Terrestrial Bathyscaphe - Toyota Venza AWD Limited

Here is a very quick economics lesson of First World: Supply and Demand. Because of the huge diversity and buying capacity of the consumer base of North America, despite its lingering economic woes, a myriad of unique automotive products can successfully earn the numbers to support their existence. Most educated general consumers worldwide understand this basic concept yet ironically these same learned folks complain why their territories do not get the same products. Nonetheless, I do completely understand and appreciate the frustration. Some manufactures do embrace the challenge and risk releasing products like the Ford Mustang, which is sold mostly in the Philippines and Taiwan only. Keep in mind though how long it took Ford to come around and actually officially sell the hugely desirable iconic Mustang, practically over a decade since they returned to our market. In the US, as long as you have a decent paying job, you do not have to be a millionaire to buy a fairly luxurious vehicle; the taxes and duties are also considerably friendlier too. Now if the vehicle is even designed and built there regardless if it’s technically a foreign brand like Toyota, the pricing and packaging are even more favorable. Take this new freshly updated Toyota Venza, which just got a mid-cycle facelift and equipment upgrade. The peculiarly bulbous Venza’s design grows on you fairly quickly. The handsome interior and the way it conducts itself on the road further makes it attractive. The chunky mid-size crossover Venza uses the robustly scalable Camry chassis (Toyota MC Platform), so you already have an idea how the physical dimensions are laid out in relation to its foundation.   The Venza uses a comprehensively reconfigured variation of the MC platform/drivetrain to accommodate the heavier duties, which include an optional effective All-Wheel-Drive system. Our test unit had every option on the list. So, with the Venza loaded with so many modern conveniences and electronic luxuries which includes huge 20” alloys wrapped with Michelin Latitude Tour HP P245/50R20 102H tires, a booming 13-speaker JBL® Synthesis Audio System,6.1” Infotainment monitor with Navigation, panoramic ceiling, Toyota's new Entune System, which allows owners to connect their Apple iPod, Apple iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, or other similar USB devices to their car via a mobile application on their device, buttery leather trim, a new steering wheel resembling the new product family-design directive, and the list goes on. The Venza is a more affordable yet still clever alternative to a BMW X3 xDrive28i on the premium side and definitely a larger and more opulent benchmark compared to its direct competition: the Honda Crosstour, Nissan Murano, Ford Edge, and Subaru Outback. Think of the Venza as a fully-loaded Camry on stilts with all-weather driving ability, a more voluminous interior and larger trunk. It drives exactly as it sounds so it’s very competent and utilitarian. It won’t get your adrenaline rushing but its solid feeling, comfort, and presumed dependability would certainly making its serene daily use worry free. The Venza sits in the showroom between the RAV4 and the also mostly for North America only Highlander which does marginally sit 7 adults at a weight penalty of almost 400 lbs. on a slightly larger soft-roader with the same engine selections. Both the Venza and the Highlander should not be compared with the 4Runner and FJ Cruiser which are genuine off-road vehicles with significantly more purpose-built chassis and rear-wheel drive with lockable front differentials. Thankfully, the FJ Cruiser will finally be officially sold in the Philippines after being around since 2006. We have had a C! Fastfleet unit of the FJ since then, and it is a very rewarding and entertaining all-purpose/all-weather high activity vehicle which will be sold at a shockingly low price backed by a full factory warranty so folks shouldn’t have to buy the gray market units anymore.   Originally posted in C! Magazine    September 2013 Edition Author: Kevin Limjoco