Toyota Venza

Lexus, Porsche top J.D. Power reliability survey

Lexus and Porsche are the most dependable car brands after three years of ownership, according to the 28th annual survey conducted J.D. Power, the global marketing research company. It is the sixth consecutive year that Lexus topped J.D. Power’s annual U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. The streak puts Lexus halfway to tying its record of 12 consecutive titles for most dependable brand between from 1997 to 2008. Toyota, Buick and Mercedes-Benz rounded out the top five brands overall. Mercedes, Hyundai (No. 6), BMW (No. 7) and Jaguar (No. 10) were newcomers to the Top 10 this year, while GMC, Acura, Ram and Lincoln dropped out. The industry averaged 156 problems per 100 vehicles in the latest dependability study, up by four

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Mercedes-Benz, Honda models among 10 cars gone in 2016

New year car models used to be available for the first time in September. But manufacturers now debut cars for different reasons at the different times of the year. While some 2016 models are still pending, some 2017 models have been available for months. But consumers beware. If you’re considering a 2016 model, it may no longer be available. Honda to Toyota, Mercedes Benz to Nissan, some models of prominent cars ended their tenures after their 2015 models. Here’s a list of 10 well-known cars available as 2015 models, but defunct as 2016 models: 1. Mercedes-Benz M-Class — The German manufacturer’s midsize SUV has been replaced by a sleeker-looker models, the GLE-Class. 2. Honda Crosstour — It was funny looking

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2014 Toyota Venza: Versatile SUV drives like a car

In the past eight months, the 2014 Toyota Venza and I have become good friends. For one week on each occasion, I’ve had three test sessions with the crossover, sport wagon or small SUV — however the vehicle in properly designated. By any combination and by whatever its name means, the Venza is versatile. It’s a crossover with all-wheel drive, yes. But it’s compact and streamlined like a wagon. And it also has the characteristics of a daily driver sedan. The 2014 Toyota Venza has surprisingly strong acceleration. 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

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10 Best Cars Gone to the Dogs

Traveling with the family dog in the car is great. But some carmakers make it easier and safer than other manufacturers to travel with an animal. A blanket in the back of a station wagon can still work with a calm dog. But it’s not really safe if a driver is forced to stop suddenly. And arguably the bigger the dog, the more difficult it is to accommodate the family pet on a vacation or just on a trio the veterinarian or the local park. Fortunately for all parties involved, an increasing number of carmakers understand. It’s a good thing, too. About 47 percent of households in the United States own at least one pet, according to the American Veterinary

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2014 Toyota Venza: Odd name, odd look, all good

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

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Lexus, Mazda shine in 2014 Best Family Car list

A family car once meant a station wagon or a lackluster, underpowered box-like sedan. No more. For 2014, U.S. News & World Report has selected performance cars and family oriented cars that are perfectly capable for single drivers. The magazine (and its corresponding online edition) has selected the best vehicles for families in 19 categories, compact cars to minivans, hatchback to luxury cars. The 2014 Mazda6, the Best Midsize Car for Families, and the 2014 Mazda3, the Best Compact Car for Families, both have performance that car reviewers love. That performance comes in addition to available high-tech safety features, like forward collision warning and lane departure warning, as well as spacious cabins most car critics agree feel upscale. The Honda

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2014 Toyota Venza: wagon? SUV? All good

The 2014 Toyota Venza, like its older siblings, is positioned uniquely. It’s neither a wagon nor a true sport utility vehicle. Rather it’s a crossover with the all-wheel drive functionality like a wagon, cargo room like an SUV and the characteristics of a near luxury sedan. 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 car styles and sizes. Refreshed last year, the Venza has only a few minor changes for 2014. There are fewer available color combinations and slight

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2014 Ford Focus: Euro-styled fuel sipper

Now 15 years old and in the third year of its third generation, the Ford Focus remains strong in the highly competitive compact field. The 2014 edition is much the same as last year’s model. The only significant change is a new Sport Appearance Package for the SE trim level. It includes sport cloth seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and an available rear spoiler. Early in its tenure, the Focus reached annual U.S. sales of more than 286,000. The numbers slipped sharply with the second generation to 160,000 in 2009. But with the third generation restyle and upgraded edition, sales are steadily reverting to the car’s early life success. The Weekly Driver Test Drive With a sleek

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Toyota cans FJ Cruiser, Yaris, Venza next?

Toyota manufactures the most successful gas and most successful hybrid car in history. The Japanese carmaker makes the Corolla and the Prius, of course. And it makes the perennially popular Camry, Avalon and Highlander. But Toyota also makes the some vehicles that don’t sell particularly well. And it’s about to discontinue a model and may consider abandoning a few other models. According a report on WardAuto.com, Toyota, as previously announced, will discontinue its FJ Cruiser in mid-2014. Through November, FJ Cruiser sales were down 2.6 percent in 2013 to 11,826 units, according to WardsAuto data. The model’s best year was its debut in 2006 when 56,225 FJ Cruisers were sold. The Toyota Venza and Yaris aren’t scheduled to be discontinued,

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Toyota Camry, Avalon, Venza halted for airbag, steering woes

The Toyota Camry and Camry hybrid as well as the Avalon and Avalon hybrid and Venza will combine for 803,000 vehicles being recalled in the United States for faulty airbags or power steering problems. The Camry and Camry hybrid, Avalon and Avalon hybrid and Venza from the 2012 and 2013 model years are affected. According to Toyota, water from the air conditioning condenser can leak onto the air bag control module and cause a short circuit. That could illuminate the air bag warning light, disable the air bag or cause the air bags to deploy inadvertently. The power steering assist function could also become inoperable if the air bag control module is damaged, making the vehicles harder to steer. Two

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Honda Crosstour, 2012: A practical SUV alternative, but sadly no Accord wagon

What do you call a Honda Accord wagon that isn’t a wagon but should appeal to those who would buy an Accord wagon? If you’re Honda, it's the Crosstour. Introduced in 2010 as the Accord Crosstour, Honda dropped Accord for the name for 2012. The Crosstour still shares its chassis and powertrain with the Accord, but it has its own identity. Honda refers to the Crosstour as a 5-door hatchback. Since its rear hatch limits available cargo space, it doesn't have the functionality of a full-blown wagon. The car's size makes the term hatchback inappropriate, though, and so I've lumped the Crosstour with other category-defying models such as the Toyota Venza. Another key change for 2012 is the availability of

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Toyota Venza, 2013: Revised grille, more technology for New York Auto Show debut

The 2013 Toyota Venza crossover, which will feature a restyled exterior design, will make its North American debut as part of the Toyota display at the 2012 New York Auto Show, April 6-15 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York In addition to enhanced exterior styling, added value through several new standard convenience features and updated option packages that include the Entune™ multi-media system for 2013 model year. Venza’s aerodynamic shape has been modified with a new upper and lower grille, fog lamps and rear taillights. The updated styling is complemented by a new 19-inch wheel design and three new exterior colors: Attitude Black, Cypress Pearl, and Cosmic Gray Mica. The 2013 Venza will continue to be available in

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Toyota recalls more than 681,000 Camry, Venza and Tacoma trucks

Toyota is recalling more than 681,000 Camry, Venza and Tacoma vehicles from 2005 to 2011 because of faulty warning lamps, faulty steering cables and the inability of some cars to start. Approximately 495,000 Toyota Tacoma trucks from 2005 to early 2009 will be recalled to replace the steering wheel spiral cable assembly. A combined total of 186,500 Camry (2009) and Venza (2009 and 2011) are also being recalled because of faulty stop lamp switches. Due to the combination of steering wheel spiral cable design and characteristics unique to the Tacoma chassis, friction between the spiral cable and the retainer in the steering wheel spiral cable assembly may occur in some vehicles. Friction over time may result in loss of connectivity

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Lexus, Toyota, Scion shine in 2012 J.D. Power dependability study

Paced by Lexus, which earned the No. 1 overall rating, eight Lexus, Toyota and Scion models captured segment awards in the 2012 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study Lexus is the number one nameplate improving by 23 fewer problems/100; Toyota is the highest ranked non-premium nameplate and tied for third place overall, improving by 18 fewer problems/100; Scion achievrd its highest ever position at fifth place, jumping 17 positions and improving by 55 fewer problems/100. Lexus was the highest ranking nameplate in the industry in the 2011 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study and earned more segment awards than any other premium brand. The Lexus IS won the entry premium car segment in the 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Automotive

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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

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Mazda3 2011 awarded IIHS top safety pick rating

The 2011 Mazda 3 sedan/hatchback, after earning the top rating of good for roof strength in rollover crashes, qualifies as a Top Safety Pick among small cars by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). The Mazda3, which previously earned good ratings for front, side, and rear crash protection, is the manufacturer’s first car designated as a Top Safety Pick since the Institute made the criteria more strict by including a requirement for a good rating in the roof strength test. Two tests were conducted in order to rate the 4-door sedan and hatchback versions. The sedan’s roof withstood a force equal to 5.32 times the car’s weight. The hatchback’s roof withstood a force equal to 5.09 times its weight.

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