2025 Toyota Kluger overview | CarExpert

The Toyota Kluger is a seven-seat SUV with so much to supply the household purchaser.

Although the present era arrived in Australia in 2021, the Kluger nameplate has existed domestically since 2003 and has all the time been a well-liked dependable vendor.

Our automobiles are sourced from america, and the complete vary of Klugers at present on sale in Australia are hybrid and all-wheel drive. That’s not too frequent on this section, the place it competes with a spread of different massive SUVs.

Such rivals embrace the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X, which each comprise body-on-frame development and boast seven-seat capability however outsold the car-based (monocoque) Kluger in 2024.

Toyota’s personal ladder-frame Prado managed 9868 deliveries throughout the swap to the brand new 250 Collection era final 12 months, when it fell from its perennial section management place to be dwarfed by the Everest on 26,494 and the MU-X on 17,978.

Nonetheless, it fared a lot better than Toyota’s different body-on-frame massive SUV, the HiLux ute-based Fortuner, with 3042 gross sales.

WATCH: Paul’s video overview of the 2021 Toyota Kluger Grande Hybrid AWD

Within the realm of devoted road-going SUVs, the Kluger shapes up in opposition to seven-seat wagon choices just like the Mazda CX-80, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, GWM Tank 500 and Chery Tiggo 8 Professional.

The Kluger outsold all these fashions convincingly in 2024, with the one actual exception being the Sorento that got here inside 100 models.

It’s solely partway via its life cycle, however the Kluger nonetheless tends to mix into the background in on a regular basis visitors with its simple strategy to dependable household motoring.

On take a look at right here is the top-spec Kluger Grande, which rings up at greater than $80,000 earlier than on-roads. Is it a quiet achiever regardless of its premium worth?

How does the Toyota Kluger examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Toyota Kluger in opposition to equally sized automobiles.

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Kluger

How a lot does the Toyota Kluger value?

The Kluger Grande prices $82,860 earlier than on-roads – a whopping $21,940 greater than the range-opening GX.

That’s additionally greater than range-topping Everest Platinum 4×4 V6 at $81,200 earlier than on-roads, and the top-spec MU-X X-Terrain 3.0L 4×4 at $74,400 earlier than on-roads.

However it’s lower than the plug-in hybrid Mazda CX-80 P50e Azami at $87,200 earlier than on-roads, and the Kia Sorento PHEV GT-Line at $84,660 earlier than on-roads.

Nevertheless, the Kluger stays dearer than the GWM Tank 500 Extremely Hybrid ($73,990 drive-away), and the Chery Tiggo 8 Professional Max Final ($47,990 drive-away).

To see how the Toyota Kluger stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument

What’s the Toyota Kluger like on the within?

Nicely-built and purposeful, if not a bit of bland.

This a basic instance of Toyota designing an inside to do a job with out being flashy. Up entrance, you’ll see two 12.3-inch screens – one a touchscreen infotainment show and the opposite a digital instrument cluster disguised in a traditional-looking housing.

The infotainment show is graphically clear and easy, and also you get wi-fi smartphone mirroring as normal throughout the vary. Whereas Apple CarPlay labored with out subject for many of our week with the automobile, it did are inclined to drop out when passing underneath particular Melbourne toll cubicles – a trait per different Toyota fashions.

Nonetheless, we discovered it simple to dwell with because of the number of buttons on the wheel. Toyota’s native consumer interface can also be sharp and intuitive due to the always-present ribbon down the display screen’s proper edge.

The digital instrument show, in the meantime, reveals two gauges and virtually presents like a conventional cluster. On the left is Toyota’s typical hybrid system readout, whereas on the left is the automobile’s speedometer.

There’s a spread of widgets you may scroll via utilizing the directional buttons on the wheel, that are proven inside the two gauges. Between them is the place further customisable info is displayed, together with the automobile’s cruise management and security help capabilities.

Between it and the driving force is, in fact, the steering wheel, which is leather-accented throughout the Kluger lineup.

It’s pretty massive and feels good within the fingers, although a small grievance is that it feels too skinny at 9 and three o’clock. There’s a minimum of a cushty vary of adjustment for each tilt and attain, making it simple for many drivers to get in and sorted.

We don’t just like the inclusion of gloss-black plastic on the central spoke, nor the cheap-looking centre boss. The silver plastic trim across the edge may simply be unnoticed too, although some polish would match it with the glossier silver accents discovered elsewhere within the cabin.

To the Kluger’s credit score, all the wheel’s buttons are completed in uninteresting plastic and are totally bodily. It’s an identical story with the automobile’s local weather system, which can also be bodily however – annoyingly – completed with gloss-black plastic.

We perceive Toyota is attempting to make the entire infotainment/local weather panel meld into one cohesive unit, however as a result of its bezels are shiny the local weather buttons are too. That doesn’t imply we prefer it – uninteresting plastic is all the time higher for high-touch surfaces.

In any case, the system is simple to function because of its clear markings and the actual fact it’s fitted with these bodily buttons and knobs. Local weather info is displayed on a small central display screen or in the course of each knobs.

Heated and ventilated seats are a bonus, as is three-zone local weather management. Regardless of all these options and the mandatory buttons to regulate them, together with one for rear local weather, Toyota has miraculously retained one button clean right here.

Transferring down reveals a refined storage nook cleverly disguised as a dashboard moulding, which sits above a extra typical area for telephones and wallets. In there, you’ll additionally discover two USB-C ports, a single USB-A port, and a 12V outlet.

Behind that may be a massive wood-look panel, a design aspect discovered sporadically all through the Kluger’s cabin in solely the top-spec Grande. It appears to be like tremendous and matches properly with the lighter-coloured upholstery, however there are some unusual quirks on the centre console particularly.

We like the best way the wooden appears to be like in opposition to the silver trim, however the swathes of unpleasant uninteresting black plastic right here take away from the extra elegant aesthetic.

Given we don’t just like the gloss-black finishes used elsewhere, the uninteresting panels right here appear applicable, however there’s a jarring distinction between them and the encircling wood-look floor.

That sq. panel on the left is especially awkward, and the cheap-looking buttons it homes seem to have been haphazardly thrown collectively. Positive, they’re massive and simple to find on the transfer, however we will’t assist however really feel there needed to have been a classier strategy.

The drive mode swap additionally appears to be floating aimlessly in a sea of plastic. It’s virtually like somebody fitted a bigger panel right here than Toyota knew what to do with, which is odd on condition that the therapy of this space appears rather more intentional in one thing just like the LandCruiser 300 Collection – and even lower-spec Klugers.

Both method, you do nonetheless get cheap storage choices like two cupholders and that cubby in entrance, in addition to a big centre console storage field.

If you happen to’re questioning a few wi-fi cellphone charger, you’ll discover it inside that storage field beneath a big lid. We like this strategy because it retains telephones properly out of sight whereas on the street, although cooling whereas charging is a priority.

Being the top-spec Kluger grade, we will admire the luxuries fitted right here by Toyota, even when they’re more likely to push the SUV’s remaining worth above $90,000 as soon as it’s in your driveway.

You get powered seat adjustment, a head-up show, a sound system that sounds clear and crisp, and leather-based upholstery – the latter of which was optioned in Toyota’s ‘Pure Beige’ color in our tester. On that notice, we discovered the seats to be plush and cozy.

At a look, it’s definitely a well-presented inside. The one factor that we predict may elevate it additional could be a black headliner, however possibly that’d be encroaching too far into Lexus territory for Toyota’s liking.

The dashboard stays pretty busy as a complete, and there’s one other a type of discreet storage nooks tucked away forward of the passenger. Different storage choices embrace bottle holders within the doorways and a sun shades holder within the ceiling.

Then there’s the second row, which adheres to the almost-luxury transient with out going excessive.

The seats are completed in the identical leather-based as up entrance, and also you additionally get the identical leather-based door card inserts with wood-look trim items.

There’s a fold-down centre armrest with two cupholders, in addition to air vents on both facet of the ceiling. For consolation you’ll discover a easy local weather interface on the again of the centre console, although second-row passengers miss out on any type of seat heating or air flow. Charging is through both of the 2 USB-C ports under.

You’ll additionally discover window shades on the facet home windows, in addition to a colossal sunroof that nearly stretches above the third row of seating. Consolation within the second row isn’t too unhealthy, as there’s an sufficient quantity of cushioning and help for longer drives – aside from the everyday middle-seat drawbacks.

A grievance right here is the underside of the entrance seats. For lack of a greater phrase, they merely look yucky, virtually as if some unfastened items of fabric have been caught there with Velcro.

Regardless, you’ll discover tender map pockets on the backs of every entrance seat, in addition to bottle holders within the door playing cards for further space for storing. You might also discover rails on the ground, that are there to supply entry to the third row.

Folding the second row of seats and sliding it ahead creates sufficient area to clamber into the again, which is helped by a few discreet seize handles within the C-pillars. Regardless of a lightweight on the ceiling, it’s surprisingly darkish again right here, and maybe expectedly cramped.

It’s not a great area for full-grown adults, although it may fare okay for kids on longer drives. Facilities again listed here are restricted to 2 cupholders on both facet.

Boot area with the third row folded is kind of good. There’s a protracted, largely flat load ground with no lip on the backside of the boot opening, making it simple to slip heavier gadgets in over the sturdy exhausting plastic on the sting.

Having the third row in place additionally isn’t the tip of the world, although vertical area rapidly turns into compromised. You gained’t discover any extra space underneath the rearmost portion of the ground, as that’s the place the instruments to alter a wheel are saved.

Happily for Kluger house owners, a full-size spare wheel is fitted as normal.

To see how the Toyota Kluger stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument

What’s underneath the bonnet?

Your complete Kluger vary is powered by the identical 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, mated with two motor turbines, one every on the entrance and rear axles. Energy is distributed to all 4 wheels via a repeatedly variable computerized transmission (CVT).

Our week with the automobile primarily concerned freeway driving, alongside transient metropolis stints, with some extra spirited driving on a closed course thrown in for good measure. That’s possible why our gas economic system approached the 7.0L/100km mark.

If driving is saved to solely day by day commuting, you’d possible see a determine a lot nearer to Toyota’s declare – particularly when you’re primarily doing low-speed, city driving.

To see how the Toyota Kluger stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument

How does the Toyota Kluger drive?

In a no-nonsense method – in line with its inside presentation and the established order of most Toyota SUVs.

When you’re in and cozy, which takes however a second because of the Grande’s power-adjustable seats, you’ll instantly discover how massive the Kluger feels round you.

There’s a great deal of area between the 2 entrance seats, and the far extremities of the infotainment show require a good attain ahead when you’re not among the many taller people. That’s all to be anticipated given the Kluger’s monstrous exterior proportions, nevertheless it’ll take a second to get used to when you’re coming from a smaller automobile.

Pull the gear selector all the way down to Drive, and also you’re able to go. The very first thing you’ll discover is simply how quiet the Kluger is – you’ll virtually definitely set off in electrical automobile (EV) mode on account of Toyota’s hybrid system, with not more than a faint whirr because the soundtrack.

You don’t count on that from such a giant automobile, not to mention one which isn’t an EV or plug-in hybrid. It’s fairly spectacular, and relying on the mode chosen and your driving model, you’ll discover the Kluger prioritises EV driving.

Even on higher-speed roads the place combustion energy is important, the Kluger will flick again to EV mode when coasting or underneath minimal throttle enter.

On roads just like the Hume Freeway, you’re extra more likely to be utilizing the petrol engine more often than not, and our gas economic system on drives comprising largely freeway driving was a lot nearer to Toyota’s declare.

Realistically, any gas economic system decrease than 7.0L/100km is an distinctive determine for a automobile that weighs greater than two tonnes and figures nearer to six.0L/100km are only a bonus. Which means the Kluger could be very environment friendly and cozy on lengthy drives, thanks partly to its top-tier cabin refinement.

The Kluger Grande Hybrid is one of some Toyota fashions that genuinely really feel like they might qualify for the Lexus lineup, alongside others just like the Camry SL – with which the Kluger shares a platform.

On-road driving is exceptionally quiet. The cabin does a wonderful job of filtering out annoying street noise regardless of the Grande’s big 20-inch wheels, whereas wind noise is equally absent due to the Kluger’s swept-back windscreen.

On the 18-inch wheels fitted to the Kluger GX and GXL, we’d count on this automobile to be even quieter. Because it stands, there’s nonetheless loads of meat on the Grande’s tyres, and its polished alloy wheels definitely look the half.

As such, the Grande does a superb job of ironing out imperfections on the street floor. That trait is supported by its plush suspension, which is tender with out being overly bouncy.

It’s precisely the type of suspension setup you’d hope for from a automobile just like the Kluger, and it’s the type of experience high quality that places it among the many likes of Toyota’s smoothest driving automobiles.

Naturally, it isn’t all excellent. When it’s time for the petrol engine to kick in, it does so with a reasonably uninspiring tone and the everyday dreary sound related to CVTs.

The petrol engine fitted to the Kluger is among the many blandest on Toyota’s components shelf, providing the identical displacement and induction sort as that discovered within the likes of the Camry for greater than 5 years.

It’s subsequently geared for effectivity and never a lot else. The Kluger can also be but to obtain the newest era of Toyota’s hybrid expertise, which debuted in Australia in 2024 with the brand new Camry and guarantees elevated energy outputs and higher effectivity.

As a result of the Kluger is midway via its mannequin cycle, it’s unlikely to obtain that powertrain replace any time quickly.

However, the Kluger’s present powertrain is sufficient for the job it must do. It has an applicable quantity of energy for a big SUV, however laying into the throttle gained’t have it scurrying away in a rush.

In fact, that’s as a result of its sheer heft, and that’s one thing you are feeling on the street. It’s under no circumstances unwieldy, nevertheless it’s clear you’re behind the wheel of a heavy automobile at freeway speeds.

You possibly can, nevertheless, flick via three drive modes to regulate the best way the Kluger responds. Sport mode, as an example, grants most energy and tweaks the CVT’s behaviour, whereas Eco mode focuses on EV driving and dulls energy for improved effectivity.

It’s all pretty self-explanatory, which can also be the case with the Kluger’s guide ‘shifting’ mode if you wish to take management of the CVT your self.

Within the metropolis, you’ll discover the Kluger’s five-metre size. Happily, there’s a wholesome array of security gear included with the Grande trim degree.

All Klugers get tools like entrance and rear parking sensors and a reverse digicam, however the Grande is the one one to additionally get a surround-view digicam.

That’s particularly helpful in tight automobile parks, and the standard of the Kluger’s cameras is of a excessive normal. We nonetheless admire the visibility provided by the Kluger’s home windows, because it’s simple to do head checks and look ahead to objects on both facet.

Although the rear window feels distant, there’s a equally bid field of regard through the rear-view mirror too. Helping right here is the reversing digicam, whereas the security techniques fitted to the entrance of the Kluger assist negate its excessive bonnet.

The Kluger’s on-road security gear is all stable. You get the complete suite of adaptive cruise management and lane centring throughout the Kluger vary, and all of it works reliably.

Adaptive cruise management matches the visitors round you properly, although lane centring tends to float the automobile slowly in the direction of the left of the lane. It’s additionally hesitant to use vital steering lock on tighter bends, nevertheless it gained’t combat when you attempt to coerce it round.

It really works properly sufficient to be comfy, and on lengthy stretches of freeway there are minimal points. That makes it exceptionally simple to plough via the kilometres on a street journey.

To see how the Toyota Kluger stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument

What do you get?

Three distinct grades of Kluger can be found in Australia, and the Grande sits on the top quality.

Kluger GX tools highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Automated parabola LED headlights
• Auto high-beam
• LED tail-lights
• Fog lights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Privateness glass
• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi and wired Apple CarPlay
• Wi-fi and wired Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Six-speaker sound system
• Three-zone local weather management
• Keyless entry and begin
• Leather-based-accented steering wheel
• Leather-based-accented gear shifter
• Cloth upholstery
• Carpet ground mats

Kluger GXL provides:

• Roof rails
• Energy tailgate
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Leatherette upholstery
• Heated entrance seats
• Eight-way power-adjustable entrance seats
• Energy driver seat lumbar help

Kluger Grande provides:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Projector LED headlights
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• Energy tailgate with kick sensor
• Chrome grille
• Painted rear decrease bumper
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Head-up show
• 11-speaker JBL premium sound system
• Wi-fi cellphone charger
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Second-row retractable sunshades
• Inside ambient lighting
• Leather-based upholstery
• Heated and ventilated entrance seats
• Driver’s seat reminiscence
• Premium tender instrument panel
• Wooden-look ornamentation

To see how the Toyota Kluger stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument

Is the Toyota Kluger secure?

The Toyota Kluger wears a five-star ANCAP security ranking primarily based on testing performed in 2021.

Normal security tools consists of:

• Seven airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection (day/night time)
  • Bicycle owner detection (day)
  • Junction help
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Emergency steering help
• Adaptive cruise management
• Lane Hint Help
• Site visitors signal recognition
• Reversing digicam
• Entrance and rear parking sensors

Grande provides:

To see how the Toyota Kluger stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument

How a lot does the Toyota Kluger value to run?

The 2024 Toyota Kluger is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Its engine and driveline will be lined for as much as seven years, offered you preserve your automobile inside the Toyota vendor community.

To see how the Toyota Kluger stacks up in opposition to its rivals, use our comparability instrument

CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota Kluger Grande Hybrid

If you happen to want a big seven-seat household SUV that can merely get the job executed with minimal bells and whistles, the Kluger is a good choose.

As fundamental and as uninspiring as it could be as a package deal, there’s no arguing that the Kluger serves its objective properly. You get a full suite of security tech to maintain households secure, in addition to the effectivity advantages of a tried-and-tested hybrid powertrain – even when it isn’t the newest and biggest system accessible.

Naturally, with the Grande flagship you additionally get a heap extra gear, together with extremely comfy seats as a part of a typically upmarket inside.

Refinement, ergonomics and lodging are additionally robust factors of the Kluger, because it’s quiet and cozy whereas remaining spacious sufficient for giant households and their groceries and luggage. Even with all seven seats in use, you’ll discover there’s loads of room behind them.

However the Grande possible isn’t the choose of the bunch.

It prices almost $90,000 as soon as every part is claimed and executed, which is a big sum of money for a household automobile. Your complete Kluger vary can also be AWD and hybrid, which suggests there’s not so much mechanically distinctive concerning the Grande.

When you think about the vary begins at roughly $60,000 earlier than on-roads, it doesn’t make a lot sense to splurge that rather more until you actually need or want the extra luxurious fittings.

Its measurement can also be a consideration. It’s exhausting to pack seven seats right into a smaller automobile, however the Kluger is particularly lengthy and heavy. These dwelling in built-up areas would possible be higher off with one thing smaller, until seven seats are a must have.

The Kluger Grande is undeniably a stable three-row SUV, we simply suppose the cheaper variants are extra applicable for the common Aussie household.

Eager about shopping for a Toyota Kluger? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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