Like reviewing a restaurant after only one visit, reviewing a car may be best after two test periods in the vehicle and at least separated by a few months. Welcome back to the 2014 Toyota Venza.
Seven months after first driving the oddly named Venza solo for a week, I just completely another weekly test driving the Venza. This time, it was with a colleague.
The Toyota Venza strikes many people in the same way. What is it? Just like I did, my colleague, who took the images for this review, had the same reaction. It’s neither a wagon nor a true sport utility vehicle.
Rather it’s a crossover with all-wheel drive functionality like a wagon, cargo room like an SUV and the characteristics of a daily driver sedan.
Key Takeaways
- Top-line Limited trim with all-wheel drive tested; the 2014 Venza comes in LE, XLE and Limited.
- $39,570 MSRP, $40,940 as tested.
- 268 horsepower from the 3.5-liter V6, with a six-speed automatic.
- 18 mpg city and 25 highway for the V6 with all-wheel drive.
- Limited trim adds bi-xenon headlights, automatic high beams, LED running lights, front and rear parking sensors and a 7-inch touchscreen navigation system.
- Ride: The suspension is tight, with undulations and sudden poor pavement handled with care.
About the 2014 Venza
The result is a combo-car with a combo name. Plenty of theories abound what Venza means, including the Spanish translation, Conquer. Toyota says the vehicle’s name is a compilation of the words Venture and Monza, the Italian racetrack.
It all makes sense, since the Venza is a compilation of cars styles and sizes.
Refreshed last year, the Toyota Venza has only a few minor changes for 2014. There are fewer available color combinations and slight equipment upgrades in some trims.
The Weekly Driver Test Drive
The 2014 Toyota Venza is offered in base LE, mid-range XLE, and top-line Limited with V6-only transmissions. I had the top-line trim with all-wheel drive.
Initially I thought the Venza was a small SUV, but Toyota already has its share of large and small utility vehicles. But nor is the Venza a true wagon. Like the Subaru Outback, the Venza drives likes a car, but it’s more versatile without the bulky and sometimes cumbersome feel of an SUV.
The base and increasingly detailed trims have a long list of standard features. The Limited trim level adds: bi-xenon headlights, automatic high beams, LED running lights, front and rear parking sensors, and an upgraded navigation system with a higher-resolution 7-inch touchscreen display. There is a tow package available on all V6-powered Venzas.
Ride and Handling
Like the larger Hyundai Santa Fe, the 2014 Toyota Venza has an immediate feeling of comfort and driving ease. Its steering has been characterized as soft. But I liked the responsiveness and simplicity of the wheel play.
The suspension is tight, with undulations and sudden poor pavement handled with care. The Limited trim also has 20-inch wheels and while that could prompt comfort issues, it didn’t.
2014 Toyota Venza Verdict
Like my first week with the Venza, my second test drive was about a 450-mile round-trip to the Monterey Peninsula. There’s a good cross-section of driving roads on the route from Sacramento: the fast-paced Interstate 5 to the small side streets of Pacific Grove. The Venza handled all roads well. It was easy to maneuver and had surprisingly quick acceleration in passing situations and on freeway entry ramps.
Likes
Comfortable drive.
Supportive seats.
Quiet on the open road.
Interior storage compartments spacious and plentiful. I liked the multi-sliding console center the first time around. But the second, it seemed awkward and hard to maneuver
Automatic shift lever perfectly positioned at an angle to left of the console.
Automatic tailgate opener.
Large rear seat sunroof with sunshade
Dislikes
Not great gas mileage.
The $40,000 top-line price point could be a stumbling block.
Navigation system unintuitive.
Substantial B pillar blind spot.
What, no the blind spot detection system?
Facts & Figures: 2014 Toyota Venza
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Price | $39,570 |
| As-Tested Price | $40,940 |
| Engine | 3.5-liter V6 |
| Horsepower | 268 hp |
| Torque | 246 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive |
| Fuel Economy | 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| Wheels | 20-inch (Limited) |
James Raia
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.