2023 Toyota Venza Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2023 Toyota Venza is a midsize crossover SUV, but unlike the boxy and upright vehicles common in that class, the Venza is more sleek and sculpted. Were it not for the Toyota badging, it could easily be mistaken for a Lexus. The shape itself is unusual, as the rear roofline tapers down to a sharp point at the taillights, yet it avoids looking weak in the way some other "coupe-like" SUVs do.

The contoured body is also a departure from the typical Toyota. The curves blend into each other harmoniously, making it look more like a Mazda, with none of the awkward side bulges around the rear wheels that other Toyota SUVs suffer from.

On the inside, the Venza borrows heavily from the Toyota RAV4 on which it is based. The dashboard is very similar, as is the center stack that connects to the console. The Venza dresses up the cabin with noticeably nicer materials and details, though. Instead of big dials for temperature control, you get buttons that are better integrated into the climate-control panel. There are more soft-touch surfaces too, and the materials have a more substantial feel than the vinyl-like coverings in more affordable Toyota models. In terms of quality, it approaches Lexus' level of luxury.

Overall, the 2023 Venza is attractively styled inside and out. At least for us, that's unusual for a Toyota, as many of the current vehicles lack a certain grace and cohesiveness. We think it's one of the best looking vehicles in Toyota's stable, alongside the new Prius.

Under the hood of the 2023 Toyota Venza is the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system found in the RAV4 Hybrid. Electric motor/generators are paired with an 1.6-kilowatt-hour nickel metal hydride battery pack. Combined with the internal combustion engine, they produce 219 horsepower. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) sends power to the front wheels while a separate electric motor powers the rear wheels for all-wheel drive (AWD).

Initial acceleration is provided by the electric motors, which respond immediately. After a few feet, the gasoline engine springs to life and seamlessly blends in to deliver more power. The Venza will reach 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, which is a respectable time for SUVs in this class. The brakes are also a two-part affair and are just as seamless. Initial pedal application uses regenerative braking to slow the Venza, taking that inertia to turn the generators and recharge the battery. When more braking is needed, the physical brake pads are applied, but you won't feel that transition. From the driver's point of view, the Venza drives much like any internal combustion vehicle.

The Venza favors ride comfort over sporty handling, which makes sense for a luxury-leaning SUV. Handling is merely adequate and should please drivers who are simply seeking easy and calm transportation. The steering effort is very light, isn't particularly precise, and lacks any kind of feedback for the driver. That also tracks with Venza's effortless personality. Maneuverability could stand some improvement though, as it takes quite a bit of space to perform a U-turn. That means multiple-point turns will be a common occurrence.

The Venza's ride quality is smoother than the RAV4 Hybrid's, but not quite as plush as what you'd get in a similarly sized Lexus. There's enough compliance to take the edge off most road imperfections, and larger potholes are kept from sending large jolts through the cabin.

The Venza's front seats offer plenty of space for taller drivers and passengers, and the feeling of spaciousness is enhanced by the large windows and panoramic sunroof. That Star Gaze panoramic roof also has a button that can turn the glass opaque, which is a feature more commonly found in luxury vehicles. It's more of a novelty though, as the sunroof already comes with a fabric shade that is better at blocking the sun. Outward visibility is excellent out the front, but the roof pillar just behind the driver can block their view of the Venza's blind spot. Rear visibility is limited, but that's typical for almost all SUVs nowadays. A power-adjustable driver’s seat and three-spoke steering wheel are standard features, while a power-adjustable passenger seat is present only on the Venza Limited.

The rear seats are spacious enough for the average adult, and perhaps some slightly taller. Headroom would be the first limiter since there's an abundance of legroom and foot room under the front seats. Unlike other SUVs that use more durable hard plastics, the Venza's rear passenger area features materials that are as nice as the front seats.

Behind those rear seats, the Venza can hold up to only 28.8 cubic feet of cargo. That's 40 percent less than the Honda Passport, which can carry up to 41.2 cubic feet. The new 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport maxes out at 40.3 cubic feet while the Jeep Grand Cherokee can accommodate 37.7 cubic feet. The Venza is also not rated for towing, so a trailer won't help you make up for that shortcoming, either.

Fortunately, the Venza is much better at holding smaller personal items. A wireless phone charger is standard and there are well-sized cupholders and a deep center armrest bin for larger items. The door pockets are large enough to hold larger drink bottles too.

The Venza comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim features an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while upgrading to the XLE trim and above will get you a much larger 12.3-inch multimedia display. The 2023 model year benefits from a new infotainment system that delivers sharp graphics, relatively quick responses, and a logical menu structure. It's a noticeable improvement over past infotainment systems from Toyota.

A Wi-Fi connection is offered for a 30-day trial and includes access to remote vehicle monitoring and control via a smartphone app. Related services include maintenance reminders and enhanced roadside assistance. The top Venza Limited trim comes with a one-year trial subscription to Drive Connect services which function like a virtual navigator. You simply say, "Hey Toyota," to activate the system and it will use Google map data to assist you in finding your destination.

The base audio system uses six speakers and comes with satellite radio for a three-month trial period. The sound quality is about average for a base system in this class. A nine-speaker JBL premium audio system is available as an option on the XLE trim and comes standard on the top Limited model. Audiophiles should like the upgrade for its punchier bass, courtesy of a subwoofer.

In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2023 Toyota Venza scored five out of five stars in overall and side crash protection, as well as four stars in frontal and rollover protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Venza its highest score of "Good" across the board, except for the Institute's new side impact test where it was rated the second-best score of "Acceptable". It was also named a Top Safety Pick, the second-highest honor from the IIHS.

All 2023 Toyota Venzas come with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of driver assistance features. These include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. Stepping up to the midrange XLE adds front and rear parking proximity sensors and automatic emergency braking when you're in reverse. At the top of the lineup, the Limited trim adds a surround-view camera system, a head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror that allows you to see what's behind the vehicle even if the rear window is blocked.

The advanced safety features function as they should, with no false alarms reported in our time with the Venza. The adaptive cruise control deserves some praise for how smoothly it adjusts speed, all the way down to a complete stop.

The 2023 Toyota Venza has an MSRP of $35,955 (including $1,335 destination fees) for the base LE trim. The top Limited trim starts at $44,100 and besides color choices and the available Star Gaze panoramic roof, there aren't any options to add. Our midrange XLE test vehicle hit the sweet spot in the lineup for both price and features. For the $4,210 premium over the LE trim, you get several features that easily justify the price. These include the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, roof rails, heated front seats, simulated leather upholstery, and a few safety enhancements.

Initial pricing is in line with the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, but the Atlas climbs past $50,000 for its top trim. The Honda Passport is a bit more expensive, with a range of $42,000 to $47,000 while the Jeep Grand Cherokee can cost as much as $70,000.

The Venza's most significant advantage is its fuel economy. It's estimated to return 40 mpg EPA in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 39 mpg in combined driving. Those figures lead the class and just as impressive as they are on their own is how easy it is to meet or exceed those estimates. The rival Honda Passport can only muster a 21 mpg combined estimate while the Atlas Cross Sport and Grand Cherokee are rated at 22 mpg. The Grand Cherokee is available as a plug-in hybrid (which are the really expensive ones) that is estimated to return 26 miles on electricity alone.

If you're seeking the most fuel-efficient midsize SUV, the 2023 Toyota Venza is meant for you. The limited cargo capacity should be taken into account though, and for some shoppers that could be a deal breaker. Otherwise, the Venza is a luxury-adjacent alternative that should please drivers who value style and comfort over performance.