Toyota Venza

Toyota venza launched at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, the new Venza, a 'crossover sedan' powerful by 4- and 6-cylinder powerplants.

The Venza has been designed solely for the left-hand drive market of North America, so don't be surprised if your local dealer looks at you with puzzlement if you ask about it here in Australia.

The overall design is fairly modern, but not especially daring. There seems to be a Corolla sedan influence in the front end, and the vehicles silhouette is fairly sporty for a Toyota. The rear end features perhaps the most daring design element of the car - the brake lights - which have a touch of Volvo to them as they wrap around the rear pillars.

Venza engine power comes from either a 2.7-litre 4-cylinder engine or a 3.5-litre V6 engine, that Aurion drivers will be very familiar with.

The show version of the Toyota Venza sits on large 20-inch alloy wheels, and the vehicle will offered to American buyers in either front- or four-wheel drive, a trend that looks to be adopted on more and more of Toyota's new vehicles.