by "Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
Published 10/16/2017 at 13:26
by "Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
Published 10/16/2017 at 13:26
No Tags
STARS: 5
Whoa whoa whoa, I know what you’re thinking here, the Venza is very much a weird blandmobile that should never be considered by any car enthusiast for any purpose whatsoever. But I want one. I have good reasons! Hear me out.
Right now, my one and only car is my modified-to-hell BMW 335xi coupe, because it’s a fun performance car that, when shod with snow tires, is pretty damn decent to drive in snowy Wisconsin winters. But I used to have both a BMW 135is and a Jeep Grand Cherokee, which I consolidated into this 335xi because having 3 cars along with my wife in our little townhouse with a 1-car garage was complicated.
We’re talking about buying a house, which will have at least a 2-car garage (and maybe a 3-car if I can finagle it), which of course leads me to thoughts of going back to 2 cars for myself. I very much enjoy having a stupid fun performance car, but I also like having a nice comfy highway cruiser that can handle winter and utility duties. Plus sometimes if I’m just putzing around town I prefer to have the roomier more relaxed car so I can spread out and not get beaten up by a stiff suspension & low profile tires on crappy Wisconsin roads.
My Grand Cherokee was good at serving this purpose, but it was also wayyyyy overkill for winter traction, at the expense of fuel economy and practicality. I was hung up on having as many fancy differentials as possible, and the Quadra-Drive II 4wd system on my particular Grand Cherokee had 3 Eaton EGerodisc LSDs. Combined with General Grabber AT2 all-terrain tires, it was a formidable winter vehicle. Which was great, but I don’t go off road, I just drive around Madison when it snows. Quadra-Drive II was usually available combined with the Hemi motor. Between that, the heavy A/T tires, and the old-school 5-speed automatic transmission, I averaged 11 mpg around town. I was lucky if I touched 16 mpg on the highway. Its back seat and cargo room were ok, but nothing great.
The reality is, any awd car with proper winter tires and maybe some raised ground clearance is totally fine for my winter needs. So I might as well get something that’s better at the comfy cruiser type responsibilities, and is more car-like to drive, while having more room inside and better mpg.
Enter, the Venza.
The Venza is basically a raised Camry wagon with available awd. The same thing can also be said about the Highlander, but the Venza is closer to being a regular car. It has several things I like. Let me count the ways.
I actually kinda like how it looks. It’s sort of handsome, and certainly much better looking than the humpback whale Honda Crosstour.
Sure, the Venza has a basic slip-n-grip fwd-based all wheel drive system, but combined with some good winter tires and its semi-raised ride height, it’s perfectly acceptable for my needs in winter. It’s not as if I need to be able to get around town in every snowstorm at all costs, I just want to have above-average winter capability.
The transverse engine layout makes for a more roomy interior.
The step-up engine is a more-than-capable 3.5 liter, 268 hp V6 that along with a pretty decent 6-speed automatic transmission and the awd system, averages 18/21/25 city/mixed/highway mpg on regular gas.
The inside isn’t
super-premium,
but the higher-spec XLE and Limited trims are a pretty nice place to be. The tan color has a black dash top and carpets like the automotive deities intended, and a double sunroof!
There’s a phone nook in the dash! I’m not sure if it’s wide enough for today’s big-screen phones, but points for effort.
Look at all this room for random furniture my wife will hypothetically buy from garage sales and thrift stores then refinish, but probably not actually buy or refinish!
Now here’s the kicker. The stereo isn’t quite a standard double-DIN opening, but it’s close, and there’s a dash kit that does a pretty decent job of integrating double-DIN head units. So I could swap out the head unit for something that supports Android Auto, while still being able to interface with backup cameras and reuse the pretty dang decent factory JBL amp and speakers.
The only wiring that’s not readily available through an adapter is the factory USB port but I’m sure there’s some way to re-use the factory USB/aux port panel location with an aftermarket head unit.
Is the Venza a high performance machine? No, of course not. But it’s got better-than-econobox quickness, plenty of comfort and room, enough winter traction to realistically meet my needs, and can be easily brought up to current in-car tech levels. It’s still lower to the ground than other crossovers, and drives more like a car, even if that car is a boring Camry. It’ll be cheap to insure and maintain, and at least halfway decent on gas.
I’m pretty sure I’ve found my next comfy cruiser winter vehicle, for whenever it is I might be able to go back to 2 cars. At least until I change my mind 43 more times between now and when I can actually get the 2 cars. My wife will be so proud of me.
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
10/16/2017 at 13:29, STARS: 1
Step 1: Take Acura ZDX
Step 2: Install quicker rack
Step 3: Low
Step 4: Sway bars
Step 5: Yes
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
10/16/2017 at 13:30, STARS: 0
I would not mind one that Brown & V6 AWD. Maybe subtly lower it, then a TRD super charger. The tweak the AWD for more rear bias.
"Dasupersprint - base trim is enough" (dasupersprint)
10/16/2017 at 13:30, STARS: 0
I like how they look, and they’re easy to find in poop brown
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/16/2017 at 13:32, STARS: 0
The ZDX has crappy back seat headroom and rear visibility, and its in-dash screen is more tightly integrated with the car therefore harder to replace.
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
10/16/2017 at 13:33, STARS: 4
Ah, but the trick to fixing the back seats is to not have friends in the first place.
"m-b-w loves his SUBAROO" (m-b-w)
10/16/2017 at 13:35, STARS: 0
Have you considered an Outback?
"E92M3" (E46M3)
10/16/2017 at 13:38, STARS: 0
The roof is too low to fit much furniture in the back. I would just get a high mileage Lexus RX. It will be more comfortable, you get a taller ride height, and you can fit more in the back. Would be easier to sell when you’re done with it too. Just a thought.
A Highlander will have even more cargo room, but the ride won’t be as plush.
"Ssfancyfresh" (scotttt)
10/16/2017 at 13:41, STARS: 0
I have a friend that traded in an IS-F and got a Venza.
That’s all I have to say about that.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/16/2017 at 13:41, STARS: 0
Oddly enough, there are H&R Sport springs available for it.
A supercharger, however, is rather outside the scope of what I’d use a Venza for. The V6 is enough.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
10/16/2017 at 13:44, STARS: 0
I don’t think it’s crazy. I think these are pretty good looking. I think the pre-refresh looks better of the two.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
10/16/2017 at 13:44, STARS: 0
I mean, it’s a nice family car. As long as you know what you’re getting and you want it for what it does. There’s a reason Toyota sells so many cars.
I also don’t thing the Crosstour deserves all the hate it gets.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/16/2017 at 13:49, STARS: 0
Briefly considered an XT or 3.6R but they’re all a pain to add an aftermarket stereo to. I’d really like to have a modern Android Auto type head unit in my road trip car.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/16/2017 at 13:53, STARS: 0
The furniture is only hypothetical, not a main concern with the car. The RX would be much harder to do any kind of aftermarket head unit, and I’ve never been all that impressed with the ride comfort in any RX I’ve been in.
If anything I’d go for a 2004-07 Highlander V6 without navigation, but that’s a much older car than a Venza and has an easily-upgradeable dash.
Actually the Highlander Hybrid of that era is also sort of appealing, since it’s a V6. But again, much older than a Venza.
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
10/16/2017 at 13:56, STARS: 0
The Sienna is better than the Venza
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/16/2017 at 13:56, STARS: 1
I actually like the Crosstour, it probably drives a little better than the Venza. The pre-facelift version before Honda went all crazy with the black plastic cladding looks better than the post-facelift.
But the styling is still weird, the cargo room and rear visibility are way worse than the Venza, and it’s significantly more difficult to upgrade the in-car tech.
"Aaron M - MasoFiST" (amarks563)
10/16/2017 at 13:58, STARS: 0
If you’d be willing to go as old as the Highlander you mentioned above an older Outback 3.0R may do the trick. The H6 didn’t have head gasket issues so it’s fairly reliable, and the pre-infotainment Subarus are extremely plug and play with regards to the audio. I installed Bluetooth and USB in my WRX and it was very straightforward.
More on topic I like your thinking with regards to the Venza. I’d considered the Ford Flex for the same reason but I don’t think the reliability would be as good as the Toyota.
"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
10/16/2017 at 13:59, STARS: 0
I had this same thought yesterday and I agreed with everything you said
"m-b-w loves his SUBAROO" (m-b-w)
10/16/2017 at 14:00, STARS: 0
Apparently there are kits for the current gen to add a new head unit. Personally I’m happy with the stock unit, but CarPlay/Android Auto would be nice.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/16/2017 at 14:02, STARS: 0
I’d rather not have to go older if I can avoid it.
Also I’m not sure how plug-n-play this dash would be, with the joined HVAC and stereo controls.
The Flex EcoBoost kind of appeals to me as well, but it’s a lot bigger and heavier, and might be a maintenance nightmare.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
10/16/2017 at 14:06, STARS: 0
I totally get the want for an appliance DD. Usually the limiting factor for wrenching on my car is time. But if you have a DD that’s reliable and easy to fix, you have all the time in the world to wrench on your second cool car.
"Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
10/16/2017 at 14:10, STARS: 0
Flaming hot, spicy take. Toyota Venza > Subaru Crosstrek and Outback.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/16/2017 at 14:19, STARS: 0
My wife has a 2016 Impreza with navigation and I hate that head unit. This is what the dash kit for it and the Forester looks like.
The Legacy/Outback is relatively similar. The problem is the stock head units are very wide so you end up with that blank space.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/16/2017 at 14:20, STARS: 1
If I had a bunch of kids, I’d have no problem with getting a minivan. But I don’t, so I won’t.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/16/2017 at 14:21, STARS: 0
Totally different vehicles. The Crosstrek is much smaller. My wife has an Impreza hatchback which is nice for what it is but the Venza is a bigger comfier cruiser.
"Captain of the Enterprise" (justanotherdayinparadise)
10/16/2017 at 14:23, STARS: 0
I’ve never driven or been in one but I like how they look
"Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
10/16/2017 at 14:37, STARS: 0
True, I was kinda trying to rankle some fur. (Is that a thing?)
I’ve always thought that a lowered bench would be awesome.
"E92M3" (E46M3)
10/16/2017 at 15:02, STARS: 0
Besides furniture, once you buy a house there’s all kind of things you’ll want/need to haul.
For the past year, I’ve been flirting with the idea of getting a smaller SUV/Crossover to replace my MDX. I don’t need 3 rows of seats anymore, but every couple of months something comes up that just barely fits in the back. Then I think to myself “can I really downsize?”. I have 2 old trucks, and I still question it. Sometimes it’s raining, or it’s rush hour, or it’s 98 degress. Then I think maybe I should replace one of the trucks with a more modern truck that’s automatic, and has AC. Then downsizing to a smaller SUV would be a lot easier.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/16/2017 at 15:57, STARS: 0
Some people are like, “I have a house now, I’m going to do ALL THE PROJECTS, time to buy a truck (or other cargo-focused vehicle).”
I’m not one of those people.
Whatever house I buy, one of the reasons I’ll be buying it is because it doesn’t need much work (yet).
I don’t like house work. I don’t like yard work. I’m willing to do these things when it saves money. I’m not going to haul large quantities of crap on a regular basis. It’s not my jam. If I have to, I’ll drop 20 bucks on a pickup rental at Home Depot.
The 2nd & 3rd gen RX have 10-15 more cubic feet of cargo room with the seats down than the Venza. How many $20 truck rentals is that really going to save me?
"SpeedSix" (speedsix)
10/16/2017 at 16:11, STARS: 0
Supposedly Toyota discontinued the marketing of TRD Superchargers in late 2015, so I don’t think you can get them new anymore.
"E92M3" (E46M3)
10/16/2017 at 18:09, STARS: 0
You just wait. You may not plan on doing much, but your wife will find things for you to do. It’s not so much the extra 10 cubic feet, it’s the extra foot, foot and a half in height in the cargo area. Also, the $20 truck rental. You can’t just walk up to customer service fill out a piece of paper, and have the keys in 5 mins. It’s a process, it can take 45 to 1 hr before your ready to drive off. Also, good luck getting one on the weekend. But if you have your heart set on a Venza, get a Venza.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/16/2017 at 18:24, STARS: 0
This isn’t a purchase that’s happening anytime soon. It’s hypothetical at best. I’m also very familiar with being given a honey-do list, because it happens already.
For the first couple years after buying the house, I’m probably still going to have my 335xi, and it’s absolute crap for hauling. Our “hauler” will be my wife’s Impreza hatchback. A Venza does a lot more hauling than our Impreza.
An RX, putting aside the worthless crappy dashboard screens that are too difficult to replace, is only 3 inches taller than a Venza. That’s both the 2nd and 3rd gen RX. How many truck rentals could those extra 3 inches save me?
If I were so concerned with maximizing my hauling ability, the boxy Highlander is more useful than the swoopy RX. I like the 1st gen Highlander but the 2nd gen is bordering on bigger than I want to mess with.
But again, this ain’t happening for a while, and the Venza vs. RX isn’t that much difference.
"E92M3" (E46M3)
10/16/2017 at 19:14, STARS: 0
Just get a truck. How cool would a 1st gen Lightning be?
Seriously though..you can’t imagine how much crap you’ll acquire. Especially if you’re cheap. $200 to pressure wash the driveway? “I could buy a used pressure washer for that”. $150 to clean the gutters? “A 20ft ladder will pay for itself in the first use.” It never ends...
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/16/2017 at 21:35, STARS: 0
“I really feel like what I need in my life is a nice reliable MacBook Pro.”
“But have you had the Kung Pao chicken from the Chinese place down the street? Who needs a new computer anyway?”
"E92M3" (E46M3)
10/17/2017 at 00:01, STARS: 0
What do you need such a big screen for? Just get an iPad mini. How often are you going to use the extra 3 inches anyway? You could just go to the library and use on of their desktops the 3 times a year your need more screen real estate.
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
10/17/2017 at 06:56, STARS: 0
you’re crazy!
but in a good way.
8)
"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
10/18/2017 at 13:33, STARS: 0
I agree with you, the Venza is a very nice wagon/crossover. My aunt has one, she really loves it (loaded with all the options of course). It’s been great in the winter (in Chicago), her only complaints are that its a tad loud when accelerating and the navi was a dated when new.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/18/2017 at 14:23, STARS: 1
Ideally I’d like to find one with the panoramic sunroof, heated seats, and no navigation, but it seems like the navigation is part of the deal with those other two, at least in most examples I’ve found. While I talk about replacing the headunit for an aftermarket one, that can still be done on a car that came with navigation.
Realistically speaking, even if the built-in phone nook isn’t wide enough for modern big-screen phones, there’s plenty of room on top the dash for a phone mount to use Google Maps or Waze. It’d just be nice to be able to pipe those things into a screen on the dash instead of having a phone propped up on the dash.
"Radar" (radar66)
02/10/2019 at 07:48, STARS: 0
Did you ever buy a Venza? I see this story is over a year old, but it just popped up on my phone today...
We are on our second Venza and I’m a huge fan of these cars for many of the same reasons you mentioned in your original article. Our first one was a AWD V6, tan cloth interior with the copper brown exterior. We drove it for years and had zero problems. The current one is the up level trim with gray leather, double sunroof, V6, and a really gorgeous navy blue metallic paint.
Simply put, the Venza is everything we need a practical car to be - we really enjoy it and I think Toyota ought to bring out a suitable replacement wagon soon!
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
02/10/2019 at 13:49, STARS: 0
Nope. I moved from Wisconsin to DC. Limited parking and working from home means 2 cars for me isn't necessary or feasible.
"James Harris" (datharrisboi)
04/28/2019 at 13:46, STARS: 0
I have a 2010 Venza and just love it! Off course I got it used, but it seems to have been well cared for and runs superb! My one negative is IT DON’T HAVE SUNROOF!
Living in North Carolina the winters don’t usually get as bad as Wisconsin, but I still enjoy this vehicle’ s performance during that time (well I just got if last winter and the winner was pretty favorable in my neck of the woods). H eck! I almost enjoy my “ VENZO” (YES! that’s my pet name for my Venza) as much as I enjoy my wife! Okay, not that much, there’s thirty - seven years in this relationship.
If you do decide on the Venza, I ‘ gu r ron e tee’ you will enjoy it as much as you enjoy the wife! Just kidding! Don’t come find me!
And So! I hope that you are one day blessed with that nice ride.
Be blessed!