The 2009 Toyota Venza made its world debut this morning and is, according to boss Bob Carter, "something new; something different.... a crossover sedan. It is most definitely a car."
It is most definitely a station wagon.
Toyota reps made a point to emphasize that the Venza was not truck-based nor truckish nor trucklike in any way...
Like the Tundra, the five-passenger Venza was designed in the U.S. for the American market and will be built stateside. It arrives later this year with the corporate 3.5-liter 268-hp V6 or a 2.7-liter four-cylinder, each backed by a six-speed automatic. Towing capacity is said to be 3,500 pounds with the V6.
Toyota's SUV-like offerings will soon comprise the Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Highlander, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, RAV4, and Venza. Think that will cover the bases? -- Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor, Inside Line
mr215 says:
10:04 AM, 01/14/08
yeah thats a wagon. Whats up with Toyota going crazy with the wheel sizes? I dont think they need this vehicle at all but they are hell bent on competing with their own models.
jerrywimer says:
10:07 AM, 01/14/08
Except for the now-standard feature of the Wart on the nose, I like what I see in the above photos.
rsholland says:
10:11 AM, 01/14/08
I've heard rumors that the all-new 2010 Subaru Outback will diverge somewhat from the Legacy sedan, by being more CUV-like. I'm wondering if it will be somewhat like this in profile?
delawaredude says:
10:28 AM, 01/14/08
I might have to give this wagon a look. I drove a CR-V and RAV4 in December and didn't like the higher center of gravity, compared to a car's. The handling just isn't as good. Why not a wagon? Now, what I'd really like is a 3-series wagon... I wish other companies would bring their wagon variants to the US that are sold in Europe and elsewhere.
merks62 says:
10:30 AM, 01/14/08
As a station wagon partisan - there, someone actually said it! - this is one of my favorite production debuts in Detroit so far. I especially like how they moved the transmission shift up to the dashboard to make space for two Big Gulp-sized cupholders on the console. Some looking in may find the long-ish rear overhang an odd aesthetic choice, but it's OK by me since it boosts cargo space. Still, I hope the right front seat folds flat (like the Ford Flex) so I can get my kayak inside. Had the rear window been less rakish, they might have also been able to fit it with a roll-down rear window like the 4Runner.
sabastian says:
10:35 AM, 01/14/08
...just looks like an updated RAV4 to me.
bepperb says:
10:52 AM, 01/14/08
As a Big Gulp (or Mega Buddy) 96oz beverage partisan, I'm also intrigued by the large cupholders. I love my camry based Highlander, this camry based wagon would probably fit our needs even better.
I agree, there is significant overlap between this and the new Rav4. But some people don't like SUV's and prefer a wagon, and some wouldn't be caught dead in a station wagon, even if they're basically the same underneath.
ateixeira says:
11:15 AM, 01/14/08
I can't get over how much this resembles an Acura MDX.
In fact, I thought it was an MDX when I first saw the photos.
I'm curious to see more photos to get an idea just how big this would be? Smaller than a Highlander, I suppose?
roar02ram says:
11:55 AM, 01/14/08
I thought there was a distinct Audi Q7 feel to the side profile, but you're right ateixeira - there's a lot of MDX there, too. The specs put it at a smidge smaller than a Highlander. I thought the Venza was largely pointless until I realized that neither the minivan-wannabe Highlander nor the too dinky & economical RAV4 really matched up well with the Murano, CX-7, or Edge. In that company, the styling, size, and wheel sizes all make sense, although the 4-cylinder does not.
jkavanagh says:
01:25 PM, 01/14/08
I added some better images.
alpha01 says:
01:35 PM, 01/14/08
This vehicle is about the same size as a Volvo XC70, from a height and length perspective. It's not nearly as tall as a RAV or Highlander, and cannot seat 7. What exactly are people basing "overlap" on? It's a slightly jacked up station wagon with some marketing spin. I'm very interested in the all-new 2.7L 4 and high hopes for an efficient MPG ratings and good power/torque. That it is mated to a 6-speed is a good sign as well.
iskch says:
02:26 PM, 01/14/08
A station wagon. SW are back
estreka says:
02:30 PM, 01/14/08
So this is a slightly thirstier Matrix?
stephen987 says:
02:37 PM, 01/14/08
Venza:Camry::Matrix:Corolla
lexuslvr says:
04:52 PM, 01/14/08
The instant I saw a photo of this, the headlights reminded me of a Ford Edge.
I don't know how much power that 2.7L 4 is putting out, but I'm sure it's making more than the camry's old 2.4L. I hope it makes its way to the camry. Can you say 190 hp.
jr1m90 says:
05:11 PM, 01/14/08
And Toyota continues their new found love for foot long D-pillars...
Seriously though, this is exactly what I like to see. Now equip the V6 with a 6 speed manual and add a sport package option and you've sold me, even with the stupid beak style nose.
bgibbs1000 says:
07:18 PM, 01/14/08
looks like toyota is still copying ford, first with the tundra trying to be f150 like and now with the venza looking like an updated ford edge.
billt9 says:
08:48 PM, 01/14/08
Wagons never died in Japan.
Toyota sells some dozens of wagon models in Japan.
This particular car looks like a downgraded Mark X Zio.
http://toyota.jp/markxzio/interior/index.html
autophile_89 says:
08:51 AM, 01/15/08
Hmmm... the front end bears more than a passing resemblance to a Ford Edge, and I still am and never will be a fan of Toyota's bird-beak grille, but the overall design is cohesive and tasteful. It won't win any automotive beauty contests, but then again, station wagons (you can call it whatever you want, Toyota, but this is decidedly a station wagon) were never intended for that purpose. My pick would be the 2.7 liter with AWD for a combination of fuel economy and all weather capability.
zoomzoomn says:
09:09 AM, 01/16/08
This segment is really starting to heat up. It all started with the Murano. Then the CX7, the Edge and now this Toyota. These vehicles really do make a good alternative for mid sized families!
lexusisboi says:
06:30 PM, 01/16/08
My mom was going to trade in her GMC Envoy for a CX7 until i showed her the Venza...a big plus for the Venza was when she saw how much cargo space it has because we camp a lot and sports(the CX7 really dont hav a cargo space)another plus is that its a Toyota...Good job BIG T!!!
66fastback says:
12:09 PM, 01/22/08
Although I've never been a huge fan of Toyota styling, or Toyota's in general, I have to admit that this is a darned fine looking wagon.
I wish more of the manufacturers would simply move back to wagons instead of the massive amount of Crossovers. I understand the need to replace the truck-based SUV, but the market is now so oversaturated with Crossovers, that they are already passe. I've coined a new acronym for myself: JACO. "Just Another Cross Over."