Automotive
The second generation of the Venza was launched digitally in April 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, with sales commencing in June of that year.
Unlike its predecessor, which was essentially a minivan sharing components with the Camry, the new generation took inspiration from the Highlander SUV. However, it wasn’t entirely original – essentially, it was a rebadged Toyota Harrier adapted for the American market.
Despite its origins, the Venza showcased a cutting-edge design for its time. Its distinctive features included narrow headlamps positioned high on the front fascia and a prominent grille seamlessly integrated into the bumper, setting it apart from contemporary automotive styling trends. The vehicle’s SUV-coupe silhouette, characterized by a sloping roofline and elevated rear haunches over the wheel arches, imbued the car with a sporty, dynamic appearance.
Inside, the cabin offered a blend of traditional and modern elements. A conventional analog instrument panel was complemented by a large 12.5-inch touchscreen display mounted atop the center stack, while the standard configuration included an 8-inch screen. The dashboard boasted a clean, minimalist layout, featuring only a horizontal line to visually separate the upper and lower sections. The center console was uncluttered, housing just the gear selector and two cup holders. The rear passenger space was notably more spacious than that of the Toyota C-HR, which was a positive development.
Mechanically, the Venza was equipped with a sole powertrain option. It featured a 2.5-liter gasoline engine operating on the Atkinson cycle, paired with an electric motor and mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup was identical to the one found in the RAV4 Hybrid and Lexus NX models. All variants came standard with an all-wheel-drive system.
