2013 Toyota Venza

A Reliable, Comfortable and Stylish car

By Shadow (Canada) on Saturday, May 26, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 40,000

Pros: "Style, reliability, comfort,features"

Cons: "Dash Trim fit, heater controls,tires"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I used to haul 2X4's in my '04 Accord Sedan. I was hoping Honda would get with the times and build something innovative like an AWD Sport-Sedan Utility Vehicle. Toyota beat them to it. I chose a 4cyl premium package which included Panoramic roof, leather, Backup Camera, electric hatch and a bunch of other things. I compared the 6 cyl against the 4 and felt the 6 to be only marginally quicker... plus the 4 had nicer wheels imo. I'd say the Car is easily 8/10 in every category. The drivetrain is really well matched(engine and transmission) Shifts well, accelerates quickly and I can pass anything on the highway. Ride comfort on long trips is exceptionally good. The back seat room is incredible and with the theatre reclining seating, it's like flying first-class. There are 3 cons as I see it, the first one is in the trim department; the dash components are poorly fitted... things like vent bezels, speaker grills on the dash.. they are misaligned... no ball bearing test there. The next con is the factory tires. I really noticed the ride quality improvement when in Winter, I put Blizzaks on this car and it was actually quieter than the Bridgestone Dueler HL400's that came on it. One positive aspect of ownership is that there are many choices for replacement tires now. Back in 2009/10 tires would have cost about $320 each and it was either Duelers or Toyo Open country. now you can get better tires for around $200 each. Goodyear Assurance Tripletreads would be a very good all season M S tire for this car I believe. If there was something I'd like to see improved other than above, it would be more intuitive/ergonomic heater controls. 3 years and I can't set it without staring at it for 15 seconds. Also, the mirror defrost is part of the rear window defrost circuit but the button only shows the rear window icon. Maybe toyota could add a mirror icon to that button? The rear wiper control always confuses me because the thinking is opposite of what's natural to me. (Maybe Honda trained me to think their way ergonomically... I don't know...) I just can't learn Toyota Ergonomics That's it"

28 people out of 28 found this review helpful

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not a Lexus, but not bad

By jands (Colorado Springs, CO) on Friday, July 31, 2009

"I don't like the back up camera, and there are some blind spots you have to get used to (adding small mirror to side mirrors helps), but it drives like a dream with good pick up, and is comfortable. enough room in the back for dogs. It is a Toyota, so I suspect it will last many years. Gas milage isn't great...17 city, 24 highway. All in all not a bad car for 31,000 dollars"

28 people out of 28 found this review helpful

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The best value in its size it's a Toyota

By bander (NE) on Thursday, August 25, 2011

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 11,000

Pros: "Handling (AWD), fun to drive, great value, great looking"

Cons: "none"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"It's been about 13 months since I owned this car. I have the AWD V6 3.5L engine, I just read a review complaining about the car handeling in winter, well, as I live in Nebraska where we get a rough winter I have tried my car in the snow and while we have the black ice as well, I would give it 10/10 in handeling in that weather. This car climbed a hill with black ice on it while all the others couldn't. For sure the reason of that mishandeling performance in that review is because it's a FWD which you shouldn't expect much from it in such that weather. If you live in a state where you get snow you should get the AWD. This car is fun to drive and a very good looking espcially with the 20" wheels. Highly recommend it."

19 people out of 19 found this review helpful

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Love my Venza!

By Lyly1114 (CT) on Friday, March 30, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 16,100

Pros: "Great price, safety features, roomy, fun"

Cons: "base not great in the snow, plastic dashboard"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I've wanted this car since it came out in 2009 but waited until 2011 to buy one. I bought the base model 4 cylinder in teal green. I have a son that is 6'4" and he and his basketball friends fit just fine in the backseat.I love that the base comes with so much! The safety features, blue tooth connection, fog lamps, anti lock brakes, traction control, AC, power everything and the list goes on. Yes, the dashboard is "plastic looking" but it wasn't a showstopper for me. I got a great deal on my car and don't regret anything BUT... I wish I would have spend the extra couple of thousand to get AWD. The car is not the greatest in slush or snow. I have never had a fear of driving in the snow (I live in CT), until I drove my Venza in a mild snow storm last year (3 inches). The traction control was no help and I felt like I was fishtailing. I was white knuckled by the time I finished my 45 minute commute. With that said...I would still buy another Venza! I would just get AWD. The BEST part is that my insurance company doesn't consider the Venza an SUV, they consider it a station wagon which makes a big difference in the premium. I pay more a month on my 6 year old mini-van than I do on my brand new Venza!"

16 people out of 16 found this review helpful

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Very comfortable, good handling very good features

By TFD (SC) on Thursday, January 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 23,000

Pros: "Nice handling, good pickup (v6)"

Cons: "No specific problems."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Use this car on the highway for long trips. At the end of the trip I am not nearly as tired as with previously driven cars. Good gas, mileage on highway (27-29) and decent gas around town (22-24)"

14 people out of 14 found this review helpful

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