2021 Toyota Venza XLE

From 2009 to 2015, the Toyota Venza was a station wagon - like vehicle that never generated a lot of excitement from the car-buying public. In 2021, Toyota reprised the name and slapped it on a handsome vehicle that looks much more like a crossover than a wagon. Perhaps the coolest things about the new Venza, apart from its improved aesthetics, are its hybrid-only drivetrain and standard all-wheel drive. The drivetrain consists of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor (219 hp total) that send power to the front wheels; a rear motor provides power to the back wheels when needed. It’s unfortunate that the Venza’s driving experience doesn’t match its looks. It’s slow off the line, with a noisy powertrain and an unsettled ride. Inside, space for passengers and cargo is a bit tight, compromised by the Venza’s sleek exterior design. The HVAC controls are oddly placed, and, along with the infotainment controls, are complicated and unintuitive to use. On the upside, the Venza’s fuel economy is excellent: an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 - a strong package of driver-assistance tech - and LED headlights are standard equipment.