The second-generation Toyota Venza was announced in May 2020 and went on sale for the North American market for the 2021 model year. Of course, no major changes were announced since then, but for the 2023 model year, the Venza will offer a special Nightshade Edition.

This is not the first Toyota model to get a Nightshade edition, as in the past few years the package was offered on pretty much every car, ranging from small cars like the Avalon to bigger ones like the 4Runner.

What makes the 2023 Toyota Venza Nightshade Edition special?

The new Nightshade Edition is based on the XLE trim level and will be offered in three exterior colors: Celestial Black, Wind Chill Pearl (which replaces the Blizzard Pearl for all 2023 models), or Ruby Flare Red.

The exterior package will also add an acrylic front grille trim, black-painted outer mirror caps, door handles, rocker panels, and black roof rails offered as an option. For both front and rear, the lower bumpers receive smoked chrome molding, while the coolest part is, of course, the black shark fin antenna.

The special edition will be offered with a set of 19-inch gloss-black multi-spoke aluminum alloy wheels. As a standard feature, the model will also offer LED fog lamps, while a special Star Gaze Panoramic Roof will be offered as an option.

Unfortunately, the new Nightshade edition does not offer any interior updates, but Toyota Is offering more standard equipment for the 2023 XLE trim. The 2023 Venza XLE will be offered with a 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen, a new Toyota Audio Multimedia system, and a seven-inch color Multi-Information Display. As an option, the model can also be equipped with the JBL Premium Audio System.

Offered not just for the Nightshade edition but for the entire Venza lineup is the standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 that includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC).

The 2023 Venza is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture K (TNGA-K) platform and is powered by Toyota's Hybrid System II which combines a high-efficiency 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with three electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. The system delivers a total of 219 horsepower and a combined fuel economy of 39 mpg.

Toyota didn't reveal prices for the 2023 Venza Nightshade Edition, but for the 2022 model year, the Venza was priced from $33,320 for the base LE version to $40,730 for the Limited version. Expect prices for the 2023 model year to be in the same range.