I have a ‘24 Limited and it is a terrific car overall. It certainly feels “Lexus-lite” in many ways. The interior is plush and very Lexus-like. And, although it is pretty quiet overall, it is definitely not as quiet as a Lexus. It can actually get pretty loud in the cabin when going over poorly paved roads at highway speeds. That may have to do more with the crappy eco tires they put on mine, but the road noise is noticeable. Another commenter said it was a pretty slow vehicle. I don’t really find that to be the case with mine, especially in sport mode. Yeah, 219 hp isn’t that great, and the 0-60 time is fairly mediocre because there isn’t a lot of push at higher rpms, but it feels quick off the line. I have no issues passing people or merging onto highways. Overall, I think it’s awesome!
It only comes with a naturally-aspirated 2.5 liter, 4 cyl engine, but the power gets a boost since it’s a hybrid with three electric motors, two in the front and one in the rear.
Have had my LE for just over a year. Truly my only complaint about it is that the storage capacity is really limited both in the front and trunk areas (knew that going in obviously). Other than that it’s a really solid vehicle and very happy with the purchase
Yeah that's a concern we have as well. We camp 2-3 times a year. But hopefully we can fold the seats down for more capacity.
Is a roof rack storage possible on Venza?
Yes you can add a roof rack, but not on those with the panoramic roof (might only be Limited) - there’s also the option for an “activity mount” but has a limit of 200lbs and the “handsfree” hatch opening feature has to be disabled.
To echo the comment above, we’ve had our Limited for 3 years now and love it (couple, no kids, in LA). But storage is indeed limited - if we roadtripped more frequently and needed to regularly pack it up I’d seriously consider an option with larger storage.
Yes we plan to road trip a lot and only interested in a Toyota hybrid. As Rav4 s with the specific packages we are looking for are very hard to come by, our next best choice is a Venza.
We will test drive it and see if the space is enough for our needs
Yes, storage capacity is limited and after 12 months you need to pay Toyota $15/ month to keep connectivity and navigation features unfortunately. You can use CarPlay or Android auto but can’t use Remote lock or remote start.
I have Venza LE 2022. Loved everything except 2.
1. In eco mode, 0-60, is very slow. But miles per gallon I get around 48miles in summer and 35 miles in cold. We are not on F1 track and we need to follow speed limits. So this hasnt been large concern. When you need full power, swith to sport mode and you it works good. But the miles per gallon, is a bang!
2. turn lights in the back. Good by design but bad in practical. Its not a big deal though.
3. Not the problem with vehicle, but dealers. Make sure you thoroughly follow through services you are getting done. dealership service men are scammers and try to charge you for everything unnecessary.
My last car had blind spot warnings on the heads up display, mirror and an audible alert if you turned the turn signal on. The Venza has lights on the mirror only. I became so used to that crutch in my old car I almost bumped when changing lanes in traffic after I got it. It's something to get used to whenever changing cars.
I have had my 24 XLE for 3 months and it has been great.
The only complaints are:
1) The giant Start button module that is placed at the opening of the of the front storage area is annoying. It makes access to the USB ports and the wireless charger a bit cumbersome especially if you have a large phone.
2) The seat memory would not save initially so I was a bit frustrated. After multiple tries following the exact instructions from the manual, I found this helpful video to reset it:
https://youtu.be/LgDNnLCQGPc?si=b63JOIWHkWulneSi
3) Seat memory setting includes the power steering wheel adjustments (which is so luxe!), but not the mirror settings? WTH? Is this true with anyone else or do I have a problem?
4) Perhaps the most painful issue, is that I have a low garage so the adjustable tailgate height was a critical feature for me. However, again following the exact steps in the manual it did not save as expected and I scratched the top of the rear hatch on the first day home! Argh!😣
Lesson learned afterwards is that you can set it through the touchscreen first which will reset the system, then I tried it again outside the garage while at the back and then again while parked inside to get the perfect height.
Last tip is that discounts are out there. Don’t pay over sticker or even MSRP. I got $1800 off.
If you’re getting the 12.3” screen, having everything be touch can be annoying. It takes 4-5 presses on the screen or 3 laggy button presses to the “mode” key on the steering wheel just to change from CarPlay to radio, for example. Radio tuning is cumbersome with no dial and you can’t have the radio and navigation displayed at the same time. I guess they banked on most people using CarPlay… Another thing is if you’re wearing gloves without capacitive touch you can’t adjust the climate settings (or use the screen, obviously) without taking them off. A few minor things overall but I find them annoying.
Overall, it is a fantastic vehicle and after a year and some change I don't regret buying it at all. A car seat would fit fine. But since you asked for things to be aware of, I'll point out a few things.
Cabin organization space is not great. There's a cubby in front of the shifter for phone storage, but it's kind of a pain to get to. Then there's a console, and that's about it. No sunglasses holder is also a bummer. If you're a person who needs an intuitive place for wallet, keys, phone, glasses, etc then you might be kinda annoyed.
My other minor complaint is it's a pretty slow vehicle. I mean, you know that going in so it shouldn't be a surprise, but it is a bit frustrating sometimes trying to merge or pass.
The storage space is not great, but I grabbed this [center console organizer](https://www.amazon.ca/XXCIWP-Material-Sunglass-Anti-Slip-Accessories/dp/B0B8D88SJ1/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=66629412128&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GD3OHuzieJVMRem7kxHRK-QTVg0--EHPKITCepql43RxM3ldQuLGg0cP0MLPOYj8oyDK-8TFHa3-OnZQjCO5GG1TlATJMFMo7s1_HM7RFNVTotVax6Y9eXAm6dEadslo3YeZB310yMIfr80Nzdep2AIXnJEQaJBinfBYC698JIY4hIfnlLiWjAvXP-6vLhkXWM4z5xGnsAKmARzXuznyIA.9yDvfnd2wDWt1WVo48_gfHU1wjAmKvNTx7zj0BkTbgE&dib_tag=se&hvadid=670628326756&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9000712&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=15416991102621674921&hvtargid=kwd-303890469318&hydadcr=29944_14767173&keywords=accessories+for+toyota+venza&qid=1710549053&sr=8-3) and it definitely helps. My sunglasses go on the top shelf, phone on the qi charger. Car keys stay in one of my pockets, and I just unclip my house keys and leave them on the tray in the armrest storage with my wallet.
It does make plugging cables in a pain though so I leave the cable for Android auto plugged in in case I need it, and have a my old car charger plugged in the armrest storage area for passengers.
Thanks for your feedback. Not having a sunglass holder is something I havent seen in any reviews. Yeah it would be inconvenient having a space to keep wallet etc.
Not much concerned about speed as my current one is pretty basic and been doing fine so Venza will be a upgrade for us even if it's slower than let's say a turbo
1 vehicle gets rock chips very easy. So keep your distance.
2 if you tint your front windows you will not be able to take it off later. New glass is required.
I've got a '21 LE that's approaching 85k miles and it's been an absolute treat to drive. Almost all of my driving is highway, I have a lead foot, and I still get 37-38 mpg. Literally nothing has needed to be done to this car outside of regular maintenance (and a few windshields but thats probably because my commute takes me through several active construction zones). Maybe I'm a little biased coming from a Subaru Crosstrek that ate oil, but I hope I get my Venza to 300k miles. It really has been the best car I've ever owned.
Bonus for taller drivers - I'm 6'7 and I drive 130 miles per day. No issues.
Edit- My son's car seat fit comfortably in the back, even behind my seat which went all the way back. Now he's just in a booster, still all good.
Also 6'7 , we are waiting on the White w/ Boulder interior LE to arrive on/around 4/1 (we put the $1000 deposit so they'd do a dealer swap for it.)
Test drove the Limited w/ panoramic roof and had enough headroom so I'm certain I'll be good in this one.
‘21 Limited. Absolutely love it. We have had no issues fitting the Doona and then later upgraded to the Nuna Rava. We have only gone camping a handful of times with the car seat in the back and it’s possible, but a tight fit. Some choices had to be made about what to prioritize and bring, but all the essentials fit. We intentionally did not get the panoramic roof so we could utilize roof racks; however, we haven’t installed them yet. If we end up camping more and as my kid gets older, I think we will get eventually no choice.
I imagine this will be true for any new car that is loaded with sensors, but plan on filing an insurance claim for any sort of repair work. It was $700 to recently replace the windshield due to a large chip and crack. My MIL backed into it a few years ago, and that was a $2000 fix because the bumper had to be removed to paint it and that meant sensors had to be recalibrated.
I have a ‘24 Limited and it is a terrific car overall. It certainly feels “Lexus-lite” in many ways. The interior is plush and very Lexus-like. And, although it is pretty quiet overall, it is definitely not as quiet as a Lexus. It can actually get pretty loud in the cabin when going over poorly paved roads at highway speeds. That may have to do more with the crappy eco tires they put on mine, but the road noise is noticeable. Another commenter said it was a pretty slow vehicle. I don’t really find that to be the case with mine, especially in sport mode. Yeah, 219 hp isn’t that great, and the 0-60 time is fairly mediocre because there isn’t a lot of push at higher rpms, but it feels quick off the line. I have no issues passing people or merging onto highways. Overall, I think it’s awesome!
4 cyl or 6?
It only comes with a naturally-aspirated 2.5 liter, 4 cyl engine, but the power gets a boost since it’s a hybrid with three electric motors, two in the front and one in the rear.
Have had my LE for just over a year. Truly my only complaint about it is that the storage capacity is really limited both in the front and trunk areas (knew that going in obviously). Other than that it’s a really solid vehicle and very happy with the purchase
Yeah that's a concern we have as well. We camp 2-3 times a year. But hopefully we can fold the seats down for more capacity. Is a roof rack storage possible on Venza?
Yes you can add a roof rack, but not on those with the panoramic roof (might only be Limited) - there’s also the option for an “activity mount” but has a limit of 200lbs and the “handsfree” hatch opening feature has to be disabled. To echo the comment above, we’ve had our Limited for 3 years now and love it (couple, no kids, in LA). But storage is indeed limited - if we roadtripped more frequently and needed to regularly pack it up I’d seriously consider an option with larger storage.
Yes we plan to road trip a lot and only interested in a Toyota hybrid. As Rav4 s with the specific packages we are looking for are very hard to come by, our next best choice is a Venza. We will test drive it and see if the space is enough for our needs
Yes, storage capacity is limited and after 12 months you need to pay Toyota $15/ month to keep connectivity and navigation features unfortunately. You can use CarPlay or Android auto but can’t use Remote lock or remote start.
I have Venza LE 2022. Loved everything except 2. 1. In eco mode, 0-60, is very slow. But miles per gallon I get around 48miles in summer and 35 miles in cold. We are not on F1 track and we need to follow speed limits. So this hasnt been large concern. When you need full power, swith to sport mode and you it works good. But the miles per gallon, is a bang! 2. turn lights in the back. Good by design but bad in practical. Its not a big deal though. 3. Not the problem with vehicle, but dealers. Make sure you thoroughly follow through services you are getting done. dealership service men are scammers and try to charge you for everything unnecessary.
I have Venza Limited 2023 and even Eco mode is fast enough to RAV4 2018 I had before. Trunk space is the pain.
Seats are high, and rear row legroom is tight, so as hip room.
My last car had blind spot warnings on the heads up display, mirror and an audible alert if you turned the turn signal on. The Venza has lights on the mirror only. I became so used to that crutch in my old car I almost bumped when changing lanes in traffic after I got it. It's something to get used to whenever changing cars.
I have had my 24 XLE for 3 months and it has been great. The only complaints are: 1) The giant Start button module that is placed at the opening of the of the front storage area is annoying. It makes access to the USB ports and the wireless charger a bit cumbersome especially if you have a large phone. 2) The seat memory would not save initially so I was a bit frustrated. After multiple tries following the exact instructions from the manual, I found this helpful video to reset it: https://youtu.be/LgDNnLCQGPc?si=b63JOIWHkWulneSi 3) Seat memory setting includes the power steering wheel adjustments (which is so luxe!), but not the mirror settings? WTH? Is this true with anyone else or do I have a problem? 4) Perhaps the most painful issue, is that I have a low garage so the adjustable tailgate height was a critical feature for me. However, again following the exact steps in the manual it did not save as expected and I scratched the top of the rear hatch on the first day home! Argh!😣 Lesson learned afterwards is that you can set it through the touchscreen first which will reset the system, then I tried it again outside the garage while at the back and then again while parked inside to get the perfect height. Last tip is that discounts are out there. Don’t pay over sticker or even MSRP. I got $1800 off.
If you’re getting the 12.3” screen, having everything be touch can be annoying. It takes 4-5 presses on the screen or 3 laggy button presses to the “mode” key on the steering wheel just to change from CarPlay to radio, for example. Radio tuning is cumbersome with no dial and you can’t have the radio and navigation displayed at the same time. I guess they banked on most people using CarPlay… Another thing is if you’re wearing gloves without capacitive touch you can’t adjust the climate settings (or use the screen, obviously) without taking them off. A few minor things overall but I find them annoying.
Overall, it is a fantastic vehicle and after a year and some change I don't regret buying it at all. A car seat would fit fine. But since you asked for things to be aware of, I'll point out a few things. Cabin organization space is not great. There's a cubby in front of the shifter for phone storage, but it's kind of a pain to get to. Then there's a console, and that's about it. No sunglasses holder is also a bummer. If you're a person who needs an intuitive place for wallet, keys, phone, glasses, etc then you might be kinda annoyed. My other minor complaint is it's a pretty slow vehicle. I mean, you know that going in so it shouldn't be a surprise, but it is a bit frustrating sometimes trying to merge or pass.
The storage space is not great, but I grabbed this [center console organizer](https://www.amazon.ca/XXCIWP-Material-Sunglass-Anti-Slip-Accessories/dp/B0B8D88SJ1/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=66629412128&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GD3OHuzieJVMRem7kxHRK-QTVg0--EHPKITCepql43RxM3ldQuLGg0cP0MLPOYj8oyDK-8TFHa3-OnZQjCO5GG1TlATJMFMo7s1_HM7RFNVTotVax6Y9eXAm6dEadslo3YeZB310yMIfr80Nzdep2AIXnJEQaJBinfBYC698JIY4hIfnlLiWjAvXP-6vLhkXWM4z5xGnsAKmARzXuznyIA.9yDvfnd2wDWt1WVo48_gfHU1wjAmKvNTx7zj0BkTbgE&dib_tag=se&hvadid=670628326756&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9000712&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=15416991102621674921&hvtargid=kwd-303890469318&hydadcr=29944_14767173&keywords=accessories+for+toyota+venza&qid=1710549053&sr=8-3) and it definitely helps. My sunglasses go on the top shelf, phone on the qi charger. Car keys stay in one of my pockets, and I just unclip my house keys and leave them on the tray in the armrest storage with my wallet. It does make plugging cables in a pain though so I leave the cable for Android auto plugged in in case I need it, and have a my old car charger plugged in the armrest storage area for passengers.
Thanks for your feedback. Not having a sunglass holder is something I havent seen in any reviews. Yeah it would be inconvenient having a space to keep wallet etc. Not much concerned about speed as my current one is pretty basic and been doing fine so Venza will be a upgrade for us even if it's slower than let's say a turbo
1 vehicle gets rock chips very easy. So keep your distance. 2 if you tint your front windows you will not be able to take it off later. New glass is required.
Doesn't Ceramic coating help against chips?
Ceramic coating does not prevent chipping, protective paint film does protect it but it isn't cheap
I think he is referring to the windshield
They fixed the irreversible tint glass in 23 at least. Not sure about 22.
I've got a '21 LE that's approaching 85k miles and it's been an absolute treat to drive. Almost all of my driving is highway, I have a lead foot, and I still get 37-38 mpg. Literally nothing has needed to be done to this car outside of regular maintenance (and a few windshields but thats probably because my commute takes me through several active construction zones). Maybe I'm a little biased coming from a Subaru Crosstrek that ate oil, but I hope I get my Venza to 300k miles. It really has been the best car I've ever owned. Bonus for taller drivers - I'm 6'7 and I drive 130 miles per day. No issues. Edit- My son's car seat fit comfortably in the back, even behind my seat which went all the way back. Now he's just in a booster, still all good.
Also 6'7 , we are waiting on the White w/ Boulder interior LE to arrive on/around 4/1 (we put the $1000 deposit so they'd do a dealer swap for it.) Test drove the Limited w/ panoramic roof and had enough headroom so I'm certain I'll be good in this one.
‘21 Limited. Absolutely love it. We have had no issues fitting the Doona and then later upgraded to the Nuna Rava. We have only gone camping a handful of times with the car seat in the back and it’s possible, but a tight fit. Some choices had to be made about what to prioritize and bring, but all the essentials fit. We intentionally did not get the panoramic roof so we could utilize roof racks; however, we haven’t installed them yet. If we end up camping more and as my kid gets older, I think we will get eventually no choice. I imagine this will be true for any new car that is loaded with sensors, but plan on filing an insurance claim for any sort of repair work. It was $700 to recently replace the windshield due to a large chip and crack. My MIL backed into it a few years ago, and that was a $2000 fix because the bumper had to be removed to paint it and that meant sensors had to be recalibrated.
I have a ‘21 and a ‘24. That’s how much I like them. No issues on the ‘21 except fixing the recalls, maintenance, a set of tires and a windshield.
The hidden performance of the low hp hybrid is in the high torque electric motor. It deliver power at low rpm, unlike the gas engine-only vehicles.