2011 Toyota Venza

A wagon-shaped crossover that rides better than most SUVs and loads like one.

Price: $13,495
Odometer: 92,000 mi
Body: Crossover
Combined: 23 mpg

Call 516-785-9378 Ask about this vehicle

Availability, equipment, and pricing change. Confirm this vehicle by phone before traveling to Wantagh.

What this vehicle is

A comfort-first buyer who wants crossover practicality without SUV ride harshness.

The Venza is an unusual vehicle and an underrated used buy. Toyota built it on Camry underpinnings, gave it a long wheelbase and a low load floor, and never quite convinced the market it was an SUV. The result for a used buyer today is a quiet, comfortable, mechanically conventional Toyota with far more rear-seat room than its footprint suggests, usually at a lower price than a same-year RAV4.

Camry mechanicals mean Camry running costs, with one exception. The four-cylinder returns low 20s combined and the six-speed automatic is conventional and durable. The exception is tires: upper trims wear 20-inch wheels, and a set for those costs noticeably more than for a RAV4 of the same year.

Specifications

The numbers on this Toyota Venza

Odometer and body style are specific to this vehicle. Engine, drivetrain, and transmission are the configurations offered for this model year; confirm the exact build with us before you decide.

Body style: Crossover
Odometer: 92,000 miles
Generation: First generation, 2009-2015
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive
Engines offered: 2.7L inline-four (about 182 hp) or 3.5L V6 (about 268 hp)
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Seating: 5 passengers
Doors: 4
Fuel: Gasoline
EPA estimate: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg (2.7L four-cylinder, front-wheel drive)

Why people choose it

What this model does well

Strengths that belong to the model itself, not to this individual car.

01Camry-based mechanicals with a six-speed automatic, so there is no CVT to worry about
02Rear seat legroom is exceptional, and the seats recline
03Low cargo floor makes loading far easier than a tall SUV
04Quiet, absorbent ride on rough pavement

Before you buy

What to check on this model

Items specific to the first generation Venza, worth raising on a test drive rather than discovering later.

Read the full inspection checklist

✓The large-diameter wheels on upper trims mean tires are more expensive to replace than on a RAV4
✓Check the power liftgate, if fitted, through a full open and close cycle
✓Inspect for water intrusion in the spare-tire well, which points to a leaking taillight seal
✓Confirm the all-wheel-drive system, if fitted, is free of warning lights

Useful answers

Questions about this Toyota Venza

Is the Venza an SUV or a wagon?

Toyota marketed it as a crossover and it sits between the two. It has the raised seating position and cargo opening of a crossover on the platform, ride, and quietness of a Camry. That combination is exactly why it is worth considering used and also why it never sold in large numbers.

Should I choose the four-cylinder or the V6?

The 2.7L four-cylinder is adequate for normal driving and returns better fuel economy. The 3.5L V6 is considerably quicker and is the better choice if you tow or regularly carry a full load. Both use the same six-speed automatic, so neither introduces a different long-term risk.

Why are Venza tires more expensive?

The upper trims came with 20-inch wheels and low-profile tires, which cost more to replace than the 17s on most crossovers and which give a firmer ride over broken pavement. It is worth checking what size is on this specific vehicle and what tread is left, because it is a real near-term cost.

Is the 2011 Toyota Venza still available, and what does it cost?

The listed price of $13,495 and this vehicle’s availability are both confirmed by phone, because used inventory turns over and a page cannot keep up with a lot. Call 516-785-9378 before making the trip to Wantagh.