What say the brain-trust? We looked at a certified '14 Venza v6 AWD limited the other day and were pretty impressed overall, I wanted to get opinions from those who've owned one? The only thing I didn't like was the panoramic roof (I hate sunroofs too as a rule, but most everything has them now), has anyone here had any first-hand experience with the Venza and/or their pano roofs?

Just looking for general opinions/experiences as well.


Thanks

I have not owned one but everything I’ve heard about them is positive. They are a very practical vehicle. The V6 is reliable as Toyota engine usually are.

A good friend of mine has an 09, has 133k trouble free miles on it. I’ve ridden in it on multiple occasions. Only issue I have with it is that I honestly see no difference between it and my old rav4. Interior volume inside seems the same for a cheaper price with the rav4.

Toyota the second best car AFTER Honda/Acura.

^ this

My wife has a 2012 V6 AWD Venza and we both think it is the best car we have ever had. My wife wants a new one but as you know they no longer make them. We have 95,000 miles on ours and have had no issues at all with it. The V6 has plenty of power the car has great handleing and the AWD works fantastic in the snow esp if you run snow tires. One thing We both like is the car holds the road like glue and is really stable at speed. We also feel real safe driving it. I often ask people who own one how they like it and I have yet to hear negative comments on the car.

Better think twice Marco620. Toyota/Lexus any way any time. Have to admit Honda does make a real nice lawnmower though !

Although the PRESS never seemed to to be fond of the VENZA as compared to its competition(whatever it's competition is), everyone, and I mean EVERYONE whom I have spoken to about their VENZA, loves it! I have had a similar vehicle(LEXUS RX) and liked it. Consumer Reports gives the VENZA a high marks for reliability even though they didn't score it high.

Most members of the PRESS don't know exactly where to categorize the VENZA. Is it an SUV or a Wagon? The VENZA slots between the RAV4 & Highlander...Does it even matter? I mean, really!

IMO the Venza has been the best kept secret in the car business for the last few years. The Venza is essentially the same vehicle under the skin as the Lexus RX (and only slightly less expensive than the RX when new). Like the RX, they ride and drive great and they are quiet, comfortable, and nearly bullet-proof. Toyota never sold many of them because they never promoted them. Many people don't even know what they are. All the people I know that own them, love them.

I think they are a very nice vehicle. They are comfortable, quiet and the interior is beautiful. The 2.7L 4 cyl may not provide enough power for some due to the fact that the vehicle weights ~ 4,000 lbs. I like then. Ed

I probably would have bought a Venza if they had come out a few years earlier, ended up with a RAV6 and that was probably the better choice for me in the end. Was looking for a wagon after a generally good experience with a '96 Outback (excepting the fact that it was sorely lacking in power), but I prefer the little SUVs now. I definitely liked the looks of the Venza a lot!
The 3.5l Toyota V6 is legendary, but I will warn that I had issues with the AWD in my RAV just after the warranty period ended and the local Toyota indy shop told me that system was well known for the expensive repair that I ended up shelling out for. The operation of the AWD was also fairly primitive compared to the Subies I had before and after. You're probably looking at a different system in a different model from several years later, but FWIW.

We have had our 2009 V6 AWD Pano since new, about 55,000 miles on it now. Had some suspension work done (rear struts), rear hub carrier, and 2 wheel speed sensors, all just after warranty. Probably our terrible roads beating it up. Nothing else to report which is a good thing.

The knocks against them that I found was, mileage for its size, road noise(it has huge low profile tires) and no factory roof racks. No reviews really complement its handling either but I would think its better than the RAV4 or Highlander.
I think for family duty there's better vehicles, but I see alot of retired people with them and it makes sense for them.

I drove a Venza 2.0 turbo diesel a few times and was very impressed with it, nice comfortable car with a great little diesel. No noticeable lag, smooth and quiet and good performance. No idea if they sell it in the US.
The diesel or gas L4 if offered would be the engine I would choose.

Aside from the huge, low profile wheels Toyota decided to put on them, I think Venza is a good looking vehicle, probably because it looks more like a wagon than an SUV, which is probably why people had very little interest in it.