So after waiting 5 months for a Toyota Venza of our liking(color/interior/trim level) to arrive at our dealership, we have now owned/driven our '23 Venza LE for 7 months and this is my review.
We had to put in an order for a Venza as the 2-3 Venza's on any Toyota dealer lots were all spoken for. The LE trim level that we decided on has more than enough features for us(wife & I) that we didn't need to step up to a higher trim level. This vehicle was also the single vehicle that we(wife & I) had both agreed upon. We test-drove other makes & size categories as we actually wanted try the small(er) subcompact SUV AWD. However, for the same/similar money, we decided that we'd want something else.
YES, the smaller SUVs that were similar priced had features(leather seats, sun roof) that OUR Venza doesn't have(although we can get those features) and the Venza was the agreed upon and also the nicer vehicle. Also the Venza fit our criteria. We wanted another SUV with AWD but with a hybrid system this time. We wanted closer to 40 mpg instead of 20ish mpg.
The Venza is a nice vehicle that looks more LEXUS-like than TOYOTA-like. It rides smoothly and quietly, is comfortable with good fuel economy. Interior feature layout is decent, infotainment is also decent as are interior materials. Maybe even a step up over other similarly sized SUVs especially its brother the RAV4. But I wouldn't call it flashy.
However, the lesser points of the vehicle that are not particularly done well, we already knew going in. We wanted a vehicle for us, not for other people. Typically we buy vehicles that not only fit our criteria and for kids but will accommodate other passenger comfortably such as my aging in-laws with mobility issues . And this is where the Venza falls short. But, we knew this going in.
For the Venza's exterior size, it's not particularly roomy in the rear seat area and the rear doors don't open very wide for easy ingress/egress.
The hatchback/cargo area is okay for most of what we'll ever need it for including any(wife & I) vacations but not necessarily for the BIG BOX STORES, per say. For how the Venza is marketed(elderly/empty nesters & even mid-sized etc.) the placement of some of the controls and especially their FONT is smaller for my aging eyes. But as I said, we knew all of this going in and we bought it for us instead of the whole family/families needs.
So, did I like the Venza? YES!
Do I love it? Hmmm!
However, my wife is very happy again since we sold her 2001 RX300 in 2015 and she's wanted another SUV/AWD ever since.
We had to put in an order for a Venza as the 2-3 Venza's on any Toyota dealer lots were all spoken for. The LE trim level that we decided on has more than enough features for us(wife & I) that we didn't need to step up to a higher trim level. This vehicle was also the single vehicle that we(wife & I) had both agreed upon. We test-drove other makes & size categories as we actually wanted try the small(er) subcompact SUV AWD. However, for the same/similar money, we decided that we'd want something else.
YES, the smaller SUVs that were similar priced had features(leather seats, sun roof) that OUR Venza doesn't have(although we can get those features) and the Venza was the agreed upon and also the nicer vehicle. Also the Venza fit our criteria. We wanted another SUV with AWD but with a hybrid system this time. We wanted closer to 40 mpg instead of 20ish mpg.
The Venza is a nice vehicle that looks more LEXUS-like than TOYOTA-like. It rides smoothly and quietly, is comfortable with good fuel economy. Interior feature layout is decent, infotainment is also decent as are interior materials. Maybe even a step up over other similarly sized SUVs especially its brother the RAV4. But I wouldn't call it flashy.
However, the lesser points of the vehicle that are not particularly done well, we already knew going in. We wanted a vehicle for us, not for other people. Typically we buy vehicles that not only fit our criteria and for kids but will accommodate other passenger comfortably such as my aging in-laws with mobility issues . And this is where the Venza falls short. But, we knew this going in.
For the Venza's exterior size, it's not particularly roomy in the rear seat area and the rear doors don't open very wide for easy ingress/egress.
The hatchback/cargo area is okay for most of what we'll ever need it for including any(wife & I) vacations but not necessarily for the BIG BOX STORES, per say. For how the Venza is marketed(elderly/empty nesters & even mid-sized etc.) the placement of some of the controls and especially their FONT is smaller for my aging eyes. But as I said, we knew all of this going in and we bought it for us instead of the whole family/families needs.
So, did I like the Venza? YES!
Do I love it? Hmmm!
However, my wife is very happy again since we sold her 2001 RX300 in 2015 and she's wanted another SUV/AWD ever since.
