Houston Cars

Toyota recently unveiled the 2009 Venza, which in Toyota-speak is a “crossover sedan”.  Now, I don’t know what that means, but the Venza is what I like to call a “station wagon”.  With the Matrix at 171″ , the RAV4 at 181″, and the Highlander at 188″, exactly what is the purpose of the Venza (which slots in at 189″) ?  It seats 5 like the Matrix, but falls shorts of the 6-7 available seats in the RAV4 / Highlander.  Supposedly the Venza is being created to compete with the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano - something the Highlander does pretty OK with.  I can’t see the Venza doing anything but cannibalizing existing Toyota sales.  Sorry Toyota, I don’t know what you were thinking on this one.

2009 Toyota Venza Specs

• ? HP 2.7 liter 4 cylinder
• 268 HP 3.5 liter V6
• Six speed automatic
• FWD or AWD
• Towing Capacity: 3500 lbs
• Length : 189 inches / Width 75 inches
• Seating capacity: 5

In other news, the next generation Camry will be powered by a 2.7 liter 4 cylinder, rather than the 2.5 liter currently used.  Toyota doesn’t create extra engines just for fun - there’s always a reason.