Toyota Kluger in depth
The Kluger's mid-life facelift adds a dash of style into a brew that's still dominated by comfort, practicality and space.
A change is as good as a holiday
The Kluger's mid-life facelift adds a dash of style into a brew that's still dominated by comfort, practicality and space.
In late 2010, Toyota gave its Kluger range a mild facelift, and rejigged some specifications and pricing.
Easy choice
Australian Klugers are offered with only one engine option: a 3.5-litre petrol V6 that puts out 201kW of power and 337Nm of torque.
Thirst killer
Overseas Klugers can be had with a hybrid drivetrain that's similar to the Lexus RX450h's that features a 3.5-litre V6 working together with two electric motors (one up front and one at the rear).
Thin camp
Slimmer headlights with projector main beams help to reduce the car's visual bulk.
Foggy days
Fog lights and their spear-like surrounds are standard on the mid-range KX-S and top-of-the-range Grande models.
Glass hatch
The rear windscreen can be flipped up by itself; buttons found on the plipper and chrome surrounding the numberplate activate the windscreen's lock.
Courtesy
All Klugers now come with puddle lights mounted on the underside of the wing mirrors.
Stop!
The redesigned tail-lights don't feature LED indicators or brake lights.
Boot camp tales, part I
In five-seat mode, the Kluger has plenty of space in the boot for gear.
Boot camp tales, part II
A roll-up luggage blind keeps prying eyes away from your goods.
Boot camp tales, part III
The luggage blind conveniently stows away underneath the boot floor should you not want it.
Air is free
Although air-con is standard throughout the Kluger range, the mid-range KX-S and range-topping Grande both get three-zone climate control as well. Rear-seat passengers get their own controls, too.
Work it out
Only the top-of-the-range Grande has an electrically operated tail-gate. Given the heft of the Kluger's boot door, that's a real shame.
Leverage
If you want to fold down the middle row of seats to carry long and large items, this can be easily done thanks to these levers in the boot.
Seven-seater
Both the KX-S and Grande are fitted with a third row of seats, for a total people-carrying capacity of seven. Space back there is decent, but the foot well is shallow so you have to sit with your knees up.
Comfort or people?
The middle seat in the second row can be removed and replaced by a lidded bin and cup-holder arrangement (pictured). The middle seat or the bin/cup holder is stored in a slot underneath the centre armrest when not used.
Off- or on-road action
All three trim levels can be had with all-wheel drive, although this adds AU$4500 to the asking price.
DAC it
All-wheel drive models feature Downhill Assist Control that can maintain a constant low speed when you're heading down an off-road track.
Roof rails
Roof rails, with a rather attractive metal finish, are standard on the KX-S and Grande.
Fingertip control
Every Kluger model has audio controls mounted on the steering wheel.
Air time
On the other spoke are controls for the climate control air-con that's fitted to the KX-S and Grande.
Cruisey
Cruise control is fitted throughout the range, although the light on the instrument panel only informs you of when the system is on, not when it's actually regulating the car's speed.
Swings and roundabouts
The base KX-R and mid-range KX-S have (different) audio head-units with an auxiliary jack, iPod/iPhone-compatible USB port, and Bluetooth for both hands-free and wireless music streaming.
While the range-topping Grande gains a sat-nav audio system with touchscreen display and rear seat DVD entertainment setup, it loses out on the lower models' USB port and Bluetooth music streaming.
Shifty
The only transmission on offer is a five-speed automatic.
Riotous
The three-zone climate control system that's present on the KX-S and Grande features a riot of buttons that are hard to comprehend whilst driving. No wonder Toyota likes putting a set of controls on the steering wheel.
Multi-function display, part I
The 3.5-inch display between the air vents can display a variety of information from the trip computer and is controlled by the Disp button on the steering wheel.
Multi-function display, part II
In addition to the average fuel economy meter, the Kluger stores a fuel economy history so you can revel in your thriftiness or marvel at your lead foot.
Multi-function display, part III
The display is also used for the climate control system.
Whirrrrr
The front seats gains all electric adjustment and heating on the KX-S and Grande.
She (doesn't) bang
The front passengers' cup holders feature removable rubber liners so keys and other odds and sods don't bang about too much when you're driving.
Rearward ho!
With its imposing presence and large rearward blind-spot, it's a good thing that all Klugers are equipped with a reversing camera. Pity that the screen's on the small side.
Clear and present
Thanks to Optitron lighting, the Kluger's instruments are clear and easy to read no matter the conditions.