By Derek Ogden, Marque News
First released at the turn of the century, the Toyota Kluger over the years has grown in size and stature to become one of Toyota’s most popular products. The fourth generation of the seven-seat SUV is no exception, continuing to climb the ladder of sales success.
The name Kluger is derived from the German word ‘Klug’ meaning clever and, according to the maker, the all-new model comes with a smart sculpted look, upgraded safety features, improved driving dynamics, and for the first time in Australia, a hybrid powertrain.
The all-new model is available in three trim levels – GX, GXL and Grande – in petrol two-wheel drive format, or hybrid or petrol all-wheel drive configuration. The 218 kW / 350 Nm V6 petrol engine relies on the same performance as its predecessor, with engineers coaxing improved fuel economy out of the unit.
Built on Toyota’s New Global Architecture platform, the latest Kluger delivers a balance of ride and handling, resulting in a premium feel on the road. The cabin, with a blend of soft touch materials, clever design and more space, is aimed at comfortably carrying seven people.
Occupants enjoy the benefits of the latest in Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance features including pre-collision safety with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, emergency steering assist and intersection turn assist on every model. Also on tap are active cruise control – with curve speed reduction function – lane trace assist, blind spot monitor, reversing camera and seven airbags.
Standard equipment includes smart entry and start, manual front and rear dual-zone air-conditioning, rain sensing wipers and automatic lights, and five USB ports. GXL models gain power heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, power tailgate and satellite navigation with the latest generation multimedia system.
The new Kluger is covered by Toyota Warranty Advantage, which offers five-year unlimited kilometre coverage, extending to seven-years on engine and driveline, with capped-price servicing for the first five years / 75,000 km and each 12-month / 15,000 km service costing $250. On test was the GXL front-wheel drive petrol variant selling for $56,850, without on-road costs.
STYLING
At almost five metres long (76 mm longer than before), overall width has increased by a minimal 5 mm to, while 20 mm wider flared wheel arches give the car a planted street presence. Large stacked trapezoidal grilles are split by the front bumper. The wider front end is complemented by slimline LED light clusters with integrated daytime running lights housed atop deep-recessed LED fog lights.
In profile, the longer body, tapered roofline with integrated rear spoiler, rising beltline and windows with blacked-out B-pillars convey forward movement when the car is stationary. Side mirrors have been moved lower on the door panel to improve forward visibility and reduce blind spots.
Filling the pumped GXL wheel arches are new 18-inch alloys with a dark grey metallic machine finish designed for visual appeal and to aid brake cooling through optimal airflow. The rear follows through with a wide stance, slim LED taillights and large lower skid plate.
The rear hatch offers easy access to the expanded luggage space with power operation for GXL and a ‘kick sensor’ for the Grande that allows the hatch to be opened and closed hands-free.
INTERIOR
The modern family is welcomed aboard the Kluger by improved packaging in premium materials, the driver and front passenger with an expansive dashboard in soft touch surfaces. The broad dash houses the instrument cluster, a large central 8-inch touchscreen display and air-conditioning controls and vents
The lower centre console incorporates the transmission lever, drive and AWD mode select switchgear if needed, electronic park brake and two large cupholders. Ergonomics, ease of use and improved versatility are evident in the three rows of seating finished in synthetic leather. Heating and power adjustment are on tap upfront.
Storage throughout the cabin includes a 15-litre lidded centre console box, overhead glasses holder, front door bins with 700 ml bottle holders, rear door bins with two 700 ml bottle holders and eight cupholders.
Boot space is 50 mm longer and 13 mm wider providing an increase of 46 litres of luggage space to a total of 241 litres. With the third-row seats folded flat, this increases to 552 litres, while folding the second row 60/40-split seat back as well stumps up 1150 litres of capacity.
A removable luggage cover, standard on all models, can be stored under the luggage space deck when not in use.
INFOTAINMENT
Petrol models offer traditional tacho and speedo in the instrument cluster that, in GXL, offers a 7-inch MID to provide better visibility of vehicle functions and settings. Phone call, cruise control, audio and some driver assistance features are easily accessed via fingertip controls on the leather-accented steering wheel.
All models feature the latest generation multimedia system with AM / FM / DAB+ radio, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility and myToyota apps including Waze and Stitcher (IOS) and WebEx (Android™4).
The GXL adds satellite navigation.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
While the 3.5-litre V6 engine generates the same maximum 218 kW of power and 350 Nm of torque as the engine it replaces, refinements and the addition of a stop/start system have reduced fuel consumption by between 4 and 7 per cent.
A combined fuel cycle figure of 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres is stated by the maker. On test the GLX petrol FWD recorded 6.1 litres per 100 kilometres on the motorway and up to 13-plus around town.
The engine drives through an 8-speed automatic transmission that offers driver-selectable SPORT, NORMAL and ECO modes depending on desired driving characteristics.
SAFETY
As befits Australia’s favourite family SUV, occupant safety is front and centre, with the latest-generation Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance features on hand. Such a system is autonomous emergency braking pre-collision safety that is able to detect pedestrians day and night, cyclists during the day, oncoming vehicles and pedestrians at intersections when making turns, and assist taking evasive action if there is potential for a collision.
All models are fitted with a reversing camera that includes a camera cleaning system activated via the rear screen washer switch. In GXL versions, the camera display offers normal and wide-angle images and incorporates active guidelines.
DRIVING
Compared with the previous generation Kluger, the new model offers a substantial improvement in driving stability, roadholding and comfort on all surfaces thanks to newly developed front and rear suspension set-ups that provide responsive, smooth handling.
Ride comfort is also enhanced by a new Body Control with Torque Demand system that controls drive torque to minimise vehicle pitching due to road surface irregularities. The system is also able to suppress acceleration and deceleration pitching to minimise up and down movement and improve stability without having to increase suspension damping.
Responsive steering with ample feedback is provided by an electrically-assisted rack-and-pinion system that has also been improved for noise, vibration and harshness with a larger diameter steering shaft for increased rigidity and a new electric motor for power assistance.
Providing effective stopping power is a substantially improved brake package with larger 340 mm front and 338 mm rear discs that are now all ventilated for enhanced performance.
SUMMARY
The family favourite Kluger sticks firmly to the middle of the road when it comes to choice in performance and price.
