The Venza, in Toyota's Words

by Frank Williams

Published: August 11th, 2008

Press releases aren't supposed to be funny, but occasionally, one comes out that you can't help but laugh at, either for the product it's promoting, the way it attempts to make it sound unique, or both. Case in point: Toyota's release describing the "Design Ins and Outs of the 2009 Toyota Venza." Having seen pictures of this bastard child of a Camry and an Aztek, I think it would be better described as the "Design Do's and Don'ts," with emphasis on the don'ts. They struggle to find a way to describe it, settling on "not an SUV, not a wagon, not a coupe and not a sedan." So what the Hell is it? They say it "incorporates SUV utility and roominess, while maintaining passenger car essentials, such as ease of ingress/egress, performance, a lower, sleek

side profile with aerodynamic lines." Uh… doesn't that pretty much describe a station wagon? Anyway, the design incorporates "Toyota's design philosophy, ‘Vibrant Clarity'" (which sounds like a Honda FCX with a tire out of balance) to produce "look-at-me" styling. Inside, it has a "floating…60/60 center dashboard" that makes spatially-challenged drivers and passengers "feel as if 60 percent of the space is in their personal zone." There's more, but I'll let you read it for yourself.

Click here for PDF of press release.

Frank Williams

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2 of 39 comments

Dave M. on Aug 12, 2008

I love wagons. Especially sport wagons. Sadly, the last decent affordable sport wagons (Mazda6, Legacy GT) were much unloved by people who actually paid for cars. This car (?) has been growing on me since I first saw the mock-up 5 months ago. If they keep the weight down and make a 4 cyl or hybrid available for a reasonable price, it'll be a hit.

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Accs on Aug 27, 2008

Hmmm Have people figured out.. what this vehicle is made from?? CAMRY! CAMRY gave birth to: The Highlander The Avalon The ES The RX And now the Venza. That is.. 6 vehicles all of them are built with a car frame! Doesnt matter worth a damn, what the company's PR line is. It is, what it is. A glorified WAGON! Now me... This is a poor time to have this vehicle on the showroom. They are getting to be like the domestics in this reguard... OVERLAPPING VEHICLES! Ya got the RAV 4 who should have stayed compact. Ya got the Highlander that gained a few inches and now is as big as the 4Runner. Ya got the FJ, that is the Bronco reborn for Toyota. On the frame of the 4Runner. Ya got the 4Runner that is competition against the Exploder.. and is within inches of the Sequia. YA got the Seqouia that is as big as any dumb bastard ever thinks they need Few people can see the difference in construction as I point out so easily.. between the vehicles.. And to have this Venza slip in between... what and where?? To steal sales from the other for..? Bad move.. Bad Move. They got gaping holes, and faaar too much on one side. What ever happened to tacking on a nice rear hatch, keeping the weight down to 2800-3300lbs.. and dumpin the awd unit. Poor choice Toyota.. Poor choice!

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Recent Comments

ToolGuy No hybrid? No EV? What year is this? lolI kid -- of course there is an electric version.
Tassos No, this is for sure NOT my favorite Caddy. Very few Caddys with big fins work out as designs.FOr interiors, I much prefer the Caddys and other US luxury cars from the 30s, Packards etc. After the war, they ditched the generous wood veneer (without which no proper luxury car) for either nothing or the worse than nothing fake wood.For exterior, I like many Caddys from the 60s and early 70s, when the fins slowly diminished and finally disappearedEven the current " Art and Science" angular styling is quite good and has lasted a quarter century (from the first CTS). They even look better than most Bangled BMWs and even some Mercs.- from outside only.
ToolGuy Good for them.
ToolGuy "I'm an excellent driver."
Tassos If a friend who does not care about cars asks me what to buy, I tell her (it usually is a she) to get a Toyota or a Lexus. If she likes more sporty cars, a Honda or a MiataIf a friend is a car nut, they usually know what they want and need no help. But if they still ask me, I tell them to get a Merc or AMG, a 911, even an M3 if they can fix it themselves. If they are billionaires, and I Do have a couple of these, a Ferrari or an even more impractical Lambo.