CD Article: 2009 Toyota Venza

[Snowman]

Looks like their take on the Dodge Caliber... as if we needed something like that...

  Get you vision checked…seriously! There is no resemblance to the calibre.

[Seafoam]

Looks like their take on the Dodge Caliber... as if we needed something like that...

Not as Square as a Caliber or priced as cheaply. It's dodge's entry level car so they had to start somewhere. Did we really need the Aztec either?

[ovr50]

Looks like their take on the Dodge Caliber... as if we needed something like that...

  Get you vision checked…seriously! There is no resemblance to the calibre.

   

[Craig]

Not saying the Highlander is or was unsafe, just that the vast majority of them will never need the ground clearance they were blessed with, and most would have been better off being lower to the ground.

Seems we've seen the family hauler of choice go from the station wagon to the minivan to the SUV to the CUV (which looks a whole lot like a station wagon).

[2hondas1BMW]

Wow. One of Toyota's best looking vehicles in their lineup right now, IMO.

[ovr50]

Seems we've seen the family hauler of choice go from the station wagon to the minivan to the SUV to the CUV (which looks a whole lot like a station wagon).

Yep, I would concur with that statement, the evolution of the people hauler. And we're really back where it all started a couple decades ago - a wagon with awd that doesn't look like a car.

IMO, the HL never was a SUV, it always was (is) a CUV. There are less and less real SUVs left today (as current models) - the SUVs time is passing.

[articsteve]

Wow. One of Toyota's best looking vehicles in their lineup right now, IMO.

It's gonna be a mega seller. This is like having a grand slam in a world series game. 

Sienna sales are directly linked to the cost or perceived future cost of gasoline.  As gas climbs in the US and 5 bucks a gallon is a possibility if the US dollar tanks, the Venza is now the poor families Sienna alternative.  The key to this is the 2.7 sourced out of the Taco and not the Camry 2.4   

However, it remains to be seen how stupid Canadian pricing might be.  But it's gonna be great for US buyers and the company.

[Iso Octane]

Regarding the styling:

minivan -----> SUV -----> Crossover --(with Venza, we're right about here)--> minivan

What's old is new again?  Automotive design comes full circle?  Circle of automotive design life?  Are these cliches doing anything for ya?  _{(Anybody get this Family Guy reference?)}

[Mitlov]

the Venza is now the poor families Sienna alternative.

The Venza (unlike the Taurus X) only offers two rows of seating and doesn't have sliding doors.  I think the Mazda5 does a much better job of being "the poor family's Sienna alternative."

I see the Venza as the answer to a question no one asked, like the Pacifica.

[articsteve]

doesn't have sliding doors.

That's a tragedy. 

I think our friends to the south are soon to go thru a very, very, lengthy REALITY CHECK.  The US market will shift to 4 cylinder vehicles just as it has in Canada.  Minivans sales are already in the toilet as evident by the slow sales of the new Dodge unit which is a great vehicle, but wrong time.  Venza is positioned perfectly.

I see the Venza as the answer to a question no one asked, like the Pacifica. 

 

That's a good one MIT.  Hey, ya took Michigan. 

Bad colour. 

[sailor723]

I have to wonder where Toyota is going with this ? It's a nice looking vehicle but as it's nearly the same dimensions as HL (C&D article says wheelbase,length and width are all within 0.2-0.5" of HL) ....

[Juke1]

Are they trying to copy ford with the front grill.

Looks like the Edge grill and headlight design. I bet the Venza is priced higher than the Highlander.

There's the answer, a new competitor for the Edge!

[Juke1]

the Venza is now the poor families Sienna alternative.

The Venza (unlike the Taurus X) only offers two rows of seating and doesn't have sliding doors.  I think the Mazda5 does a much better job of being "the poor family's Sienna alternative."

I see the Venza as the answer to a question no one asked, like the Pacifica.

And how well is the Pacifica selling?

45g for something with a 4 cyl and based on a Camry??  It might sell in the US because of the pricing disparity, here it won't sell any more than the Avalon so let's hope it's more like 32g

[inco]

I see this as a Taurus X kinda thing - the new 'in' wagon that nobody wanted or asked for. To me it makes perfect sense to bring out something that really isn't an SUV or CUV and that seems to fit in as the Camry wagon. With two rows of seats and I think I recall that it will have up to 268 hp as an option, it sure will stand out.

Not everyone wants bigger and I think Toyota just built a better Pacifica. Taurus X sales are climbing IIRC and so the Venza might have been perfect timing. But the name - not.

[safristi]

Looks like a Squished CX7..............and thousands MORE...WOTS TO LIKE!!!!.... .....HUMUNGOUS DOORS and WEE windows......... wots wif dat......Is there a WAR COMING!!!..............Yup..........buckle Up yer bankbooks...Big ASS vehicles are gonna be auctioning fer half price late 2008 & 2009..........hang in there fer Bargoons

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I think this is a great vehicle for Toyota. Sure they already have lots of SUVs/CUVs, but predict it will do well capturing past and present older Camry/Avalon/minivan drivers who are thinking about crossing over but really doesn't want the bulk or space of a large SUV/van (and think the compact utes don't offer enough value), just a bit of the ride/entry/exit height and space. And who don't want to give up the soft ride of the Toyota sedans or compromise on the luxurious 'quality' they feel they've earned in life.

[safristi]

Sir A ously................that sounds like an INFOMERCIAL fer the damn thing?

[UmroAyyar]

IMO, they're bringing in a Lexus RX like vehicle in the Toyota lineup.

[mrthompson]

Highlander - there can only be one.   

[safristi]

  quit lookin' UP ma KILT!!!!!