Toyota Venza, 2012: More variety for sporty crossover

The 2012 Toyota Venza, the combination sports sedan and crossover and available in LE, XLE and Limited models, expands the previous one-style only model and features a sport-sedan design with crossover versatility.

Offered with a with four-cylinder, V6, front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), the Venza Limited comes with the V6 engine only and with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations.

The Venza’s standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 182 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm. The four-cylinder Venza is EPA-rated at 21 MPG city/-27 MPG highway for the FWD model.

The 3.5-liter V6 produces 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 246 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm. The V6 FWD model has EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 19 MPG city/26 MPG highway.  Both engines are teamed with a six-speed sequential-shift electronically controlled automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i). The six-speed ECT-i provides an engaging driving experience and helps optimize fuel economy. Uphill/downhill shift logic selects the proper gear for driving conditions and helps provide moderate engine braking during downhill driving.

Toyota’s STAR Safety System is standard on all Toyota models and features enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC)  Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist and the Smart Stop brake-override Technology (SST).

Venza features seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, driver and front-passenger front-seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side-curtain airbags. Front seat-belt pretensioners retract the seat belt in a severe frontal collision, while the dual-stage force limiters help limit the seat-belt force applied to the driver’s and front passenger’s chests. Driver and front-passenger seats employ active headrests. If the vehicle is struck from the rear, a cable-actuated mechanism will move the headrest upward and forward to help limit movement of the occupant’s head.

The LE grade’s standard audio system includes an AM/FM six-disc, in-dash CD changer with integrated satellite radio, Bluetooth hands-free phone capability with wireless music streaming via Bluetooth, MP3/WMA playback capability, USB port with iPod connectivity, auxiliary audio jack, auto sound leveling, and six speakers. The available Convenience Package for the Venza LE adds a power liftgate and a rear back-up camera. The Preferred Package adds a panoramic glass roof with front power moonroof.

Aside from powertrain choices, the XLE offers two major options. The Premium Package that includes a panoramic glass roof with front power moonroof, a JBL Synthesis surround-sound system featuring an AM/FM six-disc in-dash CD changer with integrated satellite radio, MP3/WMA playback capability, Bluetooth hands-free phone capability and audio streaming and 13 speakers. The Navigation Package includes a voice-activated touch screen DVD navigation system with integrated back-up camera, JBL Synthesis surround-sound system featuring an AM/FM four-disc in-dash CD changer with integrated satellite radio, MP3/WMA playback capability, Bluetooth hands-free phone capability and audio streaming and 13 speakers .

The new V6-only, top-of-line Venza Limited combines the XLE Navigation Package and the panoramic glass roof with front power moonroof, and adds high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights with automatic high beams. The high beam feature detects oncoming vehicles and automatically switches the headlamps from high to low-beam.

Toyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation.  Toyota dealers have complete details on the limited warranty.