Toyota Venza Towing Capacity by Year (2009-2023)

The Toyota Venza was introduced into Toyota’s lineup as a mid-size crossover SUV in 2009 and remains available through today. The Venza is known for its unique styling and for having the features consumers expect from SUVs, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a Toyota Venza?

The Toyota Venza has a towing capacity of up to 3,527 pounds depending on the model year.  Toyota does not recommend using the Venza for towing.

There’s a bit more to know about Toyota Venza towing capabilities which we’ll cover in today’s guide.

Toyota Venza Towing Capacity By Year

what is the towing capacity of a toyota venza
How much weight can a Toyota Venza tow is up to 3,500 lbs.

As we covered earlier, the 2023 Toyota Venza can tow 1,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The Venza has been in production since 2009, with the exception of 2017 to 2020 when it was not made for those model years.

Note that for each model year, there are many variables that affect the total towing capability of each vehicle year, so we recommend checking your specific Venza model year below for an in-depth guide and to get the most accurate information.

Here’s the maximum Toyota Venza towing capacity by year:

2023 Toyota Venza Towing Capacity: 1,000 pounds

2022 Toyota Venza Towing Capacity: 1,000 pounds

2021 Toyota Venza Towing Capacity: 1,000 pounds

2016 Toyota Venza Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds

2015 Toyota Venza Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds

2014 Toyota Venza Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds

2013 Toyota Venza Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds

2012 Toyota Venza Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds

2011 Toyota Venza Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds

2010 Toyota Venza Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds

2009 Toyota Venza Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds

Note that per Toyota’s US manuals, Toyota does not recommend using the Venza for towing for the 2021 through 2023 model years.

You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.

Here’s a video showing the Toyota Venza hybrid’s activity mount and what it can do:

Toyota Venza Braked Vs. Unbraked Tow Capacity

All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.

Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.

Toyota Venza Braked Tow Capacity: up to 3,500 lbs.

Toyota Venza Unbraked Tow Capacity: up to 3,500 lbs. (depending on model year and engine)

Toyota Venza Towing Capability Factors

There’s only one factor that affects the Toyota Venza tow rating, which is how many people you have in the vehicle while towing something.

Number of Passengers

A big factor in calculating your vehicle’s towing capacity is how many passengers you’re carrying, which directly calculates into the vehicle’s GCWR.

This is true of all vehicles, not just the Toyota Venza, so always take into consideration the total load of your passengers and gear in addition to what you’re towing.

Toyota Venza Tow Package Info

2009 toyota venza
How much can a Toyota Venza tow is up to 3,500 pounds.

Does The Toyota Venza Have A Tow Package?

Toyota does not offer a towing package on the Venza.

Instead, for the 2021-2023 model years they offer what they call an Activity Mount, which is simply a 1-¼” receiver tube that is best used for a lightweight bike rack or cargo carrier.

For the 2009-2016 model years, you can install an aftermarket hitch.

If you plan on actually towing anything, you’ll need to have an aftermarket tow hitch and wiring harness installed on your Venza.

Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Toyota Venza?

rear view of toyota venza
How much weight can a Toyota Venza pull is 3,500 pounds.

If you plan on towing anything with your Toyota Venza, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.

Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.

Make sure to get the right trailer ball size that matches your hitch and trailer.

Toyota Venza Tow Hitch

Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.

The Toyota Venza uses a Class 1, 2, or 3 hitch.

Here’s a great option for a Class III Toyota Venza trailer hitch:

CURT 13356 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2-Inch Receiver, Compatible with Select Toyota Venza , Black
  • DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. This trailer hitch is rated for 3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight, 350 lbs. tongue weight, 4,000 lbs. weight distribution capacity and 400 lbs. weight distribution tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
  • VERSATILE DESIGN. This class 3 hitch equips your vehicle with a standard 2-inch x 2-inch hitch receiver, allowing for a wide variety of towing options. It can accept a ball mount, cargo carrier, bike rack, tow hook and much more
  • FULLY TESTED. Every CURT class 3 trailer hitch design is tested in real-world, on-vehicle conditions at our Detroit engineering facility. Aftermarket hitches are tested according to SAE J684 standards for the utmost safety while hauling
  • RUST, CHIP, UV-RESISTANT. This tow hitch is protected with a unique dual-coat finish of rust-resistant liquid A-coat and highly durable black powder coat. The two finishes are co-cured together for exceptional resistance to rust, chipping and UV rays
  • EASY TO INSTALL. This hitch offers a custom, factory fit on select model years of the Toyota Venza

Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your Venza:

Sale
CURT 45148 Trailer Hitch Mount, 2-Inch Ball, Pin, Fits 1-1/4-In Receiver, 3,500 lbs, 3-1/4" Drop, GLOSS BLACK POWDER COAT
  • DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
  • VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
  • READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
  • CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
  • EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy

Toyota Venza Trailer Hitch Installation

Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.

Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Toyota Venza trailer hitch installation:

Toyota Venza Trailer Hitch Installation Cost

If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your Venza, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).

If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.

Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing

Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.

Can I Bumper Tow With a Toyota Venza?

The Toyota Venza stock bumper is not rated for bumper towing, so you’ll need to install a frame-mounted hitch like the one we listed earlier in this guide or an aftermarket bumper with a hitch ball on it.

Does My Toyota Venza Have A Tow Package?

toyota venza towing a travel trailer
The Toyota Venza can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your Venza to see if you notice a trailer hitch or trailer ball.

That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your Venza.

Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.

Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.

Data Accuracy

We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official Toyota Venza Owner’s Manuals on Toyota’s website and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.

Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with your Toyota Venza.

Leave a Comment