Toyota Venza vs RAV4- what's different?

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One question that often comes up at the dealership is, "What makes the Toyota Venza different than the RAV4?" I mean, they're both SUV's, after all! Don't they serve the same purpose? Well, yes and no.

The RAV4 is technically considered a crossover, which means a vehicle that has a mix of features from both SUV's and midsize sedans, such as station wagons and hatchbacks. Crossovers are smaller than those huge, full sized SUV's you might remember from the early 2000's, but still have plenty of room, which is why they've become one of the most popular vehicles among families. 

How does the Venza compare? I asked our salesman Jimmy Conaway for his thoughts, and the first thing he told me was that even though the Venza is also considered a crossover vehicle, it's better to think of it as "70% car, 30% SUV."

Just from looking at the photo below, right away you can tell that the Venza isn't quite as tall as the RAV4. It looks and feels more like a Camry than a traditional SUV (such as the Highlander). Other key differences?

• While the Venza only has two rows of seating for up to 5 (the RAV4 can seat up to 7 with an optional 3rd row added) it does have more spacious, luxurious seats. Heated, leather-trimmed seats are standard in both the LE and XLE models of the vehicle.
• The Venza comes standard with many additional technology features such as dual zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and Homelink, which can be used to activate household devices such as garage doors, RF-controlled lighting, and gates.
• A V6 engine is available on the XLE model for those that want a ride that can zip along faster. The 2013 RAV4, in comparison, is only offered with a 4-cylinder engine.
• MPG wise, the RAV4 is more efficient, capable of 24 city/31 hwy, compared to the Venza's 20 city/26 hwy.
• Need to carry bikes or other over-sized cargo? The Venza does not come equipped with roof rails, whereas it is optional on the LE RAV4, and standard on the XLE and top of the line Limited model.
• The RAV4 has 38.4 total cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats, compared to the Venza's 36.2.

So, which vehicle is for you? Jimmy likes to equate the Venza to being a SUV version of the Toyota Avalon. It's available with many additional features to give that feel of luxury, and is a perfect choice for drivers who want a SUV-like ride with maximum comfort. The RAV4 is a better choice for larger families and those who need to accommodate more cargo. It's also more well suited for long trips, thanks to its improved fuel efficiency.

Which vehicle do you prefer? 

Tetris + Toyota

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Got a smartphone? Chances are, you've probably downloaded at least one game onto it at some point. Whether it's Candy Crush (the lunch break office favorite among our administrative staff!),Words with Friends, or something else, we all love a good way to kill a few minutes of time, especially if it's portable. The great part about these games is being able to play and compare our scores with people of all ages and backgrounds from around the world. Consider these interesting stats: 57% of people play mobile games every day, and 17% of those gamers happen to be aged 65 and up, according to a study by PopSci!

If you like to get your gaming fix in, you're probably familiar with Tetris, regarded as one of the most classic puzzle games of all time. It's been around since 1984 and there have been countless variations of it, including EA's latest "Tetris Blitz", which lets you play quick two-minute games that feature unique power-ups. 

Since Tetris is so well known though, how do you make it a little more exciting? Inject some Toyota! To celebrate the launch of the 2014 Corolla, Toyota has partnered up with EA to feature the vehicle as an exclusive prize you can earn as an in-game power-up. Activate the Corolla, and it zooms across the screen and clears a few lines of blocks for you!

We like the direction Toyota has been taking with these promotions as well as their latest commercial showing the Corolla evolving with music throughout the years. What do you think? Have you tried out the Tetris Blitz game? 

What makes "40" and "50" important for Toyota?

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Mention numbers in the 40 to 50 range to me and the first thing that usually comes to mind is hearing about a friend or family member celebrating a birthday. Is it time to bring out the cake with all the candles on it and the funny yet self deprecating card? Fortunately, in Toyota's case, they're not going that route. They do have two great milestones to celebrate, however!

The first is the announcement of the 40 millionth Toyota Corolla being sold worldwide, making Corolla the best selling nameplate of all time! To give you a comparison, in 1966 Toyota announced production of about 240,000 vehicles. Nowadays, over 1.1 million of them are produced annually, including the all-new 2014 Corolla with its premium interior and more stylish design. According to Jack Hollis, Toyota's Vice President of Marketing, the Corolla is "built for the way we live today and the places we go. From urban chic to family road trip, at 40 million we’re just getting started!”

Take a look at the comparison photo below and you can see just how much the car has evolved in terms of size, style, and technology. I don't think the designers of the original Corolla ever imagined it could be outfitted with a backup camera or the ability to make hands free phone calls with Bluetooth!

Now, what's special about the number 50? This story is a little more emotional, and involves a special surprise for an unsuspecting police officer in suburban New York. Michael Dee, who's been part of the police force there for over 20 years, was having a barbecue in his backyard when Toyota's U.S. Sales Chief Bill Fay showed up unannounced with balloons in hand. What was the commotion about? Well, it turns out that Michael, who had just purchased a Toyota Camry, happened to be Toyota's 50 millionth customer in America! You'll have to watch the video below to see how they celebrated Michael's purchase, and his genuinely candid reaction. Would you have felt the same way if you were in his shoes?