Inside, though, the Venza receives rave reviews. "I appreciate the silkiness of the audio controls and the clever center console, which easily adapts to multiple configurations and neatly clasps an iPhone," opines St. Antoine. Loh notes, "Best interior of the group. Classier surfaces than Murano and Edge. Weird placement of some wood elements, but at least you get the sense Toyota's design department is trying."

"It's impossible to overlook the Toyota's virtues: fleet of foot, polished, roomy, well-crafted, fuel-efficient, attractively priced," says St. Antoine. Loh expresses similar sentiments: "Though I like the Edge's styling and prefer the Murano's drive, the Toyota simply can't be beat by virtue of the three Ps-packaging, performance, and price."

With four doors and seating for five adults, the Toyota Venza is admittedly a pretty sleek package, considering its size.

Toyota has also paid attention to safety concerns by featuring its STAR safety system on the Venza, incorporating anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and vehicle stability control.

The Subaru Forester is similar in price and fuel economy but offers more utility.

The Venza will probably prove to be a reliable vehicle with strong resale value, but those qualities do little to make me want to drive one.

What strikes me most about the Venza is this: Why in the heck does it exist? Does Toyota need a wagon version of the best-selling Camry? Maybe, but the Venza's ride height and mass make it far more trucky than a simple Camry wagon.

With the smooth 3.5-liter V-6 underhood, the Venza drives quite well, but I can't see myself looking elsewhere for a similar vehicle.

Unlike most crossovers - including the Highlander, Toyota's other Camry-based crossover - the Venza is actually a better vehicle than its parent. It combines the Camry's quality with vastly improved cargo utility and, perhaps most surprising, a better driving experience.

The Venza is a (mostly) carlike, (not too) small (high-utility) passenger vehicle. It's based on the Camry platform, with which it shares some specifications, and has a high level of standard equipment. That makes it more than a Camry station wagon, and maybe less, in some respects, than a Toyota Highlander SUV.

There is no "base" Venza. Toyota is marketing it as a premium car that comes unusually well equipped in standard form.

Despite the marketing spin, the Venza is sure to be a strong competitor against the likes of the Saturn Vue, the Dodge Journey, and the Ford Edge. Speaking of the Edge, the Venza's front end looks a lot like a Ford beak turned up at the edges in a smile. Like those American competitors, the Venza has seating for only five passengers. To its credit, though, it is larger and more nicely trimmed than Toyota's Matrix. Think of it as a shorter, sleeker Highlander.