A completely new vehicle from Toyota, the 2009 Venza was a combination between an SUV and a station wagon.
The exterior design was not very stylish, one of the reasons why some skipped the model, regardless of its strong points.

Fitted with good quality materials, the cabin was roomy and ergonomics were great, with cupholders and lots of storage spaces.

While the materials were of a good quality, the assembly was not that great, with little discrepancies here and there.

Coming with standard 19-inch wheels, which was unlikely for a crossover, the Venza compromised comfort for looks.

Offering seating for 5, the Venza had one of the roomiest rear cabins. Not very common, a child seat was included in the package.

Continuing with the strong points, the immense cargo space allowed many luggages to be stored, and putting items in the trunk was easier for the power liftgate.

Also for easy access, the rear door were large, so mounting or removing the child seat was not a problem.

While you would expect a crossover to be driven more like a wagon, despite its reduced dimensions in comparison to an SUV, the Venza drove more like one, meaning the steering was not very precise. The Venza was competent, but not highly enjoyable.

The 3.6-liter V6 engine offered plenty of power and it was mated with a 6-speed automatic.

Another benefit coming with the Venza was the well insulated cabin, thus longer journeys were quiet and relaxing.