2022 Toyota Venza Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Toyota has tried with the Venza before. A similar vehicle wore the name from 2009 to 2015 in the United States but faded away without much fanfare. The Venza rose again for the 2021 model year, this time riding on the Toyota New Global Architecture K (TGNA-K) platform, the same one that forms the basis for Toyota Avalon, Camry, Highlander, RAV4, and Sienna, as well as the Lexus ES, NX, and RX—in other words, a very formidable, proven formula.

The Venza measures 186.6 inches long, 73.0 inches wide, and 65.9 inches tall, with 7.8 inches of ground clearance and a 105.9-inch wheelbase. That puts it at the short end of the midsize crossover SUV segment.

The Venza has excellent proportions and a modern exterior design that would slip comfortably into the Lexus lineup. Perhaps its most striking design feature is a deeply scalloped body side that bulges to form the rear fender, an organic-looking detail emphasizing power. The tailgate is eye-catching, too, bisected horizontally with a stripe of LED lighting. The Venza's nose is also prominent, giving it a very un-SUV overhang beyond the front wheels. Traditional SUVs strive for a short overhang to maximize their approach angles off-road. The Venza’s design is best suited for parking lots, not mountain tops.

Inside, the Venza is similarly Lexus-like, with an elegant interior layout and high-quality materials. The layered dash takes advantage of a steep windshield with depth, and the placement of the standard 8-inch or available 12.3-inch touchscreen display is just right, at the top of the center stack. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, while the rear seats can accommodate three adults easily.

The Venza has a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine and three electric motors, which produce 219 horsepower combined. The Venza balances electric drive and gas drive for optimum efficiency and performance.

Drivers can opt for electric-only (EV) operation for short distances or can select among Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes to tweak the performance with both gasoline and electric power in use. As with other hybrids, regenerative braking helps recharge the lithium-ion battery powering the electric motors, while the main charge comes from the motor-generator driven by the gas engine.

The Venza is fine to drive, with sprightly performance and agile handling. Sharing a wheelbase with the Camry, it feels similarly maneuverable. The taller body and higher ground clearance don't encourage aggressive cornering, but the Venza isn't that kind of vehicle. It’s a midsize family hauler and delivers precisely the ride and performance it promises.

The Venza seats five in two rows, with two bucket seats in the front row and a 60/40-split folding second-row bench seat with three seating positions. Both rows have good headroom and legroom. The second row also has 45.2 inches of hip room, adequate for three adults to ride in relative comfort. Even though the roofline isn't as tall as some SUVs, the cabin still feels roomy, especially with the available Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof on the Limited trim level.

While the interior isn't kitted like a minivan, it has numerous convenience features. In the cockpit, an overhead console houses LED map lights and a Safety Connect button. An eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat is standard and four-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat are standard on XLE and Limited models. An electric parking brake allows for a switch in the center console instead of a space-hogging mechanical lever. The sun visors have sliding extensions and illuminated vanity mirrors. A big passenger-side glove compartment awaits stuffing. The power door locks come with a shift-linked automatic lock/unlock function, a great feature for distracted parents.

The cabin is also festooned with four cupholders and four bottle holders. Each door can hold a 24-ounce bottle, so the whole family can stay hydrated on the drive to the mall.

The Venza's lithium-ion battery pack lives beneath the second-row seats and has little impact on cargo capacity. The Venza can hold up to 28.8 cubic feet of luggage behind its second row. With the second row folded flat, up to 55.1 cubic feet of cargo space opens up. Only the tallest dogs will complain about the headroom in the Venza's greenhouse.

Toyota expended extra energy making the Venza's cabin a quiet oasis for travel. Beyond the basic engineering of the TGNA-K platform, it added sound-blocking and absorbing insulation and body-sealing material everywhere, including under the hood, above the headliner, and under the carpeting. It pays off, as the Venza is serene and quiet on the road.

Hybrid powertrains are not new by any means, and Toyota has extensive experience with the technology. While recent attention has shifted to pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, with a conventional hybrid like the Venza, drivers don't need to worry about charging infrastructure.

The Venza's hybrid setup is transparent in operation and requires no special attention to work. Owners who live in apartment buildings or rentals may not be able to install home charging stations, and drivers in many parts of the country may have trouble finding reliable public charging. Venza owners don't need to worry about that and need not bother with range anxiety. A tank of gas (14.5 gallons) should yield well over 500 miles and could go much farther depending on where and how the Venza travels.

Toyota has engineered a Predicted Efficient Drive (PED) program that uses the navigation system to analyze drivers' habits and behavior. The system can memorize road and traffic conditions and use that information to optimize how the hybrid battery gets charged. One example is in downhill sections of road. A driver might tend to let off the gas pedal and let the Venza coast down the hill. The PED can learn this and engage the regenerative braking system on the downhill, replenishing the battery. Later, this energy gets used to reduce fuel consumption.

The LE and XLE models come with an eight-inch touchscreen, AM/FM/HD Radio, and SiriusXM satellite radio with a three-month trial. The infotainment system works with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and has Amazon Alexa capability and Bluetooth hands-free phone and streaming music connectivity. Connectors include one USB media port, one AUX media port (those are getting scarce), three additional USB ports (for charging only), and six speakers. Pushbutton start and a proximity key are standard as well.

The Toyota Venza Limited adds a nine-speaker JBL audio system with a subwoofer and amplifier (which is also optional on XLE), 12.3-inch touchscreen, intelligent touch-capacitive controls, navigation.

Both multimedia setups come with Toyota Connected Services, including Safety Connect (one-year trial), Service Connect (10-year trial), Remote Connect (one-year trial), and WiFi Connect (up to two gigabytes within a three-month trial).

An Advanced Technology Package is also available for the Limited trim at $725. It includes a head-up display (HUD) with speed and hybrid system indicators and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The 10-inch HUD is one of the best we've seen on a mainstream vehicle and is clearly visible even when wearing polarized sunglasses. A digital rearview mirror is also available, a handy feature for owners who may have passengers or cargo blocking the view out the rear.

A 5-inch instrument cluster display screen is standard on LE models, while a 7-inch screen lives in the XLE and Limited instrument clusters.

The standard Toyota Star Safety System includes expected safety features like stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, smart stop technology, and a rearview camera.

The Venza also gets eight airbags, including driver- and front-passenger advanced airbag systems, driver- and front-passenger side airbags, driver knee airbag, front-passenger seat-cushion airbag, and front and rear side-curtain airbags. There are three-point seatbelts for every seating position and LATCH lower anchors for child safety seats on rear outboard seats. The rear doors have child protector locks and window lockout controls on the driver's door.

Also standard is the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) group of driver aids. TSS 2.0 includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, daytime bicycle detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, and road-sign assist.

A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and hill-start assist are standard on all trim levels as well. XLE and Limited models get front and rear parking assist with automated braking. Limited models also get fog lamps for better visibility.

The 2022 Toyota Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2022 Toyota Venza five stars, its highest rating.

Pricing for the base Venza LE start at $33,240. The mid-level XLE starts at $36,775, and the Venza Limited starts at $40,730. Add $1,175 to all prices for delivery, processing, and handling fee. Our test vehicle was a Limited model with some options—including the $725 Advanced Technology Package, $1,400 Star Gaze panoramic roof—bringing the as-tested MSRP to $43,100.

Some critical voices have called the Venza "the Camry Wagon," as if that would be a negative statement. Others have discounted it versus the RAV4 Hybrid. But while the Venza shares a platform with the Camry and RAV4, it is its own thing. While many families find a sedan too confining for their needs, not everyone needs a three-row SUV or an off-road capable adventure vehicle.

One platform supporting such diverse vehicles has advantages for the manufacturer, the service department, and the owner. Building vehicles with shared parts and engineering allows greater economies of scale, the rapid spread of new technology, and many other advantages. Service departments can stock the correct maintenance and repair parts easily, and technicians can train for multiple vehicles at once. Owners benefit from lower prices, higher quality, and the promise of long vehicle viability, not to mention the possibility of finding a vehicle tailored to their needs. The Venza fits this category for many buyers.

The Venza competes with a few vehicles in a similar niche, and they're all well worth driving and considering. The Chevrolet Blazer, the Nissan Murano, the Honda Passport, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Ford Edge are just a few, each bringing their take on the midsize wagon/SUV.

Don't ignore the Venza because of what it isn't. Give the 2022 Toyota Venza a good look for what it is—a very capable, AWD hybrid wagon with style.