2023 Toyota Venza Gets Nightshade Edition, Toyota Audio Multimedia

The hybrid SUV will be the seventh Toyota to feature a blacked-out Nightshade edition.

Toyota is on a tear. After debuting the refreshed Highlander yesterday, the Japanese automaker on Thursday revealed the 2023 Venza. A milder update, the mid-sized model sees the addition of the popular Nightshade trim, plus the same tech upgrades found on its bigger brother.

Nightshade is Toyota-speak for a blacked-out trim model. Based on the mid-range XLE, the Venza Nightshade sees black badging, mirror caps, door handles, and an acrylic black grille. Black roof rails are also available. It comes with three paint options: new-to-Venza Wind Chill Pearl, Ruby Flare Red, and … black, of course. Black-painted versions of the XLE’s multi-spoke 19-inch wheels round out the look.

The Nightshade does net one unique feature over the XLE, however: the trick Star Gaze electrochromic roof from the Limited. This panoramic glass roof goes from opaque to transparent at the touch of a button.

Across the range, the Venza lineup now utilizes the improved Toyota Audio Multimedia setup, which is one of our favorite user interfaces. TAM is much quicker than Entune before it, with quicker responses, a better layout, and accurate voice recognition. It’s also capable of over-the-air (OTA) updates. The LE continues to use an 8.0-inch screen, while XLE, Nightshade, and Limited all employ a 12.3-inch unit. The Limited now uses a digital instrument panel of the same size, much like the Highlander. Other top-trim improvements include making the head-up display standard (previously, it was optional), eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat, and rain-sensing wipers.

Also standard on all 2023 Venzas is the upgraded Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite. The updated automated emergency braking can now detect pedestrians and cars at intersection turns. Lane keep assist, lane departure alert, auto high beams, rear seat reminder, and full-range adaptive cruise control round out the lineup. Also standard on all Venzas—though not a part of TSS2.5+—are blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

There are no mechanical tweaks for the 2023 Venza. Every model continues to use Toyota’s 2.5-liter inline-four hooked up to three electric motors for a combined 219 horsepower. The standard AWD runs all power through the front wheels under normal use, but can vary the torque ratio to as much as 80-percent rearward.