Toyota Kluger Review Australia | Features, Specification, Price

• Car Reviews,
• Dec 31, 2021

 

Toyota Kluger is one of the Aussie families favourites. In the Australian SUV family, it has become a household name. It launched in 2003. This SUV was one of the first built on a car instead of a truck platform. This Suv has proven very successful in two markets, the first in Australia and North America. In these two regions, Toyota Kluger is sold in every generation. 

 

In 2021 the new-generation model came out. This generation is also known as the fourth-generation ‘XU70’ model. The 2021 model offers a hybrid powertrain for the first time in Australia. 

 

Toyota Kluger engine:

As mentioned before, there’s a hybrid Kluger now. It is a brilliant idea as these cars usually spend a lot of time in traffic and car parks, and this seven-seater can also run silently in electric vehicle mode in these situations.

 

This hybrid’s battery recharges when the brakes are applied during the drive. These batteries power the electric motor, and it has two motors on the front and on the back that combines with a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine. 

 

With Toyota Kluger, it is straightforward and seamless to swap from engine to motor or combine both. This is all because of the mastery of Toyota when it comes to tech. In addition to that, to make it very smooth, Toyota Kluger comes with continuously variable transmission (CVT).

 

The petrol engine produces 142kW of power and the electric motors produce 184kW of power. The petrol engine produces a torque of 242 Nm, whereas the front electric motors have 134 Nm and 270 Nm of torque, and the rear motor produces 121 Nm of torque. In addition, the 2021 Hybrid Kluger is an all-wheel drive. 

 

Like the previous Klugers, the 2021 version also comes with a V6 engine. This variant is affordable compared to the hybrid one, and this too comes with an all-wheel-drive and a front-wheel-drive option. The 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine produces 218kW of power and 350 Nm of torque. The engine comes mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

 

The 2021 Toyota Kluger has a 2000kg braked towing capacity and about 750 kilograms unbraked towing capacity.

 

Toyota Kluger exterior:

The exterior is not as beautiful as the other competitors. It does not have elegant lines or a futuristic face like other rivals, but it does have a serious and stern look that makes it a little different from the rest of the line. 

 

Although the Kluger is new, its styling is easily recognized on the roads. It does not have a cutting edge design, but you can say that it is somewhat similar to RAV4 but in a larger version! 

 

The Toyota Kluger exterior accompanies blade headlights and a moustache-like grille. Toyota Kluger is not angular, and instead, it has more curves than its mid-sized sibling. These curves can easily be observed around the rear haunches that wrap around the tailgate. 

 

The GX and GXL model of Toyota Kluger comes with 18-inch alloy wheels. At the same time, the Grande accompanies 20-inch rims that carry chrome-effect paint. 

 

Coming to the measurements of the new Kluger, it is slightly bigger than its predecessor and has the following dimensions:

✓ 4966mm in length

✓ 1930mm in width

✓ 1755mm in height

 

In addition to Crystal Pearl, Silver Storm Metallic and, Eclipse Black, the Toyota Kluger is available in five new paint colours:

✓ Graphite Metallic

✓ Atomic Rush Red Mica

✓ Liquorice Brown Mica

✓ Saturn Blue Metallic

✓ Galena Blue Metallic

 

Toyota Kluger interior:

On the inside of the Toyota Kluger, you will get a new cabin that is more functional than fashionable. It comes with a dashboard dominated by the media screen and climate control dials. 

 

The GX model has black cloth-trimmed seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a shift lever. On the other hand, the GXL model accompanies synthetic leather seats. The Grande model has leather upholstery, and the grande has soft-touch surfaces with stitching. In comparison, the rest of the grades have hard plastics galore and styling. 

 

Coming to the seats, all Kluger models come standard with seven seats. There are two seats up front, three seats in the second row, and two seats in the third.

 

The Legroom is pretty good. By arranging the seats behind the driving position, the passengers can sit in the second and third rows without getting their knees touched on any of the seatbacks. Coming to the headroom, the second row and third row have incredible headroom that is even better than the  CX-9. 

 

Coming to the storage, you will get small door pockets. In addition to that, you will have a giant centre console bin and shelves built into the dash that is good for keeping wallets and phones. The passengers will also enjoy two cupholders up front, two in the second row and four in the third row.

 

Moving to the boot space, you will have 241 litres (VDA) of cargo capacity with the third-row seats in place. If the third row is folded flat, you will be getting 552 litres of cargo capacity. 

 

Toyota Kluger safety:

The 2021 Toyota Kluger is not yet tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. Still, we believe that it will score well. This is because all of the Toyota Kluger variants come standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense package, which includes the following features:

✓ Autonomous emergency braking

✓ Junction assist

✓ Pedestrian detection

✓ Daytime cyclist detection

✓ Blind-spot monitoring

✓ Rear cross-traffic alert

✓ Emergency steering assist

✓ Adaptive cruise control

✓ Curve speed reduction

✓ Lane tracing assist

✓ Automatic high-beam

✓ Traffic sign recognition

✓ Reversing camera

✓ Front and rear parking sensors

✓ Seven airbags

 

Toyota always makes it absolute that all its variants come with the latest and best safety system standard instead of making it an option.

 

Toyota Kluger pricing:

The 2021 Toyota Kluger prices range from $44,850 for the primary trim level SUV to $77,575 for the top-of-the-range SUV.

 

Pros:

✓ It has a super spacious and practical interior

✓ The Toyota Kluger comes with a fuel-efficient hybrid or engaging V6 engine

✓ It is an excellent ride with exceptional dynamics

 

Cons:

✓ The infotainment system is out-of-date

✓ The interior could be a bit more luxurious

✓ The top-spec models are rather pricey

 

The final verdict!

Although the 2021 Toyota Kluger does not have very modern styling, refinement and in-car tech, it is a comfortable and easy to drive SUV. The hybrid version of the Toyota Kluger is also fantastic. If you are looking for a seven-seater SUV that is practical, then this Aussie family favourite SUV is the one for you. Before making such a big purchase ensure that all its history is known to you. To get the hidden past of any SUV, use Quick Revs online platform that provides a detailed account of every Australian car.