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Toyota Venza New Owners Report

140 messages,  Last post on May 11, 2013 at 1:33 PM

You are in the Toyota Venza Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Venza, Car Buying, Car Comparisons, SUV

Messages Page 14 of 15

#126 of 140 Compare the Venza to a Highlander by rmcar

Feb 03, 2012 (7:32 am)

Looking at the Venza but am currently driving a Highlander. I'd love the opinions of anyone who went from a large SUV to the Venza.
 
I'm short so the height is important to me. Thanks

#127 of 140 Re: Compare the Venza to a Highlander [car] by jaimel2

Feb 03, 2012 (10:22 am)

Replying to: rmcar (Feb 03, 2012 7:32 am)
Stay with your Highlander. trade a new one or lease it. I had two highlanders. 2002 and 2005 then switch to 2009 Venza 4 cyl. WRONG choice in a year will go back to Highlander or other imported . Quality in material is cheap plastic, a lot of road noise and jittery ride, no more Venza for me.

#128 of 140 Re: Compare the Venza to a Highlander [rmcar] by mmccloskey

Feb 03, 2012 (4:20 pm)

Replying to: rmcar (Feb 03, 2012 7:32 am)
Traded my 2007 Highlander Hybrid for a 2011 Venza V6 FWD. The Venza is a nicer car but the Highlander was the better one. Build Quality on my HH was top notch - no so the Venza although it is tight & rattle free with no mechanical issues. The ride is firm (OK with me) and quiet enough when the road surface is smooth but can become harsh at times with pronounced road noise on rough roads. This could be due to the Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires. I have heard that Venza's equipped with the Michelin Latitude HP tires provide a more tranquil driving experience so if you are set on a Venza, make sure it is equipped/delivered with the Michelins. My Venza does have the Smartkey, Pano roof and power rear liftgate my HH didn't and the styling is more contemporary but my overall impression of the Venza after 3 months of ownership is I wish I had kept my HH.

#129 of 140 Re: Compare the Venza to a Highlander [jaimel2] by horsepower4

Feb 06, 2012 (12:05 am)

Replying to: jaimel2 (Feb 03, 2012 10:22 am)
I can agree with a lot of this. Road noise, cheap materials. Toyota has a good idea here but they cut corners on too many things. The price doesn't reflect that. The Highlander looks like a more sturdy-built vehicle. Venza is better on gas mileage and style. It's a car; the Highlander is an SUV. The Venza is lighter and not very good in snow or ice. I bought the Venza for the gas mileage--which is good. It consistantly beats the sticker mileage ratings. However, I am probably going to get back into another KIA Sedona or a Sorento SUV one of these days. I might look at a Highlander as well. Have a friend who just traded her 2001 Highlander for a new 2012. They drove the Venza but opted for a Highlander again. As for height---I'm short, too. 5'2". The Venza power seat works fine to put me in position for driving, but I always use a little half-pillow in the pocket for a little extra "boost". The back seat of the Venza is roomy, which is a plus. Bottom line: If you like your Highlander, then you should probably stick with it. You will sacrifice some gas mileage, but if that's not a prime motivator you'll probably be happier with the SUV.

#130 of 140 Re: Compare the Venza to a Highlander [horsepower4] by lime679

Feb 17, 2012 (10:29 am)

Replying to: horsepower4 (Feb 06, 2012 12:05 am)
Hi all,
 
I'll be in the market next month to buy my mother a new vehicle and I'm thinking about the Venza. She thinks it looks sharp and she has never owned anything outside of a car. I was also looking at a Highlander or even going premium and getting her the RX350. The RX may be a lot more than she needs though.
 
Are there any immediate advantages with the Venza compared to the likes of the RX350 and Highlander? I would go for the V6 with every option so it would be quite comparable to the RX.

#131 of 140 Re: Compare the Venza to a Highlander [lime679] by njgregg

Feb 17, 2012 (11:56 pm)

Replying to: lime679 (Feb 17, 2012 10:29 am)
I am assuming that your mother is probably in her 50's and you said that she has always owned a car. With this being the case, the Venza would be better for her than the Highlander or the RX350. The Venza is basically a roomy car with a lower profile, thus making it easier for her to get in and out of. The rear seats are roomy as well and a unique feature is that they recline. The hatch area has more than enough space for her shopping needs and if you opt for the all wheel drive, she'll be safer in snowy & icy conditions. The 4 cylinder of course has better gas mileage.
 
Overall, I think the Venza is an ideal choice for the mature soccer mom or soon to be empty-nester.

#132 of 140 Re: Compare the Venza to a Highlander [lime679] by su922

Feb 20, 2012 (11:44 am)

Replying to: lime679 (Feb 17, 2012 10:29 am)
Being a woman in her late 50s and having owned all three of the vehicles you mentioned, I would definitely get her the RX350. It far outclasses both the Highlander and Venza in quality of materials and style. It sits high enough to see the road and other vehicles very well, but is not so large as to be difficult to park. It is very easy to drive (the Venza has loose steering), has lots of space for packages and groceries which are easy to load and unload without a lot of bending. In my opinion, the Highlander is too large for easy handling and maneuverability and the Venza is so disappointingly cheap and noisy. Become your Mom's "favorite" and get her the RX!
 
I know I probably sound like a commercial or a Lexus salesperson (which I am not), but if I could do it all over again, without a doubt I would keep my RX.

#133 of 140 Re: Compare the Venza to a Highlander [su922] by lime679

Feb 20, 2012 (3:10 pm)

Replying to: su922 (Feb 20, 2012 11:44 am)
Yes my mom is in her late 50's. Thanks for the input.
 
I'm leaning towards the RX but I really want mom to appreciate all the fun stuff it comes with. I think she would feel more at home in the Venza as the mouse like device in the RX may be a bit challenging. We live in Houston so AWD is not required.
 
We have now ruled out the Highlander as it would be too big for her and she does not require a 3rd row. She normally totes around the grandkids but no more than the 3 at a time.
 
Thanks

#134 of 140 FRONT BUMPER PAINT ISSUES by roadrunner70

May 31, 2012 (7:11 am)

2012 venza pearl white. it appears that the paint on the front bumper is not well adhered to the plastic front bumper. Ater a slight rub against another vehicle, a whole section just peeled off and the adjacent area appears to be ready to just peel off as well. On all the other cars we have owned, even with a rub against another vehicle, the paint stayed on, albeit scratched sometimes badly. RR70

#135 of 140 Re: FRONT BUMPER PAINT ISSUES [roadrunner70] by 11_venza_love

Nov 19, 2012 (2:33 pm)

Replying to: roadrunner70 (May 31, 2012 7:11 am)
Having the same issue with mine, although it wasn't a result of impact. It is a black 2011. At first I noticed how easily it seemed to scratch, but just figured that was my punishment for buying black. Last week I noticed that the paint was peeling off of the bumper, I took it in to my dealer and they identified 4 seperate spots where the paint is coming off... My problem, although still under the "bumper to bumper" factory warranty Toyota is having a hard time deciding whether or not they are going to cover the cost to fix the paint. Up to this point I have loved my car, the paint issue will definitely put a damper on my enthusiasm, especially if they don't fix it.

Messages Page 14 of 15

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