[irongirl67]

I am thinking about buying a VENZA, but since I am fairly athletic and travel with my bike, running shoes, dirty clothes and bags, and I was curious if there are ways to 'ruggedize' the VENZA so I don't land up ruining the interior ?

Thanks!!

 

[arabianobsession]

I know Weather tech makes an all-weather cargo mat as well as all weather floor mats. They run around $100. That way, you can set it on top of the regular cargo mat and since it's rubber/plastic, it's easy to clean.

You might also want to look at the many options of bike racks available for the Venza, so you wouldn't have to keep the bike inside your vehicle. They are usually around the $200-$550 mark.

 

[AIH]

Cheap (and not so cheap) solutions

You can turn the rear mat over if you want to keep it clean -- or just take it out completely.

We added a Curt 2" trailer hitch to our Venza and bought a Yakima "Swing Daddy" bike rack to go in it. We had to learn how to mount our bikes on the rack at first (we almost lost one several times ), but we've got it worked out now. If you go this route, add a few stick-on rubber bumpers to the car side of the rack's mast. That way if you forget and open the rear hatch while the rack is blocking it, you won't scratch your paint.

 

[gurneyeagle]

I specifically bought my Venza because of all the cycling and camping I do.

With leather seats, Weathertech all-season mats, a cargo area mat, a Valley 2" trailer hitch (easiest to install - simply bolts in without removing the muffler hangers : http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2010_Toyota_Venza.htm?style=&furl=-hs-2_Inch_Hitch-pm-Valley) and a bike rack, I'm good to go.

Good luck.