Toyota Kluger 2024 review - Turbo or Hybrid 7 seater SUV test!

[@ozweddingphotography9688]

Just got mine 💯 recommend over the rave4 but only in “”hybrid”” after 5K efficiency is still impressive with 6L/100km which is very good, the GXL is the sweet spot as value for money, I get so many compliments when people enter the car, Vehicle is quick to respond, Fast, Comfortable, Spacious.

[@therightcar]

Nice!

[@darkphoenix8350]

how long did you wait from the time you put down a deposit to the day you got your car?

[@ozweddingphotography9688]

12 month@@darkphoenix8350

[@neosoviet502]

Ur right abt the gxl. The grande is really nice but far too expensive and gx is really cheap and basic. The hybrid tho is unfortunately not quick especially with 7 people on board with stuff in the boot cuz it will feel really sluggish.

[@ozweddingphotography9688]

@@darkphoenix8350 9 month

[@tezza8717]

great honest review mate, keep im comming

[@therightcar]

Always honest. 👍

[@gaylefgn8394]

Hi, have the 2021 Hybrid of this, fuel economy is currently sitting at 5.5 with expectation of going down to 5.4 when Melbourne finally sees summer... 3rd row has been used for a 160 round trip and occupants are still talking to me (they were about 5ft 6 and middle seat moved forward)

[@tempestv8]

So the entry level Kluger GX AWD (which is made in the USA) for $55,790 (non-hybriid) is priced the same as a top of the line Ssanyong Rexton diesel 2.2 (made in South Korea) with rear auto diff lock and 3.5T braked towing capacity.

[@garydomaz1849]

Highlander here in the USA 🇺🇸 I have a 2021 hybrid and love it

[@madrx2]

I have a gxl auto awd Turbo, I think my combined is 12.3 lol. It's nearly as much as my X3M. Edit has normalised at 11.0 mixed after running in properly.

[@therightcar]

That’s, um, not ideal!

[@madrx2]

@therightcar very lucky its a company car and I don't pay for the fuel. It's a comfortable commuter though. But if I was to purchase one for my own I'd definitely opt for the hybrid despite a small performance disadvantage.

[@neosoviet502]

@@madrx2hybrid is great for fuel efficiency but trust me it’s quite slow and when u have people on board it will feel incredibly sluggish

[@riazkhan9243]

Hi, Can you please do a comparison review of Kluger vs Pathfinder vs CX90 model 2024

[@vinayaktiwari4383]

good review > do you thing it has better thigh support than Kia Carniwal in middle and last seat?

[@LawlessRaafay]

Kluger vs Tigo 8 pro max ? what would you recommend

[@andysaunders3708]

I compared the new rental Kluger Hybrid my sister had in Sydney, which was the same colour, (a slightly muddy-brownish kind of dark silver), as my brother's older, (2021?), petrol version. This was this week just gone, and this behaviour was unintentional... I've never looked at these things. They're sort of - dunno. Up until now. You really have to look long and hard to see how and where they differ, but as the ex-owner of a panel & paint business, I very much doubt that, even though at first glance, they look almost identical, any of the parts would interchange. Sneaky how the designs seemingly just morph but are so different. Compare them parked on the street, the difference is still not in your face - you have to look at swage-lines and trim pieces, plus another thing we'll come to later. They appear to be almost identical. Aren't! The older one is less "screen" inside, with what initially seems like stingey and mean switchgear, but that's after coming straight out of this year's model, to a somewhat knocked-about and hard-worked version with over 120K on the clock. I'm not an enthusiastic fan of screens on the dash anyway, so that's not an issue for me. I doubt that the old V6 gets much love re servicing. It just goes when it must and seems to have a much larger tailgate opening than the new model. Do not ask how that came up. They're both built in the States, so the mighty internet tells me, and they are so much better-made than my last 2 Grand Cherokees. WTF, Jeep/Stellantis? It's obviously not entirely impossible to build a car that's pleasant and does not auto-disintegrate now. Did you miss that point in car-making school? Bro's V6, goes quickly for a beast of its dimensions, with commensurate fuel consumption. His biggest gripe is that he must wait so long for the reversing camera to kick in. Having watched him back his cars into an awkward garage at his home, he likely doesn't need it, but yes, it's slow. You've done the manoeuvre by the time the screen lights up. (Ironically, it instantly shuts off when you disengage reverse.) Rats. The extra grunt and refinement over the raucous 2.5, to me, makes the V6 far more desirable, BUT: the Hybrid is economical. Seriously so. One fill, compared to 2.5, I'm reliably informed, for several similar journeys to and from the same destination. However, that 2.5 engine is a noisy beast when it's at anything off idle. I had to look it up, because it sounded so harsh and "drony", (surely that wasn't a word until I just used it), and I wondered if it was a 3-cylinder. But no, 4 cylinders all the way, say the specs. Sounds extra harsh, and, historically, being a longtime Camry owner... Dunno. Didn't enjoy that sound. At least in the old Camry, it wasn't so intrusive. YEP, cheap to run, went at highway speeds, with capacity to overtake at will and my sister drove it for some considerable distance. With the Siberia-emulating multi-zone aircon blasting constantly. My sister now wants to buy one, so there's the answer to the question. She wants it in white... Seems counterintuitive, but she's a force to be reckoned with. So, I imagine, white it will be. And it will be a genuinely nice car. Personally, I'd prefer the V6, especially at Sydney fuel prices compared to those in NZ, where I feel lucky to actually drive any sort of vehicle. If I could make tiny writing right now - Nissan Tiida. The shame, the shame. Turbo 4-cylinder engines? Nah. I'd go for either the V6, or the hybrid. SO. A 4-cylinder, sort-of soft-roader, with hybrid activity and heaps of space and comfort. It's a big beast but isn't unsightly. TBH, quite a nice car, looks and quality-of-build-wise. Wonderfully comfortable. Feels solid. TB extra-H. If I had the money, I would own one quite happily, and I'd live with the horrid engine noise, and laugh maniacally when people started talking about fuel consumption.

[@stendecstretcher5678]

Too dear. I would probably go for the Sorrento.

[@neosoviet502]

Yh same or the new Santa Fe

[@Realisicdriving]

yeah the sorentos are amazing cars!

[@VinayakTiwari-s6h]

me too, can't deal with expensive mediocre car just for resale and reliability! Where competition is way better! Features reliability and space and comfort!

[@markbaker2629]

I’ve had a hybrid grande for 2 years now… achieving 6 litres/100 klm

[@sushisushifriedrice]

typo for santa fe comparison price.

[@khazgeorge9688]

good review

[@AbhishekHari1234]

How does this drive compared to a Lexus RX?

[@neosoviet502]

The Lexus has a far better driving experience than the Kluger

[@billcane2939]

What tyres would you change to?

[@gamerdiydad]

How’s the cabin noise?

[@therightcar]

It’s okay.

[@351tgv]

yeesh that interior design, designed for the North American market where this vehicle is known as Highlander... that said removing the awful 3.5L V6 for a turbo petrol i4 2.4L was a smart choice for one simple reason: Accessible torque. That said, but the Petrol NA Hybrid version just for the electric AWD option.

[@mvnorsel6354]

First time I've ever heard the 3.5 V6 called awful.

[@351tgv]

@@mvnorsel6354 - well no you have. I'll explain why to me its an awful engine. TORQUE The V6 NA engine needs arrpxo. 4,700rpm to make 357Nm, this is on 91 RON (no benefit to run 95 or 98 unless you want extra top end power). The i4 turbo petrol needs approx 2,000rpm to make 420Nm and holds that torque production to about 4,000rpm (torque curve), granted on 95 RON. Hence why I said Accessible Torque, when you convert torque to kilowatts at 2,000rp the i4 turbo petrol generates at flywheel 88kW where as the V6 generates approx. 42% torque at the same revs which is 150Nm which is 31kW, the difference is 47kW in favour of the smaller i4 turbo petrol. So yes the 3.5L V6 NA is an awful engine, to get anything decent from it you need revs which sure is great when driving at over 200km/h but where exactly can you do that legally in Australia?

[@351tgv]

even if you look at the top end of the torque curve the i4 turbo petrol at 4,000rpm makes 420Nm which is 176kW , the V6 NA still has yet to peak its torque, again the V6 makes more top end power but how long can you use that peak top end power and where? other than entering a free/highway via on-ramp.

[@RodneyW]

I'm a little bit late to the party on this comment... I owned a 2014 V6 Kluger for 9 years / 130,000km. Over this period of time, I averaged 10.4 l / 100km, with a bias toward intercity / interstate cruising (typically 8-9 l / 100km depending on the load), with some urban driving (typically 12-14 l / 100 km). It was a magnificent car - silky smooth, reliable, and powerful when you buried the boot to overtake. I would never describe that v6 as awful.... even if it was not as torquey as the new turbo 4 at lower speeds.

[@mq46312]

Same here. You're the only person to call the V6 awful.

[@danogamez5250]

I have leased a kluger hybrid not bad claims 5mpg was getting morw like 7 or 8 it was nice but dull to drive

[@therightcar]

Yep, and it’s not the only version of the Kluger available after Toyota axed most of the non-hybrid petrol engines.

[@austin.2716]

Hybrid is the way if you ask me. Turbo 4 would be really nice too I assume and probably appeal more to a buyer looking for an engine with good low end torque. But the V6 will be missed.

[@therightcar]

The low end torque is the big improvement. The V6 was good but needed revs and loved a drink.

[@needleontherecord]

I have the V6 and it’s thirsty as f@$&. Great acceleration and smooth but can’t afford to fuel it so will change to the hybrid.

[@YJ-ku3je]

It's thirsty but My 2019 GXL AWD is still under 12L/100km, i think u just need drive it smoothly and gently. The hybrid batteries would cost several thousands when replace after 8 years. @@needleontherecord

[@alienbats]

Santa Fe price has typo

[@therightcar]

Sure does. 🥹

[@scottc3166]

Just one thing, long distance driving would be the worst for hybrid efficiency. The more stop start your driving, the more improvement over a normal engine. There's nothing magic about hybrid, it just allows for the use of regenerative breaking. For long trips you're probably talking about less braking and higher speeds where wind resistance and rolling resistance of all types of kluger would be the same.

[@FilmScape4K]

Not true.

[@SirGregoryPageTurner]

I thought the same thing: long trips would not be much better in the hybrid than a petrol Kluger. I was wrong. Sydney to Melbourne and return with 4 adults and luggage, 7 l/100km. Economy mode, aircon always on, cruise control most of the time, sitting on or near the speed limit.

[@neosoviet502]

We did a trip from Melbourne to Sydney and we averaged 7.6l/100km and honestly that’s quite far off from 5.6l/100km. Plus it was quite sluggish

[@trolltrue5210]

18:25 Toyota spec minimum *95ron* for *HYBRID*

[@SirGregoryPageTurner]

Anyone considering a Kluger should have a good long look at the Kia Carnival. They're not as expensive, have much more room inside, longer warranty, but engine options may not be to your liking unless you want a thirsty V6 or can put up with a diesel.

[@takz200]

Kia's engine is rubbish im telling you now.

[@SirGregoryPageTurner]

@@takz200 You're telling us NOW? Why didn't you tell us sooner?

[@garydomaz1849]

Only buy Kia if you don’t love yourself 😂

[@darrennoyes-brown6891]

the hybrid uses 95 octane fuel apparently, not 91 octane

[@therightcar]

Probably for the best. Helps improve efficiency!

[@campbellreither550]

The headrests on these Toyota's are ludicrous. Check the angle! Literally a pain in the neck. I simply can't tolerate them and I'm surprised it's not mentioned by more testers.

[@SirGregoryPageTurner]

My head does not touch the headrest in my normal driving position. Close, but not touching.

[@MrHC1983]

Not the tyres bro.......... the 2WD pos basically. Drive the AWD....... note the difference. Also Toyota need to up that 2.4L Turbo model power wise........ the V6 spun up real good, the Turbo 4 dies at the top. Torque is good tho.

[@therightcar]

The turbo petrol has been axed now.

[@AdamCronk-u4x]

Full size spare wheel it is.

[@therightcar]

Fair enough!

[@SirGregoryPageTurner]

@@therightcar and the same alloy wheel, at least in the 2022 model.

[@trojanhman8136]

Given the current craze of hybrid and EV battery fires, it isn't a difficult decision.

[@argent10k]

An EV fire is considerably less likely as opposed to a diesel fire which was the likely cause of the Luton airport fire over in London lol.

[@therightcar]

You mean, the current craze to cover EV fires on the news? There’d be no time for any other headlines if the big networks only covered ICE car fires….

[@0HOON0]

Fires have never been an issue with Toyota hybrids.

[@trojanhman8136]

@@argent10k Unfortunately that isn't true. That is just wishes.

[@trojanhman8136]

@@therightcar I notice you don't deny that the fires occur. Some of the issues you need to understand is that when the EV fire does occur, they can't be put out, they accelerate significantly faster, they are significantly hotter and they produce a deadly smoke. All these issues change the nature of the fire and lead to worse outcomes. Another issue I want to highlight for you, is that the number of EV's on the road is very small compared to ICE cars. If we find ourselves in a situation where EV's have become more numerous, then we will see an uptick in incidences and we may start to see deadly results. If you look at the Luton fire as an example; one battery fire ended with the building collapse. The owner of the car was unable to put the fire out with the nearby red extinguisher. If this was an ICE fire, the damage would have been limited to one vehicle. Lastly I want to mention one more issue that gives me great concern. I can foresee the likelihood that we have thugs looking through parking stations for EVs to ignite the battery. Please reconsider the promotion of battery powered vehicles, and issue a no buy recommendation. Lives are at risk and great tragedy is just around the corner. You are in a position to act so please do so.

[@2010appra]

Toyota really need to come up with a futuristic exterior or interior design.

[@neosoviet502]

Yh the design on the Kluger isn’t great

[@andysaunders3708]

@@neosoviet502 Yeah, but they aren't bad-looking - just sort of amorphous.

[@amrdiab3940]

The main issue with the pricing that is that jump from 2wd to awd is very expensive Also why is no hybrid 2wd offered? 2l/100 km difference between turbo petrol and hybrid ish and with hybrid costing 2500$ more than awd turbo (apples to apples) So for 15000 km yearly give a saving of about 500-600 on petrol So need about 4-5 years to get your money back !! Unless you do at least 30000 km yearly i think the hybrid is not really worth it BUT the hybrid is likely more reliable than the petrol as that turbo engine is still relatively new

[@buncha5651]

The hybrid is likely to have a thermal runaway. The turbo would be a much better choice with its 8 speed conventional auto transmission.

[@amrdiab3940]

@@buncha5651 toyota been having hybrids for 20 years mate Have not heard about Camry hybrids on fire Unless Toyotas will be using lithium in their hybrid batteries then the risk is slightly higher

[@351tgv]

@@buncha5651 - unlikely as its not a lithium ion battery, the tech that Toyota uses Nickel Metal Hydrate,

[@Friends4ever3373]

You can easily add the Outlander PHEV to the competition...that car is effortless, spacious, compact and luxurious

[@YJ-ku3je]

Unlike the popular RAV4, this generation Kluger is totally uncompetitive nowadays. only families with >= 2 kids would consider about it but it is 1. 15% price hike comparing with last generation end 3 year ago. 2. 2.4T engine is not smooth as the traditional v6. 3. made in US bring quite a bit small quality problems such as bad door seal or floor carpet. 4. cheap interiors. 4. hybird is good but u have to wait for couple of months first. 5. no price negotiation 6. bad customer service and rude dealers I would say Kia Sorento or second-hand within 3 years LexusRX/MazdaCX9 are much better choice.

[@VinayakTiwari-s6h]

Less boot space considering hefty price ....wagons have bigger boot closer to 600L than this with last seat folded! not sure if has ventilated seats ? Great review..helped me a lot not to buy this garbage! I was seriously considering this to buy! Too much to ask just for reliability and resale! I cannot deal with a mediocre car cringing everyday just for resale sake!

[@tobyaustralia4427]

Kluger hybrid uses 95 RON

[@351tgv]

it's not a turbo engine and its Euro 5 so yes it can run on 91 RON.

[@SirGregoryPageTurner]

@@351tgv The notice behind the petrol filler flap says E10 suitable, Premium Unleaded recommended. I've tried both and can't tell the difference. Generally, I use 95.

[@buncha5651]

Typical Toyota uninspiring looks and interior 50 shades of grey. Also Matt start calling fake leather what it is ie: vinyl.

[@therightcar]

Haha, there’s no pleasing people. Some people just want it to be called fake leather. Others want it to be called vegan leather. Others vinyl. Others pleather. Or manmade materials. Sheeeeesh.

[@351tgv]

It's not Vinyl, its a blended articificla mix of materials, it also has more durability than Vinyl ever had.

[@buncha5651]

​@351tgv It's still sweaty crap.Leather is the best for durability and comfort. I would rather cloth seats than vynal.

[@351tgv]

@@buncha5651 - I will somewhat agree that leather is great, but what I really like is microsuede with leather bolsters, that said there are some synthetic leather materials which are also nearly as good (initially) as leather, Toyota "softext" is actually great as they can have both heated and cooled seating options.

[@Aryan-re2tl]

You missed Mitsubishi outlander bro 😢

[@JTKels]

Kia Hyundai over Toyota? Hell no Toyota is the most reliable. I purchased this vehicle in the platinum trim with the caramel leather interior. This car is more luxurious than my Lexus.

[@therightcar]

Cool! glad you love it

[@buncha5651]

I bet it hasnt got a torque converter auto. Hope it has a spare wheel. Just looked up the specifications 2.4 turbo is an 8 speed real auto transmission, but $71,000 for the GXL with vinyl seats. Way overpriced I wouldn't buy.

[@therightcar]

Yep. It has a TC 8-speed auto (pretty good) and a space saver.

[@buncha5651]

​@@therightcar Still way overpriced and ugly.

[@deeproller]

I hate all the new age tech to help bad drives not have accidents.....

[@therightcar]

😝 ha!

[@garycusack9247]

good old made in the usa quality

[@indetailcarcaresolutions3770]

Haha Matt. Santa Fe must come from Bentley at that price!! 😂

[@acde9355]

Given the skyrocketed fuel price today, a non-hybrid car is only favourable if you live in the regional area and drive on the highway only for commute.

[@daweigo6851]

No, hybrid not worth it , if do low mileage inner city or suburb driving, would not make back the extra cost for the hybrid in fuel savings

[@austin.2716]

@@daweigo6851 Hybrids are more efficient in city driving conditions, much more so than regular petrols. On the highway, it’s negligible but hybrid will probably be ever so slightly more efficient as electric motors take some stress off the engine by acting as ‘helpers’ in a sense. Probably not that noticeable though. For city driving, hybrid is 110% better. However, ur point of doing low mileage making the hybrid not worth it is valid. And moreover, there’s no point buying a hybrid if u barely drive or do very low mileage. U will end up with more problems if anything (if stored for extended periods).

[@acde9355]

@@daweigo6851 It is not only about cost, as the driving experience also costs something, which is sometimes priceless. The electrified vehicle (hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV) is so agile, giving you much more fun to drive in the urban area.

[@acde9355]

@@austin.2716 Sure, driving less than 5, 000 km annually means not owning a car is a better option.

[@austin.2716]

@@acde9355 Not entirely sure what u mean but I was simply comparing hybrids and regular petrol vehicles to each other.

[@mullavan]

Pity we don't get the Grand Highlander here. Much better looking, more room, better engine options. This model Kluger is a letdown.

[@yourstop1063]

Im not buying Santa fe for $446050

[@therightcar]

Hahahahaha I know, it was a typo!

[@marcc.490]

Too expensive for non plug in ev. An outlander would be smaller but would be winning in operating cost alone. Either that or a Chery Tigo 8 Pro e+ later down the track.

[@fale892]

You wouldnt put anything in the third row apart from toddlers

[@therightcar]

You can't put toddlers in there because there are no child-seat anchor points.

[@rubyred8845]

Nope. Toyota's are bland. The Kia for the money and features. The Santa Fe is ugly the new upcoming one is cool looking.

[@jonathanfgh1]

For a company the size of Toyota the interior and dashboard design is just not up to scratch... Ugly, oddly shaped and shiny plastics. Lazy design compared to the new and OLD industry competitors ...

[@Burbs1976]

Poor Toyota. Such a boring brand...

[@neosoviet502]

I mean they do have their GR division