2023 Toyota Venza XLE Nightshade – Review by David Colman +VIDEO

Handsome and Happy

David Colman

Photos and Story By David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

Remember John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever? During the day he dressed like a schlemiel for his job at the hardware store. But at night his fancy duds transformed him into the King of Disco. For day jobs, Toyota will sell you a plain and boxy SUV called the RAV4 Prime. It’s practical but not particularly beautiful. However, if you plan on stepping out after dark, it’s the Venza Nightshade you’ll want.

This is one foxy looking vehicle. The Venza’s pretty silhouette and flowing lines are enhanced by a Nightshade package that starts with black chromed 15-spoke alloy rims (7J x 19) mounting 225/55R19 Bridgestone Ecopia H/L 422 Plus all season rubber. To complement the understated wheels, Toyota replaces most of the Venza’s brightwork. Soothing the eye are black mirror caps and door handles, black front grill surround, black front and rear bumper accents, and black roof rails. Smoked chrome trim minimizes the look with thin accent strips above and below the front grill and across the rear beltline. The Nighshade edition is only available in three exterior colors: Celestial Black, Wind Chill Pearl or Ruby Red Flare, the handsome shade that graced our test vehicle.

Like the RAV4 Prime, the Venza depends on a complex drivetrain for propulsion. All Venza models for 2023 boast AWD. Under the hood sits a 2.5 liter inline 4-cylinder engine (DOHC, 16-valve) producing 176hp and 163lb.-ft. of torque. This prime mover is paired with 2 front electric motors producing 118hp and 149Lb.-ft. of torque. A single rear mounted electric motor adds an additional 54hp and 89lb.-ft. of torque. Taken as a whole, Toyota rates the hybrid system at 219hp, while the EPA rates Overall Fuel Economy at 39MPG, a figure estimated to save you $2,250 in fuel costs over 5 years.

The lower roofline of the Venza will cost you some storage space compared to the more upright RAV4 – about 4 cubic feet (26.5 vs 30.5). But the flowing roof of the Venza offers a special treat the square-rigged RAV4 does without: the $1,400 optional Star Gaze Fixed Panoramic Roof. This delectable conversation starter installs an electrochromic roof panel which can be changed from transparent to opaque at the flip of a switch. It’s the first time Toyota has offered this option, which also includes a full backout interior nightshade should you chose to travel incognito. Though the Star Gaze Roof does not physically open, it magically transforms the Venza’s subdued black interior from a dark chamber to an eagle’s aerie.

The combined sources of electric and gas motors propel the Venza though the standing start quarter mile in 15.8 seconds at 89 mph. The 0-60 mph sprint takes 7.6 seconds. The hybrid Venza is thus quick enough to dart through traffic without breaking a sweat, and I enjoyed the electro-mechanical buzz from the drivetrain when lighting all the afterburners from a standing start. Toyota offers “Sport” as well as “Normal” and “Eco” drive modes. If you plan on tackling back roads, Sport is the selection you want, as the Normal setting allows the shock absorbers too much free play under duress.

The centrally mounted 12.3-inch Multimedia screen must be configured to the driving profile of the owner. Failing to do so elicits this annoying message every time you restart the Venza: “Profile Not Uploaded.” It gives you 2 choices: “Dismiss” or “Enter.” If you choose “Enter” the first item required is your Phone Number. Not wanting to play this absurd game, I spent my week with the Venza hitting “Dismiss” every time I started the Toyota. This was really the only operational glitch we encountered operating the menu-driven control panel. Toyota provides the Nightshade with a 6 speaker JBL Premium audio system and a 3-month Platinum Plan Trial for SiriusXM. The SofTex trimmed front seats were both equipped with 3 position heaters operated by physical buttons on the transmission tunnel. We were grateful that seat heater operation did not require touchscreen menu nonsense. But missing and needed during our cold winter week was a heated steering wheel.

The Nightshade Venza is an elegant design. It’s a distinctive looking, eminently practical solution to moving families or goods in style. Best of all, its $38,930 base price positions it substantially below today’s $45,000 new vehicle transaction sum, a fact that might just give you extra impetus to opt for that $1,400 optional Star Gaze Roof. It’s a premier parlor trick you won’t find on any other Toyota.

2023 TOYOTA VENZA XLE NIGHTSHADE

HORSEPOWER: 219hp Combined Output
TORQUE: N/A
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 40MPG City/37MPG Highway
PRICE AS TESTED: $41,665

HYPES: Stealthy Handsome, Happy Hybrid Combo

GRIPES: Driver Profile Demands

STAR RATING: 8.5 Stars out of 10

©2023 David E Colman