Why The Toyota Venza Hybrid Deserves More Attention

Toyota is no stranger to receiving high accolades for its SUVs. Models like the RAV4 have done things that no other compact SUV has done; the Land Cruiser is one of the best overlanding companions on earth; some models of the 4Runner are unstoppable; and even newer models like the Corolla Cross are gaining traction as an everyday option.

Base Trim Engine

2.5L Inline-4 Hybrid

Base Trim Transmission

Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

219 hp

Base Trim Torque

163 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm

Fuel Economy

40/37/39 mpg

Make

Toyota

Model

Venza

Segment

Compact SUV

Infotainment & Features

8 /10

Toyota has well and truly conquered the SUV market. However, the now-discontinued Toyota Venza hybrid deserves the same recognition as other Toyota SUVs and crossovers. This mid-sized hybrid SUV is efficient, well-equipped, useful, stylish, and as reliable as you’d expect from a Toyota.

Why Hybrid SUVs Are Taking Over

You may have noticed in the last five years or so that hybrid SUVs are becoming one of the main options. Where an SUV was once needed for rugged work, most newer models are now used as everyday vehicles, far overtaking sedans and hatchbacks. And what do we want most from an everyday SUV? Low fuel costs and versatility. Most brands are now turning out an SUV with hybrid power or PHEV motivation, while still offering the space, versatility, and higher seating position of a bigger vehicle.

So now that hybrid tech has improved in larger vehicles and can actually make a difference to fuel efficiency and still offer proper power, we are getting the best of both worlds: comfort and wallet-friendliness. There is little surprise why hybrid SUVs are becoming a popular choice over naturally aspirated or just turbocharged ones.

Hybrids Can Cut Fuel Costs Without Sacrificing Power

The chief reason for choosing a hybrid is undoubtedly to lower your own fuel costs. Toyota championed the hybrid powertrain early on with models like the Prius, but now there aren’t many models by the Japanese marque, or many other brands in fact, that haven’t rolled out hybrid variations of their lineups. The good news, though, is that power isn’t always sacrificed for lower fuel costs.

If we look at the 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser, it is solely available with an i-FORCE MAX hybrid inline-four good for 326 horsepower. FuelEconomy.gov says that this lump of an SUV can achieve 23 combined mpg and will cost you approximately $2,500 a year in gas. In comparison, the last MY of the Land Cruiser in the U.S. to get a non-hybrid engine was the 2021 model; it boasts a 5.7-liter NA V8 that puts out 381 horsepower.

Horsepower is slightly higher, but it can only achieve 14 combined mpg, costing you around $3,150 a year in gas. Towing is better with the 2021 model (8,100 pounds vs. 6,000 pounds for the 2026 MY), but with far lower fuel costs, it is a small power sacrifice a lot of drivers are willing to make.

Eco-Friendly Driving Has Gone Mainstream

So-called eco-friendly driving is no longer a niche choice in the U.S. Where once big, powerful, gas-guzzling engines were a mainstay, for general drivers, this is no longer really acceptable; we want engines that deliver both power and efficiency (for the most part). Everyone is thinking more about saving money on gas; brands have listened to that, and it has become very normal to research fuel costs before signing up for a new car. It is no longer all about badge appeal and ponies.

The rise of EVs, the huge push of hybrid powertrains, and better technology mean that mainstream SUVs, sedans, and trucks can all be seen as more efficient. If there is a choice between lower fuel costs with a useful ride and slightly more horsepower but less combined mpg, we can see why a lot of drivers go for the more efficient option, and why hybrids have become such a mainstream choice.

Toyota Venza 2024: Sleek, Smart, And Surprisingly Spacious

Useful mainstream hybrid market popularity is one of the main reasons why the Toyota Venza should be high on the list of Toyota hybrid SUVs to buy. Yes, the RAV4 Hybrid may be able to achieve exceptionally high combined mpg ratings and looks good on modern roads, and the hybrid Land Cruiser can do a bit of everything on and off-road while returning decent fuel efficiency for its size and weight, but the Venza also does all of this.

There are just two generations of the Toyota Venza. The first-gen models ran from 2007 to 2015, and the second generation ran from 2020 to 2024 before being replaced by the Toyota Crown Signia. However, the second-generation, especially the Toyota Venza 2024 model year, offers a lot of well-priced luxury, a versatile build, and a lot of bang for your buck.

Interior Feels More Luxury Than Toyota, With Big Screens And Comfort

The 2024 Toyota Venza marks a clear upgrade from the previous generation, and as the final model year, it is the most refined and up-to-date you can get. Instead of a basic crossover cabin, Toyota loaded the Toyota Venza 2024 model year with soft-touch materials, available SofTex-trimmed seats, and a quiet, well-insulated interior for highway journeys.

Base models get an 8-inch touchscreen, while the higher trims of the 2024 Venza boast a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a matching 12.3-inch digital cluster, and even a 10-inch HUD, giving it a high-end feel well above its original price point. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard fare; multiple USB ports are as well, and you could originally opt for a JBL audio rig.​​​​​​​

Originally available were heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a digital rearview mirror. While it doesn’t quite step on the toes of Lexus’s levels of luxury, it did offer (and still does) more luxury features than you might expect from a model that had an original price range of between $36,000 and $45,000. You also get a generous amount of room for you and your passengers across both rows.

Standard AWD And Safety Hardware That Really Works

Every model of the second-gen 2020–2024 Venza also comes equipped with Toyota’s Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive and its clever, low-maintenance setup. Instead of a mechanical rig, the Venza utilizes a separate rear-mounted electric motor to drive the back wheels when needed.

That means fewer parts to go wrong, like driveshafts or transfer cases, resulting in less long-term wear and still good efficiency. This system can send up to 80% power to the rear when traction is needed, then revert to front-wheel drive for easy cruising, all without you having to do anything.

Beyond traction in the wet, and if you live in a snowy part of the country, the Venza boasts a robust set of safety hardware that makes it a very impressive all-rounder. It features a full suite of structural and passive safety systems, which include multiple airbags, the hardy TNGA-K platform (which is built using high-strength steel and absorbs impact well), stability control, traction control, and an electronically controlled braking system.​​​​​​​

What Makes The 2024 Toyota Venza A Hidden Gem

Why would the 2024 Toyota Venza be a good choice over models like the RAV4 today? For many, it would be a hard switch to make, but the last MY of the Venza is well-priced for its caliber and usability; it boasts a very frugal hybrid engine; it is renowned for its quiet, soft, and everyday-suited ride; and you can find used examples that are very nicely kitted out.

There are four grades of the 2024 Venza hybrid: the LE, the XLE, the Nightshade Edition, and the Limited. Today, average used prices are as follows:

• 2024 Toyota Venza LE. MSRP: $35,070.
• 2024 Toyota Venza XLE. MSRP: $39,130.
• 2024 Toyota Venza Nightshade Edition. MSRP: $40,255.
• 2024 Toyota Venza Limited. MSRP: $43,065.

It will cost you at least $31,900 for a 2026 Toyota RAV4, and while that does still make a very affordable new hybrid SUV, you can spend just a little more on a higher trim of a ’24 Venza and get an enormous amount in the way of luxury; it can be seen as a lot of SUV for your money.​​​​​​​

Hybrid Powertrain Delivers Great MPG And Huge Range

There is just one powertrain option for the 2024 Venza: a 2.5-liter inline-four mated to three electric motors and Toyota’s hybrid system. Horsepower is still relatively staunch, and you can tow up to 2,500 pounds with it.

0–60 mph times are clocked in the mid-7-second range, but if you are looking at a mid-size SUV that can do a bit of everything, then this won’t really matter; it is still fast enough to get onto a highway safely. Where the Toyota Venza 2024 model year really comes into its own is in terms of fuel economy.

According to FuelEconomy.gov, the 2024 Toyota Venza can achieve 39 combined mpg, or 40 mpg in the city and 37 on the highway, despite being an all-wheel-drive mid-size SUV that weighs in at up to 3,913 pounds. FuelEconomy.gov says that it will cost you an estimated $1,100 a year for gas, or $2,250 less than your average modern vehicle over five years.

To put that into perspective, that is the same fuel cost for a 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The same MY RAV4 does have comparable used prices, with the highest trim of the 2024 RAV4 costing just shy of $35,000 today, but how the Venza fares in owner ratings compared to the RAV4 tells a different story, and may make you appreciate this undervalued Toyota SUV a little more.

Smooth, Quiet Ride With Optional Star Gaze Panoramic Roof

According to owner reviews on Kelley Blue Book, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 hybrid is rated 3.6 out of 5 overall, with ratings of 3.6 for value, 3.7 for quality, 3.8 for performance, 3.9 for reliability and comfort, and 4.3 for styling.

The 2024 Toyota Venza, on the other hand, gets an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5, with ratings of 4.5 for comfort and performance, 4.6 for styling and value, 4.7 for reliability, and 4.8 for quality, and 86% of owners who left a review recommend it.

Alongside the refined platform, the Venza has its suspension to thank for providing a smooth ride. Up front, a MacPherson strut is paired with a multi-link rear rig, allowing for each wheel to react individually to bumps. Toyota has also fine-tuned the dampers and bushings to prioritize comfort over sporty credentials, which, if you are using it every day, is much needed.

You can also find used 2024 Toyota Venza models boasting the Star Gaze panoramic sunroof, which opens up the cabin. Boasting electrochromic glass, the sunroof can switch between clear and frosted modes, so light is let in, but not all the glare. In its frosted setting, the roof also creates a soft, ambient light in the cabin, which certainly helps give the feeling of a more luxe ride than the price suggests.

Why The Toyota Venza Deserves More Love

The simple reason that the 2024 Venza deserves more love is that it is a jack of all trades in the mid-size hybrid SUV market. When driven sensibly, it can offer very impressive fuel returns; there is oodles of space inside; it is Toyota-grade reliable, used prices are still reasonable, and it is kitted out with a good number of luxury features (especially the higher trims).

Toyota Safety Sense And Top Safety Ratings For Peace Of Mind

On top of everything else, the ’24 Venza boasts the Toyota Safety Sense suite as standard. You get Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Road Sign Assist, Auto High Beams, and some used models will come equipped with a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Parking Assist, and a backup camera.

In typical Toyota fashion, the Venza is made for the everyday. It is worth noting that there is one NHTSA recall for potential instrument panel failure, but thanks to Toyota’s warranty, and because it is a recall, if you buy a used Venza without this being rectified, it could be possible to have it sorted. The IIHS also named the 2024 Venza a Top Safety Pick at the end of 2023, so you are in good hands.

The Toyota Venza Hybrid: Ideal For Families, Commuters, And Smart Hybrid Buyers

The 2024 Toyota Venza is not the smallest mid-size SUV, but it is not the largest. It measures in at 186.6 inches in length by 73 inches in width, so it is relatively easy to drive around cities and day-to-day without much hassle, and thanks to Toyota thinking of the useful things, you also get a decent amount of space for cargo. The rear seats have a 60/40 split and open 55.1 cubic feet of storage space when they are folded down. With the second row in place, you still get 28.8 cubic feet.

It is a bit of a shame that the second-generation Toyota Venza has now been dropped. However, with gradually lowering used prices, a very frugal hybrid powertrain, bulletproof reliability, an easy, everyday feel behind the wheel, available features that are above its pay grade, and enough space for you and your passengers to sit comfortably, the 2024 Toyota Venza should be high on the list of hybrid Toyota SUVs to consider alongside obvious models like the RAV4.

Sources: Toyota, IIHS, NHTSA, FuelEconomy.gov, and Kelley Blue Book.