2025 Toyota Kluger evaluation | CarExpert

The Toyota Kluger is a seven-seat SUV with loads 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 preferred dependable vendor.

Our autos are sourced from america, and the complete vary of Klugers at the moment on sale in Australia are hybrid and all-wheel drive. That’s not too frequent on this phase, 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 building and boast seven-seat capability however outsold the car-based (monocoque) Kluger in 2024.

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

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

WATCH: Paul’s video evaluation 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 by its life cycle, however the Kluger nonetheless tends to mix into the background in on a regular basis site visitors with its simple method to dependable household motoring.

On check 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 evaluate?

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

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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.

Nonetheless, 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 just a little bland.

This a traditional 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 commonplace throughout the vary. Whereas Apple CarPlay labored with out challenge for many of our week with the automotive, it did are likely to drop out when passing beneath particular Melbourne toll cubicles – a trait according to different Toyota fashions.

Nonetheless, we discovered it simple to stay with due to the collection 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’s proper edge.

The digital instrument show, in the meantime, exhibits 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 automotive’s speedometer.

There’s a spread of widgets you’ll be able to scroll by 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 automotive’s cruise management and security help features.

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

It’s pretty massive and feels good within the fingers, although a small criticism is that it feels too skinny at 9 and three o’clock. There’s at the very least 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 omitted 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 completely bodily. It’s an identical story with the automotive’s local weather system, which can also be bodily however – annoyingly – completed with gloss-black plastic.

We perceive Toyota is making an attempt 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 straightforward to function due to 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 or in the midst 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 delicate 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 factor discovered sporadically all through the Kluger’s cabin in solely the top-spec Grande. It appears to be like high quality and matches effectively 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 ugly 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. Certain, they’re large and straightforward to find on the transfer, however we will’t assist however really feel there needed to have been a classier method.

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 remedy of this space appears rather more intentional in one thing just like the LandCruiser 300 Sequence – and even lower-spec Klugers.

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

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

Being the top-spec Kluger grade, we will recognize 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 be aware, we discovered the seats to be plush and comfy.

At a look, it’s actually a well-presented inside. The one factor that we expect 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 an entire, and there’s one other a kind 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 by way of 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 dangerous, as there’s an ample quantity of cushioning and assist for longer drives – other than the everyday middle-seat drawbacks.

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

Regardless, you’ll discover comfortable map pockets on the backs of every entrance seat, in addition to bottle holders within the door playing cards for further cupboard space. You may additionally discover rails on the ground, that are there to offer 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 light-weight 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 youngsters 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 flooring with no lip on the backside of the boot opening, making it simple to slip heavier gadgets in over the sturdy arduous plastic on the sting.

Having the third row in place additionally isn’t the top of the world, although vertical area shortly turns into compromised. You received’t discover any more room beneath the rearmost portion of the ground, as that’s the place the instruments to alter a wheel are saved.

Happily for Kluger homeowners, a full-size spare wheel is fitted as commonplace.

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

What’s beneath the bonnet?

The whole 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 by a constantly variable automated transmission (CVT).

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

If driving is saved to solely each day commuting, you’d seemingly see a determine a lot nearer to Toyota’s declare – particularly should 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 – consistent with its inside presentation and the established order of most Toyota SUVs.

When you’re in and comfy, which takes however a second due to the Grande’s power-adjustable seats, you’ll instantly discover how large 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 should you’re not among the many taller folks. That’s all to be anticipated given the Kluger’s monstrous exterior proportions, but it surely’ll take a second to get used to should you’re coming from a smaller automotive.

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 actually 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 an enormous automotive, 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 critical, the Kluger will flick again to EV mode when coasting or beneath 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 gasoline financial system on drives comprising largely freeway driving was a lot nearer to Toyota’s declare.

Realistically, any gasoline financial system decrease than 7.0L/100km is an distinctive determine for a automotive that weighs greater than two tonnes and figures nearer to six.0L/100km are only a bonus. Meaning the Kluger may be very environment friendly and comfy 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’d 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 automotive to be even quieter. Because it stands, there’s nonetheless loads of meat on the Grande’s tyres, and its polished alloy wheels actually look the half.

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

It’s precisely the form of suspension setup you’d hope for from a automotive just like the Kluger, and it’s the form of journey high quality that places it among the many likes of Toyota’s smoothest driving autos.

Naturally, it isn’t all good. 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 elements shelf, providing the identical displacement and induction kind as that discovered within the likes of the Camry for greater than 5 years.

It’s due to this fact 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 by its mannequin cycle, it’s unlikely to obtain that powertrain replace any time quickly.

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

In fact, that’s attributable to its sheer heft, and that’s one thing you’re feeling on the street. It’s in no way unwieldy, but it surely’s clear you’re behind the wheel of a heavy automobile at freeway speeds.

You’ll be able to, nevertheless, flick by 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 automotive parks, and the standard of the Kluger’s cameras is of a excessive commonplace. We nonetheless recognize 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 sight view by way of the rear-view mirror too. Helping right here is the reversing digicam, whereas the protection programs fitted to the entrance of the Kluger assist negate its excessive bonnet.

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

Adaptive cruise management matches the site visitors round you effectively, although lane centring tends to float the automotive slowly in the direction of the left of the lane. It’s additionally hesitant to use important steering lock on tighter bends, but it surely received’t battle should you attempt to coerce it round.

It really works effectively sufficient to be snug, and on lengthy stretches of freeway there are minimal points. That makes it exceptionally simple to plough by 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 prime quality.

Kluger GX tools highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Computerized 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 flooring 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 assist

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 telephone 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 comfortable 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 score primarily based on testing performed in 2021.

Commonplace security tools contains:

• Seven airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection (day/night time)
  • Bike owner detection (day)
  • Junction help
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Emergency steering help
• Adaptive cruise management
• Lane Hint Help
• 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 may be lined for as much as seven years, offered you preserve your automobile inside the Toyota supplier 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

When you want a big seven-seat household SUV that can merely get the job carried out with minimal bells and whistles, the Kluger is a superb decide.

As fundamental and as uninspiring as it could be as a package deal, there’s no arguing that the Kluger serves its goal effectively. 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 best system obtainable.

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

Refinement, ergonomics and lodging are additionally sturdy factors of the Kluger, because it’s quiet and comfy whereas remaining spacious sufficient for large 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 seemingly isn’t the decide of the bunch.

It prices practically $90,000 as soon as all the pieces is alleged and carried out, which is a big sum of money for a household automotive. The whole Kluger vary can also be AWD and hybrid, which implies there’s not loads 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 except you actually need or want the extra luxurious fittings.

Its dimension can also be a consideration. It’s arduous to pack seven seats right into a smaller automotive, however the Kluger is very lengthy and heavy. These dwelling in built-up areas would seemingly be higher off with one thing smaller, except seven seats are vital.

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

Concerned with shopping for a Toyota Kluger? Get in contact with one among CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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