Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test

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

You are in the Toyota Venza Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

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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#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)
#49 of 52 Re: Consumer Reports Venza review [md_outback] by petl May 09, 2009 (1:47 pm)
Replying to: md_outback (May 09, 2009 6:08 am) I've been receiving Consumer Reports for over 20 years and I agree with your comments regarding their reporting (reliability vs. review). They seem to have gotten worse in the last few years. They are trying to be all things to all people. I would also like to add more proof to your assessment, CR penalizes a vehicle unless it drives in a sporty way. CR is turning into another car magazine like Car & Driver. I find myself relying less on CR reviews when making purchases. I concentrate on their reliability ratings to help me decide. Although CR purchases the products for testing and does not accept advertising money, personal bias still comes into play in the evaluation process. You can't remove the human factor when evaluating anything. Evaluating some vehicle criteria is very subjective.
#50 of 52 Re: Calling a spade a spade [kingfish4] by qs933 May 09, 2009 (1:52 pm)
Replying to: kingfish4 (May 06, 2009 2:41 pm) The Venza is nothing more than a copy of the departed Malibu Maxx. The Malibu Maxx stacks up as well with the Venza as the previous generation Malibu stacked up against the equivalent model-year Camry. The Camry was the car you'd buy, even though it was boring. The Malibu was the car you'd rent to remind you why you bought the Camry. Now, the new Malibu is definitely a lot more competitive with the Camry. A Venza-like version of the new Malibu would make for a fairly interesting comparison.
#51 of 52 Re: Calling a spade a spade [lal_clt] by hrtbrkcafe Sep 04, 2009 (8:07 am)
Replying to: lal_clt (May 07, 2009 10:14 am) GM did have their quality issue back in the 80s and 90s but for toyota and honda their quality starting going down hill if you owned any of them 2001 model and up to current will cost you alot of money for repair for tranny and engine...i do owned 2006 malibu maxx at 70k miles no major repair no burned oil like toyota or honda...and don't want to spend $4k for tranny or $8k for new engine like toyota or honda...you know what i mean...their quality was in the past....this is the year 2009...GM will come back and strong...just give them more time...toyota and honda nothing more than a copy machine....from U.S and Germany....
#52 of 52 Re: Article Comments - 2009 Toyota Venza V6 Full Test [macpro] by bobquebec Oct 27, 2009 (3:45 am)
Replying to: macpro (Jan 04, 2009 8:26 am) Hello macpro Thanks for the link. I really liked the video. I will be leasing this vehicle in 2010. Have a great day Robert