the Toyota rep at the auto show said the vehicle was a first-off hand made prototype with not fully off-tool parts.

then I saw some GM’s that were current production models that had worse fitment of parts!

It’s Toyota. People don’t worry about their appearance quality. It’s simply the best for an affordable car. They’ll get it all tuned up for whenever it launches.

But where’s the Toyota quality everyone talks about? I looked carefully at the interior photos and I can see a number of what appear to be ill-fitting pieces. The trim pieces that surround the steering wheel buttons look hastily installed and there’s a panel on the underside of the dash on the driver’s side that doesn’t seem to fit well. There seem to be some exterior bits that don’t fit very well either. Okay, I know photos can sometimes be deceiving and that the photos are probably of a pre-production model, but still…

“If this thing doesn’t split the difference between the RAV4 and the Highlander – oooo boy?”

…I guess you guys sat in a different vehicle than I did at the auto show!

It was IMMEDIATELY apparent to me after hanging aroun din it for a few minutes that:

1. This is a completely different breed of vehicle than the Highlander. It’s lower to the ground, much sleeker, much more urbane, much less soccer mom, bigger chrome wheels, meaner stance. It has a completely different feel – and I think will draw a different customer. Younger, more city/urban/wealthy suburb maybe, or hip couples perhaps. It fits that wealthy/stylish demographic I feel people kind of imagine themselves as – without costing $50K. I am not explaining it well, but you can’t SLOT this very different combination of features crossover in between RAV4 and Highlander…It’s just NOT an SUV!

2. Comparing it to the Murano is a JOKE. It’s FAR bigger or less cramped on the inside. It’s FAR more luxurious on the inside. It’s got angles – not a rounded 90’s style. (Have you ever noticed that Nissan’s styling is cool for….oh…about 6 months and then they look really dated? This vehicle won’t. Actually – I can’t think of a Toyota that does. That’s a Nissan problem if you ask me.

And I LIKE the grille others seem to be so shocked by. Yes it’s modern. Yes it’s new. It’s some new fantastic plated finish too – not chrome, like a slightly fogged mirror sort of appearance – but really sharp and high end looking to me. Toyota should do some high-end Mercedes-like rocker moldings in that finish too.

There were cool gizmos too like interior door handles in the far back that you pull and the seats auto-fold flat up in front of you.

I’m telling you – this car will be HOT and will last and is NOT a damned clunky Ford Edge or a stale Nissan Murano or a problem for Toyota just because it can’t be slotted neatly between RAV4 and Highlander.

I’ve heard it might cost $25K. It definitely feels like $35K or more when you are sitting in it.

In the flesh, this clearly is a Camry wagon. I think they’ve gauged the American consumer’s mind (such as it is) with their usual thoroughness, and realized they simply wouldn’t be smart to call it that.

As for me, the whole “crossover” thing is so clearly a codpiece over the eminently practical but un-phallic station wagon category that it’s getting quite embarrassing to watch.

therightstuff :

It’s more like a Lexus RX330 for the common-man.

So what does that make the Highlander?

Are you suggesting that Toyota will become more like VW and start cannibalizing it’s own efforts?

If this thing doesn’t split the difference between the RAV4 and the Highlander – oooo boy.

Oddly enough, isn’t the RAV4 now a three row seating fatty?

I expect pricing at least equal to the Highlanders.

Maybe the Venza’s real reson for existence is to provide a wagon in that general class, smaller than the Highlander, that can support HSD.

You’re right. I jumped the gun. Looks like it will be very competitive, with a possible 188hp. As V6’s get bigger, so do the fours. At least for now. Wonder when/if Toyota will get on the downsized/turbocharged train?

It may look funky from some angles to some people, but I thought it had strong and very modern exterior styling for a new-age crossover. Plus it comes with 20″ chrome wheels. I could totally see myself driving this. I DO NOT see myself in any sissy-fied plasticky cheap Edge. It feels much bigger an nicer on the inside than a Nissan Murano also.

I just hope it comes with a roof rack for my bike. Also a roof rack on this typoe of vehicle can really accentuate the styling if carefully designed and finished in a modern silver plating or something techy.

Maybe they could call it the “Camry X”?

But the real question is what new words will Toyota invent to avoid saying ‘hatchback’?

Station Wagon?

“The usual “practical” limit to the displacement of straight-4 engines in a car is around 2.7 litres. However, Porsche used a 3.0 L four in its 944 S2 and 968 sports cars…”
“Currently, one of the largest straight-4 engines is the 2.7 L Toyota 3RZ-FE engine.”*

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight-4

*not the same 2.7L engine that will be in the Venza, as I have previously pointed out

(I hope this doesnt come thru twice, my computer is being weird)

Not like the exterior is any better, what a dog.

It is not the same 2.7L you are thinking of.

Toyota has said it will be a new engine.

The current 2.7L is a truck engine intorduced in 2005 (apparently not related to the 2.7L that it replaced), with 159hp and 180 lb/ft of torque, in the Tacoma. There is no way this will make it into the car-based Venza. There is no current example of a Toyota truck using a car engine, or a Toyota car using a truck engine.

The 2.7L will be a car engine, likely in the family of 2AZ-FE engines (2.4L, with around 160hp, 160 lb/ft, depending on application). If it is a bored our version of the 2.4, we can easily expext 20-30 hp more with an expected bump of 1-2 mpg.

With the balance shafts that are in it (already).

SherbornSean :

mxfive4,
Have you seen appliances lately? They’re starting to look pretty cool. I think you owe Whirlpool an apology

Soo true.

marc : And I’m sure a hybrid variant is only a few years away.

Why a few years – nothing on this platform is going to require them to engineer this option from scratch.

The Camry and the Highlander (seriously how are they selling so many of these when there can only be one?) already have this option – Toyota should be offering this from day one.

man i remember when Toyota cars didn’t cost much to maintain…

sheesh.

I think Toyota, Honda and Nissan are all overlooking the market for wagon variants of their bread and butter sedans. I sincerely hope they continue to do so.

blautens: Did Toyota certify a new 4 cylinder for the US?

I hate to disappoint you, but the 2.7 has been around for years, in the trucks (T-100, Tacoma). I assume its a sroked version of the 2.4.

Did Toyota certify a new 4 cylinder for the US? I would have thought they would have used the 2.4L motor they so widely use.

Anyhoo, I love the tailights. I think the design is sleek and well proportioned for its class, with interesting angles. Sure typical Toyota haters will hate it, but for this class of CUVs, this is one nice ride. A little extra style without become a (Murano-ish) caricature. The interior looks good, if not the most dramatic, but the blue and white Optitron guages sure impress. So design wise, its at least a triple, if not a home run.

But its the engines that will carry the day. The 3.5L is a proven winner, providing strong performance to a number of Toyota products. With a size between RAV4 and Highlander, depending on weight, this thing might do 0-60 in 7.5 seconds, while still getting decent mpg. I cant wait to see what Toyota has up its sleeve for the new 2.7L 4 cylinder, though. Hopefully this is the replacement for the aging 2.4L. With 170-190 hp, mpg in the low 30’s, this could be what puts Toyota on top for good. Think of how many cars use the 2.4 now-Camry, RAV4, xB, Corolla, Matrix. And if its good enough, maybe it will find its way into the Sienna or Highlander, providing a lower cost, higher mpg choice for these difficult times. And I’m sure a hybrid variant is only a few years away.

Ive always liked wagons and hatches. But CUVs usually are either too trucky (Escape, Acadia, Highlander) or too overstyled (Murano, FX, X6). I’m pretty jazzed about this one. It’s car-like and has just enough style, with the possibility of some really decent mechanicals.