Critics and Consumers Disagree on the 2022 Toyota Venza
The Toyota Venza's sales are down for 2022. Why could that be?
Written by Andrew Kidd
Reviewed by Serena Aburahma
The
Toyota
Venza is, by all accounts, a great mid-size hybrid SUV
. So why don't the sales figures seem to indicate that?Despite great reviews, the 2022 Toyota Venza seems to be lagging behind in terms of sales compared with last year. What gives?
A good start
Toyota introduced the second-generation Venza to the North American market in 2020 for the 2021 model year, selling 13,073 units in 2020 before hitting a peak of 61,131 units sold in 2021. Sales have dropped for 2022, however, with year-to-date sales hitting just
23,131 as of October
.Is this normal? In short, yes. But we'll talk about that in a bit. Let's first look at the kinds of reviews the Toyota Venza is receiving from major publications.
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
The 2022 Toyota Venza is a decent midsize SUV
Consumer Reports
gave the 2022 Toyota Venza an overall rating of 83 out of 100. The all-wheel-drive hybrid SUV—which shares a drivetrain with the RAV4 Hybrid—was lauded for its great fuel economy of 37 mpg overall, with CR calling its ride firm but comfortable with responsive handling. It's also quiet at low speeds when running solely on electric power, but the gas engine is loud when it activates.It also boasts a 2.5-liter four-banger engine mated to three electric motors for a combined output of 219 horsepower, giving it a 0-to-60 time of 7.8 seconds—which CR calls competitive for the midsize SUV segment.
It's also priced competitively, with the base model starting at $34,930 and the top-tier trim level starting at $40,730.
Overall, CR calls it a great hybrid SUV with a fit and finish higher than what you'd normally expect to see in Toyota's vehicles. But why aren't these sterling reviews translating to higher sales figures among consumers?
Why is the 2022 Toyota Venza languishing?
For one thing, it's not unusual for a vehicle's sales to drop off following a refreshed model's first full year of sales, but the extent for the Venza is pretty significant, with 2022 seeing at least 50% fewer units sold than in 2021.
It could be the way the Venza is positioned; because it shares a drivetrain with the smaller yet much-better-selling RAV4, consumers might not be quick to purchase one if they can snag a RAV4 hybrid for nearly $5,000 less than a base Venza.
It could also just be an off-year for hybrids in general, as the global market is still dealing with some residual supply chain issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The RAV4 has seen lower sales overall in 2022 compared with 2021.
Find savings where you can
It's to be seen if the Venza can recover and regain its footing in the hybrid SUV segment. If there's no improvement in 2023, it might cause Toyota execs to reconsider support for the line. Were sales to continue to drop, you might be able to snag some deep discounts on a new Venza.
But keep in mind that electric vehicles and hybrids are more expensive to insure than other vehicles, which means it’s important to find the best rate for your car insurance. The best way to get the lowest rate is to shop around—and
Jerry
can do the shopping for you.Jerry customers save an average of over $800 annually to insure their vehicles.
If you hate gathering quotes and you’d rather leave it to someone else, the Jerry app sources quotes from 55+ insurance companies, like Nationwide, Safeco, Progressive, and Travelers. Jerry even helps cancel your old policy once you’ve made your pick.
4.7
