It’s not easy saying goodbye, but if you’re searching for a Toyota Venza for sale, the 2024 model will be its last. After 15 years on the market, the hybrid compact SUV known as the Venza will make way for its replacement, the Crown Signia. It’s always difficult having to train your replacement, but the Venza held its head high and created a buzz for the newcomer that has drivers interested in what it has to offer and how it differs from the nameplate it’s replacing. When it comes to the Venza versus the Crown Signia, how do these models compare, and what sets the Crown Signia apart, so much so that we don’t need the Venza anymore?
Differences in Size
The first main difference is size, as the Venza is a compact SUV, whereas the Crown Signia is a midsize offering from the respected Toyota brand. It’s slotted between the popular RAV4 and the family-friendly Highlander, offering drivers more space than the Venza can provide for both people and gear. Like the Venza, there are two rows with enough space for five, but unlike the Venza, the Crown Signia has much more space for cargo. The small-size Venza caps out at 55.1 cu.ft. of space for your travel belongings, while the Crown Signia offers up to 68.8 cu.ft. for your things. A hands-free power liftgate makes accessing its cargo hold easy without using your hands, while configurable seating allows drivers to make room for whatever is joining them on board.
This excess space has obvious appeal to many drivers, especially those searching for an SUV for their family, those who frequently travel with loads of gear, or just drivers who don’t want to feel cramped inside their daily driver. However, it’s important to note that the Venza doesn’t do too bad of a job accommodating its passengers, with a nicely laid-out interior with an amount of space similar to what the RAV4 offers.
Powertrain Designs
Both the Venza and the Crown Signia are hybrids, making both of these SUVs perfect for a multitude of drivers, like commuters, small families, and road trippers. They both showcase a 2.5L four-cylinder engine paired with three electric motors to propel them forward with tenacity. The difference is the ride feel, seeing as the Crown Signia bounces forward with 240 horses at the reins, whereas the Venza only has 219 horses to put to work. They’re both paired with an eCVT, which isn’t the most exciting transmission system on the block, but it does a good job of providing a consistent ride that will make any driver’s time behind the wheel comfortable.
Efficiency is a bit different as well, seeing as both of these options are hybrids with virtually the same powertrain; however, the Crown Signia has a bit more meat on its bones compared to the smaller Venza. This means that the lighter frame gives the Venza a slight edge when it comes to efficiency. While the Venza is able to get an EPA-estimated 40 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway, the new Crown Signia is only able to get up to 39 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway. It’s not much of a difference, but it is a difference, especially for those looking to harness maximum efficiency on the road.
Comfort Elements
The Crown Signia wears the Crown badge of honor, which means that it’s a bit more luxurious than its peers—including its replacement, the Venza. From a fixed panoramic roof to heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel, the Crown Signia makes it obvious that comfort is a priority on board. Now, don’t think that the Venza doesn’t have something to offer, though. It’s a stylish little traveler with plenty of cozy elements, including soft-touch surfaces, SofTex-trimmed seats with contrast stitching, and ambient lighting to set the mood of the journey.
Both SUVs showcase confident exterior elements, with the Venza offering sleek LED headlights, taillights, fog lights, two-tone alloy wheels, and chiseled features from front to back that make it stand out on the road. The Crown Signia showcases what’s called a hammerhead front end, which is very much in line with the EVs and hybrids of the current era. You’ll also find LED lighting elements and an upscale ambiance emanating from it, allowing it to compete with elegant rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Nissan Murano.
Intuitive Experience
There are plenty of innovative tech features in both the Venza and Crown Signia. Although the Venza offers a 12.3-inch infotainment display, this display comes standard in the all-new Crown Signia. It also includes a 12.3-inch digital gauge display to view important elements about your ride behind the steering wheel. Wireless smartphone capabilities, an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, and over-the-air software updates can be enjoyed, which is a big advantage for those who want to have all the latest enhancements with their tech but don’t want to head into a dealership for updates.
Similar features are found within the comfortable cabin of the Venza, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging capabilities, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. You’re even able to take advantage of a 10-inch head-up display. This innovative feature projects important aspects of your journey on the windshield in front of you to help you remain connected to your ride. It’s evident that both the Venza and Crown Signia showcase a fair amount of tech, which makes them very much the same in this respect.
Trim Options
There are definitely more trims to choose from in the Venza’s lineup, ranging from opulent luxury to practical simplicity. Top-level trims provide occupants with features like heated and ventilated seats, premium materials, and an available Star Gaze fixed panoramic roof, while special editions, like the Nightshade Edition, adorn this small-size SUV in sultry dark elements. The Crown Signia only comes in two trim offerings, which does somewhat limit you. The XLE is its base model, which features an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a heated leather steering wheel, and more refined options throughout. The top-of-the-line Limited showcases leather seats, 21-inch wheels, and more high-quality elements to add a luxurious flair to this midsize SUV.
Price Points
There’s a definite difference in price when comparing the Venza to its replacement. The compact Venza starts out at approximately $35K, with its top-tier trim starting at around $43K. The Crown Signia starts at approximately $43.5K, with its top-level trim starting at around $47K. That’s a big jump, which makes it even more obvious that the Crown Signia is meant to appeal to a more affluent crowd than the Venza.
The Crown Signia Begins Its Journey in the Toyota Lineup
In some ways, it’s easy to compare the Venza and Crown Signia. In other ways, it feels like comparing apples to oranges. They both have something to offer to drivers, which may seem unfair for the Venza to have to say its goodbyes when it still has some love left to give. Unfortunately, Toyota has made its decision, and the Crown Signia is it.
The good news is that the Venza will be available on used lots across the country, and of course, it’s still very much alive right now, with 2024 models still gracing showroom floors. The other good piece of news is that the Crown Signia displays many comparable features with the Venza, including an efficient hybrid powertrain, great use of its interior space, and plenty of tech to make the drive better. So, as we say so long to the Venza, know that the journey will be in good hands as the capable and comfortable Crown Signia takes charge of the ride.
