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2010 Toyota Venza
I thought it would be a good idea to put a wish list for 2010 Venza. Who knows, the Toyota rep might pick up this info.
I'll start:
- Black or dark grey seats
- Memory seats
- 18''..19''..20'' tires selection
I'll start:
- Black or dark grey seats
- Memory seats
- 18''..19''..20'' tires selection
0
Comments
- True iPod integration (i.e. via a USB port)
- Turn signal indicators in the side mirrors
- LED taillamps
Memory seats would also be great.
Best
You can already buy replacement LED bulbs.
"..-Turn signal indicators..."
On the bottom so they can be seen front and rear and while we're at why not integrated "puddle" lighting...?
And how about an "airfoil" cover/extension over the top of the outside rear view mirrors to reduce instances of rain on the mirror. The airfoil forms a vacuum over the top to help wick away the droplets that do attach to the mirror surface.
Adopt a CVT transaxle to get DECENT FE and to avoid the unsettling/discomforting constant SHIFTINESS of the current 6 (9) speed automatic used to not even get to the same FE.
Move the electromagnetic rear drive clutch in series with/to the front drive and "solidify" the rear drive path. Have a much more safe driving R/awd vehicle.
And while you're in there use the new VW engine RPM control technique to prevent driver induced overstearing. If rear wheelspin/slip develops(***) as a result of the driver being overly zealous with the gas pedal then simply use DBW to overcome the driver's input, match the engine torque production to roadspeed, no excessive forward drive nor engine compression braking.
*** Assuming the R/awd system has already been "configured" to 50/50, otherwise that should/would be the first "action" to take with rear wheelspin/slip detection.
An engine driven SC but through a version of the e/CVT to vary the SC speed. Requires yet another AC synchronous motor and AC drive inverter, probably equal to, a HP equivalent, of the system used to drive the A/C compressor.
The engine displacement volume could be downsized quite significantly so as to dramatically improve FE in cruise, Atkinson mode, but yet retain the POWER of teh current engine by simply transitioning in the Miller cycle mode when required.
"Native"/Static cylinder compression ratio of ~14-16 but with Atkinson effective (DFI) compression ratio of 12:1. Then use a combination of delayed intake valve closing, more closing delay, and SC boost to bring the engine HP/torque up to an acceptable level.
Please correct me if I am mistaken...
Best.
Aside from being brighter and illuminating faster (which could be the difference between a near miss and getting rear-ended), they just look cool. Like the 20" wheels.
My understanding is that the LEDs should last a long time -- longer than regular lights with a filament, and maybe even as long as the useful life of the vehicle. Therefore, the cost of replacement is moot relative to how often one would expect to replace them. Granted, if there is a high incidence of premature failure of LED lamps, then that's another story.
JBL with Nav: Voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system with JBL Synthesis® surround sound AM/FM 4-disc in-dash CD changer with integrated satellite radio, MP3/WMA playback capability, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology and 13 speakers
versus
JBL non-nav: JBL Synthesis® surround sound AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with integrated satellite radio, MP3/WMA playback capability, hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth® wireless technology and 13 speakers
For the JBL non-nav, the Bluetooth profile supported is only for the hands-free phone capability, not music streaming.
I suppose I will be removing my radio after-all to attach an after-market i-phone integration unit after I have the car. I called DICE this afternoon and they should have on the market very soon the unit, fully tested, for the Venza.
Thanks for enlightening me.
"..Aside from being BRIGHTER.."
Yes, I foresee a day not too distant in the future wherein the brightness of these new LED tail/stop lights will be regulated. Or maybe the stop lights automatically extinguished once the vehicle actually stops.
The brightness has now reached the point of being annoying.
Isn't that the point of brake lights?
Another idea would be to have a varying intensity -- maybe bright for regular stops and extra bright for panic stops?
I'm usually more bothered by extra-bright headlights from people who are using after-market HIDs or HID-like lights, rather than bright LED brake lights.
The annoyance isn't an issue until we're both fully stopped and I'm directly behind having to look away to avoid the glare.
"..varying intensity --..."
Has been well proven not to work.
That's why we now have a separate high mounted brake light, to differentiate from parking/street/tail light brightness if you happen to be not paying attention at the instant the brake lights illuminate..
What is needed is some sort of "bar graph" type brake light display so the following driver can more easily discern the braking level/intensity of the leading vehicle.
The 2010 Venza will begin arriving at dealerships in early November. You can view information regarding the styling, specifications, features and options by visiting our Pressroom http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/2010-toyota-venza-is-a-new-type-102521- .aspx.
His comparisons to Pacifica and Taurus X don't seem to make sense. Why didn't Carney compare Venza to similar models in the same class?
At the end of his review he writes: "Volkswagen is pulling closer to the leaders with a plan to pass both of them in the coming decade. For this leadership position, only quality products need apply." This is laughable based on the poor reliability ratings VW has of late.
I will agree that Toyota must improve upon their quality control. However, it took decades of poorly built GM's and Chryslers to get the proverbial wake up call but in my opinion nothing in their 2009 - 2010 line-ups that gets me excited.
My Venza was purchased from a Toyota dealer who also has Pontiac and Cadillac on the same floor. I can honestly say the interior fit and finish of my Venza is equal to, if not superior in comparison to the SRX and at $14,000 less.
I don't know about the electric steering, but haven't read any complaints about it here or in elsewhere. What about it Venza owners, is the steering too light?
The writer must be on the GM take. I recently drove a Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon and was underwhelmed and at 40K plus. The leather seats smelled awful. The interior looked like the Chevy Equinox. It didn't ooze luxury like a Lexus to me. I can't believe Cadillac is competing with Lexus anymore.
Dave
Just for reference what was the vehicle you owned prior to the Venza and what will you be trading to?
Were it not for pre-paid maintenance and extended warranty that we can transfer to the Highlander, we would have traded the Venza in on another brand. In the meantime, we travel around in our F-350. It's a bummer, but we caused this by not being more discriminating at the beginning.
Interesting you find the new HL more comfortable. I have a 1st gen HL and I find as a tall person the seats are really too small for me with short leg support. Although there aren't many cars out there that seem to have good seats. If you are not the standard size person they design for you're doomed to make do.
Seats should be an option like shoes, Small, medium and large would be nice.
Pacifica and Taurus X are in the same "class" as Venza. The definition of Class here is 4 door wagon/crossover vehicle.
1. The 2009 Chrysler Pacifica was discontinued.
2. The Taurus X is a 7 Passenger Vehicle.
This has nothing to do weather the car is a Toyota or not. Instead compare apples to apples in size as well as class.
Let's put the reference to the Pacifica and Taurus X in context with the following quote from Mr. Carney's review:
"It's unknown whether this was the result of a genuine belief that the company should offer a product in every imaginable category, or because hubris led Toyota to believe that the Venza would find buyers who eluded the very similar (and discontinued due to lack of interest) Chrysler Pacifica and Ford Taurus X crossovers."
His point was to question whether the Venza would find a market. A little research would have shown Mr. Carney that Toyota targeted first year sales of 60,000 Venzas in press releases in the 4th quarter of 2008. Venza is on track to sell 90% of its target in 2009, despite the headwinds of the worst new car sales market in many years. Note that Honda has only targeted 40,000 for sales of its Crosstour, but apparently concluded this was a market segment deserving a product.
Consider another irrelevant aside by Mr. Carney at the end of the Venza review where he goes out of his way to praise Volkswagen as closing on the leaders where only quality products need apply. VW has a poor reputation for quality based on several sources. In addition, VW does not have a car that competes directly with the Venza, so why is it mentioned in this Venza review? Was this gratuitous compliment in appreciation of Mr. Carney being selected as one of three guest drivers earlier in the year in a VW sponsored race? Is this why he cites the hubris of Toyota in bringing the Venza to market, while praising the leadership of VW. Keep in mind this is the same VW that brought us the Phaeton, the embodiment of hubris and a car that sold 6,000 units per year from a factory built to produce 20,000 Phaetons. VW's leadership is currently exemplified in its re-badged Chrysler minivan, the Routan. However, do not bother Mr. Carney with such facts.
MD
I have a very basic question for the Forum. What are the advantages and disadvantages of tire sizes ranging from 16 inch to 20 inch? Surely there must be some trade-offs, but I have never seen these defined.
Many of the reviews of other vehicles make a point that a pricier version of the same car means that, for example, you get 18 inch tires instead of 17 inch. That would suggest that bigger is better, but most comments on the Venza tires take the position that 20 inche tires are too big and magnify the effect of a rough road surface..
It seems unlikely to me that Toyota would equip the Venza with 20 inch tires if there were no advantages whatsoever to that size, but I have never seen the plusses and minuses explained.
Highlander either, from what I understand. I really like the exterior looks of the Venza. I saw quite a few on the road up in the North Georgia area while I was away for Thanksgiving.
But I'm also spoiled in my Lexus ('07 RX350) with the memory seats, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, memory mirrors, reverse-tilt mirrors and rain-sensing wipers. My lease will be up
in August of next year, and I'm having trouble finding these features all together in any other vehicle that would fall between the RX in price and the Venza in price.
Sorry, but I had to read your post over 3 times to make sense of it.
1. the side view mirrors don't tilt down when car is put in reverse - is this the norm?
2. have the power rear tailgate - it opens from inside the car and from the remote, but when I press the button on the tailgate itself, it doesn't open - is this the way it's supposed to work?
No the mirrors do not tilt.
At the beginning, I thought my rear door came up when I pushed the button between the 2 letters.
Now it doesn't, so I am not too sure. It works from the remote and the cock pit.
Do you know how to lock your doors??? My dealership did not know how to do it.