Don’t forget about the Toyota Venza hybrid. It’s an excellent SUV for daily commuting. It seems to be stuck on the back burner, but the 2023 Toyota Venza Nightshade Edition might change things. See the new main course.

The 2023 Toyota Venza Nightshade Edition spices things up 

We can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the 2023 Toyota Venza Nightshade Edition. The Venza has a dark new look that’s sleek and confident. In fact, the Venza seems like a suitable SUV for Batman now. 

The Venza Nightshade has an acrylic front grille trim that matches lower bumpers in the front and rear with smoked chrome moldings. You’ll notice gloss black trim on the side mirror caps, rocker panels, sharkfin antenna, door handles, and roof rails. 

Plus, the Nightshade Edition rides on 19-inch gloss black wheels. There are darkened badges and shady interior trim pieces to complete the look. The Venza Nightshade is available in shades of Wind Chill Pearl, Ruby Flare Red, and Celestial Black. 

According to AutoBlog, pricing for the Venza Nightshade hasn’t been released. However, it could range between the $36,775 Venza XLE and $40,739 Limited trims. 

2023 Venza: What’s new? 

Aside from adding the Nightshade Edition, the 2023 Toyota Venza gained more standard features. We’re excited because the Toyota Star Gaze panoramic roof will be available at a slightly lower price. 

It’s now available with the Nightshade trim, but it was only offered with the top-spec Limited trim before. The panoramic roof consists of electrochromic glass that allows occupants to change it from transparent to frosted. 

Each Venza now comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite of driver aids. So, you will get enhanced pre-collision sense with pedestrian and vehicle detection at intersections during turns. 

The forward collision avoidance system consists of audible warnings, emergency braking, and steering assistance. You also get adaptive cruise control, lane tracing, road sign recognition, rear seat reminders, and automatic high beams. 

Standard safety features include blind-spot warning, automatic rear braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. The XLE, Nightshade, and Limited trims gain standard LED fog lamps. 

How much power does the Toyota Venza have? 

The 2023 Toyota Venza is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with three electric motors and a lithium-ion battery to crank out 219 hp and 176 hp. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.6 seconds, which is average for the class. 

While the Venza comes with standard AWD, it isn’t rated for towing. It doesn’t have trailer sway control like the Toyota RAV4. The Venza gets an EPA-estimated 40 mpg in the city and up to 37 mpg on the highway. 

The Toyota Venza provides a smooth ride and is well insulated against wind and road noise. It has a peppy acceleration and feels confident around curves, but it could be sportier. It’s crafted for comfort and ease. 

Hopefully, the Nightshade Edition will help the Venza gain some edge. It feels a bit underrated, which could be due to its average nature. But it definitely deserves a second look.