When Toyota relaunched its midsize Venza SUV in Canada for the 2021 model year, the brand made some very smart decisions: simple packaging, standard all-wheel drive, and a standard hybrid powertrain make it an especially appealing prospect for the budget-conscious empty nesters it’s targeting. Some say it looks like a Lexus without the premium price tag, and there are certainly some elements to the Venza that fit that bill.
We’ve taken some closer looks at those aspects of the Venza here at Driving.ca, and we’d certainly suggest reading through those if this vehicle is on your list for consideration. But our job here at the Ministry of Interior Affairs is to pick apart vehicle interiors in excruciating detail, and in that context the Venza is one of the most interesting we’ve examined yet. Rarely have we seen a vehicle that has so many great things going for it alongside several serious frustrations.
Before we begin, we should note that the Venza being scrutinized here is a 2021 model. However, since the Venza was new for 2021, it carries over into 2022 with no significant changes.
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
Let’s start with the positives. For one, comparing the Venza to entry-level luxury vehicles is apt: it’s a surprisingly fashion-forward submission from Toyota, a brand with a reputation for being highly conservative. Several interior colourways are available, including the one seen on our Limited grade test unit priced as tested at $49,660 including an $1,840 destination charge, which incorporates beautiful copper stitching and accents alongside blond wood-look inserts (which, yes, are fake, but they’re relatively convincing). This writer’s design sensibilities appreciate the commitment to symmetry seen here, and the quality of the build and materials is as top-notch as can be hoped for at this price point. Visually, this is a vehicle its owners will take joy in looking at every time they’re behind the wheel.
There’s also an extremely cool panoramic sunroof, a feature exclusive to the Limited grade. The fabric sunshade pulls back to reveal an expanse of glass split into two panes, which both can be switched from frosted to fully transparent instantly at the push of a button. The panels are electrochromic, which means they use an electric charge to activate or deactivate the translucent coating integrated into the glass. If you’ve ever used the windows in a Dreamliner passenger jet, then you’ve experience this technology before. However, it’s highly unusual to see it applied in a mass-produced vehicle, mainstream or otherwise. Is it extremely useful? Not necessarily, but it’s certain to impress your family and friends.
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
The Venza is built with a clear focus on the front row, which makes sense given that couples make up the majority of its target market. The front seats are suitably comfortable with a classic, contoured design, and in the Limited grade they come both heated and ventilated. A heated steering wheel is also included. Shifting is completed through a traditional lever, and a dedicated button is included for switching into EV mode, though in this conventional hybrid this will only work for short bursts.
The gauge cluster is laid out in Toyota’s hybrid setup, which is mostly analog and gives the driver plenty of feedback on how the hybrid powertrain is performing and reacting to the current driving style.
A wireless phone charging pad is set behind the shifter, which is a good spot in that it’s out of the way. However, some of today’s longer smartphones may not lay flat in this space if they’re also plugged in to one of the two USB-A ports at the back, which is required to run Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
2021 Toyota Venza interior Photo by Jay Kana
Each front door pocket includes a bottle holder, and two more cup holders are positioned toward the middle of the centre console, nicely out of the way. Optional inserts are provided to make these more shallow when required. Storage space for loose items is otherwise lacking in the front row. The centre console bin contains a 12-volt plug, but it otherwise is only large enough to hold a wallet or very small handbag. The glove compartment and some small spaces in the door pockets are the only other options.
That covers the positives. As for potential for improvement: it’s a shame the Venza doesn’t have interior power points capable of powering small appliances as seen in some other hybridized Toyota vehicles such as the Sienna minivan. Unfortunately, the Venza’s body style and powertrain limit it to a 0.9 kWh lithium-ion battery, which doesn’t store enough energy to allow for this functionality.
On top of that, the Venza’s second row is appropriately spacious in terms of head and leg room for two adult passengers, but it’s otherwise sparse on features. Heated seats are not available, nor are rear climate controls: a set of vents is linked to the front row’s settings, and that’s all that’s offered. As is the case with most hybrid vehicles, the Venza isn’t especially quick to warm up in cooler conditions, so these are features that second-row occupants may miss more than usual. Still, the nieces, nephews, grandkids, etc. aren’t likely to complain too loudly.
2021 Toyota Venza Photo by Jay Kana
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of the Venza to live with is the cargo area, which is surprisingly inefficient in its use of space. The 816 litres found behind the second row makes for less space than what you’d find in a RAV4, a compact SUV that’s a full class size smaller than the Venza. There are no grocery hooks, tie-downs, or power points here. In addition, the second-row seatbacks don’t fold fully flat. The load floor feels unusually high, which could be problematic for the demographic this vehicle is aiming for, although this does leave plenty of space for a donut spare tire and a set of tools to sit underneath.
Our final nitpick with the Venza is the infotainment system, which is beyond frustrating to use. The 12.3-inch split-screen setup found in the Limited grade is attractive enough, but the expanse of touch controls with nary a knob or button in sight gets annoying very quickly. There’s no quick way to adjust the volume, and there’s no direct tune function to help quickly find individual radio stations. Our Ministry examiner was sufficiently bothered by all of this that she gave up on the system entirely and began running music and other functions off her phone. This is a workable solution, as long as having to adjust the volume by stabbing a finger at a panel or a steering wheel button works for you long-term.
Overall, there are things about the 2021 Toyota Venza that make it very appealing for its price, and there are others that could prove difficult to live with for some owners. A frustrating infotainment experience, small cargo area, and lacklustre rear cabin may be enough to turn you off, or you may find that excellent design, a very comfortable front row, and a fuel-efficient powertrain would offset these factors enough to make the Venza the right vehicle for you.
Keyword: Ministry of Interior Affairs: 2021 Toyota Venza