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Then the new 2.7L I4 will arrive in early 2009. I'd liken it to the 4c XLE Camry but with a much much better engine with a Base Price of $23000 and an effective MSRP of $25000-$30000.
At the debut of a new model all makers come out first with the loaded versions for the 'I gotta have one first' buyers. After some time the more basic models begin to arrive ( mid 2009? ). I'd think that getting a new 2.7L standard model in the $24000-$25000 range will be feasible next summer.
Regarding the power and FE there is a lot of great info over at TN about the new family of engines that will be arriving soon. The next one to arrive will be the 2AR-FE 2.5L which will begin to replace the 2.4L 2AZ engine. It will first arrive in the 2009 RAV next month. 179 hp vs ( 161 hp ) and 1-2 mpg better FE at the same time!!! Nice job there.
The 2.7L I4 in the Venza will likely be the 1AR engine and get 195-200 hp with FE ratings similar to the current Camry 20 City/30 Hwy. That's a really nice for that power bump and the size and weight of the Venza.
The 2.5L 2AR-FE will then go into the Camry next spring. and the 2.7L 1AR will likely go into the Highlander at some time later.
:shades:
And when does the RAV4 hybrid arrive? That one is LATE.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
As of now none of the hybrid makers compete directly against one another. Now soon there will be lots of competition when the Fusion/Milan and Aura/Malibu and Sonata hybrids hit the streets. After that I'd say all 'agreements' are off.
I bet AWD will only be offered on the V-6 models, didn't they pretty much do that in effect with the last-gen Highlander? I think AWD was technically available with the 4-cylinder engine, but just to try find one.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The Highlanders have always been built in Japan, so it'll be interesting to see how this KY-built rig is put together.
The '09 Highlander will also offer a base model with the 2.7L 4-cyl engine. Anyone have any info on how much less the Venza will cost?
I still think about downsizing into an '09 Matrix. If I wasn't such a wide guy, I would have already. It's got high seating (for a small car), great room with it's hatchback and fold-down seats, and gets much better mileage than the Venza ever will.
I will be very turned off if a base Venza V6 doesn't come in at around $25k sticker. After all, I see this as a wagon version of a Camry, so if the price is too far out of Camry territory, I will probably look at something else.
They said the car is coming out this November also, I asked to make sure. If it priced right and gets good mileage it should be a definite winner!
Since you wrote "on display" I'm gussing there's no chance of sitting in it? I live in Mission Viejo and would go over to the show if I could just get a test-sit.
I think it looks like a cool vehicle, but my wife and I are probably just gonna get a Rav4 and maybe get a Venza later on.
And speaking of the November release date... Is Toyota planning on having 4-cyl models available at launch or do we still have to wait for early next year to get one of those like they had mentioned in the past?
Initially when a new model is intro'd the most expensive trims come out first. This is no different than any other new vehicle.
I am looking at the Venza 6sp auto 4cylinder AWD for my next car and I expect 30mpg highway with that Venza.
I own an 08 XB and I like it just fine ...for the price. The mileage is good, especially on Iowa 2 lane roads with a silly speed limit @55mph I get 32mpg. At 75 on the freeway it gets 28. The problem is the transmission not the engine...it needs the 5speed or 6 speed. I have rented and taken a trip with the heavier Camry with the same engine but 5 speed auto and it managed to get 32mpg at 75mph.
My friend has an AWD V6 with (5speed auto) Rav 4 and he matches my highway mileage but can't match my XB's 26 city.
Just my opinion but if they made the XB in AWD with 5 or 6 sp auto, they could stop building many small SUV's. This XB is as roomy as the RAV and other small SUV's inside. On the other hand SUV's give manufacturers lots of profit at 10 grand more than my XB.
By the way my XB gets around great in snow with the traction control and just FWD. The vehicle stability control is great on ice.
Thanks \
Bing
oh, he said they won't really have v6s to sell until november (the once he is getting on oct 18 is for the showroom floor to help get pre-orders for the november cars) and the v4s in january.
If anyone know if you can fit 3 car seats in the second row of a venza, pls let me know.
Speculation: the I4 RAV has a 4WD option so the Venza might also.
for the seats, don't trust the published measurements, since it really depends on how the seats are made (bolsters, angles, etc). Only real option is to drag them all into the showroom, and stick them in there! At least you don't have to buckle them up.
Plus, there are some skinnier seats, so if you other wise love the car, you might be ble to replace a seat or 2.
Also, I noticed in the Autoweek buyers guide that came yesterday that 20" wheels were standard, and I assume this means for the 4 cyl too. If so, tremendous overkill. Heavier, more expensive, degrade handling, etc. 18" would be more than enough IMO for what is essentially a Camry station wagon!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
See http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm
It appears to be about 9-10% more fuel efficient than the Highlander and about 5-7% less fuel efficient than an Avalon...all using the same 3.5L V6.
This is just my guess, but I'm looking at the Venza as being more of an Avalon wagon than a Camry wagon.
Toyota's September press release mentions standard features including auto dual-zone AC, an electrochromic mirror and relatively large alloy wheels (19" for the 4-cyl, 20" or the V6). The base Highlander does not include any of these features, so I'm guessing the Venza will be priced/positioned higher than the Highlander.
I've been mulling over a Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, or Nissan Murano for several months now. At this point, I'm waiting till the Venza hits the streets and the 2010 RX is announced.
Hold tight...I'll have pricing for you on November 3rd.
So it looks like we're less than two weeks away. I think that's the press embargo date as well, so we should see media reviews too.
I'm guessing a Venza FWD V6 with leather and other options (JBL, HIDs, etc.) will run around $36K MSRP (add another couple thousand for Nav). That's just a total guess based on a Highlander Limited (FWD) at roughly $35K and a Murano LE (AWD only) starting at $36K.
From the descriptions of the equipment it seems that the Venza will be like the XLE Camry trim level. The I4 XLE Camry auto runs about $25000. Thus I'd guess that the I4 Venza wagon will start around $26500. Then add $2000 for the V6 which puts it right in line with the base Avalon XL trim. Put on the other equipment you noted and you arrive at $36K for the loaded model.
But...which RAV4 and which Highlander pricing?
The base RAVs start just above $23000 with the new 2.5L, the Venza will have the new 2.7L and more equipment and a nicer ride.
The base Highlander V6 FWD starts at about $28500.
I still think that the base Venza V6 FWD will start at about $28500. It'll have the same ride as the Highlander but prolly a nicer interior but less seating room. Take your pick, do you need seating for 5 or for 6-7?
That's very true -- the cheapest (2008) RAV4 on Carmax's site is $23K and the most expensive non-hybrid Highlander is $42K (both MSRPs).
Now that there's a 4-cylinder Highlander, I think the Camry-is-to-Avalon as Highlander-is-to-Venza analogy makes sense. The Venza will have larger wheels, a 13-speaker JBL system versus the 9-speaker JBL in the Highlander, and HIDs as an option -- all of this should translate to a higher price.
I wasn't that thrilled when I first saw photos of it earlier in the year, but it's slowly grown on me. On Flickr there are photos of a silver Venza; I think it looks better in that color than the bronze/brown that Toyota seems to champion, but that's just me. I really want to see one in person.
There's a picture of a red 4-cylinder (with the "small" 19" wheels) here:
http://blogs.edmunds.com/karl/2008/09/2009-toyota-venza-crossover-cavalcade-cont- inues.html
No puddle lamps or turn-signal repeaters in the mirrors (2010 Lexus RX has both; Highlander Limited has the former)
The 4 cyl model has body-colored door handles; the V6 appears to have chrome
None of the photos show a "smart key" button on the exterior door handles (usually it's a little black square)
The optional JBL appears to be a "JBL Synthesis" system (surround sound), based on the JBL badge on the front door speakers
Two interior colors so far -- tan and grey (not a huge surprise, though Highlander has three if you include black on the Sport).
Black carpeting for both interior colors (that's different; even the "charcoal" interior in my 4Runner has light grey carpeting)
Same fuzzy, mouse-fur headliner material that's in the Highlander; lots of reviewers complained about it with the Highlander (but how often does anyone really touch the headliner anyway?)
Does not look like the floor in the back is completely flat (like in the Highlander), or if there's a slight hump in the middle.
There have been compliments on the material quality, but noone has stated whether the dash uses soft-touch materials or if it's hard plastic like the Highlander.
The middle-position in the rear seat has a seat-mounted seat belt, not an irritating to look at ceiling-mounted one like the Murano.
Looks like the same type of multi-info display that's found on the Highlander; guessing this is where the rear-view camera is displayed without Nav (I like that better than the rear-view mirror approach others are using)
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2008/10/a-quick-look-at.html
Looking at the cars.com photos, it looks like my assumption was wrong:
The 4 cyl model has body-colored door handles; the V6 appears to have chrome
It looks like the V6 model will also have body-colored door handles. I'm guessing that the optional "Convenience Package" that's mentioned on Toyota's site (if you look at the exterior photos in the Venza mini-site) includes the SmartKey and chrome door handles. I'm also guessing that the convenience package includes the power rear liftgate, which is missing on the White V6 in the photos.
If I can get a 2WD V6 with the SmartKey, HIDs, power rear door, JBL, and glass roof for around $36K MSRP, that'd be a good deal. A similarly equipped Murano LE (AWD only) would list around $38K, I believe. Of course, no one pays MSRP, so the street price should be lower (maybe not initially, but sales are slow all around).
http://www.wheels.ca/midsize/large/article/448750
Model # Engine Drivetrain MSRP
2810 L4 FWD $25,975
2820 L4 AWD $27,425
2812 V6 FWD $27,800
2822 V6 AWD $29,250
And here's a dealer with two Venzas in their online inventory. It lists the standard equipment and the contents of the "Premium Package." No pricing, though.