As expected, the Toyota Venza – a new American-only car with the performance of a sedan and the functionality of an SUV turned out the be version of the Toyota Mark X ZiO reskinned inside and out – the Venza is wider and longer than the Mark X ZiO, but shares the same wheelbase. Someone needs to remind Toyota North America that a sedan with the functionality of an SUV is actually a station wagon.
The new Toyota Venza is available with two engine options – an unspecified 2.7 litre inline-4 (all-new, not the 151 PS unit from the Toyota Hiace van) or a nice 268 horsepower 3.5 litre V6 with 333Nm of torque. Both engines drive either the front wheels or all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual sequential shifting.
The wheels that Toyota have put on this one are huge – 245/50R20 tyres on 20 inch alloy wheels for the V6 version, while the 2.7 litre 4 cylinder version comes with 19 inch wheels as standard, with 20 inch wheels being optional. Unlike the Japanese market Toyota Mark X ZiO, the Toyota Venza is strictly a 5 seater. The rear seats can recline up to 14 degrees for better passenger comfort. The Venza will be equipped with 7 airbags which include a driver’s knee airbag.
A first for a Toyota in the US is the Automatic High Beam headlight system. With this system, when you are using your high beams, the system automatically switches headlights to low beam when it detects oncoming traffic. When the system detects the oncoming traffic has passed, it switches back on the high beams automatically.
Full details on the Toyota Venza’s specifications will be available towards the end of 2008 when the car actually goes on sale.
More photos after the jump.
Related Posts:
Toyota Mark X ZiO launched in Japan
Click to enlarge
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
Wow! anventurous design…frist time i see a toyota without the safe design approach.
Is this car using alphard platform? because i see the front resemble an alphard
its wheelbase is the same as the mark x zio and the camry. take a guess
Potentially Harrier replacement. If it is lower, it maybe replace the Caldina.
It looks like a Harrier especially from the back
I appreciate that automakers are coming with identical family ‘face’ designs… but Toyota’s attempt can sometimes be a bit off… personally the front looks quite macho and futuristic but the rear just seem to bond well… much like the new Vios..
Honda’s new Accord is much like a ‘rojak’ design now, with a pretty and elegant nose only to be marred by that Korean rear clusters.
Of all, only Mazda seemed to have succeeded in the design department. I think the Italians are slowly gathering pictures of the new Mazdas into their design studios…
I wonder where this is going to fit into Toyota North America’s lineup.
A higher end slot could mean it compete with its own RX330, while the lower end will replace the Highlander. Doesn’t makes much sence unless its to replace either the RX or the Highlander.
Front head lamp looked like Camry S’pore/UK.
Back reminds me of RX300, side abit like Wish.
first taught came to mind was a Wish on steroids…
Will this be the future Harrier? Looks interesting.
I wonder…. Is Toyota trying to compete with Dodge Magnum with this? Magnum is way cooler than this. It is shown here as if Toyota North America did this car half heartedly. Not much passion in it. They have really confused themselves aren’t they?
But, let see…. if they make it a bit lower and slap on the Lexus tag on it, I think the American would love it. But I’d still go for the Magnum anytime. Not this.
It is not Toyota confuse themselve. American are spoilt for choices and get the best car from all manufacturers.
I like the front and rear, all look elegant and macho, maybe one day WWE wrestler drive to the ring just like Stone Cold drove pick-up truck beside the ring.
Pathetic, when our auto sector wil catch up with western countries that offer the best of the best products?
Computer, LCD TV, food, etc in our country are spoilt for choices with the latest tech, but when come to auto, we are “rock-bottom”! Sighhhhh …….
this brown color is very suitable with this Venza… i think our national car have to explore new color for fresh looking…
This is not a new colour, I can remembered this colour also available for old Wira.
Looks like a Harrier to me…
yalah look like harrier
when it reach our shores it will be called harrier…
will this replace Harrier?
Camry + Fortuner= this thing? Or is it just big wheels on a Camry shell
Hmm….I thought i just gave a comment, but it did not appear. Is this a camry with large tyres and higher shell?
Wheelbase = 2775mm ?
look like a decent car
looks nice but the car has a very small rear compartment. probably even smaller than RAV4. I guess it is not a 4WD. if it is, it will make RAV4 in a strange market position. For a big vehicle, I still prefer a stable 4WD, FWD or RWD aren’t as good.
I believe this is a very major step for Toyota……wich is defently ahead of the others here in North America. Toyota dosen't really have a veihcle (cross-over) designed like this, yet.
I also think that families are more to buy a car (crossover) like this than that of a huge, horrking sport-ute, or even a van. This veihcle has both the sport-ute trade and that of the space that one needs. Even this car comes with all the fun stuff a buyer is looking for…..like MP3, or such, station.
A car that is transformed into a fun veihcle for all……and in that of a compact type design…..wich, to me, is already a winner!!
very nice n sporty, like harrier+caldina=venza (type like bmw x6), but this car look better than bmw x6…………………….we can save $, coz expense the $ can get drive harrier n caldina feeling……