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2009 Toyota Venza Crossover

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Comments

  • qs933qs933 Member Posts: 302
    Where are you located.

    I'm in Hawaii -- those photos were taken near the airport on Oahu. I should take some photos with a more "tropical" background. :)
  • deepsouthdeepsouth Member Posts: 30
    Yes some photos with the beach in the background would be great.What type work do you do? Im taking Venza on a 800 mile trip this week and will see what type MPG I get.
    Have you waxed yours yet? I haven't had time and will do it when I get back.
  • LSP972LSP972 Member Posts: 20
    deepsouth,

    I have a 6 cylinder FWD. I got 27 mpg on a trip last week from south Louisiana to central Arkansas and back.

    I haven't waxed mine yet (had it about six weeks). I keep hearing conflicting opinions; you need to let the paint/clearcoat fully cure for six months: no, that isn't true they're good to go from the factory, etc., etc.

    Yet another quasi-knowledgeable friend says yes, the paint isn't fully cured fresh from the factory, but the Zaino products don't "seal" like regular wax does and will allow the paint to finish curing, etc.

    IOW, I'm totally confused on this issue.

    My Venza was less than two weeks out of the factory when I took delivery, for what that's worth...
  • md_outbackmd_outback Member Posts: 185
    Hey LSP972,
    It is perfectly acceptable to wax a new car on Day 1 if you'd like. The paint was cured at high temperatures at the factory. They can use high temps because there are no other materials installed on the body (like plastics and rubber components) that may be affected by the high temps. The confusion remains because if you need body work done after you take delivery and the car is painted by your local body shop, they cannot heat-cure the paint at high temps. Thus, you need to let it "air-cure" about 30 to 90 days before waxing. When in doubt, check the owner's manual or just Google it. BTW, I have been using Malm's liquid carnauba wax for about 30 years - it is a bit expensive but the bottles last a long time. Easy to use and works great - I think it is only available online.
  • linersliners Member Posts: 19
    My V-6, AWD has just turned 5,000 miles and is going in for service. I have been noticing an issue which seems to relate to the right rear suspension area. When shifting out of park into reverse or drive, on either level ground or incline or decline, the vehicle holds like a brake disc is holding on to a caliper. As soon as you touch the accelerator, it releases and I hear a few apparent clunk sounds from the right rear. I had a service advisor say on the phone that it sounds like a hill restraint system, but I can't find such a system listed any where and we know how many hills are in Florida. Any one with any thoughts?
  • anry555anry555 Member Posts: 9
    It's a hill-assistant system, isn't it? It holds the breaks for ~2seconds when starting the car on the hill.
  • avery1avery1 Member Posts: 373
    Anyone purchased one of these? If so, what is the report?
  • atlantabennyatlantabenny Member Posts: 735
    I'm waiting for launch prices to come down a bit to start seriously shopping for my wife's replacement car, with the 4-cyl Venza on the short list.

    Meantime I'm curious to know if any of you potential or actual Venza owners consider the Venza to be a "non-poseur" vehicle, i.e. not trying to be an SUV (because 95% of SUVs aren't taken off-road anyway, etc.).

    Based on a hard-core car forum I'm on, and Toyota's Venza positioning ("don't call it an SUV or a station wagon"), I'm starting to think that the Venza has started a valid, solid vehicle trend that's all about functionality with good style thrown in.

    This has me eliminating the semi-SUV vehicles like the CRV, Murano, and the like.

    Did you / will you buy the Venza because you think it's an honest design, and that it just makes sense ?
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    I think the Venza is simply an effort to let Toyota dealers tap into the Lexus RX market not that the HL has been UP-SIZED.
  • volkovvolkov Member Posts: 1,306
    a "non-poseur" vehicle, i.e. not trying to be an SUV (because 95% of SUVs aren't taken off-road anyway, etc.). I'm starting to think that the Venza has started a valid, solid vehicle trend that's all about functionality

    You mean what Subaru started 10 years ago with the Outback?? BTW here's the new one:

    http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/wagons/112_0904_2010_subaru_outback_first_lo- ok/index.html

    With it's new sizing it will be more of a direct competitor for those who can get past the fact it's not a Toyota.
  • atlantabennyatlantabenny Member Posts: 735
    Nice. Just saw that photo on Inside Line but didn't realize it seems to have a higher driving position and a bit larger than previous Outbacks (wife is 5'2" and seat height is a factor).

    Although I'd say that previous gen Outbacks - while I liked them for myself - were raised Legacy wagons which didn't have significantly more space than the wagon platform. This new model appears to have corrected that.
  • venzayarisvenzayaris Member Posts: 6
    For our young family (have a 2yr old) we picked the Venza because:

    style (interior mostly)
    pricing (~$30k in Canada)
    functionality (folding seats & hatchback comes in handy for the stroller or trips to IKEA/Costco)

    We're cross shopped against the CRV/Edge (didnt like the interior), Suzuki Grand Vitara (won't go offroading), and Nissan Rogue (storage was limited)

    Other cars like the Murano/MDX were out of our price range
  • lal_cltlal_clt Member Posts: 29
    I fell in love with the Venza when it was first introduced at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show and have been watching it ever since. I ordered a Blue V6 FWD with Prem Pkg #2, JBL System and Pano Roof. I currently have an 05 Highlander. I need room to carry stuff but I don't need 3 rows of seats. The Venza appealed to me because its a Toyota, its upscale, there's plenty of room, yet I could get all the features I wanted for a reasonable price. If I had gone for the I4 it would have been even more reasonable, I guess. I looked at the RAV 4, CRV, Edge, and Vera Cruz and they just didn't measure up to my expectations in one or more areas. I think the Venza is an ideal car for baby boomers or a small family or a single person who likes to carry stuff in style.
    Can't wait to boogey on down the road in my Venza with that nice sound system listening to my "oldies".
  • atlantabennyatlantabenny Member Posts: 735
    Thinking along those lines as well. Observing a few on Atlanta roads, seems to me that the Venza can't be stereotyped as a male or female vehicle - a good thing. Toyota's on to something with this car...
  • kharriskharris Member Posts: 41
    I looked at the Venza as well as the Highlander recently. I didn't need a third row seat but I wound up buying the Highlander mainly because it has substantially more cargo volume than the Venza while having the same length and width. That said, I think Toyota did a good job designing the Venza and if my needs were different I might well have purchased it.
  • normvenza09normvenza09 Member Posts: 36
    No wonder no one was replying to my question, I forgot to include the link of the USA TODAY review....

    http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/healey/2008-11-06-drive-toyota-venza- _N.htm
  • normvenza09normvenza09 Member Posts: 36
    Excellent review from Canada.com

    "The Venza takes Toyota to a place it has never been before.

    Not only does this big crossover deliver SUV-like utility without the unruly ride, it boasts a degree of style for which Toyota is not normally noted. From the grille to the tailgate, the Venza has road presence."

    http://www.canada.com/Toyota+Venza+beautiful+inside/1481376/story.html
  • qs933qs933 Member Posts: 302
    You mean what Subaru started 10 years ago with the Outback??

    I like Subaru, but I think the Outback is the opposite of "non-poseur." At least for the first couple of generations, Subaru took a station wagon, gave it some ground clearance, two-tone paint/cladding, large fog lamps, white-letter tires, a hood scoop, etc. to make it look like an SUV.

    The 2010 is pretty nice looking, though. Definitely will be worth driving/comparing with the Venza. One disappointment: the center position in the back seat still uses a roof-mounted shoulder belt.

    Regarding the original question about whether the "trueness" of the Venza influenced my decision, not really. I didn't want to own a "station wagon." :)
  • lilengineerboylilengineerboy Member Posts: 4,116
    I like Subaru, but I think the Outback is the opposite of "non-poseur."

    Yeah I was kind of sad when they killed the Legacy wagon. I am hoping our '05 lasts a long long time. The ride/handling combination, the utility of a wagon, the towing capacity, the easy of ingress/egress, the AWD, and the fuel economy make it pretty much the perfect vehicle for our family.

    I have looked at the Venza twice (our Subaru dealer is also a Toyota dealer) and I just can't warm up to the styling or price. I do like that the curb weight of the 4cyl AWD is under 4k, although the Subaru is closer to 3k lbs.

    Its just funny because the early-mid 90s Camry wagon was one of the best vehicles ever for utility and longevity, now all the wagons are replaced by posuer-pods.
  • roho1roho1 Member Posts: 318
    As a potential Venza owner I think you may be getting all twisted in knot worrying about what to call it. I don't think Toyota designed it not to be a SUV because the whole generation of Lexus RX/Toyota Highlanders were never SUV's at all. They were based a passenger car(Camry) not on a truck platform which is where SUV's started. The Rx300 started the crossover generation where customers wanted the car like ride but also wanted the utilty. Going off road was not a consideration.
    The Venza just seems like a logical progression to a more passenger friendly vehicle.
    I don't think it's posing as anything. There are copies on the way, including a Honda this fall?

    What is a posuer-pod anyway? Avril's ipod?
  • atlantabennyatlantabenny Member Posts: 735
    The reason behind the question was more practical than it appeared. Classification-wise, if the Venza is regarded as an SUV, cross-over or hard-core, in people's minds and the whole SUV concept fades away, imo resale will probably suffer (reason I'm veering away from the CRV/Murano types).

    Toyota USA even reportedly refuses to call the Venza a cross-over or wagon and likes to call it an "optimized car" (http://reviews.cnet.com/car-tech-blog/?keyword=toyota+venza). I suspect that Toyota tries to look at the broader horizon of value retention of its vehicles and attempts to affect that with branding and positioning of a vehicle at introduction.

    Obviously any car company can call a vehicle what it wants. In the case of the Venza, the title of "optimized car" appears to be true. Considering how things are going, imo that new vehicle type has a fair chance of catching on, with good effect on resale value.

    Hopefully this explains my interest in the Venza's classification.
  • qs933qs933 Member Posts: 302
    Classification-wise, if the Venza is regarded as an SUV, cross-over or hard-core, in people's minds and the whole SUV concept fades away, imo resale will probably suffer (reason I'm veering away from the CRV/Murano types).

    I don't see the "SUV concept" fading away in the near future. The perception of an SUV will continue to evolve, though. There will be fewer body-on-frame, truck-based models (like the 4Runner) and more variations on the "crossover," car-based theme.

    Look at the Flex (which looks like a station wagon to me) and even the Scion xB. All of these "not-a-sedan" body styles will continue to blur the line between hatchback, station wagon, crossover, and SUV.

    Resale value is important to me too, but it's difficult to guess what the resale market will look like in a few years given all the potential macroeconomic factors.
  • rdeasonrdeason Member Posts: 11
    Can someone tell me why when I am not moving I can locate an infinite number of POI's but if I'm am driving and using the voice commands if I try to find a POI near me it shows either a few or no destinations. If I am driving with a programmed route in the NAV and try to find restaurants along my route it will show none but if I pull over and search using the buttons again I am shown many POIs'.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    There are two commands which you may know already, 'Restaurants' or 'I'm hungry'.....but there's also 'Fast Food' 'Mexican', 'American', 'Italian', etc.

    These have always brought up many POIs in my experience. But I have not done it at high speeds frankly. There is also a distance threshhold that's in place. I don't remember it off the top of my head but I believe that if you have the range set at a 5 mile radius it doesn't show any local POIs. At a 1 mi radius it does show the POIs I believe. This is from memory.
  • deepsouthdeepsouth Member Posts: 30
    I noticed the same thing I guess this is a safety feature Toyota made. They don't want us programming the nav when we are moving may cause distractions. I just returned from a Beach trip to Fl and had to pull over several times to look for things on the Nav.
  • anry555anry555 Member Posts: 9
    I wish Toyota makes the black seats for Venza like here: Venza tuning
  • roho1roho1 Member Posts: 318
    Those wheels are atrocious. Can't say I care much for that rice burner look.
  • toyotausa1toyotausa1 Member Posts: 5
    Hi everyone! I just thought I'd introduce myself and let you know I've been following the last part of this thread with a lot of interest. My name is Sacha and I’m the Online Community Coordinator for Toyota Motor Sales, USA. I'll be stopping by from time-to-time and look forward to talking about cars (and of course Toyota) with all of you.

    I think it's interesting to see the different takes everyone has on the Venza. With any new vehicle launch, there's a certain amount of comparison to be had between what we were trying to achieve vs. how our product is received by consumers. Judging from these comments, it appears we're on the right track!

    Sacha Terrill
    Online Community Coordinator
    Toyota Motor Sales, USA
  • toyotausa1toyotausa1 Member Posts: 5
    Hi there! Just a note to give you a little more information about the power closer on Venza. The feature is standard and applies only to the back door. It requires that you begin to close the door, however, when the door is within about one inch of closing, it automatically shuts. The convenience package option offers a power closer that automatically shuts the back door when you push a button on the key or gently push with your hand. Hope this helps!

    Sacha Terrill
    Online Community Coordinator
    Toyota Motor Sales, USA
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Welcome to CarSpace Sacha!
  • toyotausa1toyotausa1 Member Posts: 5
    Thank you. It's great to be here--I'm really enjoying the conversations!
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    "...it appears we're on the right track..."

    NOT...!!!

    Why design/build a new I4 engine without DFI....?

    Why not simply throw in the towell and use a non-notchy CVT transaxle, avoid the queasy stomach constant "shiftiness" of a 6(9) speed..?? A CVT that doesn't need DBW to provide an engine "stall" during a re-acceleration that requires a downshift..??

    And now since '00 you have no less than 4 C-best options that allow more sensible, SAFER, operation of the climate control that only the dealer can set to the safer mode.

    And while those 20" wheels look "super" do you really get enough FE improvement with the low CSA, contact patch, to justify the overall loss in vehicle directional control and stability...??
  • mdchachimdchachi Member Posts: 275
    I think the nearby / along route search is limited to a circle of 30? miles around the car while the normal POI search doesn't have this limitation. Also the along-route search only finds POIs physically along the route (not around the corner or at the next exit).
  • venza_ownervenza_owner Member Posts: 1
    I have had my new Venza for about 1 1/2 months. I upgraded from a 13 year old Corolla so I am really enjoying the comfort, size, power, and luxury. I am really enjoying the V6. Tons of power when you push the pedal down. You can pass slower drivers with ease and snap your neck. I got the Convienence Package which is pretty cool. This package offers an electronic key that you never have to take out of you pocket. You just walk up to the car, touch the handle and your in. Then when inside you don't have to take the key out either. It has a push button start that senses the key in your pocket. Pretty hi-tech stuff. This package also has the auto-back lift gate. You just push a button from inside or on your remote key and the door lifts. You can also lock / unlock the car with the two buttons on the gate (again leaving the key in your pocket). I got the HID lights which really are amazing. No comparison to regular, old, dim headlights. I also got the 13 speaker JBL Synthesis option as well. Great sounding stereo but the left speaker in the dashboard vibrates (we think it is the speaker grill). I have been trying to get it to stop with the dealers help (ordering a new grill etc.). We have reduced the noise but it still rattles. Very frustrating. I drove around today with a technician and it wouldn't rattle, of course when I got home it started again. I have also had problems with the back right strut / suspension making noise. At slow speeds when going over bumps it creaks like an old car. Between the above two problems I have been in to the service department 5 times! Hopefully, the suspension problem was fixed today. They worked on a fix with Toyota headquarters who had some other Venza's with the same problem. I guess that is the risk you take when buying a first year car. I figured with Toyota it wouldn't be a problem but I was wrong. They are however working with me diligently to get the problems fixed. The other option I got was the back up camera and security system. The camera is really helpful when backing into / out of a parallel spot. You can see right where the bumper of the other car is or the little dash line showing the end of the space. This is nice as the Venza is a fairly large car. Overall, I am very pleased with the car and am optimistic that everything will be fixed to my liking. Also, there has been some talk about the Venza being a rough ride. This is due to the big 20" rims. My Venza came off the lot with 35 pounds of pressure in each tire. This was a very firm ride. I read the owners manual which recommended 32 pounds pressure. I tried 32 and this has softened the ride considerably. Hopefully, this info. will help other potential Venza buyers out there. Great car but be prepared to work out some bugs.
  • david_k1david_k1 Member Posts: 39
    Sacha -
    Thanks for watching the site...
    A question - One of the target audiences of the Venza is empty nesters WITH animals - Yes?? Then why can I not find the Toyota accessories that we need to keep our cute little dog in the back section?? I have been trying to find a Venza specific DOG "fence" to keep our pouch in the back (trunk) area as well as a "soft" blanket type Protector. I can find some after market generic pieces but thought that Toyota was going to produce and sell "genuine" gear.
    Also, since I got you here, is there a supplier of Toyota Mud Flaps for the Venza on the West Coast?? They seem to be stock on the SE Toyota Venzas... We DO have MUD in the Seattle area!!!

    Again - Thanks for representing Toyota for us in the forum.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    This looks like a good place to pause and redirect the tire questions to Toyota Venza Tires. The tire posts from the last couple of days have been moved over there. There's plenty of material for a separate discussion and it'll be a good spot to post tire recommendations as new choices become available.
  • deepsouthdeepsouth Member Posts: 30
    If you get a response on the dog accessories let me know. I need the cage and the blanket . Right now I just bought a soft dog ben that closes with a zipper at Walmart works great. I have the mudgaurds from the factory.

    Deepsouth in Alabama
  • david_k1david_k1 Member Posts: 39
    Deepsouth -
    Any PHOTOS of your Venza WITH Mudgaurds??
    I just can't seem to find anything on the web...
    I'll keep you in mind if I find any Venza specific "DOG" things.
  • deepsouthdeepsouth Member Posts: 30
    I will take some photos this weekend and show you Sunday. I want to wash it first :)
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    If anyone needs a place to host your Venza photos, you can set up your CarSpace and upload them to the album there.
  • david_k1david_k1 Member Posts: 39
    Good Day all -
    I cross posted the same question at "prices paid" area...
    Can anyone tell me how long it takes to get their hands on a Venza AFTER special ordering one??
    I feel like I may be getting a wee bit of a run-around from my dealer here in Western Washington...

    Oh, "deepsouth" looking forward to the photos of your CLEAN Venza !!
    Thanks
  • venzayarisvenzayaris Member Posts: 6
    Not sure how differently the backlogs are in Canada

    Ordered March 12; sales guy said the order was processed and built on April 7...so we're estimating sometime in May (total ~6-8 weeks)
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    Hi Sascha!

    I'm keeping my eye on Venza, but it's too expensive for me. Any chance they could make a Venza Jr. that sells for no more than $20K on the midlevel model? I'm otherwise on the lookout for used and rental Venzas at a discount.

    Thanks - great to have an actual Toyota person to talk to!
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    You might not get a response, as you didn't reply to his/her post but posted a separate entry. That said, I never know when people respond to mine unless I get time to go back and look!
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    You almost had the same Corolla as mine. I sat in a Venza at a car lot on a Sunday when the sales folk were gone, and it was nice. Reminded me of the Ford Edge in a lot of ways. I wonder if some Krazy Glue can help with the rattles if it's a problem. Anything's likely with these American-built Toyotas these days.

    I've made a note of your experience because I am debating the pros and cons of going to a larger car. It must be quite an adjustment going from a 30mpg Corolla - at least mine got that when it was young - to an 18mpg Venza! I've been waiting for the push button start for a long time. Unfortunately, these cars are out of my price range in the new market and am hoping to snag a low mileage used one in the $21K range. I may have to get a "meantime" car while I wait, because with my arthritis I need a car that sits higher than my Corolla. Years ago hail beat the black trim of the windows, so Venza is BOUND to be quieter than what I'm driving now! We all have different tolerance levels for noise, though, so I understand your frustration. I hope they make it right for you.

    BTW, you never mentioned the color? Thanks
  • LSP972LSP972 Member Posts: 20
    18mpg? Where did you get that figure?

    Mine is averaging between 24-27; leaning toward the higer figure if I stay the hell out of Baton Rouge (larger city-horrible congestion).

    Rotsa ruck on "snagging a low mileage used one". If other new owners are halfway as happy as I am, there won't be many used ones around, period, for quite some time.
  • qs933qs933 Member Posts: 302
    Any chance they could make a Venza Jr. that sells for no more than $20K on the midlevel model?

    They already do -- that would be the Matrix. The mid-level S model is under $20K.

    Used Venzas are going to be few and far between given how new ones seems to be trickling out the factory. I don't think Venzas are available to the fleet and rent-a-car channels.

    Maybe when the 2010 models come out in the fall, you'll get lucky with a left-over 2009 model on clearance. As long as Toyota continues to keep supply low, though, I wouldn't count on it.
  • michael2003michael2003 Member Posts: 144
    :) I agree that the looks, ride, and general usefullnes of the Venza seems right on. I am very much hoping that this vehicle becomes a plug in hybrid. HINT! Do I wait for it or go for the Volt?
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    Thank you for answering for the Toyota rep, but I don't fit well in a Matrix, Matrix looks nothing like Venza, and further it's not a Corolla wagon - Fielder is, and they don't sell that in the United States.

    Also, I don't know if there will be rental units available, either, but in 1-2 years when the depreciation gets low enough, and if I haven't lost interest in it by then, maybe one will turn up in the used market that fits my needs.

    Thank you, though, for trying to be helpful.
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    That's great on the mileage, and thank you!
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