2013 Toyota Venza

If you prefer a hatch to a tribe, and you want a car that just a bit higher, but all the necessary robust evidence drive in so many crossovers and commercial vehicles Turns the 2013 Toyota Venza could be one of the better cars to set up your shortlist.

Instead of a Camry wagon, the Venza has a middle somewhere between the Camry, the Highlander mid-size crossover, the luxury Lexus RX, and the slightly smaller, more robust-looking RAV4. But unlike the RAV4 or Highlander, the Venza makes absolutely no claim to the off-road trail. And even if you have a third row to get into both the Highlander and RAV4, the Venza has only two rows of (albeit very comfortable chairs)-and the mission is quite different compared to simple utility wagons.

Toyota, the Venza a mid-cycle refresh of sorts for 2013, but it is mainly a shaken features and options. You would be challenged to pick the design differences between the 2012 and 2013 Venza models, perhaps even at the dealership. Styling changes for the 2013 Toyota Venza are limited to some minor changes in the new front grille, new taillight design and a new 19-inch wheels. There are also three new colors for the Venza on the outside-Attitude Black, Cypress Pearl Cosmic Gray Mica and a new interior shade.

What's under the hood is essentially unchanged. There are four-cylinder and V-6 models, and both are offered with a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The base engine is 182 hp from 2.4 liters, while the V-6 makes 268 horsepower. The mileage difference is not so great between the two, with four-cylinder Venzas an EPA rating of 21 mpg city, 27 highway (or as low as 18/25 for the V-6 AWD). Both engines have the same available all-wheel drive system, configured for the road traceability, and V-6 models, there is an available Towing Prep Package (for towing up to 3,500 pounds).

In disks Venza models of previous model year, we found this car a bit more like driving a minivan than a sporty wagon or an SUV. You sit higher, but in terms of ride and handling, the Venza is more carlike than most other alternatives. With soft suspension tuning and steering quite numb, it's never exciting to drive and the huge 20-inch wheels are going to add toughness without treatment benefit. Four-cylinder models are perfect, but uninspiring, while the V-6 models have a stronger, smoother character that makes it feel more like the Lexus RX 350.

Interior and interior of the Venza's accommodations, continue essentially unchanged. And that means that you have an impressive space for five adults and a good amount of load space as an almost-ideal height that makes getting in and out very easy to get. The downside, as we have noted in recent years model is that there is too much hard plastic in contact with the driver and passenger knees than you would expect in a vehicle that both can cost over $ 30,000, we're still not sure how many people have changed in 2013. Road noise is a problem on coarser surfaces.

We do not expect the Venza safety ratings will change significantly in 2013. For 2012, the Venza was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, but it did not do so well in the federal tests, with a three-star (out of five) stars in the front underrun protection.

A much better set of connectivity and infotainment features is really the big news for 2013. The Venza is offered in four-cylinder or V-6 form, in base LE, XLE mid-range and top-finishing Lux Limited-forth with the Limited model V-6-only. But each level adds a number of other new features for 2013. LE models get new display Audio system (similar to those who made their debut in the 2013 Camry), plus a blind-spot mirrors, puddle lamps, and exterior lights. Venza XLE models get a power driver's seat memory, reverse tilt mirrors, and navigation in addition to multi-media functions Entune. And at the top of the line, all Limited models now LED daytime running lights plus premium 13-speaker JBL sound system and improved navigation.