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Toyota Kluger review: The price is right for seven-seat family SUV

The Toyota Kluger has been the most popular seven-seat family SUV in Australia for years, and it is now better value than ever.

Toyota Kluger GX
Toyota Kluger GX

Toyota has been king of the off-roaders for decades and the Kluger has been the most popular petrol-powered, seven-seat SUV. But age has wearied the big family hauler.

VALUE

The next-generation Kluger has already been released in the US and we’re likely to get a new model in the first half of next year, so Toyota has sharpened its pencil to keep sales on the boil. Normal drive-away price is $54,122 for the all-wheel-drive GX so the current deal represents a saving of more than $8000. The cabin is beginning to show its age a little, though. The centre screen is small compared to rivals and it doesn’t support Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, while there are manually adjusted cloth seats, manual aircon and no rain-sensing wipers. If you’re not planning to venture too far off the beaten track, you can get a front-drive version for $41,990.

A new Toyota Kluger is due to arrive in Australia next year.
A new Toyota Kluger is due to arrive in Australia next year.

COMFORT

It may not look as modern and luxurious as rival cabins, but the Kluger is a comfortable place to chew up the kilometres on the highway. The seats provide plenty of support for all body shapes and there’s ample leg and head room in the second row. The middle seats slide forward to liberate decent space for the third row, which can take adults at a pinch and has its own air vents. Toyota has tuned the Kluger’s suspension for comfort rather than cornering ability and it soaks up bumps and road imperfections impressively. The huge centre console is big enough to hold two-litre bottles and there are enough USB and 12-volt outlets for kids’ devices.

The Kluger;’ interior falls behind its rivals.
The Kluger;’ interior falls behind its rivals.

SAFETY

The Kluger’s five-star rating is from way back in 2014 but it performed well in the front offset crash test and got full marks for the side impact. There are seven airbags and they extend all the way to the third row of seats. Although it’s an old design, Toyota has progressively updated its active safety technology, adding automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, as well as blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping and rear cross-traffic alert for backing out of driveways. Active cruise control automatically keeps a safe distance between you and the car in front on the freeway.

The Kluger is a great cruiser that is comfortable on long drives.
The Kluger is a great cruiser that is comfortable on long drives.

DRIVING

The Kluger’s 3.5-litre V6 has plenty of power, which makes the all-wheel-drive option a smart one, as it helps to quell any wheel spin or tugging at the steering wheel when accelerating in the wet. The Kluger’s size and weight mean it’s more at home on the freeway than tackling a winding country road. Having said that its responses are predictable and the suspension provides adequate control for legal speeds. The V6 is reasonably frugal on the highway but in town you’ll see mid to high teens depending on how you drive. The cabin is impressively quiet.

VERDICT 3/5

The Kluger is showing its age, but it remains a comfortable, old-school family cruiser and the price is right at the moment.

ALTERNATIVES

Hyundai Santa Fe Active V6, From $44,930 drive-away

There’s no all-wheel-drive option so it can be a handful in the wet. On a dry track it is more composed than Kluger. Clever interior and strong engine but shares Kluger’s big thirst. $1500 cashback at the moment.

Kia Sorento Si, $44,690 drive-away

Shares the Santa Fe’s V6 engine but is an older design that is soon to be replaced. Former Car of the Year winner has aged well inside but a little light on for active safety features.

Mazda CX-9, From $50,490 drive-away

Quite a bit more expensive but more modern design with the latest active safety aids. Uses a 2.5-litre turbo four-cylinder that puts out less power but more torque for similar performance and better fuel efficiency.

TOYOTA KLUGER GX AWD VITALS

Price: $45,990 drive-away

Warranty/servicing: 5yrs/u’ltd km, $1200 for 3 yrs

Safety: 5 stars, 7 airbags, AEB, blind-spot warning, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert

Engine: 3.5-litre V6, 218kW/350Nm

Thirst: 9.5L/100km

Spare: Full size

Boot: 529L

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/motoring/new-cars/toyota-kluger-review-the-price-is-right-for-sevenseat-family-suv/news-story/c8be8a3e6fc579b96dfd7f1f9fa8097f