Will this Year’s Venza Hybrid take my v’s place? Probably

It is looking more and more like there is a Venza hybrid in my future. Things I like over the Rav4 hybrid include styling, especially the interior, lithium battery and an emphasis on smooth ride and quiet interiors. Add advanced hybrid logic with route recognition to improve regen, awd with capabilities to put 80% power to the rear and you have a Lexus like Toyota with more size and warranty than the v.

One of several interesting tidbits from the linked press release:

“Venza’s Predictive Efficient Drive (PED) uses the navigation system operation to analyze driving habits and memorize road and traffic conditions to help optimize hybrid battery charging. When the driver selects PED, the system learns repeating routes and is designed to predict when and where the vehicle is likely to slow down or stop. PED can help optimize battery charging and discharge ahead of hills or traffic congestion. When approaching a downhill section, for example, the system is designed to apply additional engine braking force to more efficiently charge the hybrid battery after the accelerator pedal is released.”

An 8 year/100,000 hybrid warranty with the lithium battery covered for 10 year/150,000 miles.

Toyota Breaks the Sameness Barrier With All-New 2021 Venza Crossover - Toyota USA Newsroom

 

I like the emphasis on ride, comfort and sound damping that the Venza is advertising. The biggest problem with the Rav is the spring rates designed for loads and the lack of sound dampening. The Ravs suspension is a bit jiggly on many roads, much like an unloaded truck. I was especially disappointed in the Rav's interior color and fabric choices, primarily black in available stock and the screen tacked on like an afterthought. Meanwhile I find the v still rides better (16" tires & pitch and bounce control) and it still hauls an amazing amount of cargo including 10' sticks of conduit and lumber. So I would expect the Venza to do the same. Obviously a Lexus in Toyota Venza badging may carry a downside, price. At least it won't have one of those ridiculous Lexus touchpads to operate the screen.

 

The Harrier Jump Jet was used by the US Marines for vertical takeoffs and landings. They had them in Beaufort SC and the USS America back in the seventies while I had dress blues at the same locations.

 

I think it was the car rather than the name in Edsel's case. When the standard Ford Fairlane 500 was more desirable and arguably had better styling than its expensive cousin, the Edsel, then you have a problem, especially when the Edsel cost significantly more. Edsel had their own dealerships and in 1957 had seven different cars including convertibles and station wagons. A compact car was designed for 1960 but became the Mercury Comet.

Edsel was going to be the "Oldsmobile" in FMC's lineup with Lincoln destined to be upgraded into a super premium line of cars. Edsel's biggest technical achievement was self adjusting brakes followed by pushbutton shifting on the steering wheel hub. Not much to write home about. The quality of Ford Motor vehicles in those days was terrible and the bodies rusted away in three years. Not really a fair comparison with a Toyota Venza. Maybe the Lexus launch in 1989 was somewhat equivalent and Lexus was clearly more successful.

 

The new hybrid only Venza is now being reviewed on Youtube.

First takeaways:
It is based on the Rav4 hybrid with the same wheelbase but overall six inches longer, primarily in the back. However the existing Prius v has a longer wheelbase by 3 inches but the new Venza has a longer body. Better seats, bigger screens and lcd roofs are available. Overall this Venza is smaller than the older V6 model but is a more elegant, quieter, smoother Rav in a sleeker sedan body. Essentially an improved Prius v with awd and 219 hp.

The Venza is rated at 40 mpg combined with the LE version, the same as the Rav. No Prime version yet, perhaps the upcoming Lexus version will get plugin and 300 hp first. Reviewers are impressed with the interior refinement and sound deadening compared to the Rav. Plus the off the line torque and passing power. Around $32k base LE starting in August.

and

 

Relatives have a Tesla but they depreciate quickly and have to be repaired by Tesla. They also ride a little rough and have no gas option for long trips. I like the rav4 prime as a good compromise with 42 miles ev but the venza may be closer to what I need in 2020. The reviews are gushing about the Venza’s ride, sound deadening and decent awd power using the rav’s hybrid powertrain. Availability is the issue right now.

I drove a new rav4 hybrid yesterday and noted they have more sound deadening than the 2019s and it had nice riding Michilens from the Canadian factory. No need to change tires. It was nice so I can imagine guys like Alex on Auto are right when they say that the venza is smoother with a better interior and feels more like a Lexus than a Toyota. Right now the Prius v with the rebuilt brake booster is doing fine so it may be a waiting game.

 

The only domestic I might consider is Ford’s system which was originally licensed from Toyota. But I suspect they are not quite as good as Toyota’s current technology and safety systems. Can’t think of a car I would want from GM or Chrysler. Toyota has always made the best hybrids even though Honda was first. Obviously Toyota’s gen3s have quite a few issues but I still believe I saved a lot of gas expense even though 25-35% of that went to brake boosters, egrs and the like along with a warranty item or two like the inverter.

I believe the 2.5L hybrids they have now are two gens ahead of the gen3s especially if you get a lithium battery version like the Primes. One rule going forward will be to upgrade around 150k miles regardless of how smoothly things are going. If I had done that on the v I would have missed all the major maintenance. Its still a decent car with a solid body, interior, ride, mpg, cold ac, original brakes, built in nav, great cargo room, etc. It never had a Lexus ride or sound deadening so a new one like the venza will probably fill those gaps with good mpg to boot. I would not turn down a rav4 prime with the $7500 tax credit either except the wait may be excessive.