Consumer Reports & the Venza

[AIH]

The L.A. Times reported yesterday that Consumer Reports rated the V6 Venza as one of the most reliable vehicles in the station wagon category.

Why only the V6? What about the 4 Cyl. version?

Anyways, high-fives all around!

[arabianobsession]

I'm not sure if they've worked out the bugs in the 4cyl. yet. The 3.5 V6 has been around since (I think???) 2007, and the 4 cyl. (2.7) is a newer engine, came out in '09, and is shared with the Highlander.

Just my 2 cents worth theory

[schmidtj]

Personally I'm done with 4 cyl full size automobiles. If for no other reason they sound like they are straining under the same conditions the V6's are just loafing. Passing, climbing hills, or worst of all passing while climbing hills ... no more I4's for me. I have to believe a engine that has to strain won't be as reliable as one that doesn't all other things being equal.

[CrazyBiker]

^ Doesn't make sense to me.

[arabianobsession]

Sure it does. Ever seen full size trucks with a V6? People buy them as work trucks cause they're cheap and can't figure out why it struggles to get up a hill either fully loaded or pulling a trailer. Plus, because it's struggling so much, it gets abysmal gas mileage.

[RLW001]

I remember we drove a 4cyl Venza first and it was OK, but the V6 was so smooth and powerful. I don't regret buying the V6 at all.

[Danno09]

Originally Posted by CrazyBiker

^ Doesn't make sense to me.

An engine that operates at 25 - 50% of rated power will always be quieter and last longer than an engine operated at 40 - 80% of rated power, all things equal.

[c3 rolling]

I think it was JD power that rated the v6 as "good" and i4 as "very good" when it came to reliability in the venza. Let me look around for that site. Either way both ratings are good. Averaging 25 mpg @ 26k miles and the i4 has enough power and never appears to be struggling. When I had 5 people in the car with luggage going up a mountain was the only time i wished I got the V6.. haha

[Wyovenza]

We just returned from a 2500 mile trip across Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California. Up and down mountains, through heavy snow, waiting for closed Interstates to open, our I4 never gave us any reason to wish for a V6. It seems the critics of the Venza I4 are always V6 owners and are in one of two groups. #1 group "we drove an I4 on a test drive and bought the V6" or #2 group "I owned a 4 clyinder before and I don't want another one." I am not sure why V6 owners seem so compelled to find so much fault with an engine they have NO experience with. By experience I mean driving an I4 Venza more than a few miles in a test drive. I am 65 years old, I have driven just about everything from farm trucks to John Deere tractors, stick shift Hudsons to light pickups pulling heavy trailers, tilt bed trucks hauling backhoes to Honda Preludes. I know what torque is, how to read a Tach and what horsepower is. I chose an I4 2009 Toyota Venza, one year and 12,000 miles ago, we do not live in a low altitude, flat country. We find it totally adequate for our needs and I assure you I do not drive like a old snail. I promise I will not ever be a critic of the V6, basically because------- I have only driven one on a test drive. Wyovenza

[samej]

Originally Posted by Wyovenza

We just returned from a 2500 mile trip across Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California. Up and down mountains, through heavy snow, waiting for closed Interstates to open, our I4 never gave us any reason to wish for a V6. It seems the critics of the Venza I4 are always V6 owners and are in one of two groups. #1 group "we drove an I4 on a test drive and bought the V6" or #2 group "I owned a 4 clyinder before and I don't want another one." I am not sure why V6 owners seem so compelled to find so much fault with an engine they have NO experience with. By experience I mean driving an I4 Venza more than a few miles in a test drive. I am 65 years old, I have driven just about everything from farm trucks to John Deere tractors, stick shift Hudsons to light pickups pulling heavy trailers, tilt bed trucks hauling backhoes to Honda Preludes. I know what torque is, how to read a Tach and what horsepower is. I chose an I4 2009 Toyota Venza, one year and 12,000 miles ago, we do not live in a low altitude, flat country. We find it totally adequate for our needs and I assure you I do not drive like a old snail. I promise I will not ever be a critic of the V6, basically because------- I have only driven one on a test drive. Wyovenza

+1 with that. My other car is a 300 hp geman sport sedan and I have no issues with our I4 Venza. Sure I need to do some mental adjustments with things like on ramp merges and 2 lane passing, but it's fun to wring the max out of the I4 in those situations

[c3 rolling]

My co worker owns the v6 Venza and we went on a trip up to big bear mountain in So Cal. I got to drive his car on the way up and I agree that is a smooth powerful engine. Its quieter at idle (standing outside) and significantly faster on acceleration. Only gripe was that it down shifts way too much, especially up hill which really takes away from the power advantage. Toyota should have given the V6 better gearing and shift points. Either way, the Venza is not a sports car and only should have adequate power to commute without struggling and at the same time offer good MPG. Whether it comes from an i-4 or v6 to each his own.

[Wyovenza]

Originally Posted by c3 rolling

My co worker owns the v6 Venza and we went on a trip up to big bear mountain in So Cal. I got to drive his car on the way up and I agree that is a smooth powerful engine. Its quieter at idle (standing outside) and significantly faster on acceleration. Only gripe was that it down shifts way too much, especially up hill which really takes away from the power advantage. Toyota should have given the V6 better gearing and shift points. Either way, the Venza is not a sports car and only should have adequate power to commute without struggling and at the same time offer good MPG. Whether it comes from an i-4 or v6 to each his own.

I think you would find the "Questions on the Tranny S Mode " thread on this forum very interesting and informative. Your shifting problems are addressed in that thread. Be sure to read all the posts. Wyovenza

[Throck]

Originally Posted by c3 rolling

My co worker owns the v6 Venza and we went on a trip up to big bear mountain in So Cal. I got to drive his car on the way up and I agree that is a smooth powerful engine. Its quieter at idle (standing outside) and significantly faster on acceleration. Only gripe was that it down shifts way too much, especially up hill which really takes away from the power advantage. Toyota should have given the V6 better gearing and shift points. Either way, the Venza is not a sports car and only should have adequate power to commute without struggling and at the same time offer good MPG. Whether it comes from an i-4 or v6 to each his own.

This has been my experience with the V6 venza as well. In northern Alabama (rolling hills, not mountains) I drove to Huntsville twice this past week - a distance of 65 miles one way. I kept track of the downshifting (gear searching) on that 65 mile trip with both cars. On Wednesday, I drove a 2000 4 cyl honda accord on this trip and it downshifted 3 times. On Saturday, I drove the 2010 V6 venza on this trip and it shifted 23 times - 4 of those times it shifted not to just 5th, but to 4th gear. On flat roads it's fine. Getting onto the interstate is great. But the slightest pull and it shifts.

[Danno09]

Originally Posted by Throck

This has been my experience with the V6 venza as well. In northern Alabama (rolling hills, not mountains) I drove to Huntsville twice this past week - a distance of 65 miles one way. I kept track of the downshifting (gear searching) on that 65 mile trip with both cars. On Wednesday, I drove a 2000 4 cyl honda accord on this trip and it downshifted 3 times. On Saturday, I drove the 2010 V6 venza on this trip and it shifted 23 times - 4 of those times it shifted not to just 5th, but to 4th gear. On flat roads it's fine. Getting onto the interstate is great. But the slightest pull and it shifts.

A few thoughts that may shed some light.

At highway speeds, what RPM was the Honda pulling vs. the Venza?
If the Honda was 500 RPM more as I suspect, the Honda was much higher up the power curve all the way on the trip vs. the minimal time the Venza was doing 2500 RPM when it downshifted.
What does the Honda weigh vs. the Venza?
Probably 700 lbs more for the Venza which makes a significant difference pulling up a hill.
What frontal area does the Venza have vs the Accord?
Probably 50% more - which makes a huge difference at highway speeds.

A better comparison (obviously) would be with a 4 cyl vs V6 Venza on the same trip.

[Wyovenza]

[QUOTE=Danno09;3405038]A few thoughts that may shed some light.

At highway speeds, what RPM was the Honda pulling vs. the Venza?
If the Honda was 500 RPM more as I suspect, the Honda was much higher up the power curve all the way on the trip vs. the minimal time the Venza was doing 2500 RPM when it downshifted.
What does the Honda weigh vs. the Venza?
Probably 700 lbs more for the Venza which makes a significant difference pulling up a hill.
What frontal area does the Venza have vs the Accord?
Probably 50% more - which makes a huge difference at highway speeds.

A better comparison (obviously) would be with a 4 cyl vs V6 Venza on the same trip.[/QUOTe

I think the Honda Accord has a 5- speed transmission as opposed to your Venza 6 speed transmission which by your account was mostly downshifting to 5th. I believe mountains and grades is exactly what the "S" mode in the Venza transmission is for. I might draw your attention to the thread on this forum. "Questions on the Tranny S-Mode" Try it you will like it. Wyovenza