2023 Toyota Venza: Crossover Checks All the Boxes

 

The 2023 Toyota Venza checks pretty much all the boxes that make a vehicle popular in today's market. It is a crossover SUV? Yes. Is it a hybrid? Yep. Is it stylish? Very much so. Does it have cool technology? Definitely.

The Venza, with seating for five passengers, has sleek design lines on its exterior and a low-key but classy interior styling. 

The interior is comfortable and cleanly arranged. It offers a maximum cargo space of 55.1 cubic feet when the rear seat is folded down. 

And there are plenty of tech treats in the Venza, such as a Qi wireless phone charger, four USB charging ports and a standard eight-inch multimedia touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto/Amazon Alexa compatibility. 

The Venza comes in four trim levels: LE, XLE, Nightshade and Limited.

Under the hood, the Venza features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 219 horsepower and an electric motor linked to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission and all-wheel drive. 

Fuel efficiency for the Venza is rated at 40 mpg city, 37 highway, according to EPA.

Pricing for the Venza starts at around $35,000 and ranges to around $43,000. 

For a crossover that has so much of what today's buyers are seeking, the Venza makes a compelling case for itself.

2023 Nissan LEAF: Get It Before It's Gone

Even as gasoline prices have dropped in recent weeks, interest in electric vehicles continues to be strong, as more vehicle buyers show concerns about the environment and how to reduce carbon footprints. With that in mind, we take a look at the 2023 Nissan LEAF. 

The LEAF is an all-electric, compact hatchback that has been on the market since 2010. However, Nissan recently announced that it is phasing out the LEAF, despite it being one of the most popular and affordable electric vehicles on the market. Nissan instead intends to focus its efforts on a newer, pricier EV model, the Ariya, as well as other electric vehicles.

Pricing for the LEAF has consistently hovered around the $30,000 mark, but the Ariya starts at $43,190, with higher-end versions running more like $60,000. Since the LEAF is made in Japan, it does not qualify for the electric vehicle tax credit.

The Ariya provides 216 to 289 miles of range, an upgrade from the LEAF's 123 - 212. 

And the Ariya will have a little more of a luxury feel, including leather seats and dark-grain wood paneling on the dashboard.

But, Nissan is reportedly planning some sort of successor to the LEAF slated for production in 2026, although the car will also be larger and more expensive.

But back to the current LEAF. It has seating for four and a maximum cargo capacity of 30 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The LEAF comes in two trim levels: S and SV PLUS.

The LEAF gets its power from a standard AC synchronous electric motor and a 40kWh lithium-ion battery linked to a single-speed automatic transmission, combining to make 147 horsepower. Also available is another AC synchronous electric motor and a 62-kWh battery that make 214 horsepower. The LEAF featuring the 40kWh battery has an EPA-estimated, pure electric range of 123 miles, while the 60-kWh battery model has a 212-mile range. 

The LEAF has solid driving dynamics, with smooth, steady acceleration, responsive handling and firm braking. No need to worry about feeling like you're taking a golf cart out onto the highway. 

The interior design is nothing fancy, but is neatly styled with driver controls being fairly intuitively placed. Comfort level is serviceable. 

The main thing to keep in mind with this and most all-electric vehicles is that you must be mindful of the range it can handle on a full charge. While 212 miles (the max range of a LEAF) is certainly nothing to sneeze at, you have to keep in mind that near the end of the range, you're going to need a power source to plug in to. For now, those are still fairly limited on U.S. highways. So if long road trips are your thing, an all EV might not be your best choice. 

Pricing for the LEAF starts at around $29,000 and ranges to around $37,000.

 

2023 Toyota 4Runner: Still a Champion in the SUV World

One of the best and most popular SUVs of all time continues to show why it is deserving of high praise. The 2023 Toyota 4Runner, with seating for five, is spacious enough to haul people and cargo, but not too large to fit in average parking spaces and garages. Add to that the fact that it has long enjoyed outstanding reliability ratings, and you see why the 4Runner could be considered king of SUVs. 

The 4Runner has a maximum cargo capacity of 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down, great for hauling a bike, golf clubs or small or medium-sized pieces of furniture. 

It comes in eight trim levels: SR5, TRD Sport, SR5 Premium, TRD Off Road, TRD Off Road Premium, 40th Anniversary, Limited and TRD Pro.

Under the hood, the 4Runner features a standard 4.0-liter V-6 engine that makes 270 horsepower and is linked to a five-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with four-wheel drive optional. 

Fuel efficiency for the 4Runner is rated by EPA as 16 mpg city/19 highway. 

The 4Runner offers a smooth ride and plenty of head room and leg room for passengers. 

Pricing for the 4Runner starts at around $41,000 and ranges to around $56,000. 

Among traditional SUVs, it's hard to beat the Toyota 4Runner.