more about this model
Pros Versatile wagon body style, carlike handling, powerful yet fuel-efficient V6, upscale styling inside and out, high-quality interior materials.
Cons No third-row seat, can't haul or tow as much as many crossover SUVs.
Midsize wagons are like Zubaz pants — they used to be all the rage, but now Americans avoid them like the plague. Fifteen years ago, the Accord and Camry were available as wagons, providing a highly practical combination of family-sedan goodness and station wagon functionality. Today, wagons are stigmatized as mommy mobiles that don't meet contemporary standards of cool, and the closest thing we've got to a replacement is the ubiquitous crossover SUV.
But there's a burgeoning anti-SUV sentiment afoot, and Toyota hopes to capitalize on it with the new-for-2009 Venza. American car shoppers are demanding more carlike fuel economy and handling, yet they still want the versatility that made SUVs popular in the first place. In other words, they want their wagons back — except they don't, because "wagon" is still a dirty word. That's where the strikingly styled Venza comes in: This Kentucky-built, Camry-based people mover is an American wagon for the 21st century.
Granted, it's a tall wagon. Ground clearance is 8.1 inches — same as the Highlander SUV — and the obligatory elevated seating position is present and accounted for. But the Venza shares its 109.3-inch wheelbase with the Camry, and it basically drives like one, too. That's a good thing, folks. The Venza doesn't exactly set our pants afire with its handling prowess, but it feels as stable as a Camry through corners while offering a similarly comfortable ride. What's more, the Venza has a nicer and more functional interior, with an exclusive avant-garde dashboard design and more than 70 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume.
Indeed, the more time we spent in the 2009 Toyota Venza, the more we wondered why anyone would consider buying a Camry instead. We found our answer when we looked at the bottom line. The base four-cylinder Venza starts at more than $26,000 with destination, and our V6 2WD test vehicle tacks on another $2 grand; Toyota's best-selling family sedan stickers for thousands less. Still, if you require the additional hauling capacity, the Venza V6 is one of our top picks at this price point. Take heart, America — the wagon is cool again.
Performance The 2009 Toyota Venza is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and there are two engine options: an all-new 2.7-liter four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V6. Our V6 2WD test car was powered by — you guessed it — the ultra-refined six-cylinder power plant, which sees action in numerous other Toyota products. It cranks out 268 horsepower and 246 pound-feet of torque in this application, driving the Venza's front wheels through a smooth six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control. According to Toyota, the approximately 3,900-pound Venza V6 2WD will scoot from zero to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, and we don't doubt it. The Venza's V6 feels stronger than its output rating suggests, as this family hauler really leaps forward when you give it the gas.
Fuel economy is also impressive — with EPA estimates of 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined, the Venza is more fuel-efficient than many V6-powered family sedans, and it doesn't even drink premium gasoline. Towing capacity is a useful 3,500 pounds when the tow package is specified, though this figure pales in comparison to many crossover SUVs.
People don't buy vehicles like the Venza for back-road buffoonery, but if you need to make haste on a winding road — late for Junior's Boy Scout camp, perhaps? — this 2-ton Toyota proves a surprisingly willing partner. The electric power steering is short on feel but nicely weighted, and body motions are reasonably well-controlled considering the Venza's utilitarian purpose. More relevant to most consumers is ride comfort, and our Venza had it in spades despite its gigantic 20-inch wheels, smoothing out pockmarked pavement with unruffled composure. Overall, we found the Venza's ride-handling balance to be quite pleasant, and we think the average shopper in this segment will agree.
Comfort Road noise is noticeable in the 2009 Toyota Venza, but overall noise levels at highway speeds are acceptably low. Thanks to its higher roof line and greater width, the Venza has more passenger space than the already accommodating Camry, especially in back. Rear headroom and legroom are up by 1.5 inches and 0.8 inch, respectively, and rear hiproom grows by a significant 2.4 inches. The result is a cabin that's comfortable for passengers of all sizes, though we'd like to see rear-seat climate controls. We're also a bit surprised that Toyota didn't include a third-row seating option for larger families.
Function The pièce de résistance of the Venza's interior is its sleek center stack. The shifter sits up high in an attractively carved-out region opposite the elegant standard dual-zone automatic climate controls, which look as if they were lifted from a high-end stereo system. Speaking of stereos, our Venza had the unremarkable six-speaker base unit, but we did have a chance to listen to the uplevel JBL Synthesis surround-sound system, and that setup should satisfy all but the most discerning audiophiles. On the downside, a dedicated iPod interface is unavailable as a factory-installed option. (Note that for 2010, iPod connectivity has joined the Venza's list of standard features.)
There are no fewer than 10 cupholders front and rear, including two in a trick sliding segment atop the center console's forward storage bin. Thanks to convenient levers mounted in the cargo bay, the 60/40-split rear seatbacks fold down easily, opening up a healthy 70.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity. With the seatbacks in their normal upright positions, that figure drops to 34.4 cubes.
Design/Fit and Finish The 2009 Toyota Venza's front-end styling is "inspired by the stances of athletes in competition," according to Toyota. If you ask us, the headlights and toothy grille are uncomfortably reminiscent of a melted Ford Edge. From most other angles, though, the Venza's styling is taut and upscale — kind of like a stretched Lexus RX. Interior styling is another high point, as we think the Venza's swoopy dashboard is also distinctly Lexus-like. Materials quality is notably higher than in either the Highlander or the Camry, and we were pleased to discover that the Prius' distinctively grained soft-touch dash and wheel covering has found its way into the Venza. Our tester was a preproduction vehicle, but fit and finish was nonetheless impressive, with consistent panel gaps and no audible squeaks or rattles.
Who should consider this vehicle Toyota's own Highlander and RAV4 offer third-row seats and the same V6, so those with larger broods may find these models more suitable. The Highlander also has considerably more cargo capacity, and its tow rating is higher. But if five seats are enough, then the 2009 Toyota Venza is an excellent choice for families who want near-Lexus levels of style and refinement in a roomy, well, wagon.
Others To Consider
Ford Flex, Toyota Highlander, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Passat Wagon.
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
2009 Toyota Venza Overview
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2009 Toyota Venza and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2009 Venza featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2009 Toyota Venza and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2009 Venza 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2009 Venza.
Review
Recently I purchased a 2009 Venza (base 4-cly). I am having issues with a knocking feel and steering column rattle noise. Toyota gave me the TSB for a Steering Column Rattle Noise, T-SB-0005-11, and said my Venza is one month out of the Toyota 3yr basic warranty. The dealership will charge $1,333.68 for parts and $243.53 for labor to address this issue. This is the second time that I bought a Toyota with a steering column and warranty issue (the first time was a 2006 Camry, Intermediate Steering Column TSB ST001-06). There will NOT be a third time for Toyota to do this to me. I will go back to driving Hondas.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2009 Toyota Venza
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Available Toyota Venza 2009 Submodel Types: Wagon
Available Trims: Base, XLE, LE, Limited
Exterior Colors: Magnetic Gray Metallic, Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Barcelona Red Metallic, Black, Attitude Black Metallic, Cosmic Gray Mica, Celestial Silver, Golden Umber Mica, Sunset Bronze Mica, Tropical Sea Metallic, Attitude Black, Aloe Green Metallic, Cypress Pearl, Parisian Night Pearl
Interior Colors: Light Gray cloth, Ivory cloth, Ivory leather, Light Gray leather, Black cloth, Black leather
Popular Features: Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Auto Climate Control, Aux Audio Inputs, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Power Driver Seat, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, AWD/4WD, 3500lb Towing Capacity, Back-up camera, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Heated seats, Leather Seats, Alarm, Navigation, Sunroof/Moonroof, Upgraded Stereo, 2500lb Towing Capacity, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Keyless Entry/Start, Upgraded Headlights, Parking sensors, Remote Start
Engine/Mechanics: 6, 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: all wheel drive, front wheel drive
