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Comments
I hope they bring it over.
1) How is it clearing off the windshield. (My Avalon for example has hideway wipers and it is a pain cleaning that out. There is an air intake there as well that has to be kept clean to keep the windows from fogging etc.)
2) How well does it heat up and how well do the front and rear side windows stay defrosted?
Is there a side window defroster that actually works?
3) How bad does stuff collect on the back window? (I forget, does the Venza have a rear wiper?
Thanks.
Its got major hurdles to overcome however:
1. Priced 5k+ more than a CRV LX. If you just want an SUV and dont care about the pseudo-luxo image of the Venza you go CRV. CRV has better sheetmetal and feels higher quality despite the lower price also.
2. Venza looks like a car. No getting around it. You will notice that most pictures of the Venza in the press/advertising are taken from below to make it look like an SUV. But in person it looks like a car from the front.Why are people who want an SUV going to bother with this vehicle?
3. Compared to the Murano, well this vehicle doesnt compare to the Murano, period. Murano feels and looks more like an SUV, it is sportier, better interior, feels higher quality.
No wonder Toyota is losing money when they are making vehicles with more style than substance.
http://www.toyotageorgetown.com/pdfs/prod/prodresults.pdf
If the link doesn't work, go to www.toyotageorgetown.com; then click on the "About" tab and select "News" from the drop-down. Once the TMMK news form appears, scroll down and click on "latest production statistics." Pretty neat info on that web site.
MD
The front and rear side windows stay defrosted, although I had to sit at work for a few minutes before going to lunch today until it warmed-up enough to melt the ice on the inside of the windshield. It was -2 this morning.
The rear window does have a windshield wiper. Some snow does accumulate when parked, if it's snowing of course.
I kept the test drive pretty short due to the afternoon rush hour traffic in the area. I just wanted to feel how it drove and whether I felt elevated like an SUV. Power was not a problem (and not expected to be). The road noise was remarkably contained. It drove pretty much how I expected to. No surprises (and none wanted).
I was prepared for the worst for the interior after reading mixed reviews on the dash and door surfaces. I was pleasantly surprised that the upper door surface and parts of the dash are actually covered in a rubber-like covering. It's not as soft as the surfaces on my 4Runner, but definitely much better than rock hard plastic (compare it to the Highlander).
Interestingly, the upper door panels on the rear doors are hard plastic. I guess Toyota figured that the back seat passengers can get the cheaper surfaces. It looks OK, so it's not a problem. The rear also has plastic door sill trim and no courtesy light on the doors. Again, not a problem. I won't be riding back there.
I was also worried about the graining of the plastic. If you look at some of the photos of the interior (like the listings on eBay), the pattern looks strange from certain angles. In person, it's much less noticeable. The leather on the seats also share a similar grain, so there is consistency throughout the interior. The console is a snap to use.
The Venza's headliner (also a sore spot in many Toyotas) looks and feels much better than the headliners in the Highlander and 4Runner. The mat in the cargo area also felt much more plush than your typical car carpeting.
My biggest concern right now is cargo space. It actually looks smaller in person than it does in photos. My 4Runner can fit about 4 medium sized suitcases without too much of a struggle. I think I can fit 3 in the Venza if they are stacked properly. The space-killer is the steep angle of the rear window, although that's what gives the Venza it's sleek appearance.
A surprising secondary concern -- the exterior mirrors looked big in the photos, but seem (and actually are) much smaller than those on my 4Runner. Probably not a deal-killer, but it will take a little getting used to.
Overall, I was very pleased. One more thing: the JBL system -- in my limited testing with just radio stations -- sounds much better than the JBL in my 4Runner.
Ken
Ken
It is intended for those who don't need more passenger room than the front seat for long trips. In this regard it's far bigger than a Camry or Avalon for these long trips. It's nicer than a Camry but about on par with an Avalon.
It's far far far nicer and more comfortable than the RAV but on the upscale side not as nice and comfortable as the Highlander. It's a 'tweener' intentionally.
If you need more cargo room and/or seating for 7 then it's the Highlander. If it's the most effective use of your funds for cargo and seating that you want then the RAV is for you.
In addition it serves another purpose which is key to all Toyota products. It serves as a backstop on the downward side of the Highlander. by being in the $26-$29K range it eliminates the need to discount the Highlander below $30K. This supports the profitability of the Highlander which is the key vehicle. It's what the Corolla does for the Camry.
I think that is a fair question. For me it is because I would like something that drives and handles and has a smoother ride more like a car and takes up less space, easier to manuever etc. I'm tired of driving SUVS/"Trucks." Now that I have less kids, I don't need as much room. I also believe the gas mileage is significantly better, so it would be more economical to own (especially the i4). I also think that the interior is way nicer in the Venza. And, doesn't the Venza cost less than a similarly priced Highlander? (Although they do seem to be discounting Highlanders by quite a bit lately) And then for me personally, the console seemed to invade space for the driving foot too much. There is no room to relax your foot to the right. (The Rav4 provides a nice little space or this). But that's me, this seems to be a trend in a lot of cars these days and it probably doesn't bother most people that they have to hold their foot straight up and down. I haven't even sat in a Venza yet either though so we'll see. I have been seriously thinking about buying an Avalon (I have an 97 now as my second car with my Suburban that I want to get rid or). The two things that I don't like about the Avalon are the lack of 4wd (live in snow country) and wanting a little more room and versatility for luggage and hauling things.
macpro, "Toyota Venza iPod and MP3 integration" #2, 24 Dec 2008 6:30 pm
We already have a Gen 1 Highlander just for the two of us driving on long trips and it has plenty of excess space for anything we need to carry. The Gen 2 Highlander is just too big and too expensive.
The Venza, when a hybrid option is offered, will fit the bill perfectly for us.
Also the first Venzas being offered are the loaded variety at $37K-ish. This is a stretch except for someone who desperately loves the Venza and all its options. When the new 4 cyl is offered in the Spring with a price in the $26K-ish range then it makes a lot more sense than the Highlander.
The question then will be 'why buy a RAV4?'.
I think the new HL is a dinosaur now.
I had been seriously considering an Equinox. The one thing I really don't like about it is the steering. One of the bigger complaints seems to be the play in the steering and that is one thing that drives me nuts about my current Suburban that I am looking to replace, especially on the highway. I will have to investigate the 2010 Equinox and see if that is likely to change.
The Venza, when a hybrid option is offered, will fit the bill perfectly for us.
Aren't the dimensions (other than height) almost identical between the Highlander and Venza? I know they are practically the same length (~189 inches).
For those who have the occasional need to seat more than 5 people, I think the Highlander is a great choice. For those who don't, then the Venza may be the better fit.
The Vel Satis is a premium car that competes with Merc E-Class and others in Europe, it's a great car and popular among government officials (in France more specifically).
It's been around for 7 years, and has survived well on the merits of its uniqueness. Albeit, Renault is a very quirky company - that I really like for that reason - and it might not suit the very basic Toyota styling, but in my opinion this car has the potential to go FAR!
The gen2 HL has become a 3 row boat but I'm sure will it appeal to some. I think there are better options out there however if you think you need 3 rows.
The Venza is certainly an interesting vehicle but I'm glad I don't need to make a decision for another year since competing options are coming out like the 2010 Equinox and hopefully Honda will bring over the Accord Tourer. I'm sure there are others coming on the way.
The RAV is cute but too basic. The Highlander is very nice but too big. The Venza meets our needs better.
Does this mean Venza does not display each individual tire's pressure like in Highlander? I wish they included that feature!
Since Toyota has only built about 6500 Venzas, about 5 per dealer, and the fact that Georgetown is taking an extended holiday break, it would seem that incentives on the Venza may be little ways off. Also, since they launched it in December instead of January 2009, there will be a model year change later in 2009 ( before the current inventory is even close to one year old in actuality.
Thank you for this and other message boards on Edmunds.
I did a little research since I've been looking for a replacement for my wife's RAV-4, and the Venza is on the list.
The largest Toyota dealer in the country ( Longo Toyota) only has 20 Venzas. Now while that may seem like alot of cars, this is a dealer that routinely has north of 2500 (Toyota only + Another 400 - 500 Lexus) cars in stock at all times. If Toyota or Lexus makes it, they have it (they are, I believe, the second largest Lexus dealer after JM Lexus in Florida).
I have typically seen between 1 and 5 units in other dealer inventories. ( Northern California)
Also, since they build it in Georgetown, they can control the flow of them, if sales don't take off, without a huge impact to the overall plant.
Frankly, the Venza almost seems like a purely incremental vehicle, using alot of existing parts, so the additional costs to develop and produce that vehicle are small compared to a totally new vehicle with a dedicated assembly plant ( i.e. Tundra )
But having said that, I would think you might start seeing some incentives (APR, Cash, etc..) in the spring, in the warmer weather states at least. They have a goal to sell about 70,000 units in the first 12 months.
Thanks, CanStacker
I did a little research since I've been looking for a replacement for my wife's RAV-4, and the Venza is on the list.
The largest Toyota dealer in the country ( Longo Toyota) only has 20 Venzas. Now while that may seem like alot of cars, this is a dealer that routinely has north of 2500 (Toyota only + Another 400 - 500 Lexus) cars in stock at all times. If Toyota or Lexus makes it, they have it (they are, I believe, the second largest Lexus dealer after JM Lexus in Florida).
I have typically seen between 1 and 5 units in other dealer inventories. ( Northern California)
Also, since they build it in Georgetown, they can control the flow of them, if sales don't take off, without a huge impact to the overall plant.
Frankly, the Venza almost seems like a purely incremental vehicle, using alot of existing parts, so the additional costs to develop and produce that vehicle are small compared to a totally new vehicle with a dedicated assembly plant ( i.e. Tundra )
But having said that, I would think you might start seeing some incentives (APR, Cash, etc..) in the spring, in the warmer weather states at least. They have a goal to sell about 70,000 units in the first 12 months.
Thanks, CanStacker
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( Note: I just checked and the year end inventory, not including Lexus, stood at 1300 new cars. Must be reducing it a little to get in sync with sales run rates.)
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As production ramps up and the 4 cyl models begin to arrive I'd expect only a very very very limited availability of V6 loaded versions.
But even with that consider what Toyota's planned expectations are for this vehicle. At tops.. in a normal 15 million unit market ( 2009 is expected to be in the 10 million unit range ) the Venza was forseen to be a supplemental vehicle selling about 75000 units.
With about 1250 stores in the US that averages out to about 60 per store per year....or 5 per month. But as in most businesses 20% of the stores do 80% of the business. Huge retailers like Longo in LA are 10 times larger than your local store. They will get 10 times the volume of an average store. Ditto Laurel Carmax in MD the #2 store in the US. Most local retailers will get one or two Venza's a month even at full supply.
But that's all predicated on a booming automarket with full production. This year is likely to be the worst year in our lifetimes as regards to sales, and thus production/availability. I'd expect most stores to have one on hand at any one time. Sell that one and it's gone.
Hey, it's Norcal!! We're used to paying more for everything!!
The problem is when you have 2 or more kids they always come with friends...and 5-passenger vehicles won't cut it unless you want to leave some behind.
To me, this vehicle makes more sense for aging Boomers who don't want to climb up into their SUVs anymore, but still want some of the higher driving position that they offer.
To each his/her own, but I don't think this thing makes much sense. :confuse:
Even though the '09 RX is at the end of its model cycle, it's still a very nice vehicle. Plus, you'd get the longer Lexus warranty and the premium dealer experience. The '09 RX has memory settings for the driver, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and LED tails, none of which are available on the Venza.
On the downside, the '09 RX will be replaced in a couple of months by the redesigned 2010 model, so your brand new vehicle will already seem "old" -- for some that's a big deal. For others, it doesn't really matter (especially if you prefer the '09 styling). The '09 RX also lacks some of the features found on the Venza (but will be in the '10 RX) including the Smart Key and an aux-in jack (the '10 has USB input which is even better).
The Maxx was axed before GM started to pay more attention to the quality of their interiors, though the Saturn Aura I recently rode in still seemed to be a (albeit much smaller) step behind the Accord or Camry.
MD
Toyota has a good example on their web site. They state: "A unique low and narrow sweeping door rocker allows passengers to smoothly slide in and out of the Venza. Unlike SUV's, a low step-in-height eliminates the feeling of having to climb into the vehicle.
http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/minisite/venzaexperience/index.html