10 Things You Need to Know About the 2015 Toyota Venza

Toyota Venza engine ・ Photo by Toyota Media

The Toyota Venza was introduced for the 2009 model year, and in the spring of 2015, after it failed to find an audience, Toyota quietly killed it off. Was the Venza a wagon? Was it a crossover? Did it even matter? Opinions were divided on the Venza, which may have been what ultimately led to its downfall. Toyota comes on strong with its competitive SUVs, crossovers, and minivan, so it’s a little surprising that the Venza never quite caught on with its intended audience. There’s plenty of reason to be skeptical of a vehicle that was unceremoniously put out to pasture after just one unremarkable generation, but despite its apparent identity crisis, the Venza had plenty of its own unique charm. Let’s take a look at 10 things you should know about the 2015 Toyota Venza.

10) What is it, exactly?

Toyota’s website calls the Venza a wagon, but even Toyota, at times, seems confused about the Venza’s place in the world, often describing it with crossover-esque terminology. That’s fine, because the Venza is crossover-esque. It’s based on a Toyota sedan (which we’ll discuss more later) but aspires to achieve SUV-like functionality, and that’s almost the exact definition of a crossover. However, the Venza’s styling tells a different story. It has the proportions of a wagon, with a long body and pronounced front and rear overhangs. It has the styling of a wagon, too, with long lines that accentuate its proportions. And it drives like a car, which is typical of wagons. This makes the 2015 Toyota Venza a great alternative for buyers who want the size and space, but for whatever reason, just don’t want a crossover.

Photo by Toyota Media

9) It has good visibility

Consumers who have never driven a Toyota Venza probably don’t know that the wagon offers good visibility from the driver’s seat. The Venza’s long windows are easy to see out of, which helps increase its safety thanks to a better awareness of the surrounding traffic. But even more helpful, the Venza has a high seating position, which also improves the driver’s view. The seating position isn’t as high as that of an SUV’s, but it’s noticeably higher than the driver would sit in a regular car or in another model wagon. A high seating position allows the driver to see fully over the hood and enables better judgment of what’s going on in front of the vehicle. This improved driving posture is another perk of the 2015 Toyota Venza’s mixed wagon/crossover approach to functionality.

8) Skip the base model

Perhaps the reason the Toyota Venza never gained a following? Over the Venza’s lifespan, practically every review discussed the sheer mediocrity of the base model’s lackluster-at-best 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. This powerplant produces a modest 181 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque, which, as was pointed out by numerous critics, just isn’t enough to move a vehicle this size with any sense of purpose. Sure, a four-cylinder Venza will reach its destination without any actual problems, it just won’t be an especially pleasant trip and will likely struggle on hills or while trying to pass on the highway. Toyota has much better engines to offer, and the 2015 Venza would have perhaps been better served if its entry-level offering didn’t feel like a compromise or a cast-off.

Photo by Toyota Media

7) Really, skip the base model

This isn’t an attempt to deter anyone from buying a 2015 Toyota Venza; rather, it’s to emphasize exactly why buying a Venza with the optional V-6 powertrain is such a good idea. Toyota’s V-6 engines are generally always a good choice, and the Venza is no exception. The 3.5-liter V-6 Venza produces 268 horsepower and 246 lb-ft of torque, which is just about perfect to move the wagon. Whether in standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive, a V-6 Venza never feels like it’s lacking, as it accelerates and passes with ease. Although a Toyota Venza with an engine upgrade is going to cost more up front, it’ll prove its value over time. The brand is known for making solid V-6 engines, and the V-6 Venza nearly matches the base model’s fuel economy ratings, sacrificing just one city mile per gallon.

Photo by Toyota Media

6) The wheels are an unusual choice

In the interest of fairness, let’s talk for a moment about one of the more interesting styling cues of the 2015 Toyota Venza. The base model comes with 19-inch wheels; the V-6 model comes with 20-inch wheels. For a wagon, those are really big wheels. They do look good, lending the Venza a touch of premium style, and that’s probably where Toyota was going with this. But as many reviewers have noted over the years, a choice made primarily for style often has a downside. In this case, the Venza’s massive factory rims sacrifice a lot of ride comfort. Wagons are supposed to be cushy and cozy, the kind of vehicle that lulls the kids to sleep, but the Venza transmits a lot of road noise and harshness. The bigger wheels, and resulting thinner tires, are at least partially to blame.

Photo by Toyota Media

5) The Venza’s chassis is based on the Toyota Camry

Earlier, we mentioned that the Venza was based on a car platform, and now it’s time to explain why, exactly, that’s a good thing. The car in question is actually Toyota’s laudable Camry, which has earned its well-deserved reputation as the best-selling sedan that never quits. Now, the Camry isn’t exactly a performance machine, but it’s certainly proven itself to be competent, and basing the Venza wagon on the Camry sedan’s chassis was a smart move. If Toyota had based the Venza on one of its crossovers or SUVs, the Venza would have lost all of its wagon-ness and therefore sacrificed one of its biggest advantages. And yes, in this case, being based on a car is an advantage.

Photo by Toyota Media

4) And therefore, the Venza drives like the Camry

The Toyota Camry handles well and provides a comfortable ride. A Camry driver should never be surprised by the way the car responds to throttle input, steering, braking, or turning. The whole point of the Camry is predictability and reliability. Drivers of a 2015 Toyota Venza can expect a similar experience. Granted, there are some differences due to the Venza’s larger footprint, larger wheels, and other factors, but generally, the Venza is praised for its handling prowess and the fact that the handling so closely replicates a regular-sized car. The steering is tight and responsive, sending the vehicle where the driver wants it to go. The Venza holds steady through corners, without the excessive body roll that plagues many larger vehicles. And all of these characteristics can be felt and appreciated by driver and passengers alike.

Photo by Toyota Media

3) It has generous proportions

The 2015 Toyota Venza’s uniqueness serves it well when it comes to interior functionality. Put simply, it’s one of the most versatile SUV alternatives on the market. Though the Venza doesn’t offer the third-row seating that’s often coveted by families, its cavernous interior still goes to good use. Passengers enjoy plenty of headroom and legroom (more than most other vehicles in the class) which goes a long way toward comfort and enjoyment on a long road trip. The Venza also provides 70.1 cubic feet of cargo space (again, a very competitive measure for its class) and the rear seats fold flat with the simple touch of a button. It’s easy to load up the Venza for everyday activities or weekend getaways, which makes the Venza a great option for smaller families that need only two rows of seating.

Photo by Toyota Media

2) It’s a good option for older drivers

In addition to being a great family car, the 2015 Toyota Venza should also be considered by older drivers who want a large vehicle, or other car shoppers who have limited mobility. The Venza is easy to get in and out of, thanks to its middle-of-the-road ride height — higher than a car but lower than a crossover or SUV, with an easy step-in height. The Venza also has wide doors for easy access. Finally, the Venza’s seats are optimal for older drivers. They’re supportive, yet they’re wide and flat-backed, which should be a relief to anyone who’s ever struggled with the limitations caused by sport bolsters or deep buckets.

Photo by Toyota Media

1) Now’s the time to snag a deal

Sometimes, an underappreciated discontinued model will languish on dealer lots for what seems like an eternity. Dealership number-crunchers would sometimes rather let old inventory take up space than actually take a loss and make room for newer models. Or, in the case of the Venza, maybe it’s just that Toyota’s newer and better-marketed models are stealing all the thunder. A few months after the last 2015 Toyota Venzas were delivered to showrooms, online searches still show plenty of new examples available across the United States. It’s easy to overlook a car that’s not being heavily promoted, but in this case, Toyota’s loss is the customer’s gain. Consumers who might be in the market for a new family car soon, and who now know more about the Toyota Venza than before, might be able to find a new 2015 Venza at a great value.

Photo by Toyota Media