2008 Detroit Auto Show: Toyota Venza Crossover Sedan Flint MI

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New Cars: 2009 Toyota Venza Crossover Sedan Preview - As if having three crossovers already wasn't enough, and obviously it isn't for Toyota, the automaker is bringing out the Venza Crossover Sedan in Detroit. Yes, you read the word "crossover" followed by the word "sedan." ToMoCo says it "will be a unique blend of sedan and sport utility vehicle, offering seating for five, easy ingress and egress, a car-like ride and functional utility." Hmm, BMW's coupe and SUV, Toyota's sedan and SUV - seems like there's a trend here. The Venza was designed and engineered in the U.S., and will be built at the Georgetown, Ky., plant, which is where Camry, Solara and Avalon are built. That pretty much says the Venza will be based on the Camry/Avalon platform, much like the Avalon based FT-SX concept shown at the 2005 Motown shindig, and in the picture above. The FT-SX isn't very sedan-like and Ford already has the three-bar grill, so we're expecting something a bit different than this.

Bob Beamesderfer
MyRide Road Test Editor