CD Article: 2009 Toyota Venza

[jcon]

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

IMO they're just expanding the Toyota brand. GM has several brands they can put new and different vehicles out with, but Toyota only really has three. Toyota's brands don't mix like GMs do (meaning you're almost as likely to find someone interested in a Cavalier and a Sunfire Cobalt and a G5, but not an RX and a RAV4).

Anyways this just gives them another vehicle, on a familiar platform to compete with.

[sailor723]

Hmmmm....Lower overall height,no third row,less boxy,sleeker looking.   I'd say it's a Highlander for people who think Highlanders are too "van-like"

[articsteve]

You'll probably see a base 4 banger 2wd going for $25K in the US.  Hate to be repetitive  , but the brilliance of this vehicle is the availablity of the 2.7 mated to a 6 speed auto.

[mrthompson]

As Saffy said, it resembles a squished CX-7 or perhaps a Mazda 6 wagon.  I don't mind it, but I'm not going to run to my nearest dealer for a look-see.

What do 4 banger RAV4s go for?  People will likely go for that instead of the Venza.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Luxurious 4-cyl crossover. Not many on the market at all that give good fuel economy, fewer yet that aren't compact. Actually, can't think of 1 that's similar.

Would think most in the US will still opt for the 6, but in Canada could fly very well.

[articsteve]

Would think most in the US will still opt for the 6,

IMO, 2008 will mark the start of the biggest shift in consumption patterns in recent US history including gasoline so it won't be much of a surprise to me in 2 years that 85% of Camrys sold in the USA are 4 cylinder like they are here.  I believe that pattern will transcend the whole market. 

[PJungnitsch]

Hmmmm....Lower overall height,no third row,less boxy,sleeker looking.   I'd say it's a Highlander for people who think Highlanders are too "van-like"

The Toyota Lowlander.

Maybe it's just because I've been a pickup/motorcycle driver most of my life, but I hate the ass dragging on the ground/sitting in a bathtub/looking up at traffic feeling that conventional car designs all have.

And getting stuck in a little bit of snow a couple winters ago because my rental Malibu had about 3 inches of ground clearance didn't help my feelings on the matter.

On the other hand I don't need to tower above everything either, and good mileage is more and more important.

I think a lot of people will like this type of design.

Sort of a big Matrix for families.

[articsteve]

Apparently the base model has 19 inch wheels.  I don't think ppl really want those for the long haul.

[safristi]

ALL yer Base belong to ME.................

[Mitlov]

I ran the numbers.  It's two inches longer and five inches wider than a Subaru Outback.  It's eight inches longer and 3.5 inches wider than a RAV4.  It's within an inch of the length and width of the new Highlander.

ArticSteve projected that it would start at $25,000 and would be a poor man's Sienna.  Thing is, the Sienna starts at US$24,300--with seating for seven and a V6.  So it's definitely not a poor man's Sienna.  I see it more as a poor man's Lexus RX, as someone else said.  It even looks like one.

[jww]

I just thought of something as I was running through the recent posts to this thread. D'ya think Toyota will bring back a Camry estate and call it a sport wagon? The initial Camry hatch which morphed into a wagon was quite a good vehicle. It was well-sized, and cargo capacity was excellent. Ride was very good, and, well, it was a Toyota!



I always thought that the double wipers on the rear window was a pretty clever trick.

[Mitlov]

I just thought of something as I was running through the recent posts to this thread. D'ya think Toyota will bring back a Camry estate and call it a sport wagon? The initial Camry hatch which morphed into a wagon was quite a good vehicle. It was well-sized, and cargo capacity was excellent. Ride was very good, and, well, it was a Toyota!



I always thought that the double wipers on the rear window was a pretty clever trick.

I think this is as close as we're going to get to a Camry estate.  And even if they brought a lowered Venza, they'd probably call it a "crossover."  Shoot, the press materials for the new Matrix called it a "crossover," when it sure looks to me like a hatchback--no more and no less.

[drederick]

isnt this thing supposed to have a 4cylinder/6speed auto?

what a piece of crap that will be! No one can make this combo work - it is useless!

or has your tune changed articsteve?

[2hondas1BMW]

isnt this thing supposed to have a 4cylinder/6speed auto?

what a piece of crap that will be! No one can make this combo work - it is useless!

or has your tune changed articsteve?

 

[Snowman]

isnt this thing supposed to have a 4cylinder/6speed auto?

what a piece of crap that will be! No one can make this combo work - it is useless!

or has your tune changed articsteve?

 

[Seafoam]

isnt this thing supposed to have a 4cylinder/6speed auto?

what a piece of crap that will be! No one can make this combo work - it is useless!

or has your tune changed articsteve?

He's back!

[sailor723]

I ran the numbers.  It's two inches longer and five inches wider than a Subaru Outback.  It's eight inches longer and 3.5 inches wider than a RAV4.  It's within an inch of the length and width of the new Highlander.

ArticSteve projected that it would start at $25,000 and would be a poor man's Sienna.  Thing is, the Sienna starts at US$24,300--with seating for seven and a V6.  So it's definitely not a poor man's Sienna.  I see it more as a poor man's Lexus RX, as someone else said.  It even looks like one.

Hell...I might be interested given those numbers. I came close to pulling the trigger on a LL Bean edition Outback last Fall but it was just a little bit too tight. My biggest complaint was that it was too narrow and no legroom on the rear. Sounds like this might  correct those issues.

[Craig]

Hell...I might be interested given those numbers. I came close to pulling the trigger on a LL Bean edition Outback last Fall but it was just a little bit too tight. My biggest complaint was that it was too narrow and no legroom on the rear. Sounds like this might  correct those issues.

Sailor, you forgot to mention how cars are cheaper in the U.S., and Canadians are being ripped off.

The reference to the American LL Bean edition Outback was too subtle to qualify.

[articsteve]

I ran the numbers.  It's two inches longer and five inches wider than a Subaru Outback.  It's eight inches longer and 3.5 inches wider than a RAV4.  It's within an inch of the length and width of the new Highlander.

ArticSteve projected that it would start at $25,000 and would be a poor man's Sienna.  Thing is, the Sienna starts at US$24,300--with seating for seven and a V6.  So it's definitely not a poor man's Sienna.  I see it more as a poor man's Lexus RX, as someone else said.  It even looks like one.

ArticSteve projected that it would start at $25,000 and would be a poor man's Sienna.  Thing is, the Sienna starts at US$24,300--with seating for seven and a V6.

That is for the base Sienna.  I think the base Venza is going to be much better equipped.  The 19 inch standard alloys and the knee air bag is an example so one might need to compare with a better trim Sienna which is about $30K.

with seating for seven and a V6.

V6 might soon be considered a liability.  Sienna owners or any other brand owners with 2 or 3 kids just might say heck with the costs of running a minivan.  Let's try and live with a big 4 banger.  I agree with the RX comment; nothing fantastic about those units other than they are very quiet.

[Mitlov]

V6 might soon be considered a liability.  Sienna owners or any other brand owners with 2 or 3 kids just might say heck with the costs of running a minivan.  Let's try and live with a big 4 banger.

3 kids in a five-seat vehicle like the Venza is a non-starter.  Modern child seats don't fit three across, and they can't ride up front until they're teenagers.  For one or two child families, this would work.  For three child families who want a four-banger, the Mazda5 would work (although it would be cramped), but not the Venza.

But I think Toyota is over-saturating the tall box / crossover / SUV (i.e., American people-hauler) market.  I count 14, not including Subaru, which Toyota partly (and indirectly) now owns:

Scion xB
Scion xD
Toyota Matrix
Toyota RAV4
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota Venza
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Highlander
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Sequoia
Toyota Land Cruiser
Lexus RX
Lexus LX
Lexus GX

For comparison, let's take Honda/Acura.  They offer five:
Honda CRV
Honda Pilot
Honda Odyssey
Acura RDX
Acura MDX

How many is too many?  I think Toyota's going over the top here.