Toyota Venza ?

[blkwrxsti]

Toyota sure is playing their cards close to the vest - or maybe no-one cares. I have not heard or read anything about this car and it's going to be here in 3 months:

http://www.toyota.com/upcoming-vehicles/index.html

Sound pretty nice - I'm not sure which platform this is based on, but the 2.7 L 4 cylinder engine and the 3500 lb tow rating make it seem like this could be a Rav4 replacement or addition...

[Pedal 2 Metal]

I actually kind of like this thing. Its very Toyota bland, but still. I like the idea of a tall wagonish car that isn't a crossover or compact suv.

[mikesright]

The Pacifica didn't work the first time, this ripoff won't the second time, Toyota.

[GMusa]

Front end is ugly.. the side view looks good. And i dont like the interior.

[blkwrxsti]

Apparently, it's built in Kentucky, along with Camry, Avalon. Given some of your reactions, I'm not the only one this didn't make an impression on at NAIAS:

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/14/d...s-edge-murano/

http://www.squidoo.com/ToyotaVenza

It seems more upscale, with its panaramic roof, 19" and 20" wheels, and based on the first article : "...Inside, the Venza has an upscale, airy cockpit with niceties like contrast-piped leather seats. "

[HoosierRon]

Take your pick. It's a no-brainer to me.

[genjy]

Strange how the Venza doesn't have a 3rd row option.

[jkennedy293]

Its like the designers wanted to build a Camry wagon, but decided at the last minute it should be a crossover.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by jkennedy293

Its like the designers wanted to build a Camry wagon, but decided at the last minute it should be a crossover.

It probably is intended to be a Camry wagon... but it's raised for the North American market.

When I was in Hong Kong a month ago, I noticed how low the Asian-market Highlander (Kluger) and RX (Harrier) sit.

As if they were wagons, not wannabe off-roaders.

[Hurricane]

Looks very nice. I bet Toyota will sell a ton of them. Looks better than the Camry, inside and out.

I've never been a fan of the asymetrical center console, though.

I"m very glad that GM has competitive models, like the Acadia, to put up against this.

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

Take your pick. It's a no-brainer to me.

[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by jkennedy293

Its like the designers wanted to build a Camry wagon, but decided at the last minute it should be a crossover.

I thought there already was a Camry wagon.....

[EldoFan]

The exterior is inoffensive (typical for Toyota)--like an Edge went out one night and had it's way with a CRV.....oh and the grill totally beats any Honda out there too.

The interior is much the same save for the fact that the center stack/console got totally marred by the shifter. It'd be okay to leave it in that awkward position if it was surrounded by that look-alike wood, but breaking it up with that Chrysler-like grey plastic reeks of sloppiness to me.

[jzchev28]

fugly front end...yuck....i saw it at naias and thought it looked like a ford edge rip-off

[Smoothcat]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

Take your pick. It's a no-brainer to me.

What the HECK is up with the placement of that shifter? My gosh, what is wrong with a shifter in the floor like on the Acadia? That thing looks so stupid sticking out from the center of the console. It's not like that helps anything, or is more "ergonomical", or whatever line Toyota might try to feed you. It just looks retarded, and that goes for the version that has become popular in minivans, too. Put it on the column if you don't want it in the floor.

[PhishPhood]

Crossover, CUV, wagon it doesn't really matter what the name of the category is, all that matters is that there is a 'net' in place to capture the BOF defectors.

The RAV is the entry-level unibody utility vehicle. It feels and rides like a Corolla in the base trim. It can have upscale amenities like leather, heated seats, JBL + BT but it's not upscale. 5 passengers or 7 passengers can

The Venza is directed to a specific demographic that has been used to nicer features in a 4Runner or Sequoia or Explorer or Tahoe but is now downsizing. Two rows and 5 passengers are the max for this demographic segment. It will feel and ride like an upscale Camry XLE.

The Highlander is replacing the 4Runner and Sequoia for those that want out of their BOF vehicles but don't want to give up utility. The Highlander rides and feels like an Avalon utility vehicle.

2 or 3 yrs from now if fuel is $6 / gallon there may be NO BOF SUVs built/sold. These customers have to be captured as they move away from that segment. When the Venza arrives and the 4c Highlander debuts in early 2009 there will be a unibody crossover available for every buying segment from $23000 to $48000.