What We Liked (and Did not)

After we took supply of our long-term 2021 Toyota Venza, we requested ourselves if luxurious could possibly be mainstream. With its upscale exterior design and polished inside, the Venza might simply be confused for a Lexus, however its engaging value says in any other case. After 12 months with us, the Venza delivered consolation and luxurious in a compelling and reasonably priced bundle.

As a midsize two-row SUV, the Venza sits between the RAV4 and Highlander in Toyota’s SUV lineup, however as a hybrid-only SUV, it performs a distinct recreation in its phase. A number of the competitors consists of the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Volkswagen Atlas, Chevrolet Blazer, and Honda Passport, with each participant tackling the phase in its personal manner. Whereas Toyota took the upscale hybrid method, Kia and Honda opted for the rugged manner, Chevy went a sportier path, and Hyundai and VW went down a extra mainstream path.

We selected the XLE mannequin, sandwiched between the LE and Restricted within the Venza lineup, as a result of it presents essentially the most bang on your buck. With the SofTex bundle—a $510 choice—we acquired heated and ventilated fake leather-based seats, which proved comfy. The vegan leather-based was designed to carry much less warmth over conventional leather-based, one thing we appreciated through the scorching summer time days. The $2,050 Premium Audio bundle upgraded the 8.0-inch touchscreen to a 12.3-inch show with capacitive controls, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. Though the massive display was a pleasant improve, the contact controls for the HVAC and display have been more durable to function over the standard bodily buttons; they have been very delicate, and we missed having knobs for the quantity and radio tuning. All in, our Venza checked out at $39,735, a fantastic deal contemplating its magnificent tools.

Though the Venza aced at its main job, it wasn’t excellent. Its hybrid powertrain—a 2.5-liter l-4 with three electrical motors for a mixed 219 hp—felt pressured at medium throttle enter, loudly roaring when accelerating from a cease or when passing on the freeway. Its traction management system was additionally sensitive—when going over a bump, tough pavement, or a metal plate and making use of the brakes, the system would briefly minimize energy and lock the wheels. This did not occur usually, however I observed it a number of occasions all year long.

We additionally complained about its inside house and poor packaging given its measurement. The Venza is longer than the RAV4, but it has much less passenger and cargo house than its smaller sibling. Its cargo ground is simply too excessive, and its swoopy roofline and total form restrict cargo house.

Visiting the supplier was straightforward. Because of the Toyota Related Providers app, we have been reminded when it was time to go in for service, and reserving an appointment via the app was a breeze. Toyota’s upkeep plan covers regular manufacturing facility scheduled providers for the primary two years or 25,000 miles, so clients do not must pay a penny. (We did must, nonetheless, as a result of our Venza was a part of a fleet; we spent lower than $200 over 4 visits.)

In comparison with different long-term two-row midsize SUVs, the Venza was cheap to take care of. Our 2015 Nissan Murano SL AWD value $589.76 over the 12-month interval it stayed with us. That is dearer than the Venza or the $77.90 we paid for our 2018 Dodge Durango V-8 long-termer. Though we just like the two-year complimentary upkeep, we might want to go to the supplier much less usually; the Venza has scheduled providers each 5,000 miles. We by no means needed to go to the supplier outdoors of the upkeep schedule, although. We prevented any chips on the windshield, flat tires, or different sudden surprises all year long.

The few fuel stops we made did not go unnoticed. The Venza delivers 40/37/39 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed per the EPA—fairly good numbers for an SUV this measurement. We did not fairly hit these numbers on our common, however we weren’t far off (35.1 mpg). Nonetheless, we saved cash on the pump, which we appreciated as fuel costs skyrocketed towards the tip of 2021.

General, our 2021 Toyota Venza long-termer delivered precisely what we anticipated it to. It isn’t essentially a enjoyable SUV to drive, and it is not excellent, nevertheless it does numerous issues effectively. It is comfy, it is stuffed with upscale touches, and it comes at a fantastic worth—and loads of folks will likely be blissful about that. Though its know-how is not high notch, it has sufficient to simplify a few of your day-to-day commuting wants. And with unimaginable reliability and a Prime Security Decide score from the IIHS, the Venza is sort of a sexy bundle.

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