2021 Toyota Kluger Australian details revealed

Toyota dominated the Australian new car market, but it has been missing one vital model from its line-up … not anymore.

Toyota’s seven-seat family SUV has gone through a monumental change.

The arrival of the new Toyota Kluger in Australia is headlined by the addition of hybrid power, which is complimented by fresh styling, advanced tech and improved safety.

Toyota has finally added hybrid power to the Kluger SUV.

Toyota is launching the Kluger in three grades: GX, GXL and Grande. Each one is available as a two- or all-wheel drive with a V6-petrol engine or as an all-wheel drive hybrid.

Prices start at $47,650 (before on-road costs) for the base GX two-wheel drive petrol, adding all-wheel drive costs and extra $4000 and hybrid power a further $2500.

GXL variants follow a similar pricing structure and start at $56,850, and the top-spec Grande versions start at $68,900 and rise at similar intervals.

The hybrid drinks just 5.6L/100km compared to about 8.9L/100km for the V6 petrol.

Fuel use was one of the drawbacks of the previous generation Kluger – the V6-powered version drank a claimed 9.5L/100km but drivers would see mid teens in urban environments.

The V6 is carried over making the same 218kW and 350Nm, but it’s slightly more fuel efficient hovering between a claimed 8.7L to 8.9L/100km depending on whether they are two-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Hybrid versions sip an impressive 5.6L/100km and Toyota’s hybrids have a history of achieving if not bettering its claimed figures.

The hybrids combine a 134kW/270Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 40kW/121Nm electric motor, good for a combined 184kW.

The Kluger is a big unit and can seat seven.

Unfortunately the Kluger still uses Toyota’s older nickel metal hydride battery instead of a more powerful and modern lithium-ion unit, which is found in the recently launched Toyota Yaris Hybrid small car.

Toyota Australia boss Sean Hanley believes hybrids are the ideal environmentally conscious option right now in Australia as we transition to an electric future The success of the brand’s other hybrids – especially the RAV4 Hybrid – highlights the technology’s popularity.

“Kluger is now the eighth Toyota model in Australia that offers a fuel efficient, environmentally-conscious, hybrid drivetrain and as our sales success proves, it is still currently the leading option for environmentally sustainable transport,” says Mr Hanley.

Hybrids have been a huge success for Toyota.

“While Toyota is continuing to develop a range of alternative powertrains to meet our sustainability goals into the future, right here, right now, for this market, we believe a petrol electric hybrid meets the needs of families for a practical and affordable vehicle perfectly,” he says.

Safety is a priority with a wide range of active driver aids included.

The Kluger will automatically brake for cars, pedestrians and cyclists if it detects a collision, but it won’t detect cyclists at night. It will also break automatically if it detects a potential collision when turning at an intersection.

Top-spec models get leather-accented seats.

Lane keep assist will help you maintain your position in your lane, gently guiding you back in if it detects you wandering. Blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and a reversing camera will boost your awareness of vehicles and objects around the vehicle.

Base GX versions are fairly Spartan inside with cloth seats, a leather accented steering wheel and gear shifter, keyless entry and a 4.2-inch information screen in the instrument display. Infotainment is taken care of via an eight-inch touchscreen, which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio and Bluetooth.

Toyota guarantees its vehicles for five years/unlimited km.

GXL variants get faux leather seats that are heated and electronically adjustable for the front passengers. A seven-inch information display replaces the smaller 4.2-inch number in the GX and there is three zone aircon, in-built satnav and a power tailgate.

Grande grades get ventilated, leather accented front seats with memory function, an 11-speaker premium stereo, rear door shades, hands-free tailgate and a head-up display.

All Toyotas are covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty and capped price servicing costs just $1250 over five years.