Pros: Sprightly acceleration with V6 engine; excellent 2nd-row headroom and legroom; versatile cargo space; available all-wheel drive
Cons: Stiff, occasionally clunky ride; worse-than-average noise levels; middling acceleration with four-cylinder engine
CG Says: Venza attempts to blend the versatility and car-like driving dynamics of a traditional station wagon with the look and feel of a midsize SUV. Regrettably, it falls a bit flat on both counts. Venza deserves praise for its comfortable, roomy interior and surprisingly good fuel economy. However, we are less enamored with the unsettled ride and handling and noisy engines. Pricing is not unreasonable for the class, but a traditional wagon or SUV would be a better place to spend your money.
