First Look Review: 2024 Toyota Venza (Hybrid) soon bids adieu to the U.S.

Update (April 16, 2024): Additional first impressions included; sales numbers revised.

The first-generation Toyota Venza was developed primarily for the North American market, which explained its sleek and minimalist design. The second-generation model, introduced in 2020, saw Toyota catering to the global markets, and manufacturing shifted out to Japan.

Launched in the U.S. as a MY2021 product in 2020, the Venza has entered its fourth model year and is now a MY2024 vehicle. It is available in LE, XLE, Nightshade Edition, and Limited trims. Recently, I had a chance to check out a Coastal Gray Metallic unit of the 2024 Toyota Venza Limited variant, before stocks run out in the U.S. market. Here are my first impressions of the hybrid SUV:

Design

The Venza is three years old, but thanks to its sophisticated design, I think it still looks quite appealing. I’m not disappointed that Toyota is carrying over the same design in the 2024 model year, but I’m among the many that will miss this SUV in America, as Toyota has confirmed plans to swap it out for the Crown Signia later this year.

The 2024 Toyota Venza has a simple front-end, but its unique styling sets it apart from other SUVs on the market. I like the two-row mid-size SUV’s sleek, coupe-inspired silhouette that gives it a distinctive look. At the same time, I commend Toyota’s designers for not setting the roof too low or making the rear glass overly raked, which would have compromised rear visibility.

The slim greenhouse that gradually narrows towards the rear and 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels add to the 2024 Venza’s sportiness. The LED projector headlights with dual LED DRLs and continuous LED tail lights give it a sophisticated, high-tech look.

Interior & Features

Sitting in the 2024 Toyota Venza, I felt that it looks just as fancy on the inside as on the outside. The fluidic crossover has a sleek dashboard that wraps around the occupants, a floating central display, and a center console inspired by a horse’s saddle. My favorite feature inside the mid-size crossover is the ‘Star Gaze,’ a dimmable panoramic roof which I find enhances the cabin ambiance.

The 2024 Toyota Venza interior has everything that’s expected from a premium SUV, including (8-way) power-adjustable driver’s seat with a memory function, heating, and ventilation, (8-way) power-adjustable front passenger’s seat with heating and ventilation, a digital rearview mirror (with Homelink), a (7- or 12.3-inch) digital instrument cluster, and a (10-inch) heads-up display (HUD). I think the wood-grain-style trim in the center console and soft-touch armrests and the ambient lighting for the dashboard and center console give the 2024 Venza a touch of class.

All the 2024 Toyota Venza configurations feature the Toyota Audio Multimedia system integrated into the infotainment screen. The base ‘LE’ trim has an 8-inch screen with voice recognition, Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Sirius XM compatibility. The other trims feature a 12.3-inch screen, also seen in the Highlander, bZ4X, and Lexus models like the NX and RZ. From my experience, I can firmly say that this JBL infotainment system has a user-friendly interface.

While the LE trim has a 6-speaker set-up with an amplifier, the rest of the variants feature a 9-speaker JBL music system with a 1200-watt amplifier. Other tech features of the 2024 Venza include a hands-free liftgate, a 360-degree camera system, a Qi wireless charger, and over-the-air update capability for the infotainment system.

I’m six feet tall, and given the curving roofline of the 2024 Venza, I was in two minds about ingress/egress issues. However, I discovered that entering and exiting the crossover did not pose unusual challenges.

When I sat in the driver’s seat, I first checked for all-around visibility. The high beltline and small quarter glass panels would take me some time to get used to. The steering wheel with an electrically adjustable column felt grippy, and the controls were the usual Toyota affair. My head was quite clear of the headliner. The lumbar support and side bolstering were supple, while the under-thigh support felt adequate.

In the second row, sitting right behind the driver’s seat that was adjusted for a six-foot-tall person, I had enough legroom and comfortable knee room. I felt the default angle of the backrest was quite relaxed. A recline function is available for those who wish to sit up. The under-thigh support was good. Lastly, I had just about enough headroom, and I see that folks taller than 6 feet will find their head almost brushing against the roof.

The 2024 Venza offers up to 28.8 cu ft of cargo volume that can be nearly doubled to up to 55.1 cu ft by folding down the rear seats, as it is today. I appreciate the fact that Toyota equips the hybrid SUV with a temporary spare tire.

Specifications

Based on the Toyota New Global Architecture K (TNGA-K), the 2024 Toyota Venza comes equipped exclusively with the Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II), carried over from the previous model. The hybrid SUV is 186.6 inches long, 73 inches wide, and 65.9 inches tall (with the antenna) and has a 105.9-inch-long wheelbase.

THS II

The 2024 Toyota Venza’s THS II powertrain comprises a 2.5-liter direct injection engine and three electric motors, two at the front and one at the rear. An electronically controlled CVT sends drive to the front wheels, while the rear wheels get their power from the dedicated motor. The full-hybrid system generates 219 horsepower and delivers an EPA-est. fuel economy of 40 MPG (city)/37 MPG (highway)/39 MPG (combined).

I believe the key benefits of the 2024 Venza’s THS II hybrid system can be reaped in low-speed city driving and driving in traffic. In stop-and-go situations, the battery has a higher regeneration rate thanks to frequent braking, and that’s how the vehicle uses electric power at low speeds, reducing emissions. The 2024 Venza also takes off from a standstill using electric propulsion.

The 2024 Venza has four driving modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, and EV. Normal mode is suited for regular driving, where the Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) alternates between e-motor assistance and combustion engine usage. Eco Mode prioritizes efficiency, while the Sport mode maximizes output for the best performance. The EV mode cuts off the engine and drives the vehicle with 100% electric power, that is, until the puny 0.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack lasts.

Predictive Efficient Drive

The 2024 Venza Hybrid features Predictive Efficient Drive (PED) technology that uses navigation, memorizes repeating routes, and evaluates driver behavior to improve battery charging. The system then uses optimum throttle pedal release timing guidance and adjusts engine braking force to charge the battery efficiently.

Aspect	2024 Toyota Venza Hybrid Specification
Length (in.)	186.6
Width (in.)	73.0
Height (in.)	65.9
Wheelbase (in.)	105.9
Engine Displacement	2.5-liter
Electric Motors	Front: Two Rear: One
Battery Pack	0.9 kWh lithium-ion
Combined Horsepower	219 hp
EPA-est. Fuel Efficiency	40 MPG (city)/37 MPG (highway)/39 MPG (combined)
Cargo Volume (Rear Seats Up)	Up to 28.8 cu. ft.
Cargo Volume (Rear Seats Down)	Up to 55.1 cu. ft.

Safety

The 2024 Toyota Venza comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+) as standard. TSS 2.5+ includes six active safety and driver assistance systems that use a high-res camera and a millimeter-wave radar.

TSS 2.5+ comprises Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), and Road Sign Assist (RSA).

Pre-Collision System (PCS) includes two additional functionalities in TSS 2.5+: intersection support and emergency steering assist. It can detect an oncoming car or pedestrian when turning left and an oncoming pedestrian when turning right. Emergency Steering Assist stabilizes the vehicle during an emergency maneuver, reacting to a preceding pedestrian, as well as a preceding vehicle or bicyclist.

Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) offers a curve speed management function, reducing the vehicle’s speed when entering a turn and returning it to the set speed upon exiting. Other 2024 Toyota Venza safety features include Rear Seat Reminder, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Parking Assist.

Price & Sales

The 2024 Toyota Venza is available at U.S. dealerships. Prices range from USD 35,070 to USD 43,215 (excl. USD 1,395 DPH fee).

The Venza has not experienced the same level of sales success in the United States as say the RAV4 or the Highlander. In 2022, it recorded just 33,683 units, 45.7% lower compared to 2021 (61,988 units). In 2023, sales further fell (by 11.2% year-over-year) to 29,907 units. The first quarter of 2024 witnessed a slight uptick in demand with 7,961 units sold (Q1 2023: 7,466 units).

TopElectricSUV says

The 2024 Toyota Venza may not have improvements compared to the previous model. Nevertheless, it shines with excellent features, convenience, safety, and a stylish design. On the downside, it falls short in terms of spaciousness and cargo capacity, and it isn’t tow-rated. However, if you prioritize style, quality, and exclusivity, the 2024 Toyota Venza is an ideal hybrid two-row mid-size SUV for you.

2024 Toyota Venza FAQs