evlover
Member
I am an American living in the United States, and during my recent trip to Canada, I decided to rent a Toyota Venza to see how it handles the northern roads. Since I am used to driving in the US, I was curious how this premium hybrid would perform in a different environment. I spent several days behind the wheel, driving both in busy city traffic and on long stretches of highway, and I have to say the experience was quite impressive.
The first thing I noticed was the fuel economy. Even though I had to deal with the metric system in Canada, the numbers were excellent. I averaged around 6 liters per 100 kilometers, which translates to roughly 39 or 40 miles per gallon back home. For an SUV of this size, that is a fantastic result. The hybrid system is seamless, and the transition between the electric motor and the gas engine is almost impossible to feel. It is much quieter and more refined than a standard RAV4, making it feel like a much more expensive vehicle.
The interior is where the Venza really shines. It definitely feels like a Lexus-lite because the materials are soft to the touch and the cabin insulation is top-notch. Even at higher speeds on the highway, there was very little wind or road noise. However, there is a trade-off for that sleek, sloping roofline. The cargo space is noticeably smaller than what you get in a RAV4 or a Highlander. If you are traveling with a lot of heavy luggage or bulky items, you might find the trunk a bit tight.
Because the car was a Canadian rental, all the gauges were originally set to kilometers and Celsius. As an American, I am not used to those units, but the Venza made it very easy to adjust. I went into the settings and switched the digital speedometer to miles per hour and the climate control back to Fahrenheit. This made me feel much more at home while navigating unfamiliar Canadian streets. Overall, it is a stylish and very efficient crossover that is perfect for someone who values comfort and gas mileage over maximum storage space.
The first thing I noticed was the fuel economy. Even though I had to deal with the metric system in Canada, the numbers were excellent. I averaged around 6 liters per 100 kilometers, which translates to roughly 39 or 40 miles per gallon back home. For an SUV of this size, that is a fantastic result. The hybrid system is seamless, and the transition between the electric motor and the gas engine is almost impossible to feel. It is much quieter and more refined than a standard RAV4, making it feel like a much more expensive vehicle.
The interior is where the Venza really shines. It definitely feels like a Lexus-lite because the materials are soft to the touch and the cabin insulation is top-notch. Even at higher speeds on the highway, there was very little wind or road noise. However, there is a trade-off for that sleek, sloping roofline. The cargo space is noticeably smaller than what you get in a RAV4 or a Highlander. If you are traveling with a lot of heavy luggage or bulky items, you might find the trunk a bit tight.
Because the car was a Canadian rental, all the gauges were originally set to kilometers and Celsius. As an American, I am not used to those units, but the Venza made it very easy to adjust. I went into the settings and switched the digital speedometer to miles per hour and the climate control back to Fahrenheit. This made me feel much more at home while navigating unfamiliar Canadian streets. Overall, it is a stylish and very efficient crossover that is perfect for someone who values comfort and gas mileage over maximum storage space.