Our tester featured a voice-activated navigation system (optional, as it should be), but all versions are equipped with a dash board display offering information on the vehicle, such as fuel consumption.

This programmable display can be set to one of three languages, and the size of the font can even be increased for those whose vision is less than perfect.

The rear 60/40 tilting seats fold down almost flat to increase its volume.

Interior space is generous, both in front and in back, and as for the seats, Toyota emphasized comfort rather than support, which is fine for a family vehicle. The rear passengers can even benefit from an adjustable seat back for increased comfort.

There's a detail of which Toyota is very proud: the cabin is extremely easy to access. The doors open wide, but it's the lowered doorsteps that really make the difference, as they are so low that our pants don't even graze them. Mission accomplished, I say, as being of rather medium build myself, I never had the impression that I needed to leap aboard. I simply slid in with ease.

The cargo area is another success: it's vast and just as easy to access and features a washable floor. Even the rear 60/40 tilting seats fold down almost flat to increase its volume.

A new engine
Two engines power the Toyota Venza. A familiar 3.5-litre V6 and an all-new, 2.7-litre, 4-cylinder mill, which was in charge of getting our tester moving.

With its 182 ponies, it proved entirely capable of doing so, no matter the conditions and even on the mountainous roads of Pennsylvania.

On the flip side, both engines are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission that is far from perfect. Toyota's reps had touted its speed and intelligence, but it proved rather slow to react, and needed a helping hand to manage trickier situations. But in normal driving conditions, it works smoothly and effortlessly.

An all-new 2.7-litre 4-cylinder mill was in charge of getting our tester moving.