Toyota brought the Venza SUV back to the market in 2021 and has continued to improve it since then. After taking the 2023 Toyota Venza Limited around town for a week, there were a few highlights worth mentioning. The Toyota Venza fuel economy was one of the biggest surprises but in a good way. Beyond that, this well-rounded hybrid SUV has a captivating interior and plenty of reasons to be a standout option in the lineup.

What is the 2023 Toyota Venza fuel economy?

The 2023 Toyota Venza fuel economy is 40 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway for all trim levels. Our test vehicle was the Venza Limited, but you don’t need the top trim level to reap the benefits of the hybrid system. Toyota’s 2.5L four-cylinder engine is paired with a standard hybrid powertrain for 219 net horsepower. All trim levels also receive electronic on-demand all-wheel drive. Pricing ranges from $34,620 for the base model and up to $42,765 for the Limited. Our test vehicle was $45,762, with the addition of the panoramic roof and cargo mats.

After driving around town for a few days, the Toyota Venza fuel economy was equal to or better than promised. Most of the driving was city driving, and 41 mpg wasn’t uncommon. The different driving modes were helpful while driving on the highway part of the test route.

The 2023 Venza is equipped with four drive modes: Sport, Eco, Normal, and EV. Switching into Sport mode helped the SUV get up to highway speed while in traffic. Normal mode was fine in other scenarios where traffic wasn’t as heavy. If I were commuting to work every day, Eco or EV mode would probably be the most frequently used.

How is the 2023 Toyota Venza interior?

The 2023 Toyota Venza interior uses high-quality materials throughout the cabin. Even though this is not considered a luxury vehicle, the Venza interior feels premium without the added cost. Our test Venza had the Coastal Gray Metallic exterior and Sof-Tex trimmed seats. Since this is the fully-loaded 2023 Venza, some lower trim levels have fabric seats.

Toyota nailed the rest of the interior, too. All of the materials look nice and feel quality. Our test vehicle had more than 5,000 miles but looked brand new. There were no scratches on the center console, and the touchscreen showed fewer fingerprints than some of the other vehicles we have recently tested. Some people ignore the Venza for the similar Toyota RAV4, but it deserves some attention and recognition.

The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster was clear and responsive. Having the speed limit information on here and the optional Head-Up Display is quite a valuable feature. The infotainment system was also responsive, and wireless Apple CarPlay worked well. Trust me when I say that this is not always the case. Overall, the Toyota Venza interior is impressive, just like its fuel economy numbers.

Is the 2023 Toyota Venza quiet?

All that sounds great, but what’s it like to drive the hybrid Venza SUV? The Toyota Venza is extremely quiet when you start it up, which isn’t surprising. However, it is so smooth I checked if it was actually turned on a few times. Hybrid and electric vehicles are always quiet, but the Venza was exceptionally so.

The cabin of the Venza was also quiet, with the windows providing a barrier from the outside world. It would be a suitable vehicle for taking phone calls on the road or driving sleeping children around. The electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT) also aided the silence. For those who like to drive deep in thought, this Toyota is like a quiet room on wheels.

Even though the Toyota Venza fuel economy is noteworthy, there are many layers that make this SUV a great choice. If you like the RAV4 and 4Runner but aren’t sold on either option, get behind the wheel of the Venza for a few. It might not be more popular by sales numbers, but it might sell you on the driving experience.