2010 Toyota Venza
2010 Toyota Venza
2010 Toyota Venza
2010 Toyota Venza
2010 Toyota Venza Suv Performance and Review
Toyota Motor Corporation used its entire time slot during Day Two of press previews at the North American International Auto Show to promote the 2009 Venza, a new crossover sedan.
The vehicle will be produced solely in North America for the North American market. Its engineering was completed at the Toyota Technical Center in York Township, which is south of Ann Arbor.
Toyota is hoping that the five-passenger Venza, which feels like a sport utility vehicle but is closer to the size of a sedan, will fill a void in the market.
"Our engineers moved outside of the SUV box to bring to the market something that's been missing from today's automotive industry," said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager. "The result is an intelligent and well thought out car with luxury sedan features with the utility of an SUV."
The first version of the Venza will contain a 268-horsepower, V-6 engine with a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. A few months after sales begin - which is expected in September or October - the automaker will release a 2.7-liter, 4-cylinder version of the car.
The V6 has 20-inch alloy wheels, and the 4-cylinder will have 19-inch alloy wheels. The vehicle has seven airbags.
Irv Miller, Toyota's U.S. vice president for corporate communications, suggested in an interview that the company is considering developing a hybrid version of the Venza.
"It's still in discussion, but it sure looks like it might make some sense," he said.
Miller said Toyota expects the Venza to reach young families and consumers who need the ample space the vehicle provides for items such as skis, sports equipment and luggage.
"We just think it's a good opportunity in the marketplace. We think the crossover has a lot of opportunity," Miller said. "We have a lot of confidence in that market. The styling of this vehicle we think is going to capture the imagination of people."
