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Venza Invites Pets Along for the Ride
Feb 25 2009 by Lori Hindman
Toyota is offering aftermarket pet products to go with their 2009 Venza, so taking Fido in the car is easier and safer than ever. According to AAA, unrestrained pets in cars cause more than 30,000 accidents every year.
I got a chance to try some of Venza’s new pet accessories when I test drove the car, see the full review here. What’s great about Toyota offering these accessories is you know they’ll actually fit in the car. The pet accessories are available at Toyota dealerships.
First, I tried out the small-pet booster seat that clips right onto the Venza’s front or rear seat. It came in a sweet-looking pale green and gray plaid that fit in nicely with the Venza’s interior. When they say small pet, they mean less than 25 pounds. The booster seat sagged when I tried to stuff my 30-pound dog, Sammy, into it, however, my small cat, Tico, easily fit in the booster. My (fat) dog had to be content sitting on a waterproof seat cover with an easy-to-use harness. The waterproof bucket seat cover slid on easily and fit perfectly, just as advertised. The combination kept him safe and the car clean. Gotta love that.
For bigger dogs, there’s a waterproof hammock that covers the backseat and the backs of the front seats. There’s also a tether system that allows the dog to move from side-to-side but not forward. It can be used in the backseat, where it hooks onto a grab handle in the ceiling, or by connecting the tether to the cargo hooks in the cargo area. It’s really simple to install and adjust, and it’s a nice compromise between security and freedom for your furry friend.
There are more than a dozen options for outfitting Fido in the Venza, including a cargo-area barrier and a rear hatch dog ramp. All of this love for my four-legged babies really warms my heart toward the Venza. You might even say it gets my tail wagging. If I had one…
Is Toyota barking up the right tree or are they just chasing their tails? Tell us what you think in the comment section.
User Comments
I think this is a great idea. Having the seat cover exactly fit make it so much easier to keep the car clean. Now if only I could get my dog to act as a chauffeur, it would be perfect!
I love it. My only question is what the cost is of these items? I would worry they would be much more than the aftermarket generic products available at the pet store.
Well, I am looking for vehicle to fit two children and a Workingline German Shepherd Dog. Toyota has the RIGHT idea.