2010 Toyota Venza Review

Combining the look and ride quality of a wagon with the spacious interior and height of a midsize SUV, the 2010 Toyota Venza is a versatile vehicle. A generous list of standard equipment is another high point for the Venza.

The 2010 Toyota Venza seats five. Toyota offers the Venza in two levels that correspond with to the available engines: a four-cylinder engine and a V6. Both engines are paired with an automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available.

Bluetooth and a USB port with iPod connectivity become standard for the Venza.

Exterior

From the side, the 2010 Toyota Venza looks like a wagon with extra ground clearance. Chalk that up to its lengthy, curvy silhouette and thick D-pillar. From the front, its large six-slot grille and ridged hood lend quintessential SUV attributes. A wide trunk opening, a rear spoiler and taillights that wrap around to the side are among the Venza’s other distinctive design elements.

Standard features include auto-off projector-beam headlights, fog lights, power side-view mirrors, 19-inch wheels and a rear spoiler. Automatic high beams, high-intensity-discharge headlights, heated side-view mirrors, 20-inch wheels and a sunroof are available.

Interior

The most notable thing about the 2010 Venza’s interior is just how spacious the cabin is. Passengers are treated to a copious amount of space in both rows of seating. The center console design is unique and creates room for two easy-to-access cup holders on the transmission tunnel. Large, clear gauges in the instrument cluster are easy to read. Materials are on par with what competitors offer. Behind the rear seats, the SUV provides 34.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity. In all, there’s 70 cubic feet of storage space.

Dual-zone automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, cloth upholstery, an eight-way driver’s seat, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel and an auto-dimming rearview mirror are standard. Available equipment includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather upholstery and heated front seats.

Performance

The base engine in the 2010 Toyota Venza is a 2.7-liter four-cylinder that makes 182 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque. An available 3.5-liter V6 produces 268 horsepower and 246 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available.

Fuel economy is best for the Venza with the four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. It can get up to 21/29 mpg city/highway.

Technology

The Venza has a solid list of technology features. Standard equipment includes satellite radio, MP3 playback capability, a USB port, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, a six-speaker audio system, an auxiliary audio jack, a 3.5-inch LCD display, cruise control and three 12-volt power outlets. A 13-speaker JBL audio system, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with a 9-inch display, a rearview camera, push-button start, remote keyless entry, navigation and a four-disc CD changer are optional.