The Bottom Line: What is a Venza? A Venza is a midsize SUV built in the Aichi, Japan assembly plant, and sold worldwide by Toyota. The Venza slots in between the Toyota RAV 4 and the Toyota Highlander, with 2 rows of seats. All 2023 Venza’s are hybrid models, with a 2.5L liter 4 cylinder engine, 219 combined system net horsepower and AWD all wheel drive.
New for 2023, Venza’s unique style gets an extra infusion of coolness with the new Nightshade Edition. Based on the XLE trim level this package is all about style, with the Venza being adorned in black accents contrasted by one of three available colors with dark trim. Nightshade is Toyota’s term for a styling trend that has swept car design in recent years; vehicles with darkened trim.
The 2023 Venza Nightshade edition has unique exterior details. It features a black front grille with black trimmed headlights and taillights, a black rear spoiler, black mirror caps, and black body ID badges. The exterior is painted either in Celestial Black, Ruby Flare Pearl, or Wind Chill Pearl, and comes with black wheels, a black front bumper, black rear bumper accents, a black grille surround, and black door handles.
The Toyota Venza has a stylish new infotainment system, and its cushioned ride is perfect for running errands in hilly San Francisco. The Venza has projector LED headlights, integrated LED fog lights and is available now in the entire Bay Area. All Venza’s receive Toyota’s latest infotainment software with the 12.3″ touch screen.
The Venza base price starts at $34,120, with the most popular XLE trim at $37,805, and the top shelf Limited model begins at $41,740. The pricing of the Venza is similar to its closest rival, the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.
This week Toyota sent me a 2023 Venza XLE Nightshade AWD Hybrid SUV to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this XLE AWD Nightshade edition is $38,930. The options on the test SUV are: the star gaze fixed panoramic roof panel for $1,400. The MSRP manufactures suggested retail price, including the $1,335 destination charge is $41,665.
After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealers fees, the total purchase price came to $46,873. At between $40,000 and $50,000, this Venza hybrid is in the middle of the price range for a midsize SUV, and this is an upscale AWD model. The Venza XLE is a must see, where a good price with great looks, equals a best buy.
How does the Toyota Venza hybrid AWD drivetrain work? Venza’s on demand AWD system works automatically, seamlessly and transparently. When not needed, 100 percent of torque is sent to the front wheels; enhancing fuel efficiency. When required, up to 80 percent of the driving force can be distributed to the rear wheels; using a dedicated rear mounted electric motor. Power, torque, control all working together for a safe and sound run to the grocery store or on a weekend ski trip to the snow and slush in Tahoe.
The Venza is a midsize SUV with a hybrid gas engine, an electric motor and AWD. It gets 40 MPG city, 37 MPG highway and an excellent 39 MPG overall in combined driving. The greenhouse gas rating is a 7 and the smog rating is a 7; both out of 10. It’s good on gas, low on emissions and easy on your wallet.
Is a Toyota Venza a luxury car? Don’t be mistaken, this does not mean you have to purchase the priciest vehicle in the lineup to have some of the best luxury features. The Venza is priced right for the sheer amount of upscale options that this vehicle has on it.
The long list of safety and convenience items start with Toyota’s safety sense 2.5 pre collision system with pedestrian detection, radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, road sign assist, a backup camera with gridlines, blind spot monitors with front and rear parking assist with automatic braking, smart key services with a 4G network, push button start and it has the Toyota Star Safety System with 8 airbags.
When you’re ready to buy a new midsize SUV, the 2023 Toyota Venza XLE Nightshade AWD Hybrid SUV should be on your ride and drive list, as it’s one of the best looking and best priced SUV’s in the midsize class. It’s not too big, not too small; it’s just right.
Call, click or visit your local Toyota dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the new 2023 Toyota Venza Hybrid SUV. And remember that the base price for a new Venza starts at only $34,120. Toyota – Let’s Go Places.
Be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today”.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a “Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense” editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net
