Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test

52 messages, Last post on Oct 27, 2009 at 3:45 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Venza, SUV

2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test and Video - Bottom Line: Pure people-packing utility in a package that's more practical than an SUV, though with less character.(more)

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#1 of 52 Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test by KarenS HOST Dec 29, 2008 (1:25 pm)
As soon as you see the 2009 Toyota Venza V6, you know what it is. So how come there are all these questions about whether it's a crossover, a minivan in disguise, a tall wagon or a soft-riding SUV? Really, get over it. Toyota brought it to us, not aliens from another planet. 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test and Video
#2 of 52 Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test by shockopopper Dec 30, 2008 (6:03 am)
The Sienna makes a heck of a lot more sense for roughly the same money (and driving dynamics, frankly) as this wagon-like thingy.....especially for a family of 2 or more. Just get over the image thing for gosh sakes - you have two kids already - does this appear any more cool in your driveway than a minivan? (I doubt it) The problem is when you have 2 or more kids they always come with friends...and 5-passenger vehicles won't cut it unless you want to leave some behind. To me, 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. To each his/her own, but I don't think this thing makes much sense. Replies to this message: kharris (Jan 04, 2009 7:02 am) petl (Jan 04, 2009 7:57 am) macpro (Jan 04, 2009 8:26 am) and 1 more... qs933 (Jan 04, 2009 1:37 pm) macpro (Jan 04, 2009 2:29 pm) and 2 more...
#3 of 52 Horsepower Correction by toysalesman1 Dec 30, 2008 (1:05 pm)
Official horsepower is 268hp 6200 & torque is 248lb ft 4800 rpm.
#4 of 52 Title for the Venza by madofcars Jan 01, 2009 (8:31 pm)
First look, its a SUV or a Cross-over. Either way, there no sense in argueing... but I would like to point-out that on the Toyota.com website, they put the Venza in the "Cars" and not in the "SUVs and Van"....I thought that was quite interesting.
#5 of 52 Looks nice, but too close to Lexus $$ by superm Jan 02, 2009 (8:11 am)
Just how close is this to an RX350, especially now that the RX is going for close to invoice? Replies to this message: qs933 (Jan 02, 2009 11:10 pm)
#6 of 52 Re: Looks nice, but too close to Lexus $$ [superm] by qs933 Jan 02, 2009 (11:10 pm)
Replying to: superm (Jan 02, 2009 8:11 am) They are related (same engine, for example), and if you assume that the Venza is going for MSRP and the 2009 RX350 is being closed out closer to invoice, there probably is a pricing overlap. Even though the '09 RX is at the end of its model cycle, it's still a very nice vehicle. Plus, you'd get the longer Lexus warranty and the premium dealer experience. The '09 RX has memory settings for the driver, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and LED tails, none of which are available on the Venza. On the downside, the '09 RX will be replaced in a couple of months by the redesigned 2010 model, so your brand new vehicle will already seem "old" -- for some that's a big deal. For others, it doesn't really matter (especially if you prefer the '09 styling). The '09 RX also lacks some of the features found on the Venza (but will be in the '10 RX) including the Smart Key and an aux-in jack (the '10 has USB input which is even better).
#7 of 52 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test [shockopopper] by kharris Jan 04, 2009 (7:02 am)
Replying to: shockopopper (Dec 30, 2008 6:03 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? Replies to this message: petl (Jan 04, 2009 7:57 am) macpro (Jan 04, 2009 8:26 am) bobquebec (Oct 27, 2009 3:45 am) qs933 (Jan 04, 2009 1:37 pm) macpro (Jan 04, 2009 2:29 pm) qs933 (Jan 04, 2009 3:43 pm) and 1 more...
#8 of 52 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test [kharris] by petl Jan 04, 2009 (7:57 am)
Replying to: kharris (Jan 04, 2009 7:02 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. Replies to this message: macpro (Jan 04, 2009 8:26 am) bobquebec (Oct 27, 2009 3:45 am)
#9 of 52 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test [petl] by macpro Jan 04, 2009 (8:26 am)
Replying to: petl (Jan 04, 2009 7:57 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 Replies to this message: bobquebec (Oct 27, 2009 3:45 am)
#10 of 52 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test [kharris] by qs933 Jan 04, 2009 (1:37 pm)
Replying to: kharris (Jan 04, 2009 7:02 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. Replies to this message: macpro (Jan 04, 2009 2:29 pm) qs933 (Jan 04, 2009 3:43 pm) macpro (Jan 04, 2009 4:03 pm)