2013 Toyota Venza AWD Review

Long roads reveal much
It’s interesting how quickly opinions are formed. However, it’s the lasting impressions that matter the most. I rather liked the idea of the 2013 Toyota Venza AWD at first, but after spending an extended period with it, my affections quickly dwindled.

It’s not that the Venza is a bad car, just that its shortcomings will surface sooner rather than later, and that’s a bit of a shame. I really do like the idea of the 2013 Toyota Venza, if only a few tweaks were made here and there.


What is a Toyota Venza?
The Toyota Venza, first introduced in North America in 2008, is essentially a larger Toyota Camry. Based on the same chassis, the Venza falls into that lovely grey area of crossover/wagon/SUV. Personally, I think the Venza is more of a wagon than a crossover as it’s more carlike, however, I know there are those who would disagree.

Offering more space and AWD, the Toyota Venza’s engines have remained unchanged since its introduction, and as far as looks go, have remained relatively unchanged as well.

First introduced in North America in 2008, the Venza is essentially a larger Toyota Camry.(Photo: Philippe Champoux)
Technicalities
The 2013 Toyota Venza is available in four different trim levels: base, Venza V6, Venza AWD and the Venza V6 AWD. The base and AWD feature Toyota’s 2.7L 4-cylinder engine (182 hp), while the others are equipped with a 3.5L V6 (268 hp). There are also a few packages available from a Premium Package (for enhanced seats and amenities) to a Touring & JBL Package for the audiophiles out there.

Power is managed via a 6-speed automatic across the lineup, no manual is available.

Pricing starts at a decent $28,690 for a base 2013 Toyota Venza. However, once you get into the Toyota Venza V6 AWD zone (with a Touring & JBL Package), you’re looking close to $40k. My as-tested Venza AWD with Touring Package was sitting pretty at $36,545 -- a decent price for the amenities offered, in my opinion.

The base and AWD feature Toyota’s 2.7L 4-cylinder engine (182 hp), while the others are equipped with a 3.5L V6 (268 hp). (Photo: Toyota)
Driving the Toyota Venza
A driver’s car the 2013 Toyota Venza most definitely is not. While I appreciated the solid-feeling handling and surefootedness of the AWD (even though our winter months are blissfully behind us), that’s where the likes end.

Perhaps I’d feel differently about the 3.5L V6, but the 4-cylinder just felt lazy and tired to me. Too many times the automatic transmission struggled to find the appropriate gear, and when asked to ramp up the pace for highway merges and traffic manoeuvres, the 2013 Toyota Venza AWD felt a bit out of sorts.

The brakes were also rather lacking. I hadn’t really noticed it until we loaded up the vehicle to help a family member move. With a loaded trunk, the backseat full of my son, mother-in-law and even more bags, and the front with my husband and I, the empty top portion of the brake pedal seemed to grow even larger. I found myself having to stomp harder than I wanted just to bring the 2013 Toyota Venza to a stop.

Gas mileage was impressive in the 2013 Toyota Venza with my final number hitting the 9.9L/100km mark.

A driver’s car the 2013 Toyota Venza most definitely is not. While I appreciated the solid-feeling handling and surefootedness of the AWD, that’s where the likes end. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)
Inside and Out of the Toyota Venza
Where I do like the 2013 Toyota Venza is from the outside. Facelifted in 2012, the new front facia looks awesome. A touch of LED will do a car’s front end wonders, and such is the case with the 2013 Toyota Venza AWD.

Inside, the 2013 Toyota Venza AWD seems comfortable, but let me explain. Sure, the backseat is quire cavernous and able to accommodate three adults comfortably or two seemingly in their own zip codes. However, it’s up front where things get dicey.

Let’s start with the good: I adore the centre console ripe with storage bins, sliding bits and so many ports for plugs and wires I was giddy at the thought of all the things I could charge on our 2-hour+ drive. One of the cupholders is, unfortunately, a bit close to the shift knob and so makes accessing drinks awkward. The onboard entertainment system is easy to use, as are the steering-wheel mounted buttons and controls.

Now, the bad: The seats! While seemingly comfortable at first, by the time we began return journey home my back was a mess. No matter how I adjusted the seat and lumbar support, my tailbone felt as if it were being crushed.

The backseat is quire cavernous and able to accommodate three adults comfortably or two seemingly in their own zip codes. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)
Comparing the Toyota Venza
The Venza stands amongst some pretty stiff competition with the likes of the Honda Crosstour, Subaru Outback and Chevrolet Equinox. Each has specific areas that clearly outshine the Toyota Venza (Crosstour: interior, Outback: AWD, Equinox: interior space); however, perhaps it’s the 2013 Toyota Venza’s “happy medium for the right price” that will help set it apart from the pack.

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2013 Toyota Camry LE Review

What’s in a name?
Everything. Why do we buy Guess jeans, drink Fiji water, and wear Oakley sunglasses? Because we feel a certain affinity for a brand or feel emotionally safe with it -- and nothing feels safer than a Toyota.

In this case that Toyota is the Camry, which has been a go-to car for the better part of the last two decades and is a brand unto itself. People shop for a Camry, not a midsize car. This remains true to this day, despite Toyota’s recent checkered past.

The ">2013 Toyota Camry is a car that sells itself. Few if any gimmicks are necessary to attract consumers. Every time I get to spend time with one, I immerse myself in the mindset of a typical owner and immediately understand: This is a good car.


What is a Toyota Camry?
The 2013 Camry is Toyota’s superstar, behind the bestselling car of all time; the Corolla. The midsize Camry is the pride of Toyota Manufacturing Kentucky, in Georgetown, and one of the strongest contenders in the most important segment in North America.

The Toyota Camry is fresh from a 2012 overhaul that infused character into its styling. Introduced in 1982, the Camry has found over 16 million buyers and has consistently been regarded as a best pick by numerous specialized media outlets.

The 2013 Toyota Camry LE is one of the strongest contenders in the most important segment in North America. (Photo: Toyota)
Technicalities
The 2013 Toyota Camry can be delivered with one of two engines: The base is a 2.5L 4-cylinder and the other a 3.5L V6. The 4-pot generates 178 hp while the slowly-going-out-of-style V6 puts out 268 hp. A 6-speed autobox is standard across the board.

The as-tested base 2013 Toyota Camry LE goes for $23,700. The chart-topping XLE V6 sports a $34,275 sticker price.

The base version comes with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that generates 178 hp. (Photo: Toyota)
Driving the Toyota Camry
Yes, there is much to say about driving a Camry. In fact, I really enjoyed every minute I spent with the car. Auto123.com staff repeatedly checked my vitals every time I raved about the Camry’s drive.

The 2013 Toyota Camry is supremely comfortable, far more so than its sub-$24k price should allow. Don’t get me wrong, comfortable need not equal float-y and boring. The Camry will lean slightly into a corner, but its P205/65R16 all season tires grip to the road. This is a direct result of the well-calibrated independent suspension.

The 2.5L powerplant is more than sufficient. The transmission is no slouch and matches the inline-4 punch for punch with determined gear holding and strong shifts at the right time. Truly, I was more than happy with this duo’s performance. By week’s end, the Camry siphoned fewer than 8L per 100 km.

Although I was very content with the brakes’ prowess, I was less than pleased with the 2013 Toyota Camry’s vague and inconsistent steering. This aspect of the drive was the only one that faithfully reminded me I was driving a Camry.

The 2013 Toyota Camry is supremely comfortable, far more so than its sub-$24k price should allow. (Photo: Toyota)
Inside and out of the Toyota Camry
The 2013 Toyota Camry’s styling is in with the times, but I will not say that it’s attractive. It has some redeeming qualities, but when draped in Champagne Mica (aka beige) with 16” hubcaps, it’s not what one would call “dynamic.”

When matched to a Honda Accord and Kia Optima, the Camry looks its median buyer’s age and that’s a shame; while I had it, a pair of women in their late-70s were its biggest fans and admirers.

This Camry’s cabin suffers from the same shortcomings as all other recently tested Toyotas. The materials are hard and look cheaper than they actually are because of their awful texture.

The remainder of the interior is well conceived. The ergonomics are simple and the standard 6.1” touchscreen display is a breeze to use. I would suggest Toyota Canada revise their selecting a backup camera as standard over heated seats; seems a little backwards to me.

All seating positions are cosy; the rear bench is wide and will take three adults across, when needed. My sole gripe with the driving position is the width of the center-stack. The base, which meets up with the console, protrudes and made contact with my right knee. The trunk is large.

This Camry’s cabin suffers from the same shortcomings as all other recently tested Toyotas. The materials are hard and look cheaper than they actually are because of their awful texture. (Photo: Toyota)
Comparing the Toyota Camry
The 2013 Toyota Camry is a winner. Although a compelling car for senior citizens, it still holds many good points that make it a fine pick, regardless of the buyer’s age. Then again, the Camry name has long been associated with “old” people. The joke’s on us younger folks as we’ll eventually get older and all end up in a Camry at some point...

In the meantime, the Accord, Optima, Ford Fusion or Volkswagen Passat are all great alternatives. Get them while we’re young!

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2013 Toyota Avalon Limited Review

Reborn, but not
Flagship cars are just that: a company’s shining star, the one every other model looks up to. Flagships are generally large saloons, built for comfortable cruising and packed with luxurious amenities. They are, after all, the best the company has to offer.

Well, Toyota’s flagship has been “reborn” this year, according to them. While I was excited to see this rebirth of the Avalon, I can’t say I was immediately taken with the results. As is common with Toyota products these days, the outside pleases, while the interior and drive came up short.


What is a Toyota Avalon?
The Toyota Avalon is a North American model, although it did spend a bit of time in Australia and the Middle East as well. First introduced in 1994, Toyota’s full-size sedan was a brand new model for the company, at the time.

With two bench seats, the ’95 Avalon offered up seating for six and a 3.0L V6 good for 192 horsepower. It was a long, large vehicle made for highway cruising and comfortable, long drives. And the Toyota Avalon only increased in size in the coming years and model generations, and eventually dropped the front bench feature in 2005. Still considered a flagship vehicle, the ’13 model is every bit as large and “luxurious” as the original model was intended to be, it’s just in a prettier package now.

Still considered a flagship vehicle, the ’13 model is every bit as large and “luxurious” as the original model was intended to be, it’s just in a prettier package now. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)
Technicalities
The 2013 Toyota Avalon is available in two trim levels: XLE and Limited. A base XLE starts at $36,800 which is reasonable considering its amenities. However, once you get into the Limited area (which has a Premium option package) you’re brushing the low-$40k zone with the Premium Package selected, and that’s where Toyota loses me -- but I’ll get into that in a moment.

Both 2013 Toyota Avalon models are equipped with the same 3.5L 6-cylinder engine good for 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. The front wheels handle all the power managed via a 6-speed automatic Super Electronically Controlled Transmission (Super ECT).

The 2013 Toyota Avalon is available in two trim levels: XLE and Limited. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)
Driving the Toyota Avalon
There’s no denying that the 2013 Toyota Avalon is a cruiser. It’s not meant for fast, sporty driving, but don’t be fooled; it can handle a corner or two. Thanks to a suspension that I found too stiff for comfort at times, the Avalon can hold its own when asked to. But make no mistake, this is still a heavy, lazy kind of car that is happier locked into cruise control on the highway.

The 3.5L V6 wasn’t as thirsty as I thought it would be either, and I managed a decent 10L/100km throughout my week and 700km behind the wheel. I even popped it into “Sport” mode every now and then, which just made the throttle response slightly peppier and the revs hold longer.

The 3.5L V6 wasn’t as thirsty as I thought it would be. I even popped it into “Sport” mode every now and then, which just made the throttle response slightly peppier and the revs hold longer. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)
Inside and Out the Toyota Avalon
As I mentioned before, the exterior of the 2013 Toyota Avalon is well done. I’m not entirely taken with the gaping, chrome-lined lower grille (reminds me a bit too much of Mazda’s insane-asylum look), but the elongated, modular headlights that are echoed in the taillights have just the right amount of sophistication and design to them. This is a handsome vehicle.

Inside, it’s much the same: We’ve been a bit harsh on Toyota’s interior ergonomics as of late (the Sienna comes to mind), but they got it a bit more “right” in the 2013 Avalon and RAV4. With a centre console that’s actually visible in the sunlight and dials I can reach as a driver, interacting with the HMI and HVAC settings was a breeze.

Where the interior fell short was in something that should have been a bonus: the rear sunshade. Part of the Premium Package, I was excited to use It as the summer months are upon us and my 17-month-old rides in the back. Stupidly, I assumed that a rear windscreen sunshade meant the rear passenger doors also had sunshades. They did not. And the rear shade in the back window was rather ill-conceived, not quite reaching the top of the window with support arms far enough into the screen material that they were distracting.

With a centre console that’s actually visible in the sunlight and dials I can reach as a driver, interacting with the HMI and HVAC settings was a breeze. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)
Comparing the Toyota Avalon
Here’s where I get a bit down on the Toyota Avalon: For $350 less you can bring home a Lexus ES 350 (with a Premium Package), that will get you the same engine and a more upscale interior, plus the status symbol on the hood. Given that choice, I’m not sure I’d spring for the Avalon.

Outside its own company, the 2013 Toyota Avalon stacks up against the likes of the Hyundai Genesis and new Chevrolet Impala, both worthy adversaries offering much in the way of drivability and amenities.

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