The 2010 Lexus RX and the 2009 Toyota Venza SUVs have both earned the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety’s 2009 Top Safety Pick award. To qualify for Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute’s front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control, which is standard on the Toyota Venza and Lexus RX.

“Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results,” says Institute president Adrian Lund.

The 2009 Toyota Venza and the 2010 Lexus RX both received a rating of ‘Good’ in frontal offset, side impact and rear strength tests.

Click through for the high-res image galleries.

2009 Toyota Venza:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Toyota just debuted their “Are you Venza?” commercial during Super Bowl XLIII. Later tonight Toyota is also expected to air the new Tundra commercial.

We’re still wondering why Toyota is spending advertising money on SUVs and pickups.

Grade: C – Sorry we’re not Venza.

Follow our Super Bowl XLIII tag to see all the automotive related commercials that will air tonight.

Follow the jump to see the commercial.

Toyota today announced its first annual net loss in history – so it’s pretty surprising that the Japanese automaker will be dropping millions on advertising its new Venza crossover and its Tundra pickup. According to KickingTires, Toyota will drop $3 million each on Super Bowl XLIII commercials for its Venza and Tundra models.

Two Super Bowl’s ago, Toyota heavily advertised its Tundra pickup which was well-received. However, now do the huge drop in demand in the SUV and pickup segment it’s puzzling to us why Toyota would drop so much on Super Bowl XLIII ads pitching these two segments. A better pick would be the 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid which hits dealers in April.

The Tundra ad will be titled “Killer Heat” and will show the large pickup handling some extreme circumstances. The Venza ad will ask you “Are you a Venza?”

Source: KickingTires

Toyota today announced the pricing on its new 2009 Toyota Venza Crossover. Pricing starts at $25,975 for the 4-cylinder with front-wheel-drive to $29,250 for the V6 model with all-wheel-drive.

2009 Toyota Venza Pricing Breakdown:

· 4-cylinder FWD $25,975
· 4-cylinder AWD $27,425
· V6 FWD $27,800
· V6 AWD $29,250

The entry level 4-cylinder models are powered by a 2.7L that produces 182-hp with a maximum torque of 182-hp. EPA estimates fuel-economy at 21/29 mpg (city/highway) for the FWD model and 20/28 mpg for the AWD model. The V6 model is powered by a 3.5L unit that makes 268-hp with a peak torque of 246 lb-ft. Combined fuel-economy is estimated at 22 mpg for the FWD V6 model and 21 mpg for the AWD. All Toyota Venza models are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift.

Follow the jump for more pricing details and a high-resolution gallery.

2009 Toyota Venza:

Press Release:

TOYOTA ANNOUNCES PRICES FOR NEW 2009 VENZA

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 3, 2008 – - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc.,
today announced manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the 2009 Toyota
Venza. MSRPs will range from $25,975 for the four-cylinder with front-wheel-drive
(FWD) model to $29,250 for the V6 with all-wheel-drive (AWD). Venza V6 models will
start hitting dealerships in early December, with full production and sales of both
engines in January.

Venza represents a new direction in passenger cars for Toyota. It combines
excellent fuel economy, innovative design, outstanding utility and excellent value.
Venza will use a single grade strategy with simplified packages and stand-alone options
that will include an impressive list of comfort and utility features.

Venza is available in nine colors with a choice of two engines, a four-cylinder and
a V6, each offered in FWD and AWD. Both engines are mated to a six-speed
sequential-shift electronically-controlled automatic transmission.

The new Venza prices include the following standard features on all models:

- Electronic Power
- Steering Rear spoiler
- Cruise control
- Integrated fog lamps
- Privacy glass
- HomeLink®
- Six-disc CD changer with roof-mounted XM® satellite radio antenna
- Dual-zone automatic climate control with air filter and second row seat vents
- A tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel with integrated audio controls
- Six-speed transmission with sequential shift
- Vanity mirror Rear windshield wiper
- 20-inch wheels on V6; 19-inch wheels on four-cylinder
- Electrochromic rearview mirror with compass
- Power windows with auto up/down function and jam protection on all four doors
- Cargo area one-touch forward-fold seat levers
- Tonneau cover
- Seven airbags
- Rear personal overhead lamps
- Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)
- Dual exhaust on V6
- Front active headrests
- 14-degree rear seat recline

Venza is the first Toyota passenger car to offer the Star Safety System™
as standard equipment for all models which includes enhanced Vehicle Stability
Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) Systems with a cutoff switch, Antilock
Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and
Brake Assist.

Venza also brings many new firsts as optional features to the Toyota
lineup that are typically found on luxury vehicles. High intensity discharge
headlamps with an automatic high beam feature that detects oncoming vehicles
and automatically switches the headlamps from high- to low-beam; chromeaccented
one-touch door handles on the front side doors that lock and unlock all
four doors and rear hatch door; panoramic roof with power tilt/slide function and a separate fixed glass panel over the rear seats; and wireless Bluetooth® streaming music from the navigation system.

Other first time Toyota options include a multi-information display that can
be customized to adjust the font size and content. The navigation voice
instructions are available in Spanish, French or English.

Additional options for Venza include Smart Key System with push button
start; power rear door with jam protection; leather-trimmed seats; tow hitch; rear
bumper protector; roof rack; carpeted floor mats; and a cargo mat. A full line of
pet products such as a rear hatch pet ramp, booster seat with harness, pet
buckles, rear seat zip line-style harnesses, pet carriers, bucket seat, bench seat
and hammock-style waterproof seat covers are available at Toyota dealerships.

VENZA OPTION MSRP

FACTORY OPTIONS
· Panoramic glass roof with front power tilt/side moonroof – $1,050

· Voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system with JBL
Synthesis® surround sound AM/FM 4-disc in-dash CD changer
with integrated satellite radio, MP3/WMA playback capability,
hands-free phone capability and music streaming via
Bluetooth® wireless technology and 13-speakers – $2,590

· Rear-seat DVD entertainment system with JBL Synthesis®
surround sound, 9-inch display and two wireless headphones
and remote, 120V power outlet and RCA jacks – $1,680

· JBL Synthesis® surround sound AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD
changer with integrated satellite radio, MP3/WMA playback
capability, hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth® wireless
technology and 13-speakers – $1,090

PACKAGES
· Security Package – backup camera and anti-theft system – $570
· Convenience Package – Smart Key System with Push Button
Start and power rear door with jam protection – $860

· Lighting Package – High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps
with Automatic High Beam Headlamps – $815

· Leather Package – leather seating surfaces, 4-way power front
passenger seat with lumbar support, satin mahogany woodgrain-
style interior trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel and
leather-wrapped shift knob with satin mahogany wood-grainstyle
inlay. – $1,600

· Comfort Package – leather seating surfaces, 4-way power front
passenger seat with lumbar support, driver and front
passenger seat multi-sate seat heaters, satin mahogany woodgrain-
style interior trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel,
leather-wrapped shift knob with satin mahogany wood-grainstyle
inlay, color-keyed, heated outside mirrors and windshield
wiper de-icer. – $2,100

· Premium Package #1 – leather seating surfaces, 4-way power
front passenger seat with lumbar support, satin mahogany
wood-grain-style interior trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel,
leather-wrapped shift knob with satin mahogany wood-grainstyle
inlay, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with
Automatic High Beam feature, power rear door with jam
protection, Smart Key System with Push Button Start, backup
camera and anti-theft system – $3,845

· Premium Package #2 – leather seating surfaces, 4-way power
front passenger seat with lumbar support, driver and front
passenger seat multi-stage seat heaters, satin mahogany
wood-grain-style interior trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel,
leather-wrapped shift knob with satin mahogany wood-grainstyle
inlay, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with
Automatic High Beam feature, power rear door with jam
protection, Smart Key System with Push Button Start, backup
camera, anti-theft system, color-keyed, heated outside mirrors
and windshield wiper de-icer – $4,345

· Tow package – engine oil cooler, larger radiator fan & heavyduty
alternator – $220