More power for upgraded Toyota Kluger

Toyota has announced Australia's version of the 2017 Kluger, which made its global debut at the 2016 New York motor show last April, will be more powerful, more efficient and better equipped.

But it is yet to reveal whether the facelifted Kluger — which goes on sale Down Under in late February and will continue to be available in front-wheel drive and all-drive versions of three model grades — will be more expensive than before.

The outgoing Kluger is priced at $42,190 for the entry-level 2WD GX auto, $51,190 for the mid-range GXL and $54,075 for the flagship Grande, with AWD adding $4000 to each variant.

Like the Mazda CX-9 and Nissan Pathfinder – but unlike its other direct large seven-seat SUV rivals including the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Holden Captiva – the new-look, US-made Kluger continues to be unavailable with diesel power.

Instead, it continues with a 3.5-litre petrol V6, which is now equipped with D4S direct-injection and 11.8:1 compression (up from 10.8) to deliver 218kW of power at 6600rpm (up from 201kW) and 350Nm of torque at 4700rpm – up from 337Nm.

Combined with the upgrade from a six-speed automatic transmission to an eight-speed unit, Toyota says this delivers improved acceleration and overtaking capability, but does not provide data.

The higher-tech auto is attributed with lowering fuel consumption by more than 10 per cent on the official combined cycle, which now stands at 9.L/100km for base 2WD models and 9.5L/100km for all AWD models.

Other upgrades will include the addition of an 8.0-inch audio screen for GXL models, which also score satellite-navigation, digital radio and a powered tailgate with separately opening glass hatch.

Only top-shelf Grande variants, which also upgrade with a four-camera panoramic view monitor and front parking sensors, gain safety features including rear-cross-traffic alert and the addition of steering control and sway warning to its lane departure alert system.

And only the Grande flagship offers carryover safety features like a pre-collision system, autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control, lane departure alert, blind spot monitor and auto high beam.

All 2017 Kluger grades bring new cosmetics, including a silver grille for GX and GXL variants, and a chromed grille for the Grande, plus reworked tail-lights with standard LEDs for all models.

Of course, there are also new-design alloys wheels (including spares) -- 18-inch with five double spokes for GX, 18-inch with seven outer and seven turbine-style inner spokes for GXL, and 19-inch with 12-outer and 12 black inner spokes for Grande.

Three new exterior body colours include silver, brown and an additional red hue.

Inside, Toyota says it has enhanced quality with premium materials, soft-touch surfaces, bright accents and greater refinement with silver metallic garnishes on GX and GXL variants.

The Grande is now offered with silver woodgrain-look garnishes and blue LED ambient lighting around the dash and doors.

As before, all 2017 Klugers will come with seven airbags, reversing camera, reversing sensors, anti-skid brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, stability and traction control, and hill-start assist control.

Also carrying over are air-conditioning, cruise control, electric power steering, six-speaker display audio with Toyota Link, fog lights, privacy glass, power windows/mirrors and a 72-litre fuel tank.

GXL models add three-zone climate-control, keyless entry and ignition, roof rails, premium steering wheel and shift knob, and leather-accented seats, heated front seats and a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat.

In addition to the safety items mentioned above, Grande models also add a tilt-and-slide sunroof, ventilated front seats with two-position driver's memory, 9.0-inch rear-seat entertainment system with Blu-ray player, heated exterior mirrors with memory and puddle lamps, electro-chromatic interior mirror, second-row retractable sunshades and a back-guide monitor for the reversing camera.