A Quick Look Into The New Toyota Venza

Whichever label you would like to give it, the new Toyota Venza is like a winner.

Think of the Venza as a station truck and you'll probably get the point. Of course, it doesn't look exactly like any station lorry we have seen before. Showcased at Detroit's North American International Auto show in January, Venza drew heaps of attention. Among vehicles currently available, it reminds us most of the Ford Edge crossover.

There's lots of the Lexus RX350 in this Toyota, too, though the Venza is pressed down closer to the ground, and sleeker. Its front end is taller, but definitely molded in the theme of Toyota's current Camry sedan. The Venza's rear glass has a nice, long rake, and its taillights wrap around the rear fenders onto the hatch. Its standard wheels measure 19 inches in diameter, while 20-inch spoked alloys are optional. In sum, the Venza is an example of the more hunky, engaging automobiles Toyota has launched in some time.

A look at its dimensions brings the crossover label into perspective. At 109.3 inches and 189 inches, respectively, the Venza's wheelbase and overall length match both Bell Road Toyota's Camry sedan and Highlander sport-utility within fractions of an inch. In other words, the Venza's footprint on the pavement matches both Camry and Highlander closely. Yet with an overall height of 63.4 inches, the Venza slots right in the middle of the Camry and Highlander. It's ride height falls somewhere in the middle, too.

The 2009 Venza seats 5, like the Camry, rather than seven like the Highlander. Its rocker height, or the lip around the bottom of its passenger doorways, is low, making it simple to lift feet inside, yet the hip point for seated occupants is higher than the everyday sedan's. The mixture should deliver a mix many buyers seek : easy ingress and egress, with a higher seating position for an improved view around tall cars on the road.

The 2009 Venza should reach showrooms with the traditional model year changeover in early fall 2008. It is going to be built at Toyota's assembly plant in Georgetown, Kentucky.