2023 Toyota Venza Nightshade Edition test drive review

Every once in a while, a car comes along that surprises you. Admittedly, when we first got behind the wheel of the 2023 Toyota Venza, we were prepared for a run-of-the-mill experience that didn’t stand out too much against the competition. We thought it was just another midsize crossover SUV that happened to have a hybrid engine. Yawn.

But as soon as we hit the accelerator and felt how this thing drives, our minds rapidly began to change. The Venza is comfortable, good-looking, smooth on the road and comes packed with impressive technology and safety features that seem fairly generous for a car that costs less than $40K. And don’t even get us started on the fuel economy. It’s best-in-class, in case you were wondering. 

If you’re shopping for a midsize, two-row SUV — particularly a hybrid — there are several reasons to consider the Venza.

Shop 2023 Toyota Venza models.

Price and value 

The 2023 Toyota Venza comes in four trims with a starting MSRP of $34,620 for the base-level LE to $42,765 for the Limited. Each Venza comes with a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder hybrid engine with 219 combined net horsepower. Some of the major differences among the trim levels are noted below.

• LE: $34,620 See listings

Electronic on-demand all-wheel drive

Height-adjustable, hands-free power liftgate

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5

• XLE: $38,830 See listings

LED fog lights

Heated front seats

Front and rear parking assist with automatic braking

• Nightshade Edition: $39,955 See listings

19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels

Black styling accents on bumpers

Star Gaze panoramic roof available

• Limited: $42,765 See listings

12.3-inch touch screen available 

9-speaker JBL Premium Audio system available 

Heated and ventilated front seats

Our Nightshade Edition tester came with the optional Star Gaze fixed panoramic roof with on/off control, so with delivery and handling fees it rang up at $41,665. Since the panoramic roof was one of our favorite features — we loved the option to switch from transparent to opaque with the touch of a button — we’d happily pay the extra $1,400 for it. But you can cut this from your options list if you prefer a lower price tag. 

A base MSRP of just under $40K seems very reasonable for this hybrid car. For our friends and family who are looking for a midsize SUV, we’d definitely put this on the list of viable options. Shop 2023 Toyota Venza models. 

Performance 

While no one is buying a Venza for its racetrack performance capability, it definitely feels like a car that underpromises and overdelivers. With a decent amount of horsepower and a smooth ride, we found it pleasant to drive. 

Engine and drivetrain

The 2023 Toyota Venza has a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder gas engine that combines with three electric motors to make 219 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard, and it also has an electronic continuously variable transmission that makes for buttery smooth power delivery. 

Fuel economy

You have to love the hybrid engine on the Venza. It gets you an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated 39 mpg for combined highway and city driving. With mostly city driving, we averaged close to that number. According to the window sticker, you save $2,250 in fuel costs over five years compared to the average new car.

Acceleration and handling 

Though not quite a getaway car, the Venza goes from 0-60 mph in a respectable 7.6 seconds, according to Car and Driver. In our experience, it handled the road well and was easy to maneuver. 

Braking

In our week of driving the Toyota Venza, we had no issues with the brake system. In both wet and dry conditions, the car had no trouble coming to a fast, complete stop.

Interior comfort and convenience 

Comparisons between the Toyota Venza and the hybrid RAV4 are inevitable, and many Venza critics have pointed out that the Venza has much less cargo space than the lower-priced RAV4. But the Venza definitely has a more luxurious, upscale feeling inside. Shop 2023 Toyota Venza models. 

Seats 

We were pretty comfortable in the SofTex-trimmed, heated front seats — but second-row passengers will definitely note a difference in headroom. Since it has a sloped, coupe-like roof, the back seats aren’t quite as spacious as the front ones.

Climate control 

The Venza is equipped with a dual-zone climate control system and rear-seat vents that seemed to keep everyone comfortable. Our Nightfall Edition tester came with the 12.3-inch multimedia touch screen, so the climate control buttons were all touch-sensitive. If you prefer physical buttons and knobs to set the temperature, you’ll want to stick with the standard 8-inch touch screen that comes on the base level LE.

Cargo space and cabin storage 

With the rear seats up, you get 28.8 cubic feet of cargo space in the rear. Fold them down and that increases to 55.1 cubic feet. Sure, this may be smaller than other midsize hybrid SUVs, but if your hauling needs are modest, it shouldn’t pose a problem.

Infotainment system 

The 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia system was easy to use, and we appreciated that it came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Though the Nightshade Edition doesn’t have the nine-speaker Bose audio system as an option, the standard six-speaker system seemed to do a great job. Shop 2023 Toyota Venza models.

Exterior appearance and functionality 

If you’re really trying to impress your friends, the Nightshade Edition is the one to get. Its blacked-out elements — particularly in the Ruby Flare Pearl — make it look much more expensive than it is. The Venza sports a smart grille and profile that somehow manages to make it look ready for business or pleasure.

Wheels

Visually, the 19-inch black alloy wheels on the Nightshade Edition are stunning. In our research of the Venza, many reviewers complained about road noise being a detractor — but that wasn’t our experience. Maybe because we made good use of that wireless Apple CarPlay and kept those six speakers busy.

Lights and turn signals

The 2023 Toyota Venza Nightshade Edition is equipped with projector LED headlights and integrated LED fog lights. Nighttime visibility was never a problem in our testing.

Front and rear windshield 

We were pleased with the visibility out the front of the Venza, though its coupe-like design does come with some drawbacks. As with many other midsize crossover SUVs, the rear window visibility is lacking, so you end up relying on the backup camera to get a better view.

Cameras and side mirrors

The Nightshade Edition doesn’t come with the Panoramic View Monitor, but we had no trouble getting by with the backup camera and blind spot monitor feature. Overall, Toyota did a great job enhancing visibility all around to give you a good sense of the road and everything surrounding you. You won’t feel like you’re trapped in a cave with this car. Shop 2023 Toyota Venza models. 

Safety 

If safety is a priority for you, you’ll be pleased to know that the Toyota Venza comes with a good set of standard features since it’s equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. Here’s what that includes:

• Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection

• Automatic emergency braking

• Lane departure alert

• Automatic high beams

• Dynamic radar cruise control

• Lane tracing assist

• Road sign assist

Awards and ratings 

The Toyota Venza is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick for 2023. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also gave the Venza a five-star safety rating overall. 

Final impression 

We started with low expectations and ended up being pleasantly surprised after our weeklong testing of the 2023 Toyota Venza Nightshade Edition. This midsize hybrid has a lot of legitimate selling points. Best-in-class fuel economy, a smooth ride and an upscale interior are just some of them. Some have even dared say it rivals its Lexus brothers in luxury — and for a sub-$40K price tag, we won’t argue that.

FAQs 

Should I buy a Toyota Venza or RAV4 Hybrid? 

Buyers are undoubtedly going to ask themselves this question given that they run in the same segment and in the same car family. The two share many similarities. In terms of horsepower, fuel economy and seating capacity, they’re virtually the same. The starting MSRP for the RAV4 Hybrid is $31,225, which is a tad less than the base-level Venza LE at $34,620.

So, from a strictly budgetary standpoint, a RAV4 Hybrid may make more sense. The RAV4 also has more cargo space. But the Venza’s more upscale interior may appeal to buyers who want something a little more refined.

Is anything changing for 2024?

There are no differences between the 2023 and 2024 Toyota Venza.

Which Toyota Venza trim should I buy?

We loved the look of the Nightshade Edition, but both Car and Driver and MotorTrend recommend the XLE because it comes with a decent set of upgrades that are worth the $4K bump from the base LE.

Find listings for the 2023 Toyota Venza and other hybrid SUVs on KSL Cars.

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.