2023 Toyota Venza Hybrid: Everything we know [Update]

Update: ‘Price & Release Date’ and ‘Sales’ sections updated with new numbers.

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, was no longer a crossover. Toyota catered to the SUV audience; its manufacturing shifted to Japan, where it is sold as the Toyota Harrier.

The 2023 Toyota Venza Hybrid has been launched in the U.S., and comes with a new Nightshade Edition, and offers more features on other variants. The equipment upgrades are similar to the 2023 Highlander, which gets bigger screens and more kit. Here’s everything we know about the hybrid SUV:

Design

The design of the Toyota Venza remains identical, but the 2023 model introduces the cool Nightshade Edition. The special edition will be available with three exterior shades; Wind Chill Pearl, which replaces Blizzard Pearl for all 2023 models, Celestial Black, and Ruby Flare Red. The grille’s shape is identical but looks with a keen eye, and you would notice an acrylic grille trim.

The Toyota Venza Nightshade Edition also gets black treatment on the mirror caps, door handles, rocker panels, 19-inch alloys, roof rails, and shark fin antenna (optional). The XLE and Nightshade Edition also get LED fog lamps as standard. The cross-SUV continues to look premium thanks to its sharply raked windscreens, sleek LED headlamps, and a full-width LED bar at the rear united by the Toyota badge.

The LE variant continues to roll on 18-inch machine-cut alloy wheels, while the XLE and Limited versions get 19-inch rims. As aforementioned, the Nightshade gets 19-inch wheels with a gloss black effect.

Interior & Features

Power adjustable front seats

The Toyota Venza interior offers everything that’s expected from a premium SUV. The layout remains identical to the 2022 model and offers many features. The driver’s seat is 8-way power-adjustable on all variants, for starters. For 2023, the Limited variant also gets an 8-way power-adjustable co-driver seat. The driver’s seat has a memory function and automatically moves to the driver’s last set position while entering. Moreover, the front seats also have heating and ventilation (standard on Limited); the system only directs air into occupied seats to save energy.

Bigger screens

There’s ample digital real estate in the 2023 Toyota Venza cabin. All Toyota Venza models continue to feature the Toyota Audio Multimedia system integrated into the infotainment screen. The base LE variant gets an 8-inch screen with voice recognition, Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto plus Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Sirius XM compatibility. The other variants, including the XLE (previously with the 8-inch screen), Nightshade Edition, and Limited, get the latest 12.3-inch infotainment screen—also seen on the 2023 Highlander, bZ4X, and Lexus models like the NX and RZ.

Music lovers would want to choose the XLE or higher variants. While the LE gets a 6-speaker set-up with an amplifier, the rest of the variants get a 9-speaker JBL music system with a 1200-watt amplifier. For 2023, the LE’s instrument cluster gets upgraded with a 7-inch multi-information display (previously a 4.2-inch unit). A hybrid energy monitor that displays the status of the hybrid powertrain is standard on all variants. The Limited variant gets a fully digital 12.3-inch digital cluster with four visual modes: Casual, Smart, Tough, and Sporty.

The optional 10-inch heads-up display (HUD) on the Limited variant is now standard. The HUD showcases speed, hybrid system indicator, and ADAS functions. The screens are capable of over-the-air (upgrades) when innovations are released. Toyota continues to offer optional features like a digital rearview mirror, Bird’s Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan, and rain-sensing wipers (standard on Limited).

Scores high on practicality

The hands-free powered tailgate comes as standard on the 2023 Toyota Venza. Moreover, the SUV offers up to 28.8 cu ft of cargo volme, which can be nearly doubled to up to 55.1 cu ft when the rear seats are folded. Toyota says the center stack tray can accommodate even the largest iPhone, while the wireless charger is now an upgraded, fourth-generation version.

Toyota Venza specifications

The Toyota New Global Architecture K (TNGA-K) continues to underpin the Toyota Venza. The hybrid measures 186.6 inches long, 73 inches wide, and 65.9 inches tall with the antenna. It has a 105.9-inch-long wheelbase. For perspective, the Ford Escape and the Honda CR-V hybrids measure 180.5 and 184.8 inches long, respectively. The maximum curb weight is 3,913 lbs for Venza Limited, while the rest of the variants weigh marginally less.

Hybrid engine with three e-motors

Unlike the Highlander or the Tundra, the Toyota Venza comes with a single hybrid engine option. The SUV gets a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine assisted by three electric motors. The total system output is 219 hp, of which the combustion engine generates 176 hp. The EPA-estimated combined efficiency is 39 mpg.

Two electric motors are located on the front axle, and they power the variable valve timing (VVT) on the intake and exhaust camshafts. The rear-axle-mounted electric motor gives the Venza e-AWD capability, powering the rear wheels when a loss of traction is detected on the front wheels.

Key benefits of this 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 Venza also takes off from a standstill using electric propulsion.

The 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 can drive on pure electricity depending on the charge available in the 0.9 kWh battery stored under the rear seats. The RAV4 has a larger 1.6 kWh NMC battery. However, according to Car and Driver, Toyota opted for a smaller 0.9 kWh battery for the Venza.

Predictive Efficient Drive

The 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.

2023 Toyota Venza Hybrid Safety

Toyota has swapped the Venza’s Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ with the MY2023 update. The new ADAS suite also has six active safety and driver assistance systems that use a high-res camera and a millimeter-wave radar. However, these systems have enhanced functionalities in the TSS 3.0 suite.

Pre-Collision System (PCS) includes two additional functionalities: 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, vehicle, or bicyclist.

Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) offers a new curve speed management function, reducing the vehicle’s speed when entering a turn and returning it back to the set speed upon exiting. Lane Departure Alert With Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beams, and Road Sign Assist are the other four features of TSS 2.5+. More Toyota Venza safety features include Rear Seat Reminder, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Parking Assist.

Price & Release Date

The 2023 Toyota Venza starts at USD 34,120, reaching USD 42,265 for the fully loaded version. A USD 1,335 DPH fee is applicable across the range. The updated SUV has reached dealerships. Olmsted, Ohio-based Westside Toyota, Hattiesburg, Mississippi-based, Toyota of Hattiesburg, Oroville, California-based Oroville Toyota, Claremont, California-based Claremont Toyota, and many other dealerships with available stock have listed the hybrid SUV online.

Sales

The Toyota Venza Hybrid has not experienced the same level of sales success in the United States as the RAV4 or the Highlander. In 2022, it recorded just 33,683 units, 45.7% lower compared to 2021 (61,988 units).

TopElectricSUV says

The 2023 Toyota Venza offers notable improvements in terms of convenience, safety, and styling over the previous model. On the downside, it disappoints in space levels and cargo volume, and it isn’t tow-rated. However, if style, quality, and exclusivity matter the most, the Toyota Venza just got even better!

2023 Toyota Venza FAQs

Featured Image Source: Toyota

Suvrat Kothari Freelance Assistant Editor

I’m an automotive journalist with 4 years of experience in magazine and digital publishing, content creation, social media management and YouTube. A car enthusiast who converted my passion into a profession!