The zen of Venza

Review |

A newborn could have reached high school in the 14 years it took Toyota to get the concept behind the 2009 Venza into dealerships. But car buyers seeking a fresh-feeling blend of style, comfort and practicality may find it was worth the wait.

Toyota says the five-passenger Venza is based on the FT-SX concept car shown at 2005's Detroit auto show. But it was 1995 when Lexus showed a concept called the FLV (for Future Luxury Vehicle) at Detroit. It was aimed at those whose "life-stage needs for minivans and other multipurpose vehicles is finished" — empty nesters, in other words.

Now, finally, the concept has turned into the Venza, which Toyota says is 70 percent car and 30 percent SUV. (Pressed for details, a Toyota official described this as "marketing math.")

The car part comes from the underpinnings of the Camry. The Venza is built in the sedan's Kentucky plant.

The SUV part comes from the availability of all-wheel drive and eight inches of ground clearance, the same as the Highlander.

As for the name? Toyota says the "Ven" comes from "adventure" and the "za" comes from Monza, the Italian racetrack. I wonder if Ntureza was also considered.

Prices for front-drive models begin at $26,695 for a four-cylinder and $28,520 for a V-6. All-wheel drive costs $1,450. But these prices are theoretical because Toyota lets dealers in different regions require mandatory options.

The model I tested was an all-wheel-drive V-6. Leather upholstery, heated seats, a navigation system with backup camera, a fancy stereo, a panoramic glass roof and high-intensity-discharge headlamps pushed the total sticker to $38,175.

The interior

The Venza is the same length as the Camry. Despite the extra ground clearance, you can get in without having to climb up SUV-style. The Venza has a little more legroom in the rear than the Camry and a little less up front, but there's enough room for four six-foot adults to be comfortable. The wide front seats are clearly designed for big American bottoms.

Toyota says there is about 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. That's less than the RAV4 and a lot less than the Highlander.

The interior was done in upscale materials that said "Lexus" more than "Toyota."

All Venzas get important safety gear including anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and brake assist, which helps in an emergency. There are also side air curtains (front and rear). The Venza has not yet been crash-rated by either the government or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The driving experience

On two-lane roads in New Hampshire's White Mountains, the Venza was surprisingly eager. It headed into a turn without the stubborness found in many front-heavy all-wheel-drive vehicles.

The steering is nicely weighted and allows you to precisely drive a line in the curves. Toyota also did a good job of controlling body lean while still providing a comfortable ride, even on bad roads.

The 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine is rated at 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 182 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm. This is a new engine making its debut in the Venza.

Because four-cylinder models won't go on sale until late in January, the official EPA mileage estimates have not been released. Toyota is predicting the front-drive model will make 21 miles per gallon in town and 29 on the highway. The all-wheel-drive version is predicted at 20/28.

The 3.5-liter V-6 is rated at 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 246 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. It is the same engine that makes the RAV4 hilariously quick. But the Venza with all-wheel drive has a curb weight of 4,000 pounds, about 300 more than the RAV4. Thus, its acceleration, while more than adequate, is less than fun.

EPA ratings for the V-6 are 19/26 with front drive; the V-6 with all-wheel drive is rated 1 mpg less for both.

In more than 200 miles of two-lane driving, I averaged almost 25 mpg.

The six-speed automatic, the only transmission available, is refined and unobtrusive. It can be shifted manually.

You know what it is

In describing the Venza, Toyota likes to say nebulous things like the Venza "fills the gap between car and SUV" or the Venza is "a versatile five-passenger vehicle." Could Toyota believe that consumers aren't smart enough to recognize and appreciate a stylish station wagon?

Toyota is likely worried that baby boomers can't put aside unfortunate childhood issues. But baby boomers (you are my people) should grow up. The Venza isn't the boxy wagon in which you may have suffered as a child. It is luxurious and likable.

So just imagine you are getting an elegant Audi A6 wagon for $10,000 less — built by an automaker with a superior track record for reliability.