Toyota Kluger 2007 Review

Not so much
>> Hill holder system flawed
>> Park sensors a must for shorter drivers

OVERVIEW
Maximise Medium SUV -- three words (well, two plus an acronym) that define Toyota's brief for the new Kluger. Looking to not only rip the heart out of Ford's Territory and dominate the segment, but also to grow the very market into which it is launched, the latest Kluger is all-new. In fact, if you believe Toyota sales boss David Buttner it is "inadequate to say it's simply a replacement".

Toyota claims the 'not-a-replacement-but-all-very-new' Kluger combines the ride of sedan, the space of a wagon, the versatility of a SUV and the traction of a 4WD. The only trouble with that theory is at least half the Klugers Toyota expects to sell Down under won't be... Four-wheel drive, that is. Like Territory and the latest Hyundai Santa Fe (see here), the new Kluger is now offered in a front-wheel drive version.

That's not all. Although bigger and better equipped than ever, the ace up Kluger's US-designed sleeve may well be its safety story. From here on in each of the new Kluger's three trim grades (in both all and front-wheel drive) arrive with what is claimed to be the Medium SUV segment's most comprehensive complement of safety gear -- stability control, fully-featured ABS brakes, seven airbags and a reversing camera are all standard equipment.

The standard equipment the KX-R offers includes the abovementioned safety equipment (the reverse camera 'view' is via a colour 3.5-inch centre dash multi-function display), five 17-inch alloys, cloth trim, cruise control, two-piece rear tailgate (the rear glass opens independently) and a single-disc MP3-compatible six-speaker audio system.

From there the Kluger's pricing structure is deviously simple. The mid-level KX-S adds $10K to be priced from $49,990 and the top-of-the-range Grande is another $10K step at $59,990.

Both trim levels come standard with seven leather-trimmed seats, tri-zone climate control air and both boast power-adjustable heated front seats. They roll on 19-inch alloys -- another first for Toyota.

The Kluger Grande's spec adds more bells and whistles including a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, Lexus-style touch-screen sat-nav, moonroof, keyless entry and start and even a power-operated rear tailgate.

All-wheel drive is a $4500 increment on all three trim grades and all versions get full-sized alloy spares. Park sensors, towing equipment and a curtain airbag compatible luggage barrier will be among the genuine accessories offered.

MECHANICAL
Kluger is already on sale in the USA wearing the Highlander badge, but the right-hand drive version has been developed for the Australasian market exclusively. To this end, it features bespoke steering and suspension calibrations.

Its existence is proof positive of how serious Toyota is about dominating this medium SUV marketplace. Though Kluger is essentially based on the same platform as the Camry/Aurion sedans and shares some architecture, according to Toyota, the SUV has been designed and built from the ground up as an allroad-capable vehicle.

The all-wheel drive version features a 'true' full-time four-wheel drive system rather than the part-time electronically-controlled 'on demand' torque sensing systems fitted to some softroaders. The single-speed centre differential is a bevel-gear unit that splits torque at a fixed ratio 50:50 front and rear.

In the four-wheel drive variants 'open' diffs are fitted front and rear, and front and all-wheel drive versions use brake traction control to provide the 'smarts' when things get slippery. All Klugers are equipped with a hill start assist system and the 4WDs also get a hill descent control feature. The latter only operates when the transmission is manually 'locked' in first gear.

Toyota's tongue-in-cheek suggestion that Kluger is the "Aurion wagon" is reflected in the choice of powerplant. Though new to Kluger, the 24-valve 2GF-FE engine is shared with the sedan and the V6 Tarago. All six Kluger models are powered by the 201kW/337Nm dual VVTi-equipped 3.5-litre V6 which is coupled to a five-speed auto transmission.

Though there are some internal changes, the transmission is essentially the same across the front and four-wheel drive models. Ratios are shared across both versions and a manual shift mode is offered on both variants. 'Snow' mode facilitates second gear starts.

The Big T is not only saying the powertrain is more powerful than the Ford Territory (powered by a 190kW/383Nm 4.0-litre inline six) but that it is also more frugal. Toyota claims 11.0lt/100km in testing for the front-wheel drive Klugers and the entry and mid-level AWDs. Only the top-spec AWD differs, returning 11.6lt/100km, it says.

By way of comparison, the Territory rear-wheel drive is rated at 12.2lt/100km with the AWD model pegged at 12.8lt/100km. Toyota says the superseded Kluger returned 12.3lt/100km in ADR testing.

Toyota says the Kluger logs a 0-100km/h time of 8.0sec in the case of the front-wheeler -- the four-wheel drive model is 0.2sec slower.

Kluger's power steering is electronic and suspension is a four-strut all-independent layout. The front features L-shaped lower control arms and the rear incorporates a multi-link design featuring dual lower transverse links and a trailing arm. There are anti-roll bars at both ends for better on-road manners.

The suspension is unashamedly road-biased. Despite the fact Toyota launched the car in the challenging environs of the Werribee 4x4 Park it was at pains to point out Kluger is not designed to take over from the likes of the dual-range equipped Prado.

PACKAGING
The new Kluger is significantly larger than the car it replaces. At 4785mm long it's 95mm longer than the outgoing Kluger and just 55mm shorter than the abovementioned Prado. It rolls on a 75mm longer wheelbase (2790 v 2715mm) than the previous model but according to Toyota delivers an extra 105mm of useable interior length.

Toyota says the car benefits from its compact transverse engine layout. For a near-full-size SUV it certainly displays more than a hint of 'cab forward' about its proportions.

Albeit a conventional three-row layout at first glance, Toyota says it has paid particular attention to the functionality of the interior of the vehicle and it shows. The seating system is more flexible than before and the fold-flat third row can be stowed or deployed with ease from the rear of the car. A two-piece tailgate in which the glass hatch can be opened separately is another detail that will please many owners.

Hip points have been raised, says Toyota with the second seat H-point placed higher than the front for the so-called 'theatre' effect. The tri-fold second row slides fore and aft 120mm and can also be transformed into separate 'Captain's chairs' by virtue of an easily removed centre section.

And if you happen to pick up an extra passenger on your journey, fear not. You don't have to leave the centre section at home -- when not in use it stores in a dedicated compartment under the front centre console. Clever.

The Kluger's driver's seat has adjustable cushion length and there's tilt and reach adjustment on the steering wheel. Family purchasers (and those who once owned Kia Carnivals!) will appreciate the parabolic "quick check mum's mirror" that forms part of the overhead sunglass storage. Incidental storage is addressed with a selection of compartments and drinkholders.

Toyota also talked of the car's 'articulation index' at the launch. Simply, this is tuning the car's interior noise levels to enhance the ability to hear the second and third row passengers. We're not sure whether that's a plus or a minus.

Interior quality also takes a step up with the latest Kluger with all but the base-level model featuring leather seats and leather-like touchpoints. The mid-level Kluger's interior tones are a shade too dark but the Grande delivers some timber accents and other options that sex up the interior experience.

Though the Kluger is not an offroader, ground clearance has been increased from 184 to 206mm for both front and four-wheel drive versions. Toyota claims approach, departure and rampover angles of 29, 24 and 17 degrees respectively.

An important aspect of 'packaging' for some buyers will be Kluger's towing performance. Toyota claims best-in-class towing capacity at 2000kg for both versions. It should be noted that while this betters the Territory's 1600kg and matches the all-wheel drive Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford offers a heavy-duty tow pack for its SUV which takes the braked towing limit to 2300kg.

SAFETY
As noted in our intro Toyota has wheeled out a full safety package to ice the Kluger cake. It's an impressive offering and brings the maker's decision to market its 75 Series LandCruiser with barely an airbag in stark contrast.

The Kluger hits the Aussie market with stability control (VSC, incorporating traction control), fully-featured ABS brakes (including hill start and descent functions), seven airbags and a reversing camera as standard equipment. In addition it also features active head restraints (for the first time in a local Toyota) and a more pedestrian-friendly front crash structure.

The Kluger's VSC/TCS system has a two-stage deactivation. Turn it 'off' and it allows slip and wheelspin but re-engages at speeds over 40km/h. Hold the button in for a time and it deactivates totally -- useful for sand driving.

The maker says it will be disappointed if the Kluger does not attain a five-star rating in NCAP testing.

COMPETITORS
The last generation Kluger's sales peaked at around 900 units per month within a year of so of its October 2003 launch, and sales more recently have sat at around 300 units per month. Given the uniquely Australian focus of the right-hand drive development of this model, Toyota is highly unlikely to be satisfied with simply matching the results of the last generation.

Toyota claims the Kluger will bring new buyers to the medium SUV class, as well as take on the existing main player, Ford Territory. Thus Toyota will target Kluger at both fleet and private buyers and expects a significant proportion of buyers to be stepping up into the Kluger from smaller vehicles -- both passenger cars and SUVs. This, it says, is in contrast to Territory which draws most of its buyers from the large car marketplace.

The Kluger's safety upgrade and mix of keen pricing and high spec levels trumps the Territory, says Toyota. Indeed, the company was pointed in its comparison with the locally-built Ford at the launch of the Kluger.

It claims that at all three trim levels, the Kluger is significantly cheaper on a specification-adjusted basis. To check out our pre-configured Kluger versus Territory comparator click here

It's not just the Territory that will come under the torch, however. Expect buyers to shop the Kluger against Holden's Captiva, Hyundai's Santa Fe and more offroad-oriented vehicles such as Nissan's Pathfinder.

The two-wheel drive model could also steal sales away from conventional wagons. Toyota makes the point that five out of six Kluger models use less fuel than the VZ Commodore wagon.

With Toyota out to make a point, expect the medium SUV market to be an extremely hot battleground in the months to come.

ON THE ROAD
While we sampled the four-wheel drive Kluger on sections of a 'real' offroad loop, the likelihood most buyers will take their vehicle much further than a gravel or snow-covered road is small. That said we drove our tester over some light-duty ups and downs as well as a creek crossing that approached the car's 500mm safe wading depth. Predictably it wasn't fazed.

We sampled both the hill descent control and the hill start feature and found that while the downhill function was fuss-free, the brake pedal pressure required to actuate the hill holder function was too high. The system requires the driver to 'bury' the brake pedal to a point where a detent is reached and the system activated. The writer is around 98kg and no wallflower, and had trouble making it happen.

Bottom line is Kluger will take you to Kakadu or Fraser Island but if you're serious about offroading and want a Toyota, you'll be buying a Prado.

On the bitumen and formed gravel roads both the all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive models were quiet and refined. Steering is anodyne but well weighted (the fingertip light US steering settings have been dumped, thankfully). As you'd expect, the all-wheel drive is a touch more wieldy on both surfaces.

Though the Kluger doesn't roll and pitch like some softroaders, there's more understeer prevalent in the two-wheel drive model in tighter going and the VSC light blinks early and often. We know the Kluger's not intended to be a sportscar but it's worth stating the point. For instance, those who tow might choose the all-wheel drive as this characteristic tends to be exaggerated with a load on behind.

Kluger's Executive Chief Engineer Yukihiro Okane was on hand for the Australian launch and explained 'our' Kluger's suspension settings could be offered as a 'Sport' option in the US market. That's not to say it is overly firm -- more a comment on the very soft suspension settings favoured by American buyers.

The engine is smooth and the auto eager. Though maximum torque is produced at a relatively high 4700rpm, the V6's variable valve timing means there's quite a fat torque curve under that peak figure. No, the newton-metres don't necessarily match the Territory, but the Kluger's six has somewhere between 100-150kg (depending on the model) less to haul around.

While launch fuel figures are only a snapshot of what owners can expect, at a steady 100km/h cruise we were able to readily return a sub-10lt/100km result (measured via the onboard computer). Increase the pace a little though (110km/h or a touch above) and the average consumption jumped markedly.

We spent most of our time in a the classy but a touch dark cabin of a mid-level KX-S. Build quality was good but to be frank the new Hyundai Santa Fe we drove a few days previous was a match. The lighter confines of a Grande we drove weren't quite as gloomy but that car had a very-unToyota-like dash rattle.

In terms of passenger comfort there's good room available in the second row and the 'Captain's chair' function works well. While the third row is big enough for smaller adults, getting to the seat is a task best left to kids or gymnasts.

Up front you sit high in the Kluger whether the underpinnings are two or four-wheel drive. The view's commanding dead ahead but sizing-up the wagon's corners needs more than the usual dose of care. Don't underestimate the size of the Toyo when berthing, either. It's just 65mm shorter than the Territory and 12mm wider. We'd suggest owners will (or later wish they'd chosen to) plumb for the park assist option -- even with the rear view camera.

Various Toyota officials up to and including Chairman Emeritus John Conomos have described the Kluger as a pivotal model for the maker Down Under. It's unlikely therefore Toyota will accept anything short of record sales as a measure of the Kluger's success.

With bold, more masculine styling, decent dynamics and plenty of equipment, there's plenty to like about the new Kluger... Unless, of course, you work for Ford Australia...

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