Vehix editors like wagons and though the Toyota Venza isn’t our top pick for a wagon, we like this wagon quite a bit. So when we had a chance to drive a 2011 Venza during the closing days of 2011, we happily accepted the keys. We’re just hitting some highlights here but click the link below to read our complete 2011 Toyota Venza review.
Read: 2011 Toyota Venza Review
The Venza has never been a volume seller for Toyota. At its sales peak in 2009, the Venza sold just over 54,000 units in the United States. By 2011, that number had dropped to 38,904. By comparison, 308,510 units of the best-selling Toyota Camry left dealer lots last year.
A Reliable Alternative to the Highlander or Toyota Camry
Although Toyota doesn’t officially designate the Venza as a wagon, we think it’s much closer to a wagon than a crossover. In terms of size among Toyota crossovers, the Venza slots between the small RAV4 and the three-row Toyota Highlander. Pricing for a 2012 Venza starts just over $27,000 while the Highlander starts slightly above $28,000. One big difference, however, is that the Venza offers only two rows and seating for five. If large carpool duty looms large on your to-do list, we’ll recommend the Highlander instead.
One fact that is certain about the Venza is that this wagon holds strong appeal for older drivers. Toyota recognizes that fact when it brands the Venza as “perfectly designed to fit an empty nest.” The only Venza owners I know are older than 60+ and they all swear this wagon is the best car they’ve ever owned. So if you’re over 65 or have a recently empty nest, keep that endorsement in mind.
Side view of 2011 Toyota Venza in snow
Rear 3/4 view of 2011 Toyota Venza in snow
Our Venza test model included more than $10,000 in options, which pushed the price above $40,000. So the Venza is not inexpensive but it is appointed quite well with lots of leather, simulated Mahogany wood grain highlights on the center console and elsewhere, heated seats and a rear-DVD entertainment system.
2011 Toyota Venza dashboard and leather seats
Center console and shifter in 2011 Toyota Venza
Slot in center console holds iPhone that streams music from the phone to the stereo
We covered 276 miles in mostly highway driving and averaged 20.5 mpg. That near-21-mpg average tops the Highlander but lags the 2011 Camry by a single mile per gallon. The driving dynamics are absolutely consistent for a Toyota vehicle, which means steering feel is adequate if slightly numb. But as a five-person mover for a stereotypically older driver, the Venza will likely deliver all the thrills that driver could want (read: not many). An additional plus is the available all-wheel drive that helped during our limited run up a snow-filled road.
The Vehix View
We like wagons and we liked the Venza the more we drove it. A Top Safety Pick designation by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety adds a sense of security for drivers who may regularly transport grandchildren in the rear seats and Toyota’s reputation for reliability helps persuade buyers as well. If you like the looks of the Venza wagon, we’re confident you’ll like the drive.
Read: 2011 Toyota Venza Review
Read: Vehix 2012 Wagon Buying Guide
Front view of the 2011 Toyota Venza
Rear view of 2011 Toyota Venza
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- Review – 2011 Toyota 4Runner is a Guilty Pleasure
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Tags: 2011 Toyota, 2011 Toyota Venza, 2012 Venza, Crossover, Crossover SUV, suv, Toyota, Toyota Venza, Venza
Did you mention the car is MADE IN THE USA and the plant in Kentucky employs several thousand Americans?
Also the I4 engine has plenty of power for the “over 60″ crowd. I have made several freeway trips getting 30+ MPG at 65-70 mph.
I am a very proud and happy owner (2010 Venza I4)
Wayne B.
Fresno, Ca.
this appears to be an ad for Toyota disguised as a “Consumer news” story.
Are you people kidding yourself? The car is put together in the U.S. that is it! All the parts are made in China, All the money goes back to China. They put the cars together here so they do not have to pay any U.S. import or taxes. I really can not beleive how dumb the American people really are. Buy a American Car and support the United States!
Do Americans get paid for putting this togerther?? Of course they do – and they spend their $$$ at home, buying their needs and payinf off their mortgages – sounds like a good policy to me – unless you can supply these people with employment.
I am 52 and I am loving my venza . I always buy toyota , this car is great . I love it . I also love that it made in USA .
The way TOYOTA problems were hidden by Japan and the US CEO and it took awhile before congress got to the bottom. TOYOTA has lost my trust. I am now a proud owner of a FORD 2012 Explore which is more sportier then the Venza.
Made in America and didn’t need bail out money during the crisis.
I find it funny that a car seen as perfect for empty nesters comes with a rear seat DVD entertainment system.
Its probably least useful add-on in my opinion.
Are you kidding…empty nesters are not always empty…I have more grandchildren than kids and I love the DVD entertainment system in back for our long trips, I never hear them say “are we there yet” like our kids did!
The best crossovers at the moment seem to be the Traverse, Acadia, and Enclave. They share the same platform and they all have the eight and seven passenger seating option. All the others have a 2-3-2 or 2-3-3 assignment which kill the deal. The GM’s with seven passenger have a 2-2-3 assignment which is far superior. It’s basically a minivan in SUV guise.
If you’re an empty nester then Equinox, Terrain, Rav4, CRV, Murano, Outlander, CX-9, CX-7, and a more all seem about equal with looks being the major factor.
I live in Florida and most retirees I come across drive minivans or vehicles like the Buick Rendezvous (was popular) Enclave and the Lexus RX. Ford and GM stopped making the big sedans and these seem to have replaced them. I think the fact that the extra height and being able to kind of slide into the car without dropping make them so popular nowadays. My grandfather wanted a Rendezvous and got one when they came out just because of this. My wife’s folks were looking at escapes and sport tracs for the same reason.
The Venza is a nice car I drove one but went with the enclave and my wife wanted similar so she picked up the acadia. Wife has something against minivans for some reason.
I wanted to add that the best deal for me anyways was the GM’s. Every three I pick up a new car and my Enclave fully loaded with nav xm dual skyroof onstar all that was 42k. You just can’t beat that price considering for about 35k I can get a base with no leather no nav or skyroof. The price was after I used GM rebates and my GM card. My trade in was another 27k so I paid about 15k cash.
There really isn’t a luxury crossover that can compete with the price and features here. I’ve looked.
We are 5 Toyotas strong. We have not had any problems with them. Toyota and every other car maker has had recalls. As long as the problem is fixed, its all good. The Venza is the next Toyota on our list.
I rented one in florida last year. And was not at all impressed. Very under powered.
And as a response to Wanye in his review big deal that its made in the usa. For all those out there that think made in the usa is a good thing. Your wrong unless its a American company it means very little. The profits to this car and all other imports dont stay in america.
Which means your dollar is helping every other country but america…..
I guess my coments in my first post wernt in favor of toyota. I did rent this car in florida last year and was not impressed. Very under powered. Nice looking exterior, even though it looks like the lexus. Where do u like they got that body style from?
Bought the Toyota Venza in 2009 for my wife, she LOVS IT!!! Gas is great, looks great. No problems. We are both very Happy with our Venza!!!