New Toyota Kluger hybrid to dominate

Toyota Australia believes as much as 70 per cent of forthcoming Toyota Kluger sales in Australia will be hybrid, as local demand for the Japanese brand’s petrol-electric drivetrains continues to grow.

Toyota surpassed 50,000 hybrid sales in Australia last year and has accumulated more than 200,000 hybrid sales since launching the Toyota Prius in October 2001.

In June, Toyota will introduce its new-generation 2021 Toyota Kluger range to Australian showrooms, and Toyota Australia vice-president of sales and marketing, Sean Hanley, believes the new hybrid powertrain variants will spearhead the mix.

“Whatever stock I get of the Kluger hybrid, it won’t be enough,” he said.

“Our sales forecasting in terms of the mix is very high on Kluger hybrid. I suspect it’s going to really resonate with the market, particularly in that size car. It’s an exciting entry for us into that large SUV market.”

The new Toyota Kluger was one of five hybrid models Toyota Australia pledged to deliver by 2021, including the C-HR, RAV4, Corolla hatch and sedan, and the Yaris and Yaris Cross.

Combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor, the 179kW Kluger hybrid is expected to bring a claimed fuel efficiency rating of about 7.0L/100km, and will command a circa-$3500 premium over the continuing 3.5-litre V6 petrol models.

“I think being a larger car, it’s made for hybrid. It represents a good outcome in terms of reducing its fuel consumption,” said Hanley.

Toyota’s new large SUV will continue to offer a seven-seat layout and both front-drive and all-wheel drive layouts – although the hybrid will be exclusively all-wheel drive.

Based on Toyota’s latest platform architecture (TNGA-K), the new Kluger will deliver improved cargo space, styling, dynamics and safety levels, along with a more modern interior fit-out.

Toyota is set to release local pricing and specs for the fourth-generation Kluger closer to its June touchdown.