The Others Have Tried It Out...But Here's MY Take on This New Toyota Venza Nightshade! 

Selling point for me was the “J” on the VIN- they are built at the Tahara plant in Aichi Japan, same as 4Runners and larger Lexus SUVs.

Nathan is spot on with his comments. We have a 2020 RAV4 Hybrid XLE and a 2022 Venza LE and prefer the Venza. It also gets better gas mileage. After 25,000 miles on each vehicle the RAV4 sits at ~36mpg vs. the Venza at ~43mpg.

I pre-ordered this Japanese-import -Venza Limited in Ruby Flare Pearl in October 2022 for my wife and got it before Christmas. It is truly a luxury vehicle. The gas mileage is unbelievable. Its personal best so far is 50.1 MPG. As for the 2023 RAV4, I eventually pre-ordered the XLE Premium in Windchill Pearl for my son and got it a month later. Both are excellent SUVs. We feel fortunate to have both.

We just reviewed this ourselves. Was scratching my head the first day of driving it, but by the end of the week, we hated to turn it back in. Its pleasant nature and fuel efficiency just grows on you.

Just bought a 2024 Venza Limited trim for my wife. Beautiful car. Drives quieter than my Rav4. Dash is more modern looking. Sleek is a good description of the dash. Getting 42.3 mpg as of today. The Stargazer roof is very nice if you live in a cloudy environment. That blast of daylight through the Stargazer makes the grey days nicer.

Ive owned a '21 Venza for about 10 months now in NE indiana. Its been a fantastic vehicle, even in the cold and snow.

Nathan, I got my mom to buy one last year and she loves it, with her not so heavy foot she’s averaging 49 MPG, inspired me to write an article on Hotcars about it. I always recommend it to customers it’s a Lexus in a Toyota clothing

I bought a used 2021 Venza LE and absolutely love it. It does have a Lexus feel to it. And you can actually find these over the Rav 4. The dealership wanted 50k for a new hybrid. Solid pass for me and my wife. I haven’t got the 500 plus miles of range they are claiming but I do drive mostly in a rural area.

You missed the point on the Stargaze roof. Should have pushed the button to show how it changes from frosted to clear. Superb vehicle.

It’s the Toyota Harrier in other markets. For those that don’t know Toyota Harrier was what they called the Lexus RX before Lexus brand launched globally and RX became it’s own model. Venza’s second generation merged with Toyota Harrier like Nissan merged Rogue with it’s global X-Trail model in its second generation.

The Venza is a gem.

Glad to see this video Nathan!! I am a solid truck guy, but I really want one of these, surprisingly, for a daily driver/highway cruiser. I have a very bad back and they are so d*mn comfortable!! The size is just right as well. (For my wife, dog & I. Good review Nathan, objective, regardless of your feelings towards this vehicle, and detailed enough. It is nice there is a short drive as part of the reviews. It is so much more than just a talking point.

I seen one yesterday in person in the parking lot. It gives me previous gen lexus vibes before they went grill crazy.

The Venza just seems so much more modern/upscale than the RAV4. It really feels like a gas version of the bz4X.

Nathen I missed you too along with Andre when I dropped by TFL studios I love your reviews as well !!! Y’all keep doing what you’re doing I watch every day!!

We have a '21 Venza Limited. For us, it is simply amazing.

I had a RAV4 and honestly for the size of it. It went through a lot of gas. My girlfriend at the time had the Venza V6 all wheel drive. The thing was absolutely fantastic in the snow honestly even with 20 inch tires it didn’t make any sense but the car worked, so now it looks like Toyota kept the name in name only

"Hangin' 10 with Nathan" I like the 'low key' feel of these.

In Japan, a phev is coming. hope that comes to the US. And just like the RAV4, it uses the same system as the RAV4 Prime

We got the Rav4 LTD because it has a real sunroof, although our LTD was more expensive than that with a MSRP of just over $44K with options & accessories. If a real sunroof does not matter, I would take the Venza in a heartbeat because they are all assembled in Japan.

You do great reviews Nathan.

Dandy! Thanks for the review. A couple nice points that other reviewers haven't addressed.

Great detail here Nathan! Thank you

The Venza look great the downside is the turn signal light. I don't like it on the bumper. bad idea.

I owned a 2022 venza hybrid limited I love it good on gas very comfortable and quiet lexus like interior thanks for your video take care bye from milton Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

I like the screen, but “blends nicely into the interior” is not exactly the way I’d describe it…😂

how quiet is the hybrid Venza? compare to hybrid RAV4 and hybrid Cross? thanks

Good vehicle for a real estate agent; dependable, good mpg’s, decent range, quiet/comfortable, awd, etc.. I’d get the xle as it has physical button but smaller screen but it gets better mileage with smaller wheels not to mention its cheaper 😂

so which is better nathan.....this venza....hybrid....or the rav 4 hybrid....its the same motor slash hybrid.....help us, ???? is it the same mpg or not for different money....

We bought a 2021 rav4 xse model. We took the car into Toyota for its first service. Our sales guy let us take out the 2022 Venza LTD model before the service was down on my rav4. We had the deal down for the new Venza we have never looked back. Great car for great road trip.

...and yes, we have taken the Venza 520 miles on one tank (although it has the same filling up the tank issue as the RAV4 - takes forever to complete)

Love my limited. Had since August 2023. Feels great; like a discount Lexus:) Hearing the Crown looks Interesting and I am sad the Venza label is again retired. Wondering about parts and resale etc.. Regardless very happy so far :) but that is a head scratcher!

My wife has the a 2020 hybrid rav4. She is supposed to be getting 500+ range but never does. She’s getting about 35mpg so the mpgs aren’t too bad, but the problem is we can only pump about 10 gallons in the 14 gallon tank even when it’s completely empty. There was even a recall to replace the tank and fill tube. The recall helped a little, before the recall we could only pump 8 gallons before the pump would shut off.

The Venza and the RAV4 Hybrid have plenty of power. 219 Horsepower is not lacking in power! The RAV4 Hybrid I owned in 2023 got the same mileage as the 2024 Venza I now own, exactly the same. Which is great.

still waiting for mine in canada booked it it december 2022. :)

I definitely laughed at that outro 😂😂

What do y’all at TFL or really anyone thing the best smelling interior new cars are?

I’m might looking forward to get me 2023 in next 2years after I paying off my 2015 Toyota Venza it still feel like luxury Lexus RX but 20215 aren’t Hybird ❤️

Is it made in Japan? If so, a huge plus.

I wished the Rav4 had a quieter ride for wind and road noise as the Venza. The Rav4 noise is acceptable but you really notice it when a long road trips on the highway. A part of me wanted the Venza to be more like the bz4x shape which looks closer to the original Venza.

You guys always seem to throw shade at the venza. I own a 2021. I think its has plenty of power, low end and top end. And no one seems to mention that the base model starts at $34,xxx. Mine had no options, yet came standard with auto folding mirrors. Auto lift gate. Wireless charging. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. 1 touch up and down on all 4 windows. 8 inch screen. Bought new and now have 26,000 miles on it. My only complaints are that it's a little tight on knee room.

Wow.. Thanks for the review.. I agree with just about everything you mentioned.. But you didn't mention my biggest gripe about the Venza.. The outward visibility it terrible in my view.. The visibility problem seriously hurts safety. Toyota made the roof, or roofline way way way to low. The A-pillars are slanted back much more horizontally.. This reduces visibility. If Toyota made the Venza more boxy and raised the roofline about two or three inches, it would have made the Venza MUCH better. I'm surprised you didn't mention that ..

It reminds me a bit of a Subaru Outback, of course different power train.

I’m interested in testing the Mazda CX-70. Six cylinder option which means some get up and go

I love the Toyota Harrier!

When my sister got her rav4 hybrid, she also considered the venza. The issues were the slight price increase and the bigger body. She does not need or want something that big. I realize it isn't THAT big, but it is bigger than she needs so why would she spend the extra money? If Toyota would keep increasing their prime lineup, they could have complete dominance with the cross, rav4 and venza. Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the direction Toyota is going. They already got rid of the Prius prime after something like 2 years and have stated they are starting from scratch with their fully electric vehicles.

Nathan, why do you keep comparing Venza to RAV4? In Japan it is a Raised AWD Camry, as well as Cross for raised Corolla.

The Venza is only made in Japan so it has that quality going for it.

Considering Lexus NX 350H but hard to find…..how would the Venda compare?

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE ✌️

im glad you made this video lol

I called it the high end RAV4 😊

If I'm riding from LA to Denver, I want to be in an E-class. Quiet 90 mph.

I like this vehicle, great review

Very comfortable to drive.

Got my LE on order. Selling my Taco for this so I can do more distance driving and just have more speed. Tacos are slow.

The screen looks better than the one in the NX/RX

Thats what im lookin for

Batteries are different for the Venza, Lithium Ion

Isn't nightshade a poison?

its interesting that venza xle's are generally cheaper than rav4 hybrid xle

I wish the cx-50 had this drive train

Now all Toyota has to do is work on the grill. Something similar to the Avalon’s grill would be sick

It’s the same platform and engine and platform as the rav4.

i have a "21 venza xle. love it...only complaints. 1. paint, chips and wears to easy (driver foot board paint is gone) 2. tires, noisy cant wait to put better tires on. 3. that damn electronic ebrake (god forbid you need to move the car a few feet with the door open or not closed all the way). also even disabling it doesnt disable. car doesnt like what your doing will reenable it

Where would this vehicle line up size wise compared to an Explorer, Traverse, etc?

How are the seats ?????very very small

I suspect this will take over the Avalon sales numbers, not the Crown.

I Loved the new Venza, but it only comes with 33 year old depressing grey or death black interior colors that became popular in 1990. I would have bought it but we REFUSE to buy another vehicle with interior colors that have been shoved down everyone’s throats for more than 1/2 my life. I also looked at the new Rav but the fit and finish, the comfort, cabin noise wasn’t nearly as good as my 11 Rav 4WD Limited. Ultimately I chose the Subaru Forester Touring. In 25 the Forester will be available with the Rav / Venza hybrid system. When it comes out I’ll sell my Forester and buy a Forester Touring Hybrid.

5:00 163 lb ft is not combined that’s for gas engine only. It’s about 240ish combined.

Is it made in Japan?

Well, did you buy it?

I really wish manufacturers would get away from the non opening sunroofs. Frankly, we were looking at a Model Y, and my wife wanted to open the sunroof.

Awesome vehicle!

What is Kit and why are you saying it?

2023 XLE VENZA are fantastic!😊 I don’t care for the night shade

This is off my list for no towing. The RAV4 Hybrid and Sienna have at least some towing capacity.

VENZA is GREAT!

In Canada, the XLE costs more today than the limited trim cost at launch back in (2021?). And to my eye, browsing the specs sheet, almost nothing's changed. So thats a turn off to me

damn the '23 compass I ordered was $38K so its in the same price range wow, still think jeep is better but this looks nice

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has the exact same engine as the regular Toyota RAV4 gasoline engine. The difference is obviously that the Hybrid also has a battery pack with regenerative charging and four electric motors for 4WD. To say that the Venza is underpowered is incorrect as the RAV4 is not underpowered and both models share the same gas/electric powerplant. My wife owns a 2023 RAV4 Hybrid and l own a RAV4 LE gasoline powered model. And l would say that it is possible that her vehicle outperforms mine (with the same gas engines).

How many times did he say RAV4?

I have a venza 2021 and my wife loves it! Only 200 ponies but it will embarrass any V8 or vs V6 superbads cars outthere! this all wheel drive hybrid system are quicker from 0-40 miles then slows down a little but when it kicks it actually does and also get very good gas mileage when driving long distances I get over 43-46 miles

If you're looking for the best just choose the Camry..better at all from all SUVs

Why not put Toyota Safety sense 3.0? Disappointed when a Corolla has 3.0, but a 40K Toyota only has 2.5

My 2021 Venza have highway wind noise after about 70 mph . anyone same ?

prop rod? no thanks, that just tells me they're trying too hard to cut costs considering my 2013 camry has gas lifts for the hood

Talking to people while wearing sunglasses is a communication snafu.

“Waapp! Babam!!”

no moonroof option ???, unlike the RAV4.

Honestly I love the looks upfront, so gorgeous... However, my gripe with Venza(Toyota marketed this with Harrier other side of Pasific ) is at rear.... Toyota designer going too far with split taillights, turn indicators and reverse lights placed lowered on rear bumper and sized as tiny like pencils.... Last week, this type of car got rear end collision because other motorists failed to notice the indicator.., too low down.., And those indicator and reverse light modules get recalled for mud and flood water damage... Toyota needed radical facelift for its taillights or for next gen models.... Again great front looks but atrociously design fail for its taillights assembly.....

The Venza is better drives better and more comfortable but not many people know about the Venza so that's on toyota

last comment about manual transmission, made me cringe. Unfortunately Americans dont really know how to drive a manual (globaly speaking), as I heared engine reving to 3.5k rpm when down shifting. They say they like to have fun but they dont know how to drive it anyway :D, you still need to know how to drive automatic, especially older gears which you need to help with accelaration pedal to switch.

For some reason people don’t buying it. It’s nice inside, but outside… Better seats, but much smaller cargo.

I like him.

it can't tow! at least the Rav4 can tow 1500 - 3500 lbs (depending on model)

The thing has no towing capacity, which is unacceptable for an SUV.

roof doesn’t open?? NO GO

The better buy is go straight to a highlander. The Venzas sloping rear roof line kills much of the cargo room, and the rav has pretty cheap materials and little if any NVH materials. For the low 40s, just go to the highlander.

I'm sorry it looks like Grandma car that got blacked out... I chose 2023 Honda CRV Sports Touring Hybrid "in dark blue" back in January