2023 Venza Nightshade: Toyotas Upscale Rav 4

The 2023 Toyota Venza Nightshade is a stylish and modern hybrid powered two-row SUV that stands out in the crowded midsize crossover segment.

2023 Venza Design and Exterior

Exhibiting a sleek and sophisticated design, the venza differentiates itself from other crossovers with unique styling. Its exterior boasts a contemporary look, with clean lines and a sporty profile. LED headlights and taillights contribute to its modern aesthetic.

The Nightshade edition is a popular package offered by Toyota, typically showcasing dark-themed accents and cosmetic upgrades for various models. These features often include blacked-out elements such as black wheels, black exterior trims, black badging, and darkened interiors. All of that carries over to the 2023 Venza Nightshade.

Interior and Comfort

Inside, Toyota has equipped the Venza with a comfortable and well-appointed cabin. Quality materials, soft-touch surfaces, and a modern design create a pleasant and inviting atmosphere. The seats are comfortable, and there’s ample space for passengers in both rows. Additionally, the Venza is equipped with various tech features, including a standard 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a suite of driver-assistance features.

Driving the 2023 Toyota Venza

Ride and Handling

The Venza delivers a smooth and quiet ride, ideal for daily commuting and longer trips. Its handling is responsive and composed, providing a balanced and comfortable driving experience.

Powertrain

The 2023 Venza comes exclusively with a hybrid powertrain. It combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with three electric motors, providing efficient performance. Power is supplied to the rear wheels exclusively by a single electric motor. Up front, the wheels are powered by both the gas engine and electric motors. The hybrid system delivers a balance of power and fuel efficiency, making it a great option for those looking for an eco-friendly SUV.

As a hybrid, the Venza excels in fuel efficiency. It offers good MPG ratings of 40 city and 27 highway. However, our time in the Venza returned even better results. This makes it an attractive option for those who prioritize saving on fuel costs and reducing their environmental impact. Toyota has been investing in hybrids for over 2 decades and continues to believe that hybrids are the best route going forward.

Taking the 2023 Venza Off Pavement

Cargo Space

The cargo area is decent but might be slightly limited compared to some rivals due to the battery placement. The rear seats can be folded to extend the cargo area bringing total cargo volume up to 55.1 cubic feet from  28.8 with the seats up. This actually sits a little below the Rav 4 both with the seats up and down.

Pricing

2023 Venza Base MSRPs for the various trim levels at time of writing are:

LE: $36,015
XLE: $40,225
Nightshade: $41,350
Limited: $44,160

Our 2023 Toyota Venza Nightshade had a base price of $38,930, pricing has gone up since ours was built. The Stargaze Fixed Panorama Roof was the only option, at $1,400. Adding in the destination charge of $1,335 brings the total to $41,665.

Conclusion

Overall, the 2023 Toyota Venza Nightshade stands out for its hybrid powertrain, modern design, and well-equipped interior. It offers a smooth and comfortable ride, along with a good array of standard features. Thriving in the most competitive automotive segment can be difficult, but Toyota continues to offer a strong lineup.