I’m thinking about getting a used car, and a Venza is at the top of my list. I was looking at a RAV4 first but felt like it was too big after a test drive. It felt like driving a boat. How does the newer Venza compare to a RAV4 when it comes to driving?
What did you drive before, if the RAV4 felt like a boat to you?
Torin said:
What did you drive before, if the RAV4 felt like a boat to you?
I’m driving a 2013 Corolla at the moment, haha.
The Venza and RAV4 are pretty similar in size. I didn’t feel much of a difference between the two.
My husband has a 2023 RAV4 XSE Hybrid and I drive a 2023 Venza Limited. The RAV4’s hood seems bigger, but that’s just how it looks from the driver’s seat. The Venza has a sloping hood, so it feels smaller. The two are pretty close in size. The Venza is a bit longer, but it doesn’t really feel that different when driving. The Venza is a little more agile, but the RAV4 feels a bit bulkier.
Overall, the Venza and RAV4 are very similar. The Venza is about 7 inches longer in front, but both have the same wheelbase. The RAV4 sits a bit higher because it has more ground clearance, but otherwise, there’s not much difference.
I’ve driven both and personally think the Venza drives better.
The Venza feels a lot more luxurious to me. I didn’t like how the RAV4 drove because it felt bulkier. The Venza feels more like a car than an SUV, and I’m used to driving Priuses. The ride is much smoother, and there’s less road noise. The downside is that the Venza’s storage isn’t as good, and it feels less rugged. For me, the Venza is more suited for city driving, whereas the RAV4 feels like a better off-road option.
The Venza has a much quieter and smoother ride. It definitely doesn’t feel like a boat.
I tested both. The RAV4 felt slightly too big and small for me at the same time, but the Harrier (Venza) felt just right.
We have a 2018 RAV4 and a 2021 Venza at home. The Venza drives like a car, not like a boat at all. My wife loves her RAV4, and I can’t get her to take my Venza so I can get a Land Cruiser instead.
For me, the RAV4 felt more utility-focused inside, while the Venza felt more luxurious. The drive is pretty similar since they share the same platform and drivetrain. The RAV4 has a bit more ground clearance, but I doubt it changes how they feel on the road.
My wife drives a RAV4, and I have a Venza. Size-wise, they are close. The RAV4 feels sportier and is taller, while the Venza sits lower and offers a more luxurious ride. Neither of them feels like a boat to me.
I used to drive a 2010 Prius, and now I have a 2021 Venza. It took me a while to get used to the size difference, but I love the Venza now. It was definitely worth the change.
I can’t believe you think the RAV4 feels like a boat.
My husband drives a 2021 RAV4 XLE Premium Hybrid, and I have a 2023 Venza XLE. They’re pretty similar, but I feel the RAV4 has a stiffer ride and isn’t as cushy. The Venza feels softer, but both cars have a similar overall feel. The Venza is 5 to 6 inches longer and about 1 to 3 inches shorter in height.