2011 Toyota Venza Trims and Specs

The sleek 2011 Toyota Venza Base might be the perfect family automobile. Loads of passenger room complements 70.1 cubic feet of cargo area (with the rear seats folded), and occupants are surrounded by standard goodies and gizmos, with more available in a plethora of available options and option packages. Such exterior features as 19-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler are each standard, while inside, niceties like standard cloth upholstery and a power-adjustable driver’s seat are bolstered by simulated carbon-fiber accents on doors, dash, and the center console. Standard remote power door locks and dual-zone climate control, as well as power mirrors and windows make life a tad easier on the road, while cruise control, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, and an electrochromatic rear-view mirror help take a little of the stress out of the commute. Entertainment, meanwhile, is via a single-CD player with six speakers, satellite radio, a USB connection and auxiliary iPod capability. Finally, phone pre-wiring and Bluetooth hands-free technology are in place for hassle-free communications.

Standalone options in the 2011 Venza Base are in the form of a power-tilting moonroof, JBL surround-sound audio with 13 speakers and a 6-CD changer, voice-activated DVD navigation, remote engine start and rear-seat DVD entertainment. Taking these a step further, options packages include the Leather Package, Security Package, Comfort Package and Convenience Package, all of which encompass such amenities as leather upholstery, wood-grain cabin accents, heated, power-adjustable front seats, push-button start and heated outside mirrors. Two Premium packages bundle various available options, both packaged and standalone, together in semi-customized configurations.

Powering the 2011 Venza Base is a 2.7-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine. When matched with the standard 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission with brake hill holder, the four-banger puts out 182 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque. Variable valve timing means an estimated 21 mpg city/ 27 highway in this front-wheel-drive crossover, while towing capacity is maxed out at 2,500 pounds with the optional Tow Package, boasting a heavy-duty alternator and added cooling capacity, selected.

For 2011, the Venza Base sports such standard safety features as 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS) as well as traction and stability control. Front side-mounted airbags and front and rear head airbags and are also standard, as is front head-restraint whiplash protection. Additional standard safety features include daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights and dusk-sensing headlights, while optional safety equipment includes high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights with the available Light Package and a rear-view camera and remote antitheft alarm that come with the optional Security Package. Interestingly, in response to its recent accelerator issues, Toyota now equips the Venza Base with a brake override system that stops the vehicle when both the accelerator and brake pedals are pushed at the same time.

For the family, Toyota presents its 2011 Venza Base AWD midsize crossover. This sleek 4-door, 5-passenger people-mover offers over 70 cubic feet of cargo room with the second-row seatbacks folded, along with loads of front and rear passenger room. Not only that, but the Venza Base AWD is also delivered with full-time all-wheel drive (AWD) and a boatload of standard appearance, comfort and convenience features. A rear spoiler and 19-inch alloy wheels spiff up an already well-wrought exterior, while inside, simulated carbon-fiber accents help divert attention from an otherwise so-so cabin. Cloth upholstery, meanwhile, as well as a power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering ease the commute, with remote power door locks, power windows and power-adjustable outside mirrors helping out, too. A universal remote garage-door opener is also standard, as is an electrochromatic rear-view mirror. Entertainment is provided with the standard single-CD changer and six speakers, complemented by satellite radio, an auxiliary iPod input and a USB connection.

Options for the 2011 Venza Base AWD include a power-tilting moonroof, JBL surround-sound audio with a 6-CD changer and 13 speakers, rear-seat DVD entertainment, remote engine start and voice-activated, touchscreen DVD navigation. Comfort-heavy option packages, meantime, include, of course, the Comfort Package, with heated, power-adjustable front seats and heated outside mirrors, and the Leather Package, with leather upholstery and wood-grain interior accents. The Convenience Package boasts the Smart Key system with push-button start and remote illuminated entry, as well as a power rear liftgate. Two Premium packages mix and match various packaged and standalone items, while the Security Package includes a rear-view camera and remote antitheft alarm. Finally, the Tow Prep Package features additional engine-oil cooling and a heavy-duty alternator.

A variable-valve-timed (VVT) 2.7-liter inline 4-cylinder engine powers the 2011 Venza Base AWD and combines with the standard 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission for 182 hp and 182 lb-ft of torque. Look for 2,500 pounds of towing capacity, with the proper equipment, as well as 20 mpg city/ 25 highway. The AWD system, meantime, is managed by a mechanical limited-slip center differential, assuring power to all four wheels via an electronic control unit that senses which wheels grip and which slip and directs torque appropriately. Additionally, the 6-speed automatic features a brake hill holder.

Standard safety equipment in the 2011 Venza Base AWD includes four-wheel antilock braking (ABS) and traction and stability control. Front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection are additionally standard, as are daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights and dusk-sensing headlights. An optional safety feature is the Light Package with its high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights. This year, Toyota has invested the Venza Base AWD with a brake override feature that brakes the vehicle automatically when the brake and accelerator are pressed simultaneously. This added safety feature is obviously in response to the accelerator woes faced by the automaker in early 2010.

For a bit more kick out of the Venza 4-door, 5-passenger crossover, try the 2011 Toyota Venza V6. This midsize cute-ute still offers 70 cubic inches of cargo space (with the rear seats folded) and plenty of cabin room, but replaces the inline 4-cylinder engine with a potent V6 to take better advantage of its hauling abilities. An added bonus with the speedier Venza V6 is the set of 20-inch alloy wheels that come standard and complement the integrated rear spoiler. Inside, expect to find cloth upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat and simulated carbon-fiber cabin accents. Power windows and outside mirrors, remote power door locks, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, telescoping tilt-wheel steering and a universal remote garage door opener are also standard. Entertainment is presented by a single-CD player with six speakers, satellite radio, auxiliary iPod input and a USB connection, while phone pre-wiring means standard Bluetooth hands free-communications are a phone-installation away.

Option packages, meanwhile, include the Convenience Package, with push-button start in the Smart Key feature, as well as a power liftgate, and the Comfort Package, with heated, power-adjustable front seats and heated outside mirrors. The Leather Package offers leather upholstery and wood-grain cabin accents, and the Security Package boasts a rear-view camera and remote antitheft alarm. Two Premium packages, meantime, allow some customizing of the above options. Additionally such standalone options as a power moonroof, JBL premium audio with 6-CD changer and 13 speakers, remote engine start, voice-activated DVD navigation and rear-seat DVD entertainment can also be integrated into one Premium Package or the other.

The defining factor of the 2011 Venza V6 is its 3.5-liter V6 engine. This potent powerplant combines with the standard 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission with brake hill-holder feature to churn out 268 hp and 246 lb-ft of torque. Gas mileage, with variable valve timing, is a respectable 19 mpg city/26 highway in the front-wheel-drive Venza V6, while towing capacity jumps to 3,500 pounds with the proper equipment.

Safety-wise, the 2011 Venza V6 features standard 4-wheel antilock braking (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Additional standard safety equipment includes daytime running lights, front fog driving lights and dusk-sensing headlights, with optional high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights available with the Lighting Package. Finally, for 2011, Toyota has equipped the Venza V6 with a braking override system that automatically brings the vehicle to a stop when the brake and accelerator pedals are pressed at the same time. This is, apparently, Toyota’s attempt to avoid a repeat of 2010’s stuck-accelerator catastrophe.

Toyota’s Venza midsize crossover has made a pretty impressive splash in a good-sized pond. Adding a V6 engine and full-time all-wheel drive (AWD) has resulted in the finely wrought 2011 Venza V6 AWD, a 4-door, 5-passenger mini-ute that offers a roomy cabin and over 70 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. This chic family automobile boasts standard 20-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler on the outside, while ensconcing passengers in cloth upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat and simulated carbon-fiber cabin accents. Standard dual-zone climate control, as well as power windows and mirrors, remote power door locks and a universal garage door opener keep occupants comfortable and at ease, while telescoping tilt-wheel steering with mounted cruise and audio controls takes a bit of the tedium out of driving. A single-CD player with six speakers provides entertainment, bolstered by satellite radio, an auxiliary iPod input and a USB connection. Phone pre-wiring and standard Bluetooth hands-free technology are also among the Venza V6 AWD’s standard features.

Standalone options, meantime, include a power-tilting moonroof, remote engine start, rear-seat DVD entertainment, voice-activated DVD navigation and JBL premium audio with a 6-CD changer and 13 speakers. Options packages include the Comfort Package, with heated, power-adjustable front seats and heated outside mirrors, the Leather Package, including leather upholstery, leather steering wheel, and wood-grain cabin accents, and the Convenience Package, with Smart Key push-button start and a power liftgate. The Security Package, meantime, includes a rear-view camera and remote antitheft alarm, while two Premium packages mix and match both standalone and packaged options to order. Finally, the Tow Prep Package includes a heavy-duty alternator and higher-capacity engine and motor-oil cooling capabilities.

A standard 268-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine that pounds out 246 lb-ft of torque powers the 2011 Venza V6 AWD under the tutelage of the standard 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission with brake hill holder. Look for 20 mpg city/ 25 highway out of the six-banger, while towing is maxed out at a respectable 3,500 pounds with the proper equipment. Meanwhile, the AWD system is instructed by a mechanical limited-slip center differential and is electronically monitored to send power to all four wheels all the time, as well as, in extreme weather, added torque to the wheels that grip.

Standard safety features found in the 2011 Venza V6 AWD include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Daytime running lights, meanwhile, as well as front fog/driving lights and dusk-sensing headlights complete the standard safety equipment. Optional safety features include high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights that come with the available Lighting Package. Additionally, and doubtless in response to its recent accelerator-sticking woes, Toyota now includes a brake override system in the 2011 Venza V6 AWD. This system is designed to stop the vehicle when the brake and accelerator pedals are depressed simultaneously.