The Toyota Kluger Grande is a big, comfy, seven-seat, Japanese American au pair of a car, and it will be with us for the next three months.
The Kluger range starts at $40,990 (plus on road costs) for the front-wheel-drive GX model and rises to $67,520 (plus on roads) for our four-wheel-drive Grande test car.
All models feature the same 201kW/337Nm 3.5-litre V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission.
With seven airbags, seven seats, a reverse-view camera and rear parking sensors across the range, the Kluger is aimed fair and square at family buyers.
Slotting in below the more off-road-focused Prado and the mid-sized RAV4, the Toyota Kluger is a full-size urban SUV, and outsells its closest competitor, the Nissan Pathfinder, by more than two-to-one.
With more than 150,000 Klugers already sold here since 2003, the latest US-built third-generation Kluger (sold as a Highlander in North America) is Australia’s first Toyota model sourced from the US of A.
And our Champagne-coloured Grande comes standard with all the bells and whistles you would expect of a family wagon with a price that’ll likely tick over $70K by the time it’s parked in your driveway.
Comfort is amplified with heated and cooled front seats, a sunroof, a large 8.0-inch touch screen (other models have a 6.1-inch screen) and a 9.0-inch flip-down screen and DVD player for rear passengers.
There is a proximity monitor included with the reverse-view camera, a pre-collision warning system, lane departure alert and blind spot monitoring, as well as radar controlled adaptive cruise control. In all, you get a lot of goodies for your money.
The Grande also features a split tailgate, meaning the rear glass can be opened independently of the door – something so handy, I have no idea why it isn’t offered on other models in the range.
I will say too that the power tailgate is among the slowest we have ever encountered. “Beeep, beep, beep,” it chimes as it takes a full 11 seconds from closed to open.
This aside, early impressions are good. We love the ‘Americool’ look of the car and up front, the big ‘Klug’ is a great place to be.
The V6 is punchy and speed humps are easily traversed thanks to a ride that initially seems hugely compliant and comfortable, even on 19-inch wheels.
Comfort is amplified with heated and cooled front seats, a sunroof, a large 8.0-inch touch screen (other models have a 6.1-inch screen) and a 9.0-inch flip-down screen and DVD player for rear passengers.
There is a proximity monitor included with the reverse-view camera, a pre-collision warning system, lane departure alert and blind spot monitoring, as well as radar controlled adaptive cruise control. In all, you get a lot of goodies for your money.
The Grande also features a split tailgate, meaning the rear glass can be opened independently of the door – something so handy, I have no idea why it isn’t offered on other models in the range.
I will say too that the power tailgate is among the slowest we have ever encountered. “Beeep, beep, beep,” it chimes as it takes a full 11 seconds from closed to open.
This aside, early impressions are good. We love the ‘Americool’ look of the car and up front, the big ‘Klug’ is a great place to be.
The V6 is punchy and speed humps are easily traversed thanks to a ride that initially seems hugely compliant and comfortable, even on 19-inch wheels.
Source : www.caradvice.com.au
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