2013 Toyota Venza: Impressive Safety Features

Caption: 2013 Toyota Venza. (Courtesy of Toyota)

The 2013 Toyota Venza is designed with sophisticated lines and serious versatility, with four doors, a rear lift gate, and handsome interior. 

Venza gives you three model grades, each with a mix of 4-cylinder or V-6 engine, and front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive choices.

My Venza had a 2.7-L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with Dual VVT-I, coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i) and sequential shift mode, riding on beautiful 19” alloy wheels and commanded by electric power steering. 

This engine provides 181 hp at 5,800 rpm and 182 lb-ft torque at 4,200 rpm. If you want a little more power, the V-6 Venza with front-wheel-drive accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 6.7 seconds.

Safety Features

The 2013 Venza offers numerous standard safety features, five of which are worth particular attention. 

The front and rear energy-absorbing crumple zones and a collapsible steering column are designed to help dissipate impact forces in a collision and provide possible life saving protection for the occupants.

The Smart Stopping Technology (SST) is a great standard safety feature. At speeds greater than five mph, when the accelerator is depressed first and the brakes are then applied firmly for longer than one-half second, SST is designed to bring the vehicle to a stop. In other words, the brakes will override the throttle if Venza senses a firm braking is applied after the throttle. 

The Venza is quick to take the lead, having especially fast acceleration for passing needs.

The opposite is not true so you can still start the vehicle on a steep hill and apply gas while the brake pedal is down. SST provides that extra safety measure which gives you the peace of mind that the vehicle will come to a stop when you want it to, regardless of the gas pedal. 

Advanced seatbelts and active front headrests are two safety features that help restrict movement of the driver and passenger during a collision. The seatbelt features a pretensioner with force limits, along with adjustable shoulder anchors. The headrests support the occupant’s heads during certain lower-speed rear-end collision. 

Venza also has something called a LATCH (Lower anchors and tethers for children) which includes anchors and tethers on each outboard rear seat—perfect when toting my grandkids around. 

Inside, Venza has 60/40 split, one touch fold-out rear seats with center armrest, plus illuminated cup holders and rear seat reading lamp. For the driver and front seat passenger, there is a center console with sliding cover and armrest, dual storage compartment, iPod/MP3 player holder with wire management features, two 12V auxiliary power outlets, and rear-seat vents. 

Pricing, Exterior Features

The LE is the least expensive of the three models. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $27,700. An additional $2,800 will add the LE Preferred Package which includes backup camera, panoramic glass roof with first power tilt/slide moonroof, and satellite radio among many over package features. 

Bluetooth wirelesses with voice recognition are included as well, but I had some difficulty getting the proper connectors to work. However, the vehicle information was a real asset. 

The Venza LE is beautiful and practical on the outside. Projector-style halogen lamps with auto on/off enhance one’s ability to see at a further distance and greatly expands peripheral visibility. Daytime running lights and integrated fog lights, color-keyed outside door handles and chrome-tipped exhaust enhances the sporty looks even more. 

Venza is standard-equipped with color-keyed power outside mirrors with convex blind spot mirror, turn signal indicators, puddle lights, and folding features. Higher models add reverse tilt-down and memory features. 

Venza comes in eight stylish exterior colors such as Blizzard Pearl and Barcelona Red Metallic. The LE has three fabric colors: black, light gray, and ivory, while the XLE and Limited models come in the same colors in leather trim. 

On the road, the Venza is quick to take the lead, having especially fast acceleration for passing needs. I averaged nearly 23 mpg between town and highway. Toyota must improve this if they hope to remain competitive. And although the car cornered well and was comfortable, cabin noise was distracting

Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or dcaussey@ssbcglobal.net

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