Kluger comeback
Grant Edwards finds the Japanese brand has lifted this SUV into the luxury realm
SITTING on the endangered list, the Toyota Kluger has stared Australian extinction in the eye twice. Not because of a lack of interest. The family friendly SUV has been a big success for Toyota in Australia, but production demands had put the squeeze on right-hand drive Klugers.
The second generation, which last year claimed more than 11% of the large SUV market, almost never made it…and the third incarnation faced a similar fate.
But the Yanks have proved our saviour, and now a new breed of Kluger manufactured in Indiana has reached our shores.
This is the perfect example of the modern-day SUV. Designed for the family with active lifestyles, the Kluger is consummate all-rounder.
While not designed for the beaten track (there is the Prado for that) it can handle gravel tracks with ease, you can haul seven and Australian tuning has ensured it’s actually a car which is rewarding to drive.
Entry level prices have decreased, dropping to $40,990, but it is a steep hike the range-topping Grande which starts from $63,990.
Comfort
Remarkably quiet, the new Kluger is almost Lexus-quiet when under way.
It makes for a wonderfully pleasant ride and spacious dimensions are at the forefront of a cabin with improved finishes and aesthetics.
Adults can actually fit in the third row, although the low seat position makes it more suited to those vertically challenged or kids.
All seats are relatively flat and could do with some additional support around the rump.
The driver’s instrument cluster is clear and concise. On the left sits the speedometer, tachometer on the right with digital trip and vehicle information in the centre.
Finding your way around the operations is simple, with the touch-screen stereo taking pride of place, while the air-con controls sit below. It’s all intuitive, with the most used features highlighted as individual buttons on either side of the touch-screen for faster operation.
On the road
Only one powerplant is available, a strong V6 which produces just above 200 kilowatts.
Its power delivery is smooth from low in the rev range. Step on the right pedal and there is ample grunt at the ready.
The bent six is partnered to a slick new six-speed automatic transmission which never put a foot wrong during our drive, even with some challenging climbs and descents.
Steering feels nice and controlled with confident feedback, although the two-wheel drive did suffer from some steering wheel shudder mid-corner when upset by undulations during our test, but the all-wheel had no such issues.
The Kluger has a nice planted feel in the bends, approach a corner with too much speed and you feel predictable SUV roll, but the big SUV is surprisingly nimble and smooth.
Many drivers would struggle to pick the difference between two and all-wheel drive, with the latter able to send up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels. It would be the best choice for those with towing intentions, and four-wheel drive vehicles also have a “lock” function for maximum torque to all four corners at speeds under 40kmh.
What do you get?
Base models are surprisingly well equipped. The GX has 18-inch alloys, daytime running lamps, tilt-and-telescopic steering adjustment, rear view camera and sensors, cruise control, air-con, seven airbags along with the full suite of safety gear, as well as an intuitive colour 15.5cm touch-screen system with Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity.
Mid-grade GXL gets three-zone climate-control air-conditioning, keyless smart entry and push button start, 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, roof rails and leather-accented interior.
Range-topping Grande has all the bells and whistles, like 19-inch alloys, projector LED headlamps with Auto High Beam, tilt-and-slide sunroof, ventilated front seats, digital radio, second-row sunshades, 22.8cm rear-seat entertainment system with Blu-ray player, power-operated tailgate and woodgrain-look inserts.
It also gains the safety extras such as radar cruise control, lane departure alert and blind spot monitor.
There are a few extras worth looking at, including the integrated nudge bar for $780, sidesteps for $950, tow bar for $560 and the blind spot alert for $695 (standard on Grange).
Running costs
Both the two-wheel drive and all-wheel drives have official fuel consumption of less than 11 litres per 100km. We achieved slightly more, which is starting to get thirsty by current day standards.
Insurance is expected to be at the lower end of the scale, while Toyota has an excellent capped price servicing plan for three years which is cheap at $170 per visit – although maintenance is required every six months or 10,000km.
Practicality
One of the deepest consoles we’ve seen in recent years sits in the centre. With a 25-litre capacity it can handle a handbag or other valuables.
There is a useful shelf below the climate control buttons perfect for phones and other trinkets. It even has a hole to route connections to the USB and 12-volt ports.
There are large cup holders in the centre console and another pair in the fold-down armrest in the rear, was well as four in the third row – two on each wheel arch. Each door also has capacity for a bottle.
Extra cabin space has allowed for the middle row to be shifted forward to deliver additional leg room in the third row along with more luggage space – and there is now actually room in the boot with all three rows of seats in place.