First. A wait for the Highlander. One Venza Limited put on the lot that day. Second. As a low mileage driver, I wouldn’t have paid extra for the hybrid Highlander. That means the gas model with poor mpg. I also don’t need or want a 3rd row. I hate the ways car manufacturers think a 3rd row is the way to go. The Venza didn’t force me to have a 3rd seat. With hybrid standard on all models, I didn’t feel I was paying extra for the Hybrid. Third. Even though, as a low mileage driver, I won’t save a ton on gas, it’s fun getting over 40 mpg.
I agree with most of your assessment on annoying things about this car….with the exception of one thing….the armrest. As a 5’1” driver, I super appreciate that the armrest ratchets up. That little bit of movement actually allows the armrest to be functional for me as a smaller driver! 😉 Most of the time, my driving position is so far forward that I can’t even use armrests.
I agree that the digital switches are annoying which is why I bought the midrange XLE which has the analog knobs for the A/C and radio. Missing will be navigation and the deluxe sound system both of which I don’t need. If you get the SofTex option it includes ventilated seats and a power passenger seat. Good review.
@@sparemethedramatics1629 I’m a little tall, first of all. Second, I’ve always bought a lower trim level then later wished I hadn’t, so this time, I was looking at the higher trim levels. All the RAV4s had sunroofs, which is fine and all, but they reduced headroom too much. The Venza I got does not have the snazzy see through roof but leaves me plenty of head room. Honestly, I hate that there’s no sunglasses holder and I don’t love the touch controls for the climate control and wish there was a rotary volume knob. Other complaints are just personal nits not worth mentioning. Overall, I love the car.
@@MerlinspopTBH you can replace the oh sh*t handles with sunglasses holder. There are some Chinese ones on aliexpress or wish if you don't mind the Chinese made thing.
Great review! I totally and 100% agree with you regarding the priority placement of the lower left buttons being backward: power trunk, heated steering, de-icer, etc. Also the Start/Stop button placement is simply mystifying. I love the exterior design and the frosted glass roof. The thoughtlessness prioritizing the placement of those buttons could be a deal breaker.
Good job Jay. Just a couple things. The Venza and Rav 4 are identical in terms of the heart. . Exactly same engine. The puddle light is also available on the chr. I test drove one of these and it does have a bit of wind noise compared to the completely different old Camry Venza. . Lastly I feel those with kids in the back seat. Don't give them sippy cups or water. The battery is quite sensitive. Otherwise you always get a thumbs up. We will catch up soon.
The front reminds me of a baleen whale of some sort with those lines. It’s not a bad thing..... wished those tail lights were higher up and more storage for front passenger and driver. No push buttons with infotainment system on highest trim would be nice. Looks beautiful.
I just test drive it today, it sucks. A lot of wierd noise from the motor(both gasoline and electric motor), loud road and wind noise when the speed is not too quick considering this is a premium rav4, the infortainment screen looks like it's from 10 years ago, no auto-dimming side mirrors at this price point, the visibility is actually worse than some sedens. I watched a lot of videos on youtube about this car and I love it, after the test drive, I won't consider any toyota products until they have some better stuffs.
Went to buy a Highlander. Drove home in a Venza.
What drove the change?
First. A wait for the Highlander. One Venza Limited put on the lot that day.
Second. As a low mileage driver, I wouldn’t have paid extra for the hybrid Highlander. That means the gas model with poor mpg. I also don’t need or want a 3rd row. I hate the ways car manufacturers think a 3rd row is the way to go. The Venza didn’t force me to have a 3rd seat. With hybrid standard on all models, I didn’t feel I was paying extra for the Hybrid.
Third. Even though, as a low mileage driver, I won’t save a ton on gas, it’s fun getting over 40 mpg.
@@paulstein9258 no one forces you to want something. Just fold the third row down and you got a vehicle you always wanted. 😊
Is that true that Limited WITH sunroof is more noise then without sunroof? Thanks!
I agree with most of your assessment on annoying things about this car….with the exception of one thing….the armrest. As a 5’1” driver, I super appreciate that the armrest ratchets up. That little bit of movement actually allows the armrest to be functional for me as a smaller driver! 😉 Most of the time, my driving position is so far forward that I can’t even use armrests.
I agree that the digital switches are annoying which is why I bought the midrange XLE which has the analog knobs for the A/C and radio. Missing will be navigation and the deluxe sound system both of which I don’t need.
If you get the SofTex option it includes ventilated seats and a power passenger seat. Good review.
Went to a Toyota dealership to buy a RAV4. Drove home in a Venza.
I think that might happen to me too lol. I like luxury. Don’t know what the limited rav4 looks like inside yet so can’t compare
@@sparemethedramatics1629 I’m a little tall, first of all. Second, I’ve always bought a lower trim level then later wished I hadn’t, so this time, I was looking at the higher trim levels. All the RAV4s had sunroofs, which is fine and all, but they reduced headroom too much. The Venza I got does not have the snazzy see through roof but leaves me plenty of head room. Honestly, I hate that there’s no sunglasses holder and I don’t love the touch controls for the climate control and wish there was a rotary volume knob. Other complaints are just personal nits not worth mentioning. Overall, I love the car.
@@MerlinspopTBH you can replace the oh sh*t handles with sunglasses holder. There are some Chinese ones on aliexpress or wish if you don't mind the Chinese made thing.
Turn signals are to low for stopped traffic other wise perfect
Completely agree with the quirks, I like the concept of this car but Toyota’s have some bad switch placement and those wheels hurt like a hangover
“Hurt like a hangover” 😂
Great review!
I totally and 100% agree with you regarding the priority placement of the lower left buttons being backward: power trunk, heated steering, de-icer, etc.
Also the Start/Stop button placement is simply mystifying.
I love the exterior design and the frosted glass roof.
The thoughtlessness prioritizing the placement of those buttons could be a deal breaker.
At 100km an hour, if you power button, nothing will happen. Vehicle has to be motionless in order for the power button to be activated.
Great review of the toyota venza
Good job Jay. Just a couple things. The Venza and Rav 4 are identical in terms of the heart. . Exactly same engine. The puddle light is also available on the chr. I test drove one of these and it does have a bit of wind noise compared to the completely different old Camry Venza. . Lastly I feel those with kids in the back seat. Don't give them sippy cups or water. The battery is quite sensitive. Otherwise you always get a thumbs up. We will catch up soon.
The front reminds me of a baleen whale of some sort with those lines. It’s not a bad thing..... wished those tail lights were higher up and more storage for front passenger and driver. No push buttons with infotainment system on highest trim would be nice. Looks beautiful.
I just test drive it today, it sucks. A lot of wierd noise from the motor(both gasoline and electric motor), loud road and wind noise when the speed is not too quick considering this is a premium rav4, the infortainment screen looks like it's from 10 years ago, no auto-dimming side mirrors at this price point, the visibility is actually worse than some sedens. I watched a lot of videos on youtube about this car and I love it, after the test drive, I won't consider any toyota products until they have some better stuffs.
You want a Lexus at a Toyota price. Pay up if you want luxury.
@@fcnghkkc1 Hyundai Kia are doing way better at this price point. Btw I got an RX at the end
Toyota forgot to put heated backseats in the 2021 new car...