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Toyota is known for making reliable vehicles. You can find plenty of used cars from the brand on the market that will last and suit your needs quite easily. One midsize SUV, the Venza, offers plenty of value. Which three models can you get for under $15,000 that will provide reliability as well as affordability?

However, it’s important to note that regardless of how reliable a vehicle’s score is, you should always obtain a history report on the car and have a mechanical inspection before purchasing the vehicle you’re interested in.

1. 2009 Toyota Venza

The first model to consider is the 2009 version of the Toyota Venza, which was the year it was introduced into the market. According to U.S. News, it landed in the midsize SUV category but handled more like a car. A 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine powers it up, producing 182 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque. On all-wheel drive models, you get a 3.5-liter V6, which generates 268 hp and 246 lb-ft of torque. 

As for fuel economy, you can expect 21 mpg when traveling on city roads and 29 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel drive versions. The AWD models can get 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. Regarding cargo space, you get 30.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a total of 70.1 cubic feet when you fold them down. 

If you’re interested in its reliability ratings, J.D. Power reports that the 2009 Toyota Venza rates 84 out of 100 points according to the data the publication analyzed. If you pick one of these versions, you can expect to pay anywhere from $9,694 to $12,375, depending on the condition and mileage of the vehicle.

2. 2010 Toyota Venza 

Critics weren’t pleased with how this model drove, but the editors were impressed with its fuel economy, upscale interior, handling, and overall looks. Underneath the hood of the 2010 Toyota Venza is the same engine as the 2009 model, which also gets the same fuel economy ratings.

This version offers dual-zone air conditioning, brake assist, and electronic stability control. As for crash testing, it received “Good” ratings on moderate overlap front, rear crash protection, and side impact tests from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). 

As for reliability, J.D. Power was impressed with this model as much as the 2009 version because it received 85 points out of 100. When it comes to price, you might find yourselves paying around $10,379 to $12,024.

3. 2011 Toyota Venza

Not much changed with the 2011 Toyota Venza; it still sports the same engine choices as the previous models mentioned here. However, fuel economy ratings dropped slightly for the front-wheel drive versions, getting 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Safety scores continued to be favorable with IIHS, which added a “Good” rating for roof strength to the same list of tests on its previous versions. 

Critics liked this model due to its accessibility, comfortable seating, and acceleration performance of the V6 version. On a 0 to 60 mph run, the V6 Venza clocked a 6.9-second time, while its four-cylinder ran it in 9.3 seconds. Other features include keyless entry, satellite radio, steering wheel controls, and wireless cell phone hookup, to name a few. 

As for price, you can expect to pay about $11,282 to $13,909. Not bad for a midsize SUV with a reliability and quality score from J.D. Power of 84 points out of 100. 

So, if you’re looking for reliable Toyota Venza models under $15,000, the Toyota Venza is one to seriously consider looking into. Its 2009, 2010, and 2011 versions offer the best bang for your buck in its category.

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