2022 Toyota Venza

　　

2022 Toyota Venza Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　When the Toyota Venza resurfaced for 2021 after a six-year hiatus, the midsize two-row SUV placed very favorably in zzdcar' rankings. In large part, that's because it's a hybrid with an impressive EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving. Other SUVs in the class are estimated to return only 20 to 25 mpg. On top of strong fuel economy, the Venza comes standard with all-wheel drive, and its hybrid powertrain keeps things quiet and calm for a more luxurious experience.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Toyota Venza LE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$99/mo  for Venza LE

　　Venza LE

　　LE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $33,240 MSRPXLE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) (Most Popular) - $36,775 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $40,730 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　As a hybrid, the 2022 Toyota Venza can be more expensive than some rivals, but owners are likely to recover the initial cost in the form of savings at the gas pump in a short time. In terms of utility, though, the Venza isn't as strong as the competition. The interior space is smaller than average and the Venza's not rated for towing duties.

　　If you put a higher priority on spaciousness and hauling, you might be better served by one of the Venza's chief rivals — the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe or Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Our Expert Rating below spells out in detail where the Venza shines and where it could use some improvement. But overall we consider it a great choice for those looking for more efficiency and luxury.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Venza drive? The specs for the Venza's four-cylinder hybrid powertrain don't look like much on paper, but this SUV is adequately quick in real-world acceleration. In zzdcar' testing it covered 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds. That's a second behind the Honda Passport but quicker than a V6 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

　　The Venza's handling doesn't quite match its sporty looks, but it is tidy and confident as you go around turns. When you're just commuting around town, Toyota's mastery of blending gas and electric power shows through and the Venza delivers smooth and virtually lag-free acceleration.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Venza? Toyota paid special attention to dialing up the comfort level in the Venza. The cabin is well insulated from the sounds of the outside environment, and the engine doesn't have the annoying drone that it does in the RAV4 Hybrid. The Venza also delivers excellent ride comfort, feeling more like a Lexus in the way it dispatches bumps and handles highway dips.

　　The front seats are both comfortable and supportive. Our Limited trim test vehicle featured front seats with heat and ventilation, but we didn't find the seat ventilation to be all that effective. Thankfully, the dual-zone climate control provides more than adequate cooling. Rear passengers have pretty comfortable seats as well, with reclining seatbacks and climate control vents to ensure good air flow.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below