New-look Toyota Kluger from $43,550

Toyota Australia has announced price increases of up to $2360 for its facelifted 2017 Kluger, which is now on sale.

First revealed at the 2016 New York motor show last March, the upgraded Kluger is now priced from $43,550 plus on-road costs ($1360 more than before) for the entry-level GX 2WD.

That makes it pricier than its nearest rivals in the Holden Captiva (from $30,490), Hyundai Santa Fe ($39,350), Kia Sorento ($40,990), Mazda CX-9 ($42,490) and Nissan Pathfinder ($41,490).

The mid-range Kluger GXL 2WD is now priced $10,000 higher at $53,550 plus ORCs (up $2360), the flagship Kluger Grande 2WD costs $65,935 (up $1860) and AWD versions continue to attract a $4000 premium.

In January, Toyota Australia announced the 2017 Kluger will be more powerful, more efficient and better equipped.

At the time, it confirmed the sole powertrain choice will remain a 3.5-litre petrol V6, 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.

The upgrade from a six-speed automatic transmission to an eight-speed unit not only delivers improved acceleration and overtaking capability, but lowers fuel consumption by more than 10 per cent to 9.0L/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, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitor and auto high beam.

As before, standard Kluger safety equipment includes seven airbags, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, anti-skid brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, stability and traction control, and hill-start assist control.

Also standard across the range is air-conditioning, cruise control, electric power steering, six-speaker display audio with Toyota Link connected mobility, front fog lights, privacy glass and power-adjustable exterior mirrors.

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

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

Range-wide styling updates include refreshed front and rear bumpers, a new grille, LED tail-lights, newly designed grade-specific alloy wheels (18-inch for GX and GXL, 19s for Grande) and enhanced interior materials.

Three new exterior body colours include silver, brown and an additional red hue, and the Kluger range is covered by Toyota Service Advantage capped-price servicing at $180 per service.

Toyota Australia has sold more than 140,000 Klugers since the first generation arrived in 2003, with sales topping 10,000 annually since 2008.

2017 Toyota Kluger pricing (plus ORCs):
GX 2WD — $43,550 (+$1360)
GX AWD — $47,550 (+$1360)
GXL 2WD — $53,550 (+$2360)
GXL AWD — $57,550 (+$2360)
Grande 2WD — $65,935 (+$1860)
Grande AWD — $69,906 (+$1860)