Toyota Pulls Wraps Off ’09 Venza CUV

[MotorCity]

** The sheet metal looks allot like the Mazda crossover***



By James M. Amend
WardsAuto.com, Jan 14, 2008 11:00 AM

North American Int’l Auto Show DETROIT – Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. debuts in Detroit the all-new ’09 Venza cross/utility vehicle, a product designed exclusively for sale in the North American market.

Designed and engineered by Toyota technical centers in Ann Arbor, MI, and Newport Beach, CA, the 5-passenger Venza will be built at the auto maker’s plant in Georgetown, KY. It’s slated to arrive at dealers late this year, although pricing has not been announced.
Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager-Toyota Div., says the Venza combines the styling, comfort and “fun-to-drive” aspects of a sedan, but with the utility of an SUV.

“This winning combination will be ideal for active Boomers and young couples with small families,” Carter says in a statement ahead of the Venza’s premier at the North American International Auto Show later today.

The Venza arguably enters the hottest segment in North America. CUVs accounted for 2.8 million units in the U.S. in 2007, an increase of nearly 18% vs. year-ago, according to Ward’s data.

Venza designers avoided traditional SUV styling themes, the auto maker says, and instead drew inspiration from a sleek sedan concept. But utility remained a focal point, as the Venza provides abundant cargo space with all five passengers aboard, Toyota says.

’09 Toyota Venza CUV.

Unique attributes include an instrument-panel design that offers both the driver and front passenger the look and feel that 60% of the IP is accessible from their seating position.

The center console houses the gear-shift lever and hides a large storage well that will accommodate a sizable purse. The Venza also marks the first Toyota vehicle in the U.S.
with standard 20-in. alloy wheels and an available panoramic roof.

Automatic high-beam headlamps, which use sensors to detect oncoming traffic and switch to low-beam, also represent a first for Toyota.


The Venza arrives with a choice of two powertrains – a 2.7L 4-cyl. engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 3.5L 6-cyl. mill with a 6-speed gearbox. Toyota has not released horsepower and torque numbers on the 4-cyl. engine, but says the V-6 will deliver 268 hp and 246 lb.-ft. (334 Nm) of torque, boasting a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. (1,587 kg).
The 6-cyl. powertrain also comes with the option of front- or all-wheel drive.

[2002 Z06]

lol

[Yal]

I think this is it....

[SpoiledMan]

As much as I don't see the need for yet another SUV they will sell a cozillion of these.

[P1et]

Is it me, or is this vehicle extremely average looking? Doesn't stand in the crowd and looks like every other damn crossover on the market.

Sorry, boring...

[SpoiledMan]

Oh extremely average! It looks like it comes with 20's on it and that means the "street" will adapt 22's to it in a heartbeat. It's boring pretty much like all of their products though.

[paul34]

So, wait. I thought the Highlander was Toyota's "crossover." I guess not. Oh well, at least this is much "cooler" than the Highlander - although I still wouldn't buy one.

If someone put a gun to my head and forced me to buy a lard car, I'd buy either Mazda CX-7 or CX-9. I've driven both and they are oh so excellent! The interiors are just awesome. Man does modern Mazda know how to make a car.

[PrinzII]

Meh.......

[paul34]

Originally Posted by PrinzII

Meh.......

What can you say... "meh" sells these days

[truzoom]

Does anyone think all this crossover business is getting out of hand? I'm not saying that it's a bad business decision, because options are a great thing for consumers.

I just remember when you either got a truck, a car, a suv, a wagon, a minivan, or a van, and I'm not even that old. In my area, it seems like the crossovers aren't selling too well with the intended crowds. Families with kids and equipment still like to get full size SUVs, some families still get minivans, and the rest choose between cars and trucks.

[MotorCity]

Originally Posted by truzoom

Does anyone think all this crossover business is getting out of hand? I'm not saying that it's a bad business decision, because options are a great thing for consumers.

I just remember when you either got a truck, a car, a suv, a wagon, a minivan, or a van, and I'm not even that old. In my area, it seems like the crossovers aren't selling too well with the intended crowds. Families with kids and equipment still like to get full size SUVs, some families still get minivans, and the rest choose between cars and trucks.

You haven't seen the end of it.. I just read an article in "Automotive Engineering International" about an Audi "Cross Cabriolet Quattro".. it's a convertible SUV...At it does look a helluva lot more interesting than the Toyota offering

[Yal]

They are really trying very hard to reinvent the stationwagon. Give it a different name, put SUV wheels on it and give ita slightly above average ride height, yep that should fool them.

And it is working.