One of the rare Toyotas in Russia: test drive of a 2009 Toyota Venza with a 2.7 liter engine

Content

• The manufacturer's unjustified hope: what is Toyota Venza
• Unique appearance and one service in nine years
• Original interior and decent assembly: what we liked about the Venza’s interior
• You need to get used to the dimensions: Toyota Venza on the move
• Is it worth buying a Toyota Venza and for whom?

Toyota Venza is a rare model in Russia. There are currently less than a hundred cars for sale, but there are few buyers. Through the avtocod.ru service, it was checked 1,107 times in the first two months of 2021.

What is good about the car and what are its disadvantages? Is it worth buying it and for whom? With these questions, I went for a test drive of the Japanese car.

Salon

The Venza theoretically seats five people, but only four passengers can sit comfortably. It's all about a large ledge in the floor, directly under the feet of those sitting in the middle seat. While some other midsize SUVs have more passenger space than this Toyota, there's plenty of headroom in both rows and the seats are truly comfortable.

There are two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the Venza's rear outboard seats, as well as a belt anchor for the rear middle seat.

The interior of the Venza is stylish and well put together. The top-end version of the Toyota Venza 2021 can be equipped with a panoramic roof.

Many other hybrid SUVs offer more cargo space than the Venza, but that doesn't mean the Toyota isn't useful for hauling luggage. With the rear seats up, the Venza offers 812 cubic feet of space. Fold the rear seats down and that number increases to 1,554 litres.

The base Entune infotainment system has a simple interface, a responsive touchscreen, and physical controls for audio and climate functions. In fact, you may prefer the base system to the more advanced setup found on top trims. Luxury versions offer a clear, easy-to-view 12.3-inch touchscreen, but it lacks the physical controls found on the base system. Using the touch screen to adjust sound and climate can be distracting from driving vehicles.

The 2021 Toyota Venza comes standard with a long list of infotainment features. This:

• 8-inch touch screen,
• six speakers,
• satellite radio,
• HD radio,
• bluetooth
• four USB ports,
• Wi-Fi hotspot,
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Available infotainment features:

• 12.3-inch touch screen,
• navigation,
• nine-speaker JBL audio system.

Additional standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, and wireless device charging.

Other available features: Panoramic glass roof.

The manufacturer's unjustified hope: what is Toyota Venza

Toyota Venza was introduced in 2008 in the USA, where its production was established. Initially, the model was sold on the North American market and did not have a wide selection of modifications. But there were a few things to choose from:

• front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive;
• a simpler engine (2.7 for 182 hp) or more powerful (3.5 for 268 hp).

At first there was only one configuration, but additional equipment packages could be ordered. The salon is strictly five-seater.

With restyling in 2012, the number of trim levels expanded. The crossover began to be sold in other countries, including Russia.

Toyota Venza reached us in 2013, only with a 2.7 liter engine, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and in several trim levels to choose from. The car successfully occupied a niche between the RAV4 and Highlander crossovers and generally sold well (about 10 thousand units in 2.5 years). But after the 2014 crisis, prices in Russia went up significantly, and supplies stopped in 2021.

The first generation Venza did not live up to Toyota’s global hopes. We bought it for much less than planned. There is no clear answer why this happened. Perhaps some were put off by the original appearance or body shape, which combined the features of a station wagon, minivan and crossover.

I have a 2009 Toyota Venza for a test drive. This is one of the first copies imported to Russia. 2.7 liter engine, automatic, front-wheel drive and standard equipment. The mileage at the time of the test was almost 156 thousand miles (250 thousand km).

Also read: Sport or comfort? Test drive Honda Accord IX

Toyota Venza 2014 car configurations

The crossover is available in 3 delivery packages:

1. Elegance.
2. Elegance Plus.
3. Prestige.

Depending on the configuration, the technical equipment and cost of the model differ. The basic package includes functional climate control, 8 adjustments for the driver's seat, 3 sockets, good acoustics and built-in Bluetooth.

The next Elegance Plus package comes with leather trim for the interior and steering wheel, heated seats and the advanced Entune anti-theft system.

The premium version has all the options listed in the previous trim levels, as well as a number of additional ones.

Unique appearance and one service in nine years

Externally, the Venza looks peculiar. For some this is a plus, but for others it can be a turn off. The front end is a bit reminiscent of the Camry sedan in the back of the XV40, on which the Venza is based. I like the way the back looks better. It is not as original as the front, it looks more restrained and solid.

Our Toyota Venza did not have any body repairs, which is very rare for a 2009 vehicle. The car has been in the same family for nine years, which explains its good condition and no history of problems.

But if you look closely, you can find some signs of age. Small “saffron milk caps” appear along the bottom of the front doors and on the thresholds. There are minor rubbing marks on the front and rear bumpers. But looking at the crossover, you can’t tell that it’s already 12 years old. Even the headlights look good, although they usually become cloudy quickly on used American cars.

And since this car is quite rare, especially compared to other mass-produced Toyotas, it attracts attention on the road. According to the owner, this was nine years ago, when the car was just delivered. And today people continue to pay attention to the Venza, as we were able to verify during the test drive.

The heavy hood is held in place by an ordinary poker; gas stops are not provided here, despite the fairly high class of the car. Everything is arranged neatly. It can be seen that there is room to install a larger engine. You won't have to come here often; Toyota's legendary reliability has not bypassed this model.

In nine years of ownership there was only one major maintenance expense. At a mileage of 200 thousand km, the chain and valve seals were changed. At the same time, the service center advised to replace the liners and rings. Therefore, the repairs cost an impressive 150 thousand rubles. Otherwise, there were no questions about the engine and gearbox, just an oil change and consumables. With timely maintenance of the Toyota Venza, problems with the engine and six-speed Aisin automatic transmission should not arise.

A spacious trunk is one of the advantages of a crossover. Looking at the car from the outside, you wouldn’t be able to tell that there’s so much space hidden inside it. Official volume data is 975/1988 liters. Additional amenities include hooks, a power outlet, and handles for folding the rear seats.

Also read: Drives fast, is expensive: test drive of the Skoda Rapid I (before restyling) in the Style package

Technical specifications about Toyota Venza

Reviews of Toyota Venza mainly concern the technical characteristics of the car. Owners note the smooth operation of the engine and the ability to quickly pick up speed. Among the disadvantages is the incorrect functioning of the gearbox.

Ivan, Moscow:

The engine sounds nice and runs smoothly. The car starts quickly. At the same time, the gearbox behaves quite strangely. The gear shift is sharp, this is especially noticeable when accelerating or overtaking. But during long trips, the automatic transmission becomes softer, the gears are engaged at the right time.

Original interior and decent assembly: what we liked about the Venza’s interior

The doors open easily, but there is no keyless entry. The light leather chairs immediately attract attention. They look very similar to those that were installed in the Camry sedan. The driver's seat is a little worn, but considering the year of manufacture and mileage, it looks quite good.

The interior of the Venza is generally original. Only some elements, like the gear lever or the multimedia unit, resemble other Toyota/Lexus models of the same years. With my size and height of 186 cm, it is comfortable to sit. The backrest, cushion and lumbar support are electrically adjustable.

I liked the two-color design of the front panel. Wood-effect inserts are successfully fitted on the center console.

Everything is put together decently, although the materials are a bit rustic in places – it feels like a typical Toyota of its time. The owner did not make any improvements to the interior, he just re-stitched the leather on the steering wheel due to scuffs. I really liked the presence of a standard rear view camera; the image from it is displayed on a color screen under the windshield.

I was surprised by the huge box in the central tunnel. At first glance, you wouldn’t be able to tell that such a spacious compartment is hidden behind a curtain with cup holders. An AUX connector and a socket are hidden inside, and there is a separate hole for leading wires to the top.

What’s especially nice is that the car is equipped with standard heated seats. In the American versions for the southern states, it was not there, nor were heated mirrors, which the owners consider to be one of the disadvantages of the Toyota Venza. Another feature of all cars for the American market is that the radio only picks up odd-numbered stations. This issue can be resolved by replacing the head unit (from 7 to 30 thousand rubles).

There is a lot of space in the back row. The seats are adjustable not only for backrest tilt, but also for length. When landing “behind oneself,” there was still a decent amount of free space in front of the knees. I think the three of us in the back will be quite comfortable.

Additional amenities include air duct deflectors and a comfortable armrest with cup holders. And if the rear seats are folded down, you get a flat floor. That is, you can not only carry large loads, but also sleep in the car.

Also read: Test drive KIA Sorento 2: what’s good about the Korean crossover

Review from the owner of a Toyota Venza 2.7 6aut Elegance Plus 2010

Author:Paul
Model: Toyota Venza 2.7 6aut Elegance plus Year of manufacture: 2010 Fuel consumption: 10-14

• Those. characteristics
• Other reviews
• Sale
• Crash test results

Advantages:
clean original design, spacious interior, large trunk, excellent ergonomics
Disadvantages:
insufficient sound insulation, skips in the cabin, large front overhang, visibility
Review:
I now have a 2010 Toyota Venza in the minimum configuration without additional options. I didn’t have to choose, I was content with what the first American owner ordered for himself, and that’s what he had enough money for. In general, the mechanism of buying a car in the states is a topic for another story. I think it’s more important to talk about the car itself. One thing I can say is that according to carfax and autocheck, the car was broken down, no overseas jambs were found, which was actually confirmed upon arrival on our land. Anticipating questions, I announce the final price; with our money, all the fun cost me 1,280,000 rubles. I decided to buy a Venza after driving Kamryukha for a little over three years. Large sedan is good. But in fact, a member carrier is not very practical for a growing family that also professes an active lifestyle; it is irrational. A minivan is enough for a collective farm of five seats for my eyes, I don’t need a Jeep. I was more inclined towards a crossover. But in the process of throwing around, an article about Venza caught my eye, and I became interested. Then I read the few reviews from the owners. And then I saw the car in real life on the track. Believe it or not, I caught up with him, which frightened the crew, which, by the way, consisted of three girls, and begged for a tour and a test drive, treating him to a roadside cafe. This is the fish of my dreams! An excellent symbiosis of all my requests, a sort of crossover-minivan, but with a claim to premium. And now I’m giving interviews to the sufferers, they are actively interested in the car... So, Toyota Venza 2010 with a 2.7 liter engine, all-wheel drive, combined light interior, black color. The mileage is now 38 kilomiles, mine is 26. The appearance is extraordinary, both in terms of novelty and in terms of design, it is quite an independent machine, unlike others. In black color on 19″ wheels it looks impressive and solid. Tires 245/55R19, slow-moving, let me tell you the size, and not cheap. At the same time, the relatively low profile in terms of driving performance does not bother you on broken roads, and even on a good highway it goes like a glove. At first glance, the car seems very wide and low. Clearance like a Highlander. However, the overhangs, especially the front one, and the design of the doors immediately cool the jeeper's ardor. You can't jump on curbs and you have to park in front carefully. When parallel parking the same problem, the doors are made so that they completely cover the thresholds, as a result of which they do not get dirty, but the height when opening is critical, you can easily catch a high curb. I warn passengers. The interior is spacious and comfortable for everyone, front and rear. The light color visually increases the interior space and gives a premium look. Moreover, fabric upholstery such as velor, oddly enough, does not get very dirty, is easy to clean and tactilely pleasant. Kamryukha’s skin was definitely no better. Eight-way power driver's seat with lumbar support. On my configuration there is no memory of settings, my wife is much smaller than me, I have to adjust the seat and steering wheel to suit myself every time, although this procedure is not complicated. The dashboard layout, center console, asymmetrical control layout and trim are reminiscent of Lexus. Adjustments for the audio system, telephone control, voice control of course English language are located on the steering wheel, under the steering wheel there is a cruise control joystick. The dual-zone climate control panel is organized in an original way. The driver's area knob is much larger and located, so I and the passengers are still trying to adjust the sound with it. The huge boxes between the driver and front passenger seats are admirable. One of them is under the sliding armrest, the second is closer to the beard. Under the sliding front cover there are inputs for iPod, AUX, and USB. By the way, there are a lot of niches and containers for small things throughout the car (perhaps I still haven’t found them), and the front cup holders are also backlit, which is beautiful. All windows are automatic, very convenient. The audio system easily connects to the phone and reads flash drives. CD/MP3 music is not bad, six speakers. Noise insulation is not adequate, I have complaints about the insulation of the wheel arches. And also about the noise - it creaks somewhere in the area where the front windshield and the dashboard meet, to be honest, it’s a little annoying. The back row is very spacious. Everything is done there for a comfortable pastime. Excellent profile, central armrest with cup holders, three headrests. The backrests are adjustable in angle, there is plenty of legroom, if I sit behind myself, I am 188cm tall. between the knees and the front backrests there are fifteen centimeters left. There are air deflectors on the center console and in the ceiling. At the edges of the rear seat cushion there are handles for folding the backrests, and there are also handles in the trunk. With a slight movement, the spring-loaded backrests fold. Folds in a 60:40 ratio. The trunk is very roomy. With the backrests folded, there is enough space for two to sleep overnight, tested personally. By the way, the trunk is also light. Fortunately, the mat is double-sided, on one side there is more practical dark rubber. Under the rug is a spare tire and niches for small items. There is a 12V socket, by the way, there are three of them throughout the car. That car with nesting dolls, which I mentioned at the beginning of the story, also had an electric rear door, very convenient, I don’t have it. The girls also had JBL music with excellent features, the sound was great, but the stock sound wasn’t too bad either. The engine, as I already wrote, is 2.7 liters. Kamryukha had a 3.5 liter V-shaped six. Of course, compared to the Venza rocket, at the moment of acceleration even the face was pulled to the sides. But the first is a tax, and the second is a 2.7 liter engine that is quite sufficient. Enough everywhere, in the city from a traffic light, if desired, to the easy first. On the highway it accelerates perfectly and the gearbox does not stall; overtaking, and this is an indicator, is easy. Of course, in comparison with the Camry 3.5 liter. There is a difference, but not enough to make you sad. Fuel consumption in the city is 13-14l. in cold weather with warm-ups it reached 18l. On the highway at a cruise of 100 km/h the record is 9.8 liters. Acceptable. In general, you can say this, it’s not a racing car, but for the average user it’s very cool. Personally, my feelings are that a balanced tandem of engine and gearbox is necessary and sufficient. 3.5l. It will probably be a bomb, but more likely for connoisseurs and those with money. Until I was thirty-five years old, I might have been dissatisfied, now I’ve settled down, my priorities are reliability, safety and comfort 2.7l. grabs your eyes. The ride and handling are practically no different from the Kamryukha. By the way, the platform is Camry. That is, the handling is almost car-like. At the same time, the ground clearance is 205mm, almost an SUV. The suspension is comfortable, not harsh. And the plug-in all-wheel drive in winter really comes in handy. Of course, not for extreme sports, it’s not worth getting into the mess, and I already wrote about overhangs. But now I understand the thrill of a plug-in drive on a slippery road and will no longer agree to anything less. A car for the family. A car in which I am satisfied with almost everything. There are disadvantages, but tell me which car doesn't have them.

Add your review

Review score: 4.44

Viewed 39952 times 62 people voted

You need to get used to the dimensions: Toyota Venza on the move

The first point I noticed was visibility. The A-pillars are wide, the side mirrors are small, and the hood is not visible. You have to get used to the dimensions, which is confirmed by reviews from Toyota Venza owners. As I pulled out of the parking lot, I didn’t make the turn the first time. I had to back up a little and complete the maneuver. The rear view camera partially helps. But for greater comfort, I would add all-round parking sensors.

The sound insulation is decent; when the car is running, the cabin is quiet. Although in the reviews, some owners attribute Shumka to Toyota Venza sores. I had no complaints, at least at city speeds.

The car goes through bumps and potholes smoothly, and this is on R19 rims. The only sound in our case is knocking from the steering rack. It’s time to sort it out or replace it with a new one (from seven thousand rubles for a used rail to 60 for a new one). This is in the owner's plans for the future.

The crossover handles like a typical Toyota – smoothly and calmly. I don't want to rush through it. For the Toyota Venza, the 2.7 engine (182 hp) is enough in the city. According to the owner, on the track he would like more power in some situations. Official overclocking data for the American version is not indicated. For Russian it is 9.4 seconds. up to a hundred, which is very good, considering the mass of more than 1.8 tons.

And a little about off-road capabilities. The Venza has good ground clearance of 206 mm. But the car is not intended for any serious off-road use. Even if you have a version with all-wheel drive, it’s better not to drive too far into forests or fields.

Owners consider the lack of towing loops to be a disadvantage of the Toyota Venza. There are none in front or behind. You will have to push the car out yourself or call a tow truck. Therefore, do not forget that this crossover is intended mainly for the city and the highway.

Also read: Exceeded expectations: test drive LADA Vesta

Toyota Venza or Honda Passport

The Honda Passport, like the Venza, is a two-row midsize SUV. But there are many differences between them. The biggest one is that the Venza is a hybrid and the Passport is not. Toyota has better fuel economy, but Honda has more power. The Passport has better handling, superior off-road capabilities, and is rated to tow (the Venza is not).

How we tested the 2021 Toyota Venza

Both SUVs are upscale inside and both have two rows of roomy, comfortable seating. The Passport has more cargo space, but the Venza has a much broader list of standard features. Make a choice by assessing your requirements for the car.

Read also

How we tested the 2015 Toyota Venza

Prices for Toyota Venza, alternative options

When looking for alternative options, it is worth taking into account the year of manufacture of the car.

The price of the restyled Toyota model 2019-2020 is from 2,190,000 rubles. The following crossovers are available in the same price category:

1. The Mazda CX-9 is a seven-seater car that entered the market in 2015. Ground clearance - 220 mm, fuel consumption - about 12 liters per 100 km. Cost – from 2,800,000 rubles.
2. Hyundai Grand Santa Fe is a crossover that appeared on the market in 2016. Ground clearance is 180 mm, consumption is 10 liters per hundred. Cost – from 2,500,000 rubles.
3. The 2015 Infiniti QX30 is another more expensive competitor to Toyota with a ground clearance of 202 mm and economical fuel consumption of about 9 liters. Price – 2,730,000 rubles.
4. The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander is cheaper than the Toyota in its base trim, but doesn't offer the same performance. Ground clearance is 215 mm, fuel consumption is 8 liters per 109 km, while under the hood there is 146-167 horsepower. Toyota has 2 versions: a 2.7-liter engine with 181 hp. With. or a 3.5-liter engine with 268 horses. The price for Mitsubishi is around 2 million rubles.

Toyota Venza 2.7 AT 4WD Prestige (2013, 2014 – 2021 production) costs from RUB 2,000,000. Under the hood - 185 liters. With. Fuel consumption is 13 liters per hundred kilometers.

The price of Venza's main competitors - Infinity QX30 and Mazda CX-9 - depends on the configuration and starts at 2,500,000 rubles.

To understand how easy Venza is to drive, it’s better to try it out. Numerous positive reviews suggest that the car is quite suitable for driving on local roads. It is adapted to weather conditions and economical. Minor damage can be easily repaired without large investments.