Over a decade, the Toyota Kluger has developed a reputation as a reliable medium-size SUV. It is far more car-like than the rather agricultural Land Cruiser Prado, and build quality remains beyond that of its successful competitor, the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Kluger is now built in the United States, and with Australian tastes in crossovers mirroring that of our American cousins, the new model has seen improvements in many key areas.
Quality has been bolstered; the new car is more comfortable, with the Grande offering refinement levels more reminiscent of Lexus than Toyota; and the increase in size means there is now more room for everybody aboard. The only area in which things haven’t improved—and have in fact gone backwards—is under the bonnet. The new Kluger carries over the same, large-capacity petrol engine that, while smooth and powerful, is burdened by two tonnes of mass. With the absence of any alternative engines, all Klugers return poor fuel consumption figures.
ChasingCars.com.au borrowed this vehicle for our Toyota Kluger review:
- 2014 Toyota Kluger Grande AWD (top trim), with the 3.5-litre aspirated V6 and six-speed automatic, in Moulin Rouge with black leather, priced at $67,520 before on-road costs.