Detroit '08 Preview: Toyota Venza Crossover Sedan coming to NAIAS
by Damon Lavrinc on Dec 19th 2007 at 3:40PM 
Toyota's presence at the Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) will be punctuated by what the automaker is calling a "crossover sedan" that incorporates elements of both a sedan and an SUV. The U.S.-designed and engineered 2009 Toyota Venza will seat five and be built alongside the Camry, Avalon and Solara at ToMoCo's plant in Georgetown, Kentucky. That pretty much means it's a go for production despite never having been glimpsed by the public.
The idea of a "crossover sedan" may just mean that the Venza is a jacked-up Camry, but we'd suspect that this new model would take aim at Ford's Edge and possibly GM's line of Lambda-based CUVs, with car underpinnings and a hatch. In fact, it sounds similar in form to the upcoming BMW X6. Failing that, we're picturing a Toyota version of the AMC Eagle (shown above), which would certainly open up yet another niche into the market.
[Source: Toyota]
PRESS RELEASE:
All-New Toyota Venza Crossover Sedan to Make World Debut at 2008 North American International Auto Show
TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., will stage the world premiere of the all-new 2009 Toyota Venza crossover sedan at a press conference at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Venza will be a unique blend of sedan and sport utility vehicle, offering seating for five, easy ingress and egress, a car-like ride and functional utility. Venza was designed and engineered in the United States and will be assembled at Toyota's manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Kentucky.
The press conference will be held on Monday, January 14 at 10:50 AM Eastern Time in the Riverview Ballroom at COBO Center and simulcast live to the Toyota display area at the show. A video clip of the press conference will be available for viewing following the event on the Toyota.com website.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
MUSASHI66 3:49PM (12/19/2007)
So they just bought some Subaru shares, and they are making a direct opponent to the Outback?
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nissanfreak87 4:06PM (12/19/2007)
they bought Subaru shares for access to their AWD technology
Jason Bird 4:19PM (12/19/2007)
Follow the money. Subaru AWD drive gear is Aisin. Toyota owns a big chunk of Aisin. They were protecting there investment. This is smart business.
djSyndrome 4:46PM (12/19/2007)
"they bought Subaru shares for access to their AWD technology"
No, they've had good AWD technology (remember the Celica All-Trac Turbo?) for years. Besides, Subaru's system is designed for boxer engines, not inline or V configurations.
They bought the shares for access to Fuji Heavy's battery technology.
TBlueMax 3:51PM (12/19/2007)
"...2009 Toyota Venza will seat five and be built alongside the Camry, Avalon and Solara at ToMoCo's plant in Georgetown, Kentucky"
The Venza sounds like a Camry Outback.
I'm wondering if the Venza will take the place of the Solara if/when it is discontinued?
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/19/toyota-to-honda-you-can-have-midsize-coupe-market-we-out-sort/
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iamhoff 7:33PM (12/19/2007)
Exactly. The Camry SUS (Sport Utility Sedan), like the Legacy Outback SUS from circa 2003 or so.
Guenther 3:55PM (12/19/2007)
Funny that Subaru dropped their "cross-over sedan" a few years ago.
Just doesn't seem that there's room for this between the Rav and the Highlander. It's probably safe to guess the powertrain at the 3.5V6 with AWD optional. Four doors and some sort of hatch-trunk...
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Alan Thomas 3:59PM (12/19/2007)
But they already have the RAV4 and the Highlander which are crossovers?
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TriShield 3:59PM (12/19/2007)
Ahahaha, I had a well-used AMC Eagle in high school. It was actually a pretty good car despite 150,000 miles worth of wear. 20 years too early though AMC.
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cowboy bob 4:06PM (12/19/2007)
Right on! When I looked at it I thought it was a spoof, with the AMC in the picture!!!!
cowboy bob 4:09PM (12/19/2007)
Hey... it IS a spoof. Bastards, tricking an old man.
tankd0g 4:07PM (12/19/2007)
Let me guess, the 4wd version with only be available with an automatic.
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Dave Roy 4:08PM (12/19/2007)
In a bygone era, cars like this were called wagons - the original cross-over vehicule
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Justin Wujcik 4:12PM (12/19/2007)
The Eagle seemed like the ultimate dorkmobile, but the concept of a raised sedan/wagon with AWD/4WD (what we all may refer to as the crossover) seem to trace back its concept. Slap a fastback on an Outlander with an EvoX engine and tranny- HMMM?!?! Doesn't sound bad at all
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mk 4:24PM (12/19/2007)
I see someone else mentioned the Outback sedan.
Subaru of America just canned that model for 2008. No Legacy wagons, and no Outbacks are sedans.
I don't know who Toyota and BMW think they are going to sell to.
Subaru has a reputation for that kind of a car, and their platform is quite sound, and they couldn't move more than about 8 of them. They barely sell Legacy sedans that are normal-height.
All the drawbacks of an SUV, with none of the practical aspects. Wrong side of both equations.
Plus besides being both kinds of wrong, it is going to be a Toyota, on top of that... great move.
I am definitely keeping my lowered AWD Legacy GT. If I wanted ground clearance, I wouldn't have sold my Ranger 4x4 for it.
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ehisforadam 4:31PM (12/19/2007)
It's basically a love child of the Camry and an RX. I think it's positioned more to go against stuff like the Edge and the now dead Pacifica.
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Aetius 4:32PM (12/19/2007)
LOL yeah it's a wagon. But I guess in 2008, its more funky to call it a 'crossover sedan'.
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Scott 4:42PM (12/19/2007)
Forgotten already? Well, it was forgettable...
The All-Trac Camry sold from from 1988 to 1991, I think. This is not a totally new idea. I bet this new one will have a hatch, however.
Isn't the Solara going away after '08? Now it all makes sense.
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jte 4:50PM (12/19/2007)
Isn't this something like the Toyota Mark X Zio?
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/27/japan-toyota-reveals-mark-x-zio/
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Scott 5:43PM (12/19/2007)
Bingo! Thanks for the link. I had forgotten all about that concept but that has to be what this is. Really more of a competitor to the Mazda CX-7/9 and the soon to be dead Pacifica, IMHO.