toyota venza Full Overview
Toyota reinvented the Venza for 2021, positioning it once again as a stylish, upscale alternative to the RAV4. In fact, it’s based on the RAV4, but there’s a twist: the Venza is offered as a hybrid only. We like that approach; the standard hybrid powertrain is torquey and fuel-efficient, nicely complementing the attractive, premium interior. Those factors aided this midsize crossover’s finalist finish in our 2021 SUV of the Year competition, and enhance the experience with the example in our year-long test fleet. The 2022 Venza is offered in three trim levels—keep reading to learn the features, differences, and pricing on each.
2022 Venza LE Pros and Cons
The entry-level Venza has exterior features such as 18-inch alloy wheels, power-folding side mirrors, and LED headlights and taillights. Even as visible exhaust tips fall out of favor on some hybrids, the Venza wears dual chrome-trimmed tailpipes. Convenience features include tinted windows, a power liftgate, touch-sensitive locking and unlocking on the door handles, and puddle lights.
Inside, the Venza LE has cloth seating upholstery; both front seats are heated and the driver’s is power-adjustable. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, dual-zone climate control, LED overhead lighting, and one-touch up/down window switches are interior features it shares with higher trims. In terms of technology, the Venza LE has an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 4.2-inch gauge cluster display, front and rear USB charge ports, a wireless charging pad, and a six-speaker audio system.
All Venza trims come with numerous driver-assist and active-safety features as part of the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite. Among those are adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and front automatic emergency braking. Also shared on all trims is the 219-hp hybrid AWD powertrain that achieves 40/37 mpg city/highway. For all of those features, the 2022 Venza LE starts at just over $34,000.
2022 Venza XLE Pros and Cons
Stepping up to the XLE trim brings 19-inch wheels, upgraded LED headlights, roof rails, and additional exterior chrome trim. In the cabin, the seats are upholstered fully with leatherette, a new change for 2022 compared to last year’s partial leatherette finishing. Memory functionality is also added to the driver’s seat. Metallic and woodgrain-style trim details are placed around the interior, along with ambient lighting. Convenience is enhanced by an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a 7.0-inch gauge cluster display. Front and rear parking sensors are added to the collection of driver aids. These changes put the Venza XLE’s starting price at a bit over $37,500.
2022 Venza Limited Pros and Cons
At the top of the Venza range is the Limited trim. Apart from puddle lights with integrated Venza logos, its exterior is identical to the XLE trim’s. However, the Venza Limited can be had with the optional Star Gaze panoramic roof, which adds a large pane of electrochromic glass that can switch from opaque to transparent at the touch of a button—cool.
Inside the Venza Limited, the seats are upholstered with perforated leatherette. The front seats are heated and ventilated, and the steering wheel is heated. Technology improves with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, as does sound thanks to the nine-speaker JBL audio system. The view outside is better as well due to the digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera system. However, several controls change from hard buttons to capacitive touch, which don’t work as well in our experience. A head-up display and rain-sensing windshield wipers are available as part of the Advanced Technology Package. In Limited trim, the Venza starts at a bit over $41,500.
Which 2022 Venza Model Is Best?
Features like ventilated front seats and a digital rearview mirror, give the Venza Limited premium appeal. Adding the Star Gaze Roof makes it feel even less like a humdrum Toyota. Thing is, choosing the Limited trim forces frustrating capacitive touch buttons and the larger—but not better— touchscreen. As such, we’d choose the Venza XLE. Less than the high-end but more than the base trim, it’s full of upscale features and has the same comfortable ride and efficient hybrid powertrain as any other Venza.
Looks good! More details?
2022 Toyota Venza Trims:
- LE
- XLE (MT’s Pick)
- Limited
Keyword: What’s the Best 2022 Toyota Venza Trim? Here’s Our Guide