A midsize crossover with two rows of seating, the 2009 Toyota Venza is based on the K-platform architecture already used for the Avalon, Camry and Highlander. Production of V6 Venzas begins today at Toyota's Georgetown, Kentucky, plant, and the company plans to sell 2,000 units in the remaining weeks of 2008. Four-cylinder Venzas start production January 19 and will be at dealerships by early February 2009. Both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Originally, the company envisioned a 25-percent take rate for the four-cylinder engine. "Then we drove it," said Bob Zeinstra, national manager of product and brand marketing, "and our mix went immediately to 50/50.
Toyota expects to sell 60,000 Venzas during the 2009 calendar year. It's a conservative sales projection from a company accustomed to selling well over 400,000 Camrys annually (not to mention well over 100,000 Highlanders) and is almost certainly a reaction to current market conditions. "We don't want to go to 90,000 and then have to use incentives," Zeinstra said.
Unlike most other Toyotas, the 2009 Toyota Venza will not be sold in multiple trim levels. Every '09 Venza comes with dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, an MP3/WMA-enabled in-dash CD changer, stability control and full airbag coverage, including a driver's knee airbag. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels and P245/55R19 all-season tires are standard on four-cylinder Toyota Venzas, while V6 models have 20-inch alloys and P245/50R20 tires.
Package options include HID headlights (with automatic high beams), a power liftgate, a back-up camera, keyless startup, leather upholstery and heated seats, while items like an upgraded JBL audio system, Bluetooth-enabled navigation system, a two-panel panoramic sunroof and a rear-seat entertainment system are available as stand-alone extras. A fully equipped V6 AWD Venza tops out just over $40,000.
Inside Line says: The 2009 Toyota Venza is priced right in line with its closest likely competitors, the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano. — Erin Riches, Senior Editor
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