Not everyone wants to flaunt status. Those who fall into this group belong in the stealth wealth crowd, the type of people who keep a low profile. The second-generation Toyota Venza exemplified this approach, a compact SUV with a mainstream badge, but trimmed like a luxury car. In fact, this SUV was one of the best Toyota products in recent memory. Unfortunately, they recently replaced it with the Crown Signia, a slightly larger wagon-like SUV that also uses the same approach. However, the Venza was priced and sized correctly. Slightly more than a RAV4, but way more luxurious. With that said, let’s explore why the Venza nailed the stealth wealth formula.
Toyota Venza: Premium Style Inside and Out
Just one look at the Venza, and it’s clear that this SUV exudes a premium aura. Its curvy exterior evokes a blend of Lexus meets Mazda, which is not a bad thing! Slim LED headlights and full-width LED taillights elevate the upscale vibes. Heck, the Venza’s grille even adds shades of Lexus’ spindle grille. Only this time it’s split by a thin chrome strip to keep it from looking like one. Toyota even offered a snazzy Nightshade model based on the XLE trim. That variant had plenty of blacked-out details from the door handles to the sharkfin antenna. It even included cool black 19-inch wheels to elevate the stealthy look.
Stepping inside the Venza’s interior revealed its luxury appointments. Everything you touch feels expensive, adding to its Lexus-like feel. The only thing throwing it off? The level of sound deadening. It’s quieter than a RAV4, but not as vault-like as most Lexus models, especially on the highway. Four average-sized adults fit comfortably. However, keep in mind that the front seats don’t go down far enough if you’re super tall. Meanwhile, the cargo area, while useful, falls behind the RAV4 due to the Venza’s curvier shape and the rear window’s angle.
Familiar Tech Suite
On the tech front, Toyota kept it simple, using the Entune 3.0 interface in the Venza’s early years. The latest Toyota Audio Multimedia system replaced it from 2023 onward. Both systems had intuitive controls, with the latter being crisper and more modern. Our only complaint? The haptic feedback controls were distracting to use. The 2023 and 2024 models had more physical controls, but still lacked traditional knobs. Certain models also came with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system, which sounded clear and added to the interior’s overall premium feel.
Meanwhile, the driver assistance systems worked well, but veered towards the more conservative side. Initially, the Venza came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, but that eventually received an upgrade to 2.5, followed by 2.5+ for 2024, its final year. I’ve experienced all three versions in various Toyota models, and they do a great job keeping you alert without getting overly intrusive.
Toyota Venza: Refined Poise
Hit the road behind the wheel of a Toyota Venza, and the Lexus vibe truly shines. The 219-hp hybrid system delivers refined power for confident acceleration and merging. Featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, three electric motors, a planetary gear set, and a small lithium-ion battery, the Venza drives like a premium SUV. Thanks to its electric motors, it never feels underpowered and always has plenty on tap. Most importantly, it minimizes the instance of the engine getting loud and thrashy (which it can in certain scenarios).
A smooth ride defined the Venza’s road manners. It glides over road imperfections, effortlessly absorbing impacts even when equipped with the largest wheel option. Good body control meant the Venza felt confident when taking turns, while its light steering made it easy to maneuver. All models even included Active Cornering Assist, which brakes the inner wheels to help the SUV corner more securely. Meanwhile, the standard e-AWD system can even overdrive the rear wheels, allowing the Venza’s rear to rotate a little. No, it’s not a performance car, but it was quite nice to drive thanks to how effortless and well-rounded the whole vehicle felt!
Luxury Made Attainable
The Venza simply punched way above its weight. Luxurious? Yep. Refined? For Sure. Stylish? Absolutely. This SUV made attainable premium a reality, and unlike its competitors, it came backed by Toyota’s legendary reputation for quality, durability, and reliability. As a result, the Venza justified its slightly higher price point compared to the RAV4. It gave you a lot more substance for not much extra cash to spend.
