Could you spend six years without something that you love? No one wants to have that feeling, but that’s precisely what happened with the Toyota Venza. After six years away from the market, the Venza name has returned to give us a brand new look, upgraded technology, improved materials, and something that wasn’t part of the original model. Let’s see what this new Toyota SUV that uses the classic name has for you.

The original Toyota Venza was a wagon

In the automotive market we live in today, the 2009 Venza would not be considered a wagon, but it was at that time. The original model was around before crossover SUVs took off and became more popular than sedans. As you look at one of the original models of this Toyota, you might not think of a wagon, but it was much lower to the ground than traditional SUVs, which caused it to be classified as a lifted wagon.

2022 offers luxury in the Venza

The Venza of today is much more luxurious than the original. Certainly, you could have leather upholstery and technology that put this SUV ahead of its time in 2009, but today’s model gives you much more. In the 2022 version, the infotainment screen is larger, 12.3 inches compared to 6.1 inches, you’ll find two-tone leather upholstery in the base model, and sharper lines give this SUV a shapely modern appearance.

Which Venza has more room inside?

Not surprisingly, the first generation of the Toyota Venza offered a more spacious cabin. The original model had 30 cubic feet behind the rear seats, while the latest model only gives you 28 cubic feet in the rear. This might be part of why so many Venza owners have held onto their SUVs during the past several years.

Powertrain differences in these two Toyota SUVs

Even though the two models wear the same name, they couldn’t be much more different under the hood. The original model of the Venza was offered with either a four or six-cylinder engine and could be had with either FWD or AWD. No matter the engine, a six-speed automatic transmission was used.

The 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine offered 182 horsepower and 182 lb.-ft. of torque. The 3.5-liter V6 gave you 268 horsepower and 246 lb.-t. of torque for the drive. Fuel mileage maxed out at 21 city/29 hwy mpg with the smaller engine with the larger power plant giving you 19 city/26 hwy mpg.

Regardless of the trim, you select, the 2022 Toyota Venza is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and three electric motors. This system is good for 219 horsepower and 149 lb.-ft. of torque. Because of the three electric motors, the modern version of the Venza is only available as an AWD version. You will enjoy impressive fuel mileage, with 40 city/37 hwy mpg.

The new Toyota Venza sits higher

If you were standing next to two versions of the Venza, one original and one modern, you would see the new version stands taller and has a sculpted body. The higher stance and modern attributes allow you to feel that the 2022 version of this SUV will take you into the future.

Toyota brought back the right name

The first generation of the Venza was popular and gave drivers everything they wanted in their vehicles, but it seemed to be a little ahead of its time. Now that crossover SUVs are more popular than any other vehicle; it only makes sense that Toyota has returned the Venza name. Making the latest version a hybrid model and adding modern qualities only enhances the appeal of the Venza.

Next, take a look at some SUVs that get great summer fuel mileage, or watch the 2023 Toyota Venza Limited SUV in the video below:

This article was updated on 8/8/2022.