Toyota targets new blood with bigger, safer SUV

Toyota has wheeled out a full complement of safety equipment to ice its latest new model cake -- the Kluger. And it intends to use the package to help it grow the local medium SUV marketplace and its share thereof.

To be offered in front and all-wheel drive versions, the new V6-engined seven-seater Kluger hits the Aussie market this month with stability control, fully-featured ABS brakes, seven airbags and a reversing camera all as standard equipment. And not just on the top-of-the-range model -- following the lead of Holden with its ESP-equipped Captiva range, the full safety suite will come standard on each of the Kluger's three trim grades and both all-wheel and front-wheel drive versions.

Prices for the new vehicle start from $39,990.

The new Kluger is significantly larger than the car it replaces (more here). And though it is essentially based on the same component layout as the Camry/Aurion sedans, according to Toyota, it's designed and built from the ground up as an allroad-capable SUV.

Already on sale in the USA and Japan under the Highlander nameplate, the right-hand drive version of the vehicle was developed by Toyota for the Australasian market exclusively. To this end, it features bespoke steering and suspension calibrations.

Toyota claims the Kluger's package is "one of the most comprehensive standard safety packages in the medium SUV class". In addition to the above noted safety equipment, the Kluger also features active head restraints (for the first time in a local Toyota) and more pedestrian-friendly front structure. The maker says it will be disappointed if the Kluger does not attain a five-star rating in NCAP testing.

It also claims the offering will help it bring new buyers to the medium SUV class, as well as take on the existing main player, Ford Territory.

Toyota will target Kluger at both fleet and private buyers. It 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 safety upgrade for new Kluger trumps the Territory, says Toyota. Indeed, Australia's number one car brand was pointed in its comparison with the locally-built Ford at this week's local launch of the Kluger. It claims that at all three trim levels, the Kluger is significantly cheaper on a specification-adjusted basis. (Look for an examination of Toyota's claims in our launch review of the Kluger soon).

Kluger is priced from $39,990 for the sole five-seater model, the base front-wheel drive KX-R. Stepping up to a seven-seat KX-R will set you back an extra $2500 including manual rear aircon.

Standard features the KX-R offers include the above-mentioned safety equipment (rear 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 and a single-disc MP3-compatible six-speaker audio system.

The KX-S is priced from $49,990 and the range-topping Grande is $59,990 -- both come standard with seven leather-trimmed seats, tri-zone climate control air and power-adjustable heated front seats. They roll on 19-inch alloys -- another first for Toyota.

The Kluger Grande's spec includes all the 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. All-wheel drive Klugers are equipped with a hill start assist system as well as hill descent control feature. The all-wheel-drive system is a full-time 50:50 split rather than the 'on demand' system fitted to some soft roaders.

All Kluger are powered by a 201kW/337Nm dual VVTi equipped 3.5-litre V6 which is coupled to a five-speed auto transmission with manual mode. The Big T is not only saying the powertrain is more powerful than the Ford (Territory is 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 models and the entry and mid-level AWD. 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.

The last generation Kluger's sales peaked at around 900 units per month within a year of so of its October 2003 launch with sales more recently sitting 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.

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

All-wheel drive
KX-R (five-seater) - $44,490
KX-R (seven-seater) - $46,990
KX-S - $54,490
Grande - $64,490

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