The Toyota Venza is a mid-size crossover SUV (CUV) produced by Japanese automaker Toyota and unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Based on the Toyota FT-SX concept car unveiled at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, the Venza was primarily engineered at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and designed at the Calty Design studios in Newport Beach, California. It is currently slotted in size and price between the RAV4 compact crossover SUV, and the Highlander mid-size crossover SUV that has third-row seating. However, the Venza is an inch longer than the Highlander and for the 2009-2010 model years, the base Venza's MSRP was $1000 USD higher than the base Highlander.The Venza is built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) in Georgetown, Kentucky, production having commenced on November 10, 2008.
The Venza is based on the Camry chassis (Toyota K platform) and is similar to Mark X Zio in concept. Venza is powered by either Toyota's 3.5-litre 2GR-FE V6 or all-new 2.7-litre 1AR-FE I4 engine, both mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive is available as an option. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates fuel economy of 21 mpg-US (11 L/100 km; 25 mpg-imp) city /29 mpg-US (8.1 L/100 km; 35 mpg-imp) highway with the four-cylinder engine. The Venza uses an electric power steering system.
