The 2021 Toyota Venza Is a Great SUV, But Here’s One Problem

If you’re looking for a reliable, fuel-efficient vehicle that’s not quite a car, but also not really an SUV, then the 2021 Toyota Venza fits perfectly. The Venza provides a spacious cabin for up to five occupants comfortably and comes solely with a hybrid powertrain that’s stingy on fuel and should last for many years. 

That being said, the Venza makes perfect sense for almost anyone, except that there’s just one pointless feature that might seem like a problem. 

The 2021 Toyota Venza’s Over-hyped Roof

The 2021 Toyota Venza has a lot to offer, especially if you’re driving the top-trim Limited model. The Limited comes with everything you would need for a new car, which means that it contains the entire tech-rich goodies including all of the necessary power amenities and driver-assist features as well as a premium JBL sound system. 

It also has heated and ventilated seats, as well as the heated steering wheel that always comes in clutch. However, there’s one feature that critics are not particularly fond of. It’s the Star Gaze fixed panoramic roof. 

How Does the Star Gaze Panoramic Roof Work?

In case you’re not aware of it, the Star Gaze panoramic roof is a fixed, extra-large moonroof that you can equip the 2021 Venza with should you feel the need to view the universe behind the plate of glass at nighttime. 

Of course, you can use it during the daytime as well, if you don’t mind having the greenhouse effect, but you’ll need to roll down the side windows for an open-air experience. This is due to the fact that the Star Gaze roof can only be switched from “frosted” to “clear” with the push of a button, but it cannot be opened.

According to Forbes, the Star Gaze roof utilizes “electrochromic” technology in which “high-tech films” are layered between the panes of glass. When the switch is turned on or off, and the ions in the film are either charged or not charged, then the glass will go from opaque to clear and vice versa.

The Star Gaze Panel is Only Worth it When You Remember It’s There

Considering it lets in some light when the glass is frosted, it effectively provides a nice ambient glow during the daytime, which is pleasant, but it also becomes utterly useless at nighttime.

Additionally, if you want to cover it up then you can do so with the powered roof cover. You would probably forget that it was even there in the first place, which wouldn’t be a good use considering how expensive it is. Just remember to consider how much you’ll actually use it if you do plan to buy a Toyota Venza Limited.