XM Satellite Radio will also launch as a factory-installed option on many other Toyota vehicles throughout 2009. The company estimates the number of Toyota vehicles on the road by the end of 2009 available with XM Satellite Radio will exceed one million.
In addition to XM Satellite Radio, XM NavTraffic will be standard equipment on all Camry models with navigation. XM and XM NavTraffic are already available on the Toyota Corolla, Matrix, and Venza, as well as on the Lexus LS 460 and LS 600h L models, the LX 570, the newly launched 2010 RX 350, and the upcoming 2010 RX 450h.
(Source: Sirius XM Radio)
GM associated with the B word again, we have the hottest cars from the Geneva auto show, BMW wants their car keys to work like credit cards, figuring out the Toyota Venza.
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View the full review of the 2009 Toyota Venza AWD V-6.
(Credit: James Martin/CNET Networks)At first we found the 2009 Toyota Venza to be a bit off-putting, with its genre-bending form factor. After a week with the Venza AWD V-6, we're convinced that Toyota has hit upon an interesting sweet spot between SUV utility and sedan livability.
Once seated in its spacious cabin, we found even more to like about the Venza, including an impressive cabin tech package that features Bluetooth A2DP audio streaming and a clever center console cable-management system that had us all asking, "Why didn't I think of that?"
Make the jump to check out our full review of the 2009 Toyota Venza AWD V-6.
Click image to view more photos of the 2009 Toyota Venza preview.
(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET Car Tech)Toyota invited us out to preview its new for 2009 Venza. Billing the Venza as "car-optimized," Toyota downright refuses to call it a wagon or a crossover. Curiously, Toyota expects the Venza to be compared with the Ford Edge, Mazda CX-7, and Nissan Murano, all of which are crossovers. They say you're judged by the caliber of your enemies, so I guess that makes the Venza a crossover as well.
Whatever you call it, the Venza is an interesting vehicle. It rides almost like a Camry, but with carrying capabilities that are just shy of the Highlander. Sedan/wagon-like proportions and big 20-inch wheels help hide some of the visual mass, but--there's no getting around it--the Venza is a big vehicle. Don't believe me? Ask the entry model's 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine.
Outputting 182 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque, the four-cylinder engine feels underpowered for pulling the 5,000 pound Venza around town. The step-up 3.5-liter V-6's 268 ponies and 246 pound-feet of twist feel much better suited for motivational duties.
The Toyota Venza's interior features leather seats, wood trim, and textured plastic surfaces.
(Credit: Toyota)Inside, the Venza can be equipped with Toyota's sixth-generation DVD navigation system with voice command, Bluetooth for hands-free calling and audio streaming from supported A2DP devices, satellite radio with XM NavTraffic, and a powerful 13-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system that sounds fantastic. The Venza features the requisite 10 cup holders and a clever piece of vehicle interior design that we hope to see more of in future vehicles: cable management.
The Venza's center console features three pockets for MP3 players or cell phones with pass-throughs for routing audio or charging cables to the 12V power or aux-input hidden deep in the console. It's a really neat way to keep the interior from looking like a wiry mess, while keeping the devices visible.
Click through to view more photos and driving impressions of the 2009 Toyota Venza.
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