If you are stepping into a dealership and see used cars for sale in Orange County like the 2010 Toyota Venza for the first time, you may be wondering what exactly is it? Sales associates of Orange County used cars describe the 2010 Toyota Venza as a combination of a crossover SUV with having some attributes of a wagon which results in a pleasant form of family transportation.
Similar to the pangolin, the 2010 Toyota Venza is challenging to categorize among other vehicles. It isn’t really a wagon and it isn’t a crossover SUV, the Venza puts a different flavor on the family car.
However, if you visit dealers of used cars for sale in Orange County regularly, this unique crossbreed vehicle shouldn’t be a shock to you, since Toyota has a skill for creating all-new segments of changing existing ones for more general interest.
Prior to almost every carmaker had a compact crossover SUV, there was the RAV4. Similarly, Toyota’supscale Lexus division reached the same achievement for the midsize luxury crossover segment with the RX 300.
Driving
Used cars for sale in Orange County particularly the 2010 Venza uses components from the Camry and the Highlander so the Venza falls between the two when it comes to size. Its wheelbase is the same as the Camry’s while its width and ride height are comparable to the Highlander’s. Also, the engine choices are the same as the Highlander’s as well with its 2.7-liter inline-4 or a 3.5-liter V6, however, the Venza is more maneuverable, with pretty good handling and a comfortable ride quality too.
Similar to the Camry on which it is based, the 2010 Toyota Venza was manufactured for comfort and easy driving. Nevertheless, it does have some differences from the Camry since the Venza has a more heavy, tough feeling over bumps. Also, Toyota’s usual smooth ride quality is still there and road noise at highway speeds is kept to the minimum. Although both engines offer sufficient power, the energetic V6 is one of the best available. This is the obvious choice to make if passing power is more important to you than fuel economy. The electric power steering is pleasantly responsive for its class, and so is its handling.
The 2010 Toyota Venza is available with a four or six-cylinder engine and is available in either front or all-wheel drive. Every trim features a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.7-liter four-cylinder produces 182 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque. The estimated fuel economy with this engine and front-wheel drive is 21 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. All-wheel drive decreases those numbers by 1 mpg.
The 3.5-liter V6 produces 268 horsepower and 246 pound-feet of torque. Its fuel economy with front-wheel drive has an EPA estimated 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined. Again, all-wheel drive produces a 1-mpg loss in all categories. During testing, a front-drive Venza V6 went from zero to 60 mph in a fast 7.1 seconds.
Technology
The 2010 Toyota Venza is a five-passenger wagon available in two trim levels that harmonize to the two available engines. Standard features on the 2.7-liter Venza include 19-inch alloy wheels, auto-on/off headlights, rear privacy glass, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a power driver seat, a reclining and folding 60/40 rear seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, cruise control, a trip computer and a six-speaker stereo with a six-CD changer, satellite radio, a USB port, iPod connectivity, and Bluetooth. The V6-powered Venza adds 20-inch alloy wheels but is otherwise identically outfitted.
Depending on where you reside matters for the availability of Toyota options and packages on offer, so it is a good idea to find out from the dealer of Orange County used cars what is on offer. Most of the time, these are grouped into packages such as a power tailgate, a rearview camera, a sunroof, keyless ignition and entry, xenon headlamps, a power passenger seat, leather upholstery, wood trim, heated front seats, heated mirrors, and a windshield-wiper de-icer. A 13-speaker surround-sound audio system is also available. This can be ordered on its own or bundled with the optional voice-activated touchscreen navigation system or the rear-seat entertainment system.
For 2010, the Toyota Venza receives some technology upgrades with its newly standard USB port, iPod connectivity, and Bluetooth.
Comfort
Because the Venza has a wider-than-a-Camry body, it has lots of space for passengers to stretch out. Obviously, larger families are mourning the unavailability of a third-row seat, so you would have to opt for a RAV4 or a Highlander for this feature. Nevertheless, the Venza’s wagonesque body offers a maximum cargo capacity of 70 cubic feet.
Plus, the Venza boasts excellent interior quality. So much so, that it can easily be mistaken for a Lexus since the quality materials and snug fit and finish are clear throughout the vehicle’s cabin.
The sleek center console should be well noted, as its high-mounted shifter frees up space between the seats for a large bin, ample cupholders, and a smaller bin designed for iPods and other small devices. There’s another compartment designed particularly to hold cell phones. The audio and climate controls are a new design for Toyota, but they stay user-friendly. A high-mounted LCD screen shows trip computer and climate control information along with the optional back-up camera display.
Even though there isn’t a third-row seat, the Venza provides loads of passenger space specifically in the rear, which features reclining seatbacks. The cargo area can handle 70 cubic feet of things with the rear seat folded and a good 34.4 cubes with the seats up. These numbers put the Venza slightly behind the RAV4 when it comes to cargo space.
Every 2010 Venza comes standard with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag, and front-seat active head restraints.
In government crash testing, the 2010 Toyota Venza earned perfect five-star scores in all frontal- and side-impact tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety likewise gave the Venza its highest rating (“Good”) in frontal-offset and side-impact tests. Brake testing resulted in a short 60-0-mph stopping distance of 122 feet.
Overall
The 2010 Toyota Venza is an affordable midsize SUV that comes with lots of standard features, a spacious cabin, and provides a smooth and comfortable ride. If we were you, we wouldn’t wait any longer to pick it up from the dealer of used cars for sale in Orange County.