All-new 2015 Toyota Venza Combines Sleek Car Design with SUV Versatility
Submitted as evidence: the Toyota Venza, a sophisticated crossover that blends sport sedan and SUV attributes in a distinctive style that’s neither sedan nor SUV. With the Venza, Toyota designers achieved midsize exterior packaging while providing cavernous interior room.
Toyota made refinements inside and beneath the Venza for 2015
Upgraded Entune® audio systems provide more features and convenience, and all models now have a standard backup camera. Power choices continue with a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine with 181 hp and a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, though the model line has been streamlined. The Venza LE is now exclusively available with a 4-cylinder engine, still with the choice of front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The XLE grade offers a four-cylinder or V6 with FWD or AWD, and the Limited is now available only with the V6 and AWD.
Also new for 2015, the Towing Prep Package is standard for models with the V6 engine
The package equips Venza with an engine oil cooler, larger radiator fan and heavy-duty alternator and allows a 3,500-lb. towing capacity. That’s easily enough to pull a trailer carrying recreational watercraft, for example.
The 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine, standard for the Venza LE and XLE grades, smoothly delivers 181 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 182 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm. The 3.5-liter V6 provides a big step up in performance with 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 246 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm.
Both engines are partnered with a 6-speed sequential-shift electronically controlled automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i). That intelligence includes uphill/downhill shift logic that chooses the proper gear for driving conditions.
The Venza’s available Active Torque Control All-Wheel Drive is an all-weather friend. The system optimizes torque distribution between the front and rear wheels to help ensure stable acceleration and smooth cornering on all road surfaces, providing excellent overall handling in inclement weather.
The 4-cylinder Venza is EPA-rated at 20 MPG city/26 MPG highway for both FWD and AWD models. The V6 model has EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 19 MPG city/26 MPG highway for FWD and 18/25 for AWD.
Toyota Value in Three Grades
The mono-spec Venza LE hardly seems like a “base” model with the following value-adding standard features:
- Dual-zone automatic climate control with air filter and second row seat vents
- Eight-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar
- Multi-information display screen
- Tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio controls
- 3.5-inch LCD multi-information display
- Adjustable rear-seat reading lights
- Three 12-volt power outlets.
The Venza XLE brings major doses of convenience and luxury to this versatile machine, adding:
- Leather-trimmed seating surfacessteering wheel and shift knob
- A 4-way power passenger seat
- Multi-stage heated front seats
- Driver seat memory
- Power-folding reverse tilt-down side mirrors
- Anti-theft system with alarm and engine immobilizer
- Smart Key system with push button start and illuminated entry.
The XLE’s TFT multi-information display can be customized to adjust the font size and content, and navigation voice instructions are available in Spanish, French or English. (XM Traffic is available only in English).
Aside from powertrain choices, the XLE offers one major option, the Premium Package, which equips the vehicle with a panoramic glass roof with front power moonroof and Entune Premium JBL Audio with Navigation and App Suite.
The V6/AWD-only Venza Limited is fully equipped, combining all of the XLE standard and optional features with rear parking sonar, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights with automatic high beams and LED daytime running lights. The auto high beam feature detects oncoming vehicles and automatically switches the headlights from high- to low-beam. There are no factory options for this top model.
Driving performance and ride comfort skew to the sport sedan side of the spectrum, thanks to a refined four-wheel independent suspension and quiet ride. The Venza gets its powerful stance not only from the bold body design, but also the standard 19-inch alloy wheels on four-cylinder models and 20-inch wheels with the V6 versions.
Source: Toyota Europe.
