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Venza is often a slow mover on the lots since the factory tends to push fully loaded ones on the dealers. Base and mid models are harder to find, but they keep a few in inventory to keep the advertisements showing "low" prices for the model. This is common. Almost everyone does it.
If you have to drive in bad weather, get the Subaru.
Otherwise the Venza is a fine car. Toyotas are probably the best car for the money.
Those two models (4 runner and land/fj cruiser) are built with off road prowess in mind. The will have high floors and long suspension travel so they can clear rocks and have better approach and departure angles.
The Venza and Highlander are car based crossovers and should be built with lower floors and have more room so they have no excuse if they feel cramped on the inside too.
I'm quite a bit experienced with these cars as I teach off road driving with Toyotas and also frequently use all the new models in manufacturer programs in dynamic comparisons. I also used SUV toyotas at a certain winter school.
I've not measured specifically the older 4 runners angles, but I don't find the approach, break over and departure angles to be advantage over similar vehicles. In fact on our 4 runners we took the rear bumper and assembly off to both help with the departure angle but also so we could weld one straight bar across with a hitch to fit a winch or plug in a snatch strap.
I dunno, I'm 6'2 and weight 200+ lbs, I fit just fine behind the wheel of a Venza. And on that tip, I thought the interior was wicked nice:
It wasn't a knock on the overall size, just that the exterior dimensions give the impression of a larger vehicle. It's more of a design thing and not necessarily a critique of the actual space in the vehicle. I'm 6'4" and no one would accuse me of being thin () and I fit just fine in most of them. They just seem bigger than they actually are from the outside.
I'm quite a bit experienced with these cars as I teach off road driving with Toyotas and also frequently use all the new models in manufacturer programs in dynamic comparisons. I also used SUV toyotas at a certain winter school.
I've not measured specifically the older 4 runners angles, but I don't find the approach, break over and departure angles to be advantage over similar vehicles. In fact on our 4 runners we took the rear bumper and assembly off to both help with the departure angle but also so we could weld one straight bar across with a hitch to fit a winch or plug in a snatch strap.
I never said that Toyotas are better then other makes at off roading, I just said that for instance a 4runner is a better choice then a Venza for someone who needs an SUV with better then average offroad capability and is hellbent on owning a Toyota. I'm sure there are several vehicles available that do a better job then both at going off road.
I would put a Kia Sportage EX on your list if a 4 banger 200HP is OK. If you have $30k, I would get the SX with 275HP and 0-60 in 6.1 seconds
You get a lot of car in the Kia EX for ~$27k.....heated/cooled seats, locking diff, hill decsent, navigation, panaramic sunroof, bluetooth, sirius, keyless ignition, etc.
Nope. We have a 2014 though and it's only got 4k miles on it. However I don't recall seeing oxygen sensors being an issue from my research before we purchased it. I do remember something about a rattle in the steering column but that was about it.
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) and I fit just fine in most of them. They just seem bigger than they actually are from the outside.
