Toyota Kluger 2023 review: GXL Turbo

Despite the fact that you get a smaller engine, the prices have actually gone up in the 2023 Toyota Kluger.

Prices kick off from $51,120 before on-road costs for the front-drive GX, step up to $60,640 for the mid-tier GXL and top out with the Grande at $73,010.

Buyers can also opt for all-wheel-drive versions of the same grade for another $4000 in GX and GXL form, and $3110 for the Grande.

The mid-tier GXL wears a price tag of $60,640. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

We’ve been testing the GXL AWD, which also comes with the Saturn Blue Metallic premium paint option that adds $675 to the asking price.

To be fair, Toyota updated the Kluger line-up this year, adding more equipment and better in-cabin technologies, so that does ease the sting a little.

Standard equipment in the base 2023 Kluger GX includes 18-inch wheels, rear privacy glass, three-zone climate control, a 7.0-inch driver display and an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.

Our test Kluger features Saturn Blue Metallic premium paint that adds $675 to the asking price. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

Step up into the mid-tier GXL like we have here, and you score better looking 18-inch alloys, roof rails, power-adjustable and heated front seats, a powered tailgate and a larger 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen.

Meanwhile, the top-spec Kluger shares its name with a pop-star queen and Starbucks coffee size, and adds niceties like a wireless smartphone charger, cooled front seats, synthetic woodgrain interior, a surround-view monitor, panoramic glass roof, head-up display and up-rated sound system.

However, the biggest inclusion in the spec sheet might be Toyota’s new Connected Services suite, which buyers are given 12 months of free access to when they take delivery of their new Klugers.

This service allows access to features such as an Automatic Collision Notification that will alert and direct emergency services to your location in the event of a serious accident, remote vehicle start up, a handy vehicle locator function in case you get lost in the maze of Chadstone’s carpark, and pushing navigation data from the car to your phone for when you have to continue your journey on foot.

And to be honest? This equipment list isn’t all that impressive for a $65,000 family SUV in 2023.

While it’s nice to have things like heated front seats and a powered tailgate, this is pretty par for the course in this price bracket, and it would have been better to see some features from the top-spec Grande like the wireless charger and surround-view monitor be made available here in the GXL.

Which is a shame, because after you get over the bland looks, there’s a really practical and roomy family SUV underneath.

In the front seat, there’s so much space to get comfortable, as well as storage options galore for all your bits and bobs.

The water bottle goes into the door pocket, wallet and keys go into the storage tray north of the shifter, your phone sits on a nice, textured shelf to stop it slipping around, and that still leaves room for family essentials like coffee.

Upfront of the Kluger, it is storage options galore for all your bits and bobs. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

The underarm storage tray is a little odd though – it opens by sliding a hard lid back instead of the usual lifting manoeuvre.

And it means the aperture is a little smaller than you might expect, so just keep that in mind before you throw something big and bulky in there.

Moving to the second row, even with a kid’s seat installed, there is room to spare.

The Kluger's second row seats are comfortable for both child and adult passengers. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

Even the middle seat is relatively comfortable thanks to a flatter floor, and ingress/egress is helped by a lower side lip that is much shorter than in other large SUV models.

Like seriously, this row would have no problems accommodating adults over long periods of time, and back here there’s access to air vents, climate controls, a fold-down arm rest, backseat map pockets and door storage bins.

The third-row however, is a bit of a letdown. Not only is it hard to get in and out of thanks to the second-row seats that are quite bulky, but there is also a lack of amenities back there.

Space is limited in the third row of the Kluger. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

This is a spot you only want kids to be, which is pretty standard for the three-row SUVs in this class, but with just cupholders and air vents back here, it can start to feel a little claustrophobic.

As for the boot space, with all seats in place, the Kluger’s will swallow a 241-litre load, expanding to 552L with the third-row folded flat. Get that second row down, and space swells to a gargantuan 1150L.

And if these numbers mean absolutely nothing to you, know that three rows in place, you’ll fit some groceries and backpacks, with two rows up, you will get a full-size pram, nappy bag, luggage and more, and with just the front seats up, trips to Bunnings and Ikea will be a cinch.

But it’s under the bonnet where you’ll find the biggest change in the new Kluger, because it scores a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that replaces the old 3.5-litre V6.

Outputs are 198kW and 420Nm – a noticeable 20kW down, but 70Nm up from the outgoing motor.

Paired to the engine is an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Under the Kluger's bonnet is a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

However, keep in mind this 2.4-litre engine will still tow a maximum braked capacity of 2000kg – matching the figures offered by the old V6.

This version sends drive to all four wheels, but Toyota also offers up front-wheel-drive Klugers in the same trim for about $4000 less.

Toyota switched to a smaller engine for huge gains in fuel efficiency right? ….Right?

Well, yes, but the difference in fuel economy might be much smaller than you’d expect.

The old V6? It had an official fuel consumption figure of 8.8 litres per 100km, while this new four-banger returns…. 8.5L/100km.

That’s right switching to the smaller engine has only yielded a fuel saving of 0.3L/100km, which I guess will add up in the long run, especially with the cost of petrol these days.

The new Kluger has an official fuel consumption figure of 8.5L/100km. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

And in my time with the Kluger, I managed an average of 10.9L/100km, with driving conditions relegated to inner-city commuting and runs back and forth from childcare.

To be fair, Toyota also says emissions outputs have dropped from 205 grams per kilometre, but are yet to reveal how pollutant this large SUV is.

It’s a step in the right direction for sure, but given the little gains in efficiency, this powertrain overhaul feels a bit superfluous.  

The 2023 Toyota Kluger wears a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from when it was tested in 2021, which the safety body says applies to all variants including the new 2.4-litre-powered versions.

The Kluger scored excellently in the adult and child occupant protection tests in particular, and standard safety system highlights include autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams and seven airbags.

The 2023 Toyota Kluger wears a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

The airbags also extend to the third row, offering side head protection in the event of a crash.

Toyota’s 2023 additions also centre around increased safety, as their connected services can notify emergency services of your exact location in the event of a crash.

The service can be activated with the push of an SOS button on the roof.