The mid-size SUV category just got another competitor, it is the 2023 Toyota Venza. It was reintroduced back in 2021 after six years. Now Toyota decided it is about time for a remodel. This will probably be considered a mid-cycle refresh and won’t introduce too many drastic changes. Most of the tweaks will be stylistic and not anything flashy. It is of course modeled after its RAV4 cousin, which is a good start. Toyota is well known for its hybrid powertrains and Venza will look to keep that streak going. They were one of the pioneers in the industry with electric vehicles and have vowed to have an all-electric lineup of vehicles by the year 2030. Whether that will be true we will have to wait and see.
One big addition to the 2023 Toyota Venza this time around is the Nightshade edition. It introduces black details all around, we will read more about that in a second. The body shape will probably remain the same, with perhaps minor changes on the outside. While inside could use a refresher and some modernization.
Keep reading to find out more about what is in store for the 2023 Toyota Venza.
What’s New Inside?
On the inside, the current Venza is as stylish as any. But as we all know, it can always be improved since nothing is perfect. So what exactly could the 2023 Toyota Venza do to improve its current standing? Well, comfort is always an issue and an important selling point with vehicles and especially SUVs. Putting some extra cushioning and improving lumbar support is always possible and should be done. Having those extra bits of cushioning could keep you comfortable even on the bumpiest of roads. And lumbar support is important since no one likes having a hard time getting out of their truck.
We all know that some vehicles do a number on your body and you can’t move properly after longer rides. To avoid that Toyota could improve their seating. Of course, there will be only 2 rows of seats, this is a compact mid-size SUV and there is no space for a third row. Heated and ventilated seats are also quite common and we don’t see it as trouble to put that feature in them. This will ensure your back doesn’t get stuck to the seat during harsh heat.
A panoramic roof is already present. But Toyota went one step further with the 2023 Venza and made it electrochromic. What does this mean you ask yourself? Well basically, with a flick of a switch you can turn the transparent roof into an opaque one. It might be a press of a button. We are not certain which technology Toyota is going to use. But these are some of the premium features that will set Venza apart from the pack and give them an advantage.
Storage is not too impressive with the 2023 Toyota Venza. You can fit seven carry-on suitcases in the trunk, 18 if you fold the back seats. But we don’t see this as an issue, because who actually needs space for 18 suitcases. There are numerous materials of high quality inside the cabin. Leather, suede, and fabric. The instrument panel comes with leather and we also see accents of chrome which is quite luxurious. There is a central infotainment system in the middle of the said panel. It is 8 inches in size although on higher trims like XLE you can get 12 inches. It has all the connectivity you might need including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The surround system is premium and has 9 JBL-made speakers. The dashboard is also digital and allows for easier tracking of information. As standard, there are buttons on the steering wheel to keep the driver focused on the road ahead. This improves the safety aspect. However, this isn’t enough and Toyota put some other standard safety features in the new Venza. We get lane change alert, pedestrian detection, automatic braking, and collision alert. There are numerous sensors and cameras to make parking easier and getting out of tight spots will seem like a breeze.
2023 Toyota Venza Facelift
On the outside, not much has changed for the 2023 Toyota Venza. It is still a very stylish and sleek-looking SUV. It has an ergonomic and aerodynamic look. This helps with decreasing wind drag and improving fuel economy. Also, steering and driving are much better. The hood looks sporty and the front grille is big and dark. It lets enough air under the hood to keep everything cool. There are several new colors this time around. We get Wind Chill Pearl, Ruby Red Flare, and Celestial Black.
Also, there is a new Nightshade Edition trim. This gives black color treatment to certain parts of the SUV. This includes wheel rims, side mirrors, roof rails, shark fin antenna, bumpers, door handles, and rear badges. We must say this looks extra dashing on the new 2023 Toyota Venza.
Engine Specs
The new 2023 Toyota Venza is sold only as a hybrid SUV. Which we see as an absolute win. There is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and three electric motors. They band up to produce 219 horsepower which is more than enough for the mid-size SUV.
It comes with an all-wheel drive. One electric motor is for the rear wheels while the gas engine and two other electric ones power the front wheels. It is not a drag racer, as it needs 7.6 seconds to get to 60 mph. You can expect 40 mpg in the city and 37 on the highway. This is much better than its competition.
Will There Be a 2023 Toyota Venza?
We can expect to see the new 2023 Toyota Venza on the road later this year. As for pricing, it depends on the trim. The basic LE trim is around $35.000.
The best bang for the buck is XLE, which starts at $38.000. Nightshade styling will stand you at around $40.000 and the Limited edition is $42.000.