Predictably, the brand new Venza drives very similar to the final RAV4 Hybrid we examined. Sharing the identical drivetrain and platform tends to try this. This is not to say that the 2 are similar. With the Venza, Toyota has added extra sound-deadening supplies, enhancing certainly one of our most vital gripes with the RAV4 Hybrid, its highway noise. On the freeway, the Venza feels significantly quieter than its extra mainstream sibling. We might by no means name it sporty however because of MacPherson entrance and multi-link rear suspension, the Venza hugs the highway admirably utilizing a mixture of on-demand all-wheel-drive and Lively Cornering Help, which makes use of stability management to cut back understeer. This suspension setup additionally helps the Venza journey easily over tough roads with out bouncing round or disrupting the peace.
Drivers can choose from Eco, Regular, and Sport modes, which do little greater than modify the throttle mapping. In most situations, the Venza leaves silently from a cease earlier than participating the engine, making a near-seamless transition from electrical to gasoline propulsion. You will not have the ability to really feel the engine kick on however you will definitely hear it when you want to stand up to hurry in a rush. Toyota’s eCVT tends to create some lower than unique sounds from the gasoline engine however we discovered that should you drive the Venza like an affordable individual, the engine stays largely quiet. As we talked about, slightly extra energy within the Venza would have been welcomed however Toyota clients doubtless choose improved gasoline economic system over grunt. The Venza does extra to straddle the road between a Toyota and Lexus product than some other mannequin within the lineup and it ought to make you suppose twice about buying an NX Hybrid.
