Used 2022 Toyota Venza

Price: The 2022 Toyota Venza has a starting price of $32,890. The top model, the Venza Limited AWD, starts at $40,380.

A 2-row 5-seat midsize SUV with a hybrid powertrain, the 2022 Toyota Venza slots neatly between the RAV4 and Highlander in the Toyota SUV lineup. It’s larger and more upscale than the RAV4, and its hybrid powertrain comes directly from the RAV4 Hybrid. As such, it gets an impressive EPA rating of 40 mpg in the city.

The Venza’s hybrid powertrain features a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine with electric motors front and rear. Combined, they produce 219 horsepower, which is delivered to all four wheels for excellent stability in varying conditions.

Toyota’s hybrid system uses the front electric motor to improve response, boost low-speed torque, and improve acceleration. The level of electric assistance motor is carefully calculated to produce quiet and seemingly effortless acceleration.

A lithium-ion battery is installed under the Venza’s rear seat, where it does not cut into passenger or cargo space.

Via Normal, Eco, and Sport models, the Venza’s driving characteristics can be selected by the driver. Sport, naturally, has snappy throttle response, while Eco trades some acceleration for fuel-efficiency. In Normal, the Venza decides what level of performance is best for the situation at hand.

Of note: Via a sequential shifter, the Venza driver can “downshift” the Venza’s continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to increase the regenerative braking (battery recharging) in steps. This is particularly handy in hilly areas.

KBB has not driven the 2022 Venza yet. But since it’s largely unchanged for 2022, we can tell you this: It’s like a blend of the smaller RAV4 and larger 3-row Highlander. It’s way quieter than the RAV4 inside, and its roomier cabin feels like it has a Highlander level of materials. Some say it feels more Lexus than mass-market Toyota.

And in daily life, the Venza is an easy drive, thanks to the smooth interplay of the gasoline and electric powertrains. An EV mode allows electric-only driving at low speeds for short periods. What’s more, the steering effort is about right, and the brake pedal maintains a good feel while expertly blending regenerative and traditional friction braking. Toyota clearly has some experience with this.

The spacious 5-seat Toyota Venza cabin looks clean and uncluttered. It’s highlighted by a big center console that’s topped by a large infotainment touchscreen. While the LE has a 4.2-inch information display in the instrument panel, the XLE and Limited get a larger 7-inch info screen.

All Venza models have a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The Limited adds a front passenger seat with 4-way adjustability. Of note: The driver’s seat automatically slides back when the door is opened, to facilitate entry and exit.

In back, the Venza offers 3-across seating on a 60/40 split-folding bench with a fold-down center armrest. With the rear seat not folded, the Venza has a luggage capacity of 28.8 cubic feet. That means it’s not quite as roomy in back as the Honda CR-V Hybrid, which has 33.2 cubic feet, or the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, with 36.4.

Notable details: The Venza’s cupholders are large, and even the largest iPhones fit well in the tray on the center stack. Also, the standard tonneau cover can be stored beneath the rear cargo floor when not in use. On the downside, the Venza hatch opening isn’t as large as you might expect, thanks to some intrusive sheet metal that’s undoubtedly good for chassis rigidity.

We’ve said it before (and we’ll say it again): The Toyota Venza looks like a Lexus without the big spindle grille.

That’s a compliment. The 2022 Toyota Venza is a sleek machine, with proportions that are more 4-door coupe than upright SUV.

All told, the look is both elegant and athletic, and we like how the sides are sleek and uncluttered. And in the back, twin chrome exhaust tips are complemented by the blue-tinted Toyota logo, which reminds us that the Venza indeed is a hybrid.

S-FLOW COOLING
The Venza has S-Flow cooling technology, first used by Lexus. Air conditioning is directed only to occupied seats, reducing energy consumption. Also noteworthy: The Limited and XLE models with the 12.3-inch display have a climate-control system with touch-capacitive switches.

STAR GAZE PANORAMIC ROOF
With this optional fixed panoramic roof, the electrochromic glass can be switched from transparent to frosted in about a second. When frosted, it keeps out direct sunlight while still allowing light to illuminate the Venza interior.

As you’d expect of a midsize modern Toyota SUV, the Venza is well-equipped.

Besides an 8-way power driver’s seat and a hands-free power liftgate, this midsize Toyota SUV has a 6-speaker AM/FM audio system and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen offering Apple CarPlay/Android Auto/Amazon Alexa.

Moreover, all Venza models have all-wheel drive, and the LE rides on 18-inch alloy wheels while all the other trim levels are equipped with chrome-finish 19s.

The AWD system is seamless. It can send 80% of the driving force to the rear wheels during take-offs, which helps to minimize front wheelspin. Motoring down the highway in dry conditions, the Venza sends 100% of its power to the front wheels for best efficiency. On slippery surfaces, though, that can change to 80% going to the rear wheels, for best stability.

If you’re curious, you can keep track of the automatic (and seamless) torque distribution via an active pictogram on the Venza’s multi-information display or its audio/infotainment screen.

On the Toyota Venza LE, Ruby Flare Pearl and Blizzard Pearl paint are available for $425.

The main option on the Venza XLE is called Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation and JBL. As the name suggests, this $2,050 package includes a 9-speaker JBL audio system, a navigation system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, plus three additional USB ports and a 3-month Platinum Plan trial with SiriusXM.

As the flagship model, the Venza Limited is available with a $725 Advanced Technology Package, which includes a head-up display offering speedometer and hybrid information.

You can also order the $1,400 Star Gaze Fixed Panoramic Roof. In addition to the photochromic glass, it includes a power sunshade. Note: Toyota also offers the Venza Limited with another package called Star Gaze Fixed Panoramic Roof with Options. At $2,125, this option package is notably more expensive, but it groups the photochromic roof with a head-up display and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

There’s one available powertrain in the 2022 Toyota Venza — a normally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine supported by electric motors front and rear. The front electric motor has 118 horsepower. The rear has 54 horsepower.

It’s the same hybrid gas/electric powertrain used in the RAV4 Hybrid, and the peak combined output of is 219 horsepower. Toyota has not released a maximum torque figure.

Toyota’s hybrid battery, beneath the rear seat, is a compact 0.9-kWh lithium-ion unit.

EPA fuel economy for the 2022 Toyota Venza is an impressive 40 mpg city/37 mpg highway/39 mpg combined. For comparison, the 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid is rated by the EPA at 40 mpg city/35 mpg highway/38 mpg combined. The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Blue is rated at 36 mpg city/31 mpg highway/34 mpg combined.

2.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine + two electric motors
219 horsepower (peak output, gasoline and electric combined)
Torque: N/A
0.9-kWh lithium-ion battery
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 40 mpg/37 mpg