2022 Toyota Venza

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2022 Toyota Venza Review: Living Like A Lexus

The Toyota Venza is back for its second model year, and although nothing much has changed for 2022, we still think this car is an exciting entry point into the world of premium SUVs without costing premium money. Based on the RAV4 platform, this hybrid crossover offers sleeker styling than its off-road-biased sibling but provides the same performance from its 2.5-liter gas and hybrid electric powertrain, totaling 219 horsepower. The interior is well built, the feature list is impressive, and the drive is closer to plush Lexus than it is to bland Toyota. In a segment of the market filled with talented players such as the Nissan Murano and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Toyota has managed to offer something fresh - and we think it has what it takes to sell in numbers.

Read in this review:

8.9
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2022 Toyota Venza Changes: What’s The Difference vs The 2021 Venza?

Since the Toyota Venza was a brand-new revival of the Venza nameplate for 2021, it carries over with no changes for the 2022 model year.

Pros and Cons

  • Good fuel economy
  • Comfortable ride
  • Stylish interior design and striking exterior looks
  • Loads of features on offer
  • Good fuel economy figures
  • The trunk space could be bigger
  • Not as practical as some of its rivals
  • Some touch-sensitive controls are a little iffy

What's the Price of the 2022 Toyota Venza?

The 2022 Toyota Venza is on the expensive side, but we think the hybrid crossover SUV is worth it. The Venza LE starts with an MSRP of $33,240 in the US, which excludes tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,215. Stepping up to the mid-range XLE will set you back $36,775, and the range-topping Limited goes on sale for $40,730. Fully loaded, a Limited Toyota Venza can cost upwards of $45k.

Best Deals on 2022 Toyota Venza

2022 Toyota Venza Trims

See trim levels and configurations:

Trim Engine Transmission Drivetrain Price (MSRP)
LE
2.5L Inline-4 Hybrid
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
All-Wheel Drive
$33,240
XLE
2.5L Inline-4 Hybrid
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
All-Wheel Drive
$36,775
Limited
2.5L Inline-4 Hybrid
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
All-Wheel Drive
$40,730
See All 2022 Toyota Venza Trims and Specs

2022 Venza Exterior

2022 Toyota Venza Forward View CarBuzz
2022 Toyota Venza View Out Back CarBuzz
2022 Toyota Venza Frontal Aspect CarBuzz
See All 2022 Toyota Venza Exterior Photos

Dimensions

  • Length 186.6 in
  • Wheelbase 105.9 in
  • Height 65.9 in
  • Max Width 73.0 in
  • Front Width 63.0 in
  • Rear Width 63.7 in
  • Curb Weight 3,847.0 lbs

Exterior Colors

  • Coastal Gray Metallic
  • Black
  • Titanium Glow
  • Blueprint
  • Blizzard Pearl
  • Ruby Flare Pearl
  • Celestial Black

2022 Venza Performance

2022 Toyota Venza Aft View CarBuzz
2022 Toyota Venza Side Badge CarBuzz
2022 Toyota Venza Engine CarBuzz

Engine and Transmission

  • Engine
    2.5L Inline-4 Hybrid
  • Transmission
    Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
  • Drivetrain
    AWD

Handling and Driving Impressions

Those expecting the Venza to handle like an overweight family SUV will be pleased to hear that it is surprisingly light on its feet. The Venza shares its platform and powertrain with the RAV4, which is a pleasure to drive, and not much changes here; in fact, it gets a little better. The Venza is the heavier car, so it won't feel as engaging as the RAV4, but Toyota has added more sound deadening, which gives it a more premium feel, especially when cruising at highway speeds. Through the bendy stuff, the Venza's MacPherson front and multi-link rear suspension effortlessly control the shift in weight balance, and the on-demand all-wheel-drive and Active Cornering Assist systems impress with their ability to limit understeer.

The Venza can be driven in Eco, Normal, and Sport mode, but don't expect anything other than a slight change in throttle mapping. We appreciate the Venza's ability to move seamlessly from gas to electric power, and the CVT transmission performs beautifully when not asked to hurry. The Venza offers a borderline premium driving experience, which is impressive in this class.

2022 Venza Interior

2022 Toyota Venza Dashboard CarBuzz
2022 Toyota Venza Infotainment System CarBuzz
2022 Toyota Venza Front Chairs CarBuzz
See All 2022 Toyota Venza Interior Photos

Seating and Interior Space

  • Seating capacity
    5-seater
  • Front Leg Room 40.9 in
  • Front Head Room 38.6 in
  • Rear Leg Room 37.8 in
  • Rear Head Room 39.0 in

2022 Venza Trunk and Cargo Space

2022 Toyota Venza Trunk Space CarBuzz
2022 Toyota Venza Maximum Trunk Space CarBuzz
2022 Toyota Venza Rear Passenger Seats Down CarBuzz

2022 Venza Safety and Reliability

Warranty

  • Basic:
    3 Years \ 36,000 Miles
  • Drivetrain:
    5 Years \ 60,000 Miles
  • Corrosion:
    5 Years \ Unlimited Miles
  • Hybrid/Electric Components:
    8 Years \ 100,000 Miles
  • Roadside Assistance:
    2 Years \ Unlimited Miles
  • Maintenance:
    2 Years \ 25,000 Miles

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

  • Overall Rating
  • Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
  • Side Crash Rating
  • Rollover Rating

Verdict: Is the 2022 Toyota Venza A Good SUV?

The Toyota Venza straddles a relatively niche line between Toyota's other SUV offerings, including its premium line of Lexus vehicles. Based on the RAV4 platform, the Venza is larger, more shapely, and more sophisticated than its sibling, who has traditionally had a more rugged persona. Add to that the refinement of the increased noise insulation and long list of features and you're left with a crossover that feels more Lexus than Toyota - but at a more palatable price.

We appreciate the Venza's stylish interior, generous features list, good fuel economy, and comfortable driving style, but if you're after cargo space, competitors such as the Nissan Murano or Chevy Blazer will be a better choice. Still, with inflation and expenses rising, many will be looking to downscale from premium brands such as Lexus, and Toyota has built the perfect net to catch those customers.

What Toyota Venza Model Should I Buy?

The Venza is a solid package, and even in base guise offers a lot of safety and convenience benefits. The LE trim packs the majority of safety features on offer in the XLE and Limited but misses out on the larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a few other nice-to-haves. Seeing as this car borders on Lexus territory, we'd recommend going for the mid-range XLE at the very least. This model bags you luxuries such as front and rear parking assist, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated front seats, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

2022 Toyota Venza Comparisons

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Carbuzz
Toyota Highlander CarBuzz
CompetitorHorsepowerMPGPrice (MSRP)
Toyota Venza219 hp40/37 mpg$34,120
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 219 hp41/38 mpg$30,725
Toyota Highlander 265 hp22/29 mpg$36,420

2022 Toyota Venza vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The RAV4 has been an American success story from the very beginning and continues to outsell its Toyota siblings to this day. The fact that the Venza is based on the RAV4 Hybrid has shaken things up. Both cars share the same platform and powertrain, so they perform more or less the same, but the overall driving experience is somewhat different. The Venza has a more premium feel thanks to its classy interior and added noise insulation, whereas the RAV4 feels more adventurous. Regarding the all-important question of cargo space, the RAV4 comes out on top, which could be a big deciding factor for those with families. If you're after luxury and sleek styling, the Venza is for you, but if you live a more active lifestyle and occasionally want to brave rouger terrain, the RAV4 is the way to go.

See Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Review

2022 Toyota Venza vs Toyota Highlander

Toyota's range of SUVs is extensive, to say the least, and a step or two above the Venza, you'll find the bigger and badder Highlander. This three-row SUV is significantly larger than the Venza (it's about eight inches longer) and offers lots more cargo space and performance - but at the cost of efficiency. Under the hood, the Highlander packs a 3.5-liter V6 with 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque as standard, but a hybrid version with 243 hp is also on offer. The Highlander is geared towards larger families that live an active and adventurous lifestyle, and the fact that it can seat up to eight and carry a ton of stuff should tell you all you need to know. In terms of features, the Highlander and Venza share a lot in common, including Toyotas' full suite of driver assistance systems. Want to go big? The Highlander is your guy.

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