan 15, 2009 (6:31 pm)

Replying to: exit123 (Jan 15, 2009 3:38 pm)
A station wagon come on ? This is indeed a crossover and you dont need good advertising toyota's sell because there reliable. As for the Venza how many station wagons you know have all wheel drive or 8 inches of clearence, with the inside almost as nice as the Lexus with some really nice standard equipment. Toyota needs no help there great. Also the car is gorgeous.

Messages Page 9 of 125

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement