Toyota Kluger Hybrid Review | Wheels Australia

[@WheelsAustralia]

Toyota's new Kluger is here to tackle the popular CX-9 - and it's brought the company's strong-selling hybrid tech with it. What do you think? Read the full review here: www.whichcar.com.au/reviews/2021-toyota-kluger-review-australian-first-drive

[@SirGregory]

What about the luxury features that are in the two-year-old US model that have not made it to Australia? Where is the 12.3" infotainment screen? Where is the digital rear-view mirror? Where is wireless charging? Where is 4-way lumber support? What about the adjustable thigh support? What happened to ventilated 2nd-row seats? And not even the latest version of Toyota Safety Sense. Toyota is keen to stress it's built on the new Global Architecture, but in terms of feature improvements over the 3rd-gen Kluger there's not much to talk about except the hybrid. Android Auto/Apply Car Play can hardly be claimed as a feature; they should have been in the Kluger and other Toyota models years ago. Despite my disappointment with this model, and after about two hours of test driving, we’ve still ordered a Kluger Grande Hybrid. There are four reasons, and they mainly relate to being elderly drivers: 1 It's silky-smooth and quiet to drive (except when accelerating hard). 2 The steering is dramatically better than our 2nd edition. 3 Performance is not important to us. 4 Learning a new car when older can be stressful. However, with the new Kluger all the commonly used controls are the same as our 2008 Kluger Grande, even the 8" infotainment screen. 😉 So there you have it - we’re what you might call rusted-on Kluger owners. We’ve had the 1st,2nd, and now the 4th edition. What will we buy next? Mobility scooters!

[@jezspinks426]

Great post, Sir Greg, and congratulations on your Kluger Grande purchase. I trust you also needed the extra third row so the much cheaper RAV4 Hybrid wasn't a consideration? Yes, the interior is missing both some tech and some family functionality, but while some rivals look more sophisticated inside (Sorento GT-Line, for example), the Kluger cabin still looks smart whether in GX (best seats) or Grande. And, yes, what a difference in driving experience between the 2nd and latest editions of the Kluger. The rolling refinement - with that agreed exception - is truly impressive, even on those 20-inch wheels and it's generally a very satisfying vehicle to drive. And the hybrid efficiency just tops it off.

[@SirGregory]

No, we never considered the Rav4. We wanted a car about the same size as our 2nd generation Kluger. Our shortlist started with: 1. Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 2.2 Diesel AWD, 2. Kia Carnival Platinum Diesel 2.2 Diesel, 3. Hyundai Palisade Highlander 2.2 Diesel AWD and the 4. Kluger Grande Hybrid. We dropped the Santa Fe early on - interior too small. Kia Carnival was high on my list with good value, amazing space in all rows AND the boot. But my dear wife vetoed it. Palisade was very impressive. Just 14mm longer than the Kluger, but noticeably roomier inside. Third row was actually useable. We drove it for about 1.5 hours including on expressways with sparse traffic and stop/start peak hour traffic. Lane centring was impressive with little ping-ponging between lane markings. Better than the Kluger in my opinion. Superior standard features as well. But in the end, as I explained earlier, our age pushed comfort up to the top criteria, both driving comfort and comfort with the controls. So Toyota Kluger Grande Hybrid was the winner. We chose the Hybrid mainly because of its contribution to driving comfort. Its economy is a bonus.

[@jezspinks426]

@@SirGregory I have a Carnival Platinum test car at the moment, with black wheels - wife says it looks like a hearse! Congrats again on the Grande purchase; I'd go the hybrid over V6, too.

[@SirGregory]

@@jezspinks426 Funny you should say that. We don't really need an SUV, and I thought the Carnival Platinum was fantastic at the price. Huge interior space. However my wife said she wouldn't be caught dead in a people-mover. Just two things missing on the Carnival when I looked at it a couple of months ago: auto wipers and the new Kia/Hyundai digital dash with blind-spot camera. I guess the model refresh will fix that.

[@andysaunders3708]

Where is the steering wheel? OMG.

[@ntpryce]

As a 2018 Toyota Grande AWD owner, I was underwhelmed by the 2021 model. The infotainment system and lack of wireless charging is retrograde. In fact, apart from having CarPlay features, my existing infotainment system is just as good as the new model. I have a 2018 Toyota Corolla and its infotainment system is the same as the new Kluger. I also value the rear window opening feature, which isn't included with the new Kluger. Despite the car being much longer and larger, you now only have the option to open the rear door or not. Thanks but not thanks, the ability to open the rear window section only is so handy when in tight spaces or only just want to reach in or drop something in when needed without opening the whole rear door - especially in poor weather conditions. For its price and features, I feel Toyota has missed the mark. When compared to the USA version (Highlander), we're being treated as fools if expected to pay such a premium for the 2021 Kluger Grande AWD hybrid. I'll be keeping my current model for a little while longer yet.

[@andysaunders3708]

I'd prefer a car to a sound-system, thanks. Infotainment - you're meant to be paying attention to your driving. Sad for you.

[@KBWarrioR2018]

Can anyone explain why highlander in us run on reg unleaded, while this here needs premium?

[@andysaunders3708]

Love the wide-opening doors. Good. Power tailgate? Just something else to break, sorry. If you can't open the tailgate, how will you lift your goodies into the car?

[@SirGregory]

I'm confused about the hybrid fuel requirements. The specs on the Toyota web site say "Minimum fuel type 95RON" for the Kluger, but recommend 91 octane for Rav4. Torque for the two combustion engines only is Rav4 221 @ 3600 Kluger 242 @ 4400 Capacities are the same at 2485 cm³. (I can’t find kW power figures for the ICE alone.) So looks like the Kluger version of the engine has been tuned up a little to carry the extra weight of the Kluger. I thought this might be the reason for the higher octane requirement. But I've seen another reason: to reduce emissions. But Australia has much lower emission requirements so that doesn’t seem plausible. Can anyone clarify this?

[@jezspinks426]

Did ask Toyota about this... couldn't get all the details out of them, but tune-up of the 4cyl to deliver the Kluger's extra power is a key reason for the bump up to 95RON. The Kluger hybrid system has a combined power output of 184kW versus 163kW for the RAV4 (or 160kW for the FWD RAV4 Hybrid).

[@SirGregory]

@@jezspinks426 Thanks for that. I've just been checking fuel prices at Costco Marsden Park NSW where we buy petrol. They don't have 95 octane, but Premium 98 is $1.39 per litre, just 12 c/l more than E10. I can manage that. Just wish Toyota would be more transparent.

[@malcolmscott4150]

Great review I like the update however cx9 seems to be a better choice?

[@alexinwood2723]

We’ll have a comparison test with CX-9 and other rivals very soon, Malcolm. But agree, it’s a testament to the CX-9 that it still seems a better buy against newer rivals.

[@kairaaliana3671]

I’ve heard that the drivers seat is a lot more comfortable in the Toyota compared to the CX9

[@markbaker2629]

@@kairaaliana3671 CX9 seats too small and uncomfortable. Was the deciding reason for us to not proceed further with purchase of the cx9

[@williamhawkins69]

I’m wondering what happens to fuel economy when towing. Pulling a small van my V6 drinks about 20L/100kms compared about 9.8 without the van. Will any drive come from electric system during highway towing? I want the hybrid but realistically? Decisions decisions

[@gerardmcbryde3156]

I’m wondering the same thing

[@dvmahir1122]

Wow behind the third row seat there is lot of space from my 2008 Kruger grande

[@aadishetty007]

What's a little unfair is that Highlander in US has a better stereo and has wireless charging but we're still stuck with the same features :(

[@TheTomcat1979]

Great review! I feel the kluger is more of a rival to the palisade. Comparo between the two would be interesting

[@ngene01]

Amazing upload bro. I sub

[@djp4nfa]

Didn’t this kluger get released in the US a few years ago now?

[@roberthamilton1301]

Last year

[@jezspinks426]

First unveiled in April 2019 at the New York motor show, so has taken a good couple of years to get to Australia, unfortunately.

[@djp4nfa]

@@jezspinks426 hence it being outdated already.

[@jezspinks426]

@@djp4nfa The interior certainly looks a generation behind the Sorento's cabin. No other rival currently offers a hybrid option, though (a Sorento PHEV is on its way, mind).

[@noelgibson5956]

Would you really want one of the first off the production line? At least they should have the quality sorted by now.

[@lukotemihango5394]

Is this man coming from Mazda?

[@djizzah]

Soccer moms and dads? What country are you in mate. Thinks he's still in pommieland!!

[@jezspinks426]

Haha. Well, um, we actually call it football in "Pommieland", but in Australia it's called (to my eternal disappointment!) soccer.

[@ssaannddrro]

God I hate that Stop/Start system.

[@adamgilesconcoursdelegance9302]

Love the Sorento…but only smelly diesel option!!.. Toyota leading by miles in this department..also infotainment system is less intrusive and dangerous at night

[@jezspinks426]

Sorento also available with a V6 petrol in Australia, Adam.

[@andysaunders3708]

Dude, We need to talk about driving. Pay attention to the road. It's a car, not a TV.

[@thomasatherley]

The fact that it needs 95 octane is a bit of a fail

[@bustedas1976]

It's E10 compatible

[@petrokessy3319]

Good car

[@roberthamilton1301]

Over priced, underwhelming...!

[@chris0628]

85k for a Kluger 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@philipc239]

Toyota are stuck in the 90s

[@rmanningau]

Yawn