The Toyota Venza, offered exclusively as an EPA-estimated 39 combined MPG hybrid, brought a fresh approach to premium style and comfort in the midsize CUV segment when it arrived for 2022. Now, for 2023, Venza's unique style gets an extra infusion of coolness with the new Nightshade Edition. Based on the XLE trim level and available in three exterior colors, all featuring blackout trim for a distinctive presence, the Venza Nightshade joins other Toyota models in offering this bold treatment.

The Venza's undeniably distinct design packages an unquestionably fashionable and quiet cabin, all with unmistakable Toyota value. The Toyota Hybrid System II and Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive are standard on all Venza trims, which has a projected manufacturer-estimated 39 combined MPG rating. The new Nightshade Edition is available in three premium exterior colors – Celestial Black, Wind Chill Pearl  or Ruby Flare Red, each boldly accented by an array of black trim for the interior.

The Nightshade shows a true designer touch, starting with the acrylic front grille trim, black-painted outer mirror caps, door handles, rocker panels and available black roof rails. The lower bumpers are complemented in front and rear by smoked chrome moldings as well. The black shark fin antenna is, literally, a crowning touch.

For all three colors, the 2023 Venza Nightshade Edition rolls on 19-inch gloss-black multi-spoke aluminum alloy wheels and blacked out rear badges. LED fog lamps, now standard on XLE and Nightshade, shine extra light from the darkness. For Nightshade specifically, this can also be paired with the available Star Gaze™ Panoramic Roof.

Venza is assembled on the Toyota New Global Architecture K platform that underpins many of the company's sedans and crossovers, including luxury models. As such, Venza delivers the best of both worlds: sedan-like driving comfort and CUV versatility. Offering ample room for five in a highly maneuverable package, the Venza offers a host of available tech-focused features, including a 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia display with a nine speaker JBL Premium Audio system, 12.3" full digital instrument cluster, digital rear-view mirror and 10-inch color Head-Up Display.

One of Venza's most dramatic luxury innovations is, fittingly, found on top of the vehicle: the available Star Gaze™ fixed panoramic glass roof – available on the new Nightshade trim as well as the Limited grade. The roof panel's electrochromic glass technology allows drivers to switch from transparent to frosted modes within seconds using the ON/OFF button. In the frosted mode, Star Gaze™ brightens the interior while reducing direct sunlight, giving the cabin an even more open, airy and inviting feeling.

In addition to collision protection provided by the TNGA-K platform, the 2023 Venza comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, Toyota's suite of active safety systems. It includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection that features enhancements over the previous generation, including the ability to detect an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian at intersections when making a turn. The Pre-Collision System is designed to detect vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists and provide audio/visual alerts and automatic braking in certain conditions. Emergency steering assist is an additional function designed to detect pedestrians and stabilize the driver's emergency evasive steering maneuvers and help prevent lane departure.

TSS2.5 on Venza also includes Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control . Lane Departure Alert is designed to notify the driver via audible alert if it senses the vehicle is leaving the lane without engaging a turn signal. When DRCC is set and engaged, Lane Tracing Assist is designed to assist the driver by providing a slight steering force to help center the vehicle in its lane using visible lane markers or a preceding vehicle.

Automatic High Beams are designed to detect preceding or oncoming vehicles and automatically switch between high beam and low beam headlights. Road Sign Assist is designed to recognize certain road sign information using a forward-facing camera and display them on the multi-information display . Toyota's Rear Seat Reminder also comes standard on Venza.

The feature can note whether a rear door was opened within 10 minutes of the vehicle being turned on, or at any time after the vehicle has been turned on, with a reminder message in the instrument cluster after the engine is turned off, accompanied by multitone chimes. In addition to the TSS 2.5 system, other standard safety features include Blind Spot Monitor which is designed to help detect and warn of vehicles approaching or positioned in the adjacent lanes. Rear Cross Traffic Alert can offer added peace of mind by helping to detect vehicles approaching from either side while backing out and alerting with a visual and audible warning.

Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking is designed to provide warning and if needed, implement brake control when there's a possibility of a collision with a stationary object or an approaching vehicle while parking. The Toyota Hybrid System II in the Venza combines a high-efficiency 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine with three electric motors and a lithium-ion battery in a highly compact system. The gas engine employs Variable Valve Timing-intelligent system by Electric motor on the intake camshaft and VVT-i on the exhaust camshaft.

A variable cooling system and a fully variable oil pump further help improve engine efficiency. Toyota's proven hybrid tech seamlessly delivers 219 total system horsepower for lively performance in the Venza. As with all Toyota hybrids, the feeling of everyday acceleration and responsiveness is heightened by the way the electric motor boosts low-speed torque.

The hybrid system optimizes the level of electric motor assistance and gas engine RPM without the engine running at high revs. Engine speed is synchronized with vehicle speed, yielding effortless and quiet acceleration. Selectable NORMAL, ECO and SPORT driving modes let the driver tailor the Venza's performance personality.

SPORT mode enhances and sharpens throttle response, making fuel efficiency more fun. ECO mode changes the throttle and environmental logic to help the driver focus on maximizing mileage from the fuel and battery, while NORMAL mode is ideal for everyday driving.