Toyota Venza 2022 Review

When the Toyota Venza resurfaced for 2021 after a six-year hiatus, the midsize two-row SUV placed very favorably in MatoCar' rankings. In large part, that's because it's a hybrid with an impressive EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving. Other SUVs in the class are estimated to return only 20 to 25 mpg. On top of strong fuel economy, the Venza comes standard with all-wheel drive, and its hybrid powertrain keeps things quiet and calm for a more luxurious experience.

As a hybrid, the 2022 Toyota Venza can be more expensive than some rivals, but owners are likely to recover the initial cost in the form of savings at the gas pump in a short time. In terms of utility, though, the Venza isn't as strong as the competition. The interior space is smaller than average and the Venza's not rated for towing duties.

If you put a higher priority on spaciousness and hauling, you might be better served by one of the Venza's chief rivals — the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe or Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Our Expert Rating below spells out in detail where the Venza shines and where it could use some improvement. But overall we consider it a great choice for those looking for more efficiency and luxury.

Which Venza does MatoCar recommend?

[Editor's note: The following information is based on last year's 2021 Venza. We expect the 2022 model will have a similar lineup and we'll update this section once we have complete information.] The 2022 Toyota Venza is a midsize SUV that comes with more standard features than most in its segment. It's offered exclusively as a hybrid with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (219 hp total output) and all-wheel drive. It comes in three trim levels: LE, XLE and Limited. Highlight features include:

LE The base LE gets you started off nicely with:

• 18-inch wheels
• LED headlights
• 8-inch touchscreen display
• 4.2 multi-information display
• Push-button ignition and keyless entry (front doors only)
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Dual-zone automatic climate control

You also get:

• Wireless smartphone charging
• Four USB ports
• Hands-free liftgate
• Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility
• Six-speaker sound system

All Venzas come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 that includes:

• Adaptive cruise control (uses front-mounted radar and camera to maintain a preset speed and distance to the vehicle ahead. Operates down to a stop.)
• Lane centering assist (works with adaptive cruise control and keeps the vehicle centered in the lane with small steering inputs)
• Forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection (warns you of an impending collision and can apply the brakes if you don't react in time)
• Lane departure alert (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

XLE The XLE takes things up a notch with:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Roof rails
• Auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink
• Projector-style LED headlights
• Heated front seats
• Simulated leather and cloth seats
• Keyless entry for rear doors
• A larger driver information display
• Front and rear parking sensors

Limited The Limited trim bumps the Venza up to the luxury class by adding:

• 12.3-inch touchscreen
• Nine-speaker premium JBL audio system
• Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out the back even with a fully loaded cargo area)
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Full faux leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable front passenger seat
• Heated steering wheel
• 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Venza and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

Some of the features on the Limited are available on the XLE as options. For the Limited you can also get:

Advanced Technology package

• 10-inch color head-up display
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers

Star Gaze panoramic roof

• Glass switches between clear and frost-tinted with the push of a button
• Electrochromic sunshade (think transition lenses)
• Removes the roof rails if equipped