Toyota has confirmed that it will build an even larger version of its Kluger large SUV from 2023, with the Grand Kluger – badged the Grand Highlander for the United States – set to be revealed at the Chicago auto show on February 8.
The Grand Kluger will join the related Lexus RX luxury SUV in offering Toyota’s new 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol hybrid powertrain, badged the Hybrid Max engine. This powertrain produces around 250kW of power and 540Nm of torque.
Toyota released this preview of the rear end of the Grand Highlander / Grand Kluger
Other engines that are likely to be utilised for the Grand Kluger include a 2.4-litre, non-hybrid turbo petrol four-cylinder engine that will shortly be introduced on the regular Kluger line, superseding that car’s 3.5-litre non-turbo V6 petrol.
A series-parallel hybrid based around a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine could also be offered for the Grand Kluger, as it is on the regular Kluger.
The Grand Kluger would sit above the regular Kluger in Toyota’s SUV lineup (pictured)
Chasing Cars reported plans to introduce a Grand Kluger / Grand Highlander earlier in 2022 after Toyota Motor Company (TMC) registered further trademarks related to the new three-row, seven- or eight-seat SUV.
Likely to be built in an upgraded, expanded factory in the US state of Indiana – alongside the existing Toyota Kluger – the Grand Kluger will be joined by a new large Lexus SUV called the TX.
Whether the Grand Kluger will feature an upgraded dashboard compared to the Kluger is not yet known
All three vehicles – the existing Kluger that is sold in Australia, plus the new Grand Kluger and Lexus TX – will sit atop Toyota’s TNGA-K transverse modular large car platform that also underpins the Lexus RX and ES sedan, plus the Toyota Camry and RAV4 midsize SUV.
It is not yet known whether Toyota Motor Company Australia (TMCA) will add the Grand Kluger to its local lineup, though the growth of the larger SUV segment in recent years – including with the addition of the Hyundai Palisade and incoming Mazda CX-90 – increases the probability of a local release.
When asked if TMCA was considering adopting the Grand Kluger locally a spokesperson said “Toyota is always considering exciting new models as they become available for our market, but we have no announcements to make today”.