My feelings about the Venza are not nearly as visceral as Don Sherman's. His reaction to its utter lack of personality is understandable, but for me, that translates into a feeling of indifference rather than hostility. Buyers of the Venza aren't going to care - or probably even notice - if their vehicle has a four- or six-cylinder engine. And that'll be all right, because this four-cylinder, while not exactly a powerhouse, has sufficient oomph to merge onto the highway at the proper speed and tootle along to the grocery store, the weekly bridge game, or the garden store to pick up a flat or two of spring flowers. The priorities of the Venza owner will be reliability, ease of operation, and sufficient space for carting things and people - and in all those areas it gets a passing grade. Its higher step-in height and larger carrying capacity make it the logical next vehicle for the current Camry owner.
Amy Skogstrom, Managing Editor ...next page >>