Petrol V6 or petrol-electric hybrid? 2022 Toyota Kluger price and running costs compared

Think of something roomy and safe and inexpensive to buy for the family and there’s a decent choice, now made all the more interesting by the growing hybrid community.

Why hybrid? Because hybrid spells low fuel consumption which means saving money.

The multi-seat family-oriented segment is ripe for families counting pennies, and Kia offers up a plug-in hybrid Sorento, while Nissan also offered a hybrid version of the outgoing Pathfinder.

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However, Toyota recently has spread its hybrid wings to the seven-seat Kluger, turning the big SUV into a vehicle that ticks a lot of boxes.

The Kluger Hybrid is offered in three, all-wheel-drive-only grades, and is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder attached to two electric motors.

Interestingly, the exact same grades are also available with a 3.5-litre petrol V6, so should a family opt for the hybrid or stay with the long-standing V6 petrol version?

If it comes to purchase price, there’s not much in it. The entry-level Kluger GX AWD costs $51,650 before on-road costs with the V6 petrol, and only an extra $2500 for the GX AWD Hybrid.

Externally, there’s no difference except for a badge, and the list of standard features is identical, save for the Hybrid getting three-zone climate-control air-conditioning, while the petrol GX has a manual aircon system.

Cabin room is the same and there’s heaps of versatility with the seating arrangement. The Hybrid carries a battery, but it doesn’t impair on cargo space and it even retains a full-size spare wheel.

Both V6 and Hybrid swallow the same amount of kid’s stuff (or stuff from Bunnings), which means a generous 241 litres of room behind the third row of seats, then 552L when the third row is folded away, and then 1150L with the second row tumbled forward.

Fuel costs

The big difference between the two is the fuel consumption - much less in the Hybrid, of course - but that’s countered by its slightly smaller fuel tank and its need for the pricier premium 95RON petrol. The V6 only needs the basic 91RON fuel.

Does that make much of a difference to your wallet?

Actually, not really. Toyota claims the Hybrid will average 5.6 litres/100km - better than many small cars.

By comparison, the exclusively petrol V6 averages 8.8L/100km, and it is right now that the Hybrid shows how it makes sense - and makes a significant saving to your weekly fuel bill.

Based on the fuel test, the petrol Kluger has a range of 772km from its slightly bigger 68-litre tank, whereas the Hybrid will travel up to 1161km from its 65-litre capacity.

Taking the annual distance average of 12,000km, the Hybrid will cost $1008 a year in fuel (at $1.50/litre for 95RON), while the V6 petrol will consume $1478.40 a year (with $1.40/litre for cheaper 91RON fuel).

The $470.40 difference will mean it will take a bit over five years to recoup the extra $2500 cost of the Hybrid.

Ownership costs

Toyota’s capped-price service costs for the Kluger covers both petrol and hybrid variants, and the costs are identical at $250 per visit, which should be once a year or up to 15,000km. The program runs for five years, or 75,000km.

The warranty is five years and unlimited distance. There is no free roadside assistance, though there is a plan that owners can purchase. In addition, the Hybrid’s battery has a 10-year warranty.

For even more peace of mind, Toyota will provide a warranty for the engine and driveline for up to seven years for owners who exclusively use Toyota dealership service centres.

Verdict

Will you be happy in a Kluger Hybrid? Yes. The less-frequent visits to the service station is clearly a big plus, and a lot of people would pay the extra $2500 purchase price just to minimise the hassle.

Combining a 2.4-litre petrol engine and electric motors means there’s a healthy 184kW on tap in the Kluger Hybrid, which is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

By comparison, the petrol has a 3.5-litre V6 with a hefty 218kW/350Nm and an eight-speed automatic with on-demand drive to the rear wheels.

So, the Hybrid is not as grunty and brisk off the mark as the V6 petrol variant, but it still has plenty of zip and easily keeps up with traffic while having the same 2000kg tow rating as the V6.