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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#39 of 52 Consumer Reports Venza review by tomd May 04, 2009 (8:27 am)
The June CR did a review of the Venza. They liked it overall but had a few comments: 1. They complained about the ride and blamed the big 20 inch wheels. Is the ride really that bad? How would it compare to my '07 Higlander Limited? Some other reviews have said that the interior noise levels are higher than expected. Can anyone comment on this? 2. They said that several interior trim panels were misaligned and that some grains didn't match. I am surprised to read about misaligned trim panels. How do owners feel about the workmanship? After the initial problems the Camry and other models had a few years ago, I read that Toyota had this big push to get quality back to where is used to be. They said that they were going to hire more Engineers and take more time to "get it right" before releasing a new model. Replies to this message: lal_clt (May 04, 2009 11:15 am) halwick (May 04, 2009 9:24 pm) qs933 (May 04, 2009 10:55 pm) md_outback (May 09, 2009 6:08 am) petl (May 09, 2009 1:47 pm)
#40 of 52 Re: Calling a spade a spade [md_outback] by halwick May 04, 2009 (10:52 am)
Replying to: md_outback (May 03, 2009 11:20 am) Hi MD, Thanks for the explanation. Thought the 235 vs 245 pertained to width only. You mean this slight change in width also affects the circumference and tire height? Hal Replies to this message: md_outback (May 04, 2009 11:51 am)
#41 of 52 Re: Consumer Reports Venza review [tomd] by lal_clt May 04, 2009 (11:15 am)
Replying to: tomd (May 04, 2009 8:27 am) Over the years I've learned to take what CR says with a grain of salt. I don't think they've ever had a totally positive review with any vehicle. That said, I think their remarks were relatively harmless. They were nit-pickin in my opinion.
#42 of 52 Re: Calling a spade a spade [halwick] by md_outback May 04, 2009 (11:51 am)
Replying to: halwick (May 04, 2009 10:52 am) Hey halwick, The "55" in the tire size of 235/55-19 refers to the aspect ratio, basically the height of the sidewall and it is a percentage of the tread width (the 235 or 245 in your case). So the sidewall height of a 235/55 tire is 235 mm times 55%, or 129.25 mm. The sidewall height of the 245/55 tire is a bit taller at 134.75 mm. That difference of 5.5 mm equates to about 0.22 inches less ground clearance for the 235/55 tire. This also serves to illustrate why the higher aspect ratio percentage (i.e. 60% vs. 50%) means a taller sidewall that is more likely to result is a softer, more compliant ride. This isn't always the case, as some tires are designed for comfort and other tires of the same size may have stiffer sidewalls to improve cornering performance, but won't be as comfortable. And obviously, as the tire height changes, so does the rolling circumference and that is what can affect your speedometer, odometer, etc. Hope this helps. MD
#43 of 52 Re: Consumer Reports Venza review [tomd] by halwick May 04, 2009 (9:24 pm)
Replying to: tomd (May 04, 2009 8:27 am) I noticed the plastic housing behind the steering wheel was misaligned and not fitting flush with the steering wheel spokes. It was replaced along with the entire steering wheel! Fortunately this was done under warranty. I'm also hearing a slight buzzing noise coming from either the right part of the dashboard or the right front door inner panel at highway speeds. I'm not surprised as the car was built in Kentucky and a first year model run. Didn't have any problems with a 1997 Toyota Camry, which was built in Aichi, Japan. Anybody have similar fit & finish problems with their Kentucky-built Camry or Avalon?
#44 of 52 Re: Consumer Reports Venza review [tomd] by qs933 May 04, 2009 (10:55 pm)
Replying to: tomd (May 04, 2009 8:27 am) I am surprised to read about misaligned trim panels. How do owners feel about the workmanship? When I take my Venza in for its first oil change, I'm going to have the dealer fix the following: - misaligned woodgrain trim panel around the gear shift - misaligned dash panel (right side of the center speaker grill) - rattle in the driver's door - rattle in the passenger's door - peeling leather on the gear shift And to check on the following: - more flex than I would think is normal on the driver's side front fender - more flex than I would think is normal on the lift-gate panel (the panel with the logo and Venza nameplate -- feels almost like it's plastic or fiberglass, not metal). Sounds like a lot listed out like this, but it's not that bad. If it was, I'd head to the dealer immediately. For what it's worth, my Highlander (first model year) and my 4Runner (3rd year of the current generation) both went back to the dealer soon after delivery. The former was for a turn signal that wouldn't cancel and the latter for rattles and a defective side airbag module. Both were made in Japan. Other than the defective airbag module, though, I've only had minor trim and/or rattle types of problems with my Toyotas over the years.
#45 of 52 Re: Calling a spade a spade [halwick] by kingfish4 May 06, 2009 (2:41 pm)
Replying to: halwick (Apr 29, 2009 5:32 pm) The Venza is nothing more than a copy of the departed Malibu Maxx. As far as the comments about the GM unquality issues, they are non existant. I just recently traded my Malibu Maxx for a G8 GT, and in 130K miles the only repair required was a rear wiper blade and a set of brake pads, and even then only the rear pads needed replacing. Oil changes occured at around 9K miles based on the oil life monitor, and it never consumed any oil between changes. Gas mileage was around 28 combined and over 32 on the highway. I don't think I would consider a Venza, for one, it is overpriced for a Camry, two it's maintainence cost is higher than a Chevy Maxx, and three it has the shift lever coming out of the dash like a 60's Corvair with a powerglide! Replies to this message: lal_clt (May 07, 2009 10:14 am) hrtbrkcafe (Sep 04, 2009 8:07 am) halwick (May 07, 2009 5:10 pm) qs933 (May 09, 2009 1:52 pm)
#46 of 52 Re: Calling a spade a spade [kingfish4] by lal_clt May 07, 2009 (10:14 am)
Replying to: kingfish4 (May 06, 2009 2:41 pm) The Venza is nothing more than a copy of the departed Malibu Maxx What weed have you been smokin? In my opinion, the two are not even in the same class. I followed one yesteday by coincidence after reading your blog and I really can't see the commonality except for 4 wheels and 4 doors. If GM quality was like Toyota and Honda, they wouldn't been in the straits they're in now. Just look at Consumer Reports reliability chart. Look at the number of black marks on GM products compared to the Honda, Toyota, and even Hyundai. That said, I had a Malibu back in the early 70's and it was a good car. Replies to this message: hrtbrkcafe (Sep 04, 2009 8:07 am)
#47 of 52 Re: Calling a spade a spade [kingfish4] by halwick May 07, 2009 (5:10 pm)
Replying to: kingfish4 (May 06, 2009 2:41 pm) "The Venza is nothing more than a copy of the departed Malibu Maxx. As far as the comments about the GM unquality issues, they are non existant...." I'll grant you that both cars are "station wagon" or stretched hatchback in design concept. But I wouldn't say the Venza is "nothing more than a copy" of the Maxx. However, I disagree with you about the GM "unquality" issue being non-existent. Maybe you were lucky and got one of those rare samples that were trouble-free. Good for you! My neighbor has a Maxx and he considers the car to be poorly assembled compared to his wife's Honda Accord. But my experience (and other people I know) have contrary experiences on GM cars. I currently have a 2003 Buick Century, had a 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe, 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, a 1974 Chevrolet Nova and they ALL had fit & finish and mechanical issues. Every car started having mechanical problems around 40-50K (just after the warranty expired). Rattles showed up about the same time. And I follow the maintenance schedule religiously. Another friend has a 1997 Toyota Camry with almost 200,000 miles with no issues, other than the usual maintenance costs. Consumer Reports rates Toyotas (overall) as being more reliable and having better quality than GM products overall. Re the shift lever location on the Venza: When I rest my right forearm on the center console armrest, the shift knob is exactly where my hand is. Ergonomically, the car is very thoughtfully designed with everything right where it needs to be and in easy reach. By the way, how's your G8 GT doing? And if you wanted a station wagon or a car-based SUV, what would you get?
#48 of 52 Re: Consumer Reports Venza review [tomd] by md_outback May 09, 2009 (6:08 am)
Replying to: tomd (May 04, 2009 8:27 am) I think Consumer Reports does their best work when reporting on a product's reliability based upon owner surveys. But I have noticed that most of their product reviews (not just automotive) are now full of contradictions and what appears to be a forced balance between positive and negative comments - that is, for every positive comment, they feel the need to say something negative. Examples in the Venza review: Taut body motions - but jittery Highway ride is better - but a bit fidgety Auto transmission shifts smoothly and has easy to use manual override feature - but the zigzag shift gate operates clumsily Wide cabin offers plenty of elbow room with good head and foot room - but the cockpit feels a bit closed-in Limo-like rear seats are spacious for three adults - but kids might have a problem seeing out These are just a few examples and they are not limited to the Venza review. The same is true of all auto reviews and other products as well. I dare you to find a CR review of anything that does not use the word "but" over and over. It's almost like their attorneys update all of the articles in an effort to attain the correct positive/negative balance to make sure they won't get sued. Bottom line - Use the CR reviews along with similar viewpoints found in auto magazines and in Internet reviews to get a general overview. Then drive the vehicles yourself and form your own opinion - that's what will count most in the end. Replies to this message: petl (May 09, 2009 1:47 pm)