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2023 Toyota Venza adds some new technology and a Nightshade Edition. We review interior options, safety tech, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s new for the 2023 Toyota Venza?
After adding nothing for 2022, Toyota adds a few tasteful upgrades to the 2023 Venza. First, the Nightshade trim from other models is now available. It includes black wheels, black badging, and other black accents. In addition, the 12.3-inch infotainment system that was optional on the XLE is now standard. Both it and the smaller 8-inch unit found in the base Venza get Toyota’s latest infotainment software.
2023 Toyota Venza – toyota.com | Shop 2023 Toyota Venza on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Excellent fuel economy
Cool panoramic roof
Smooth ride
Underpowered
Snug cabin
No towing capacity
A fancy RAV4
2023 Venza Specs
- 219 horsepower (combined)
- 4 available trims
- 28.8 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 55.1 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Optional 12.3-inch screen
- 5-star Crash Test rating
- Two years free maintenance
2023 Toyota Venza Powertrain
Under the skin of every 2023 Toyota Venza is an all-wheel drive hybrid powertrain. It consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and three electric motors with a total horsepower output of 219. Toyota doesn’t provide a combined torque figure. However much it is though, it doesn’t make the Venza feel very fun to drive. In general, this SUV is characterized by a sedate and slow nature. The pedal and steering feedback is fine but not particularly impressive.
It’s smooth and initially responsive thanks in part to a continuously variable transmission. The suspension is tuned for comfort too and so it’ll produce noticeable body roll when pushed hard into corners. It’s worth noting that Toyota has clearly put more effort into quieting the cabin in the Venza. The RAV4 Hybrid, which shares the same drivetrain, isn’t nearly as insulated from road and drivetrain noise.
2023 Toyota Venza Fuel Economy & MPG
The EPA estimates that the Venza will get up to 40 mpg in the city and 37 on the highway. Considering the size of this SUV, that’s quite impressive. Aside from something that’s all-electric like the bZ4X, it’ll be hard to beat that.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The interior layout of the Venza is unfussy and easy to adjust to. The seating is comfortable and supportive though rear-seat passengers might find headroom lacking. In fact, there’s more interior passenger space in the RAV4. Rearward visibility is also somewhat compromised thanks to large C pillars.
Despite those drawbacks, the cabin is well-appointed with nice materials and tight panel gaps. The center control stack features mostly touch-sensitive controls which we’d love to see swapped out for physical buttons and knobs.
On the plus side, forward visibility is great and the actual cabin design is elegant and modern. The climate control system is quick, effective, and surprisingly quiet. Cargo space is adequate too. Behind the second row, you’ll find nearly 30 cubic feet worth of storage that expands to just over 55 cubic feet when the seats are folded down.
Entertainment & Technology
In general, the Venza is well-equipped when it comes to technology and infotainment. The base entertainment system measures 8 inches and utilizes Toyota’s Entune interface. It’s not as quick as using native Android Auto or Apple CarPlay but it’s still easy enough to use when needed.
The optional 12.3-inch infotainment system is even better and provides enough space for multiple functions at the same time. An available 7-inch driver information display in the gauge cluster provides bright and easily seen data. Toyota also offers a tint-on-demand electrochromic panoramic sunroof on the XLE and Limited trims. It’s not just cool looking but actually does a great job of keeping the cabin cool in direct sunlight.
Safety Features
Toyota does a great job of including exceptional and important safety features on every Venza. That includes adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automated emergency braking. On top of those standard features, the Venza is an IIHS Top Safety Pick despite the organization’s now higher standards. It also has a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA.
2023 Toyota Venza Trims & Pricing
LE – $35,455
The base Venza starts out with 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, a hands-free liftgate, keyless entry, cloth upholstery, a 4.2-inch driver information display, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, an 8-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, four USB ports, six speakers, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure mitigation, and lane-keep assist.
XLE – $39,665
The XLE adds 19-inch wheels, roof rails, LED fog lights, heated front seats, faux leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, a 7-inch driver information display, parking sensors, and rear automatic emergency braking.
Nightshade – $40,790
This trim adds black wheels along with black trim accents to the XLE.
Limited – $43,600
The top trim gets ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, perforated faux leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, a digital rearview mirror, a heads-up display, integrated navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL sound system.
Warranties
Every Venza comes with a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. In addition, Toyota offers two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. Hybrid components are under warranty for eight years or 100,000 miles.
What we think
2023 Toyota Venza – toyota.com | Shop 2023 Toyota Venza on Carsforsale.com
The 2023 Toyota Venza is, in many ways, a more luxurious, albeit slightly smaller, version of the RAV4. To that end, it’s perfect for those that want exceptional fuel economy, great build quality, and a quiet ride. Those features made it one of our favorite hybrid SUVs last year and we expect it to retain that title for some time to come. Be sure to check out this article on new car incentives if you’re in the market.
