Toyota Kluger 2007 News

New Honda Jazz sets new benchmark for rear view cameras: $14,990.

The NRMA Insurance reversing visibility index shows 12 vehicles, including the Toyota Corolla and Holden Commodore, fail to receive any stars in testing.The test, established because of the deaths of 17 children killed by reversing cars in driveways, measures how well a driver can see out of the back of the vehicle.Of the 12 vehicles with a zero rating, five fit into the small-to-medium segment.The result has prompted the NRMA to call on manufacturers to consider installing reversing camera technology in all cars, not just bigger vehicles.“Without a camera, blind space can range from 3m to 15m,” NRMA Insurance road safety manager Pam Leicester said.“That's a large range for children to be hidden from a driver's view.” With an average of one child run over in their own driveway every week, Ms Leicester said it was time to start focusing on improving visibility in all models.“There has been a focus on four-wheel-drives and reversing but as our results show, that's an issue for all types of vehicles right down to small cars,” Ms Leicester said.“This is a real concern because many of these vehicles have hazardous reversing blind areas, usually caused by high rear window lines and boots.”Vehicles that received a zero rating included the Holden Commodore (Epica and Viva), the Hyundai i30, Mitsubishi's Lancer and 380, Toyota's Corolla, Prado and RAV4, the Honda Civic and the Odyssey, as well as the Hummer H3.Overall, however, the results have improved from last year with more manufacturers adopting reversing cameras.This is especially the case in the four-wheel-drive and luxury segments. Only five vehicles offered reversing cameras either standard or as an option last year.The technology was available on 15 vehicles this year. They gained either a 4 1/2 or 5-star rating.Ms Leicester said they were particularly impressed with the new Toyota Kluger, which has a reversing camera as standard on all models.The top performers given a five-star rating were the BMW X5, Ford Territory, Honda Legend, Lexus GS430, IS250 and LS460, and the Toyota Kluger; all offering a camera as standard or as an option.“We encourage all manufacturers to start thinking about putting reverse cameras in their vehicles,” Ms Leicester said.“At the time of manufacture, it's a very small cost.”Ms Leicester said after-market reversing cameras also could improve visibility and were available for between $200 and $300. How they rated NRMA insurance reversing visibility indexBest: BMW x5, Ford Territory, Honda, Legend, Lexus GS430, Lexus IS250, Lexus LS460, Toyota KlugerWorst: Holden Commodore, Honda Civic, Honda Odyssey, Hyundai i30, Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Prado, Toyota Corolla 

This year has seen the market share of Commodore, Falcon and the Mitsubishi 380 fall to 19 per cent of new passenger vehicles, with only Toyota's Camry more or less immune.And while it was the biggest sales October ever, the share enjoyed by big Australian cars was reduced to 17.2 per cent. The lighter fare from Thailand achieved a best-ever 15.4 per cent. The Vfacts monthly bulletin, released this week by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, recorded that 89,289 motor vehicles were sold in October; an increase of 9359 on the same month last year.It beats the previous record for October, set in 2004, by more than 8000 sales. Year-to-date the market is up by 70,000 vehicles as it continues its charge towards breaking the one million mark for the first time.Yet against this bumper backdrop, 15,382 Australian-made units were shifted last month, mostly to fleets.Japanese-made cars continued their dominance but Thailand is where Honda's CR-V, Civic and Accord sedans are made. These and others, including Ford's Courier, which accounted for 13,825 sales in October.In sharp contrast to ever-diminishing local sales, that Thai-built percentage has increased by almost 50 per cent so far in 2007.Petrol prices are blamed for the decline of the great Australian six-cylinder. But the fact four medium-sized SUVs sold more than 1000 units each last month gives the lie to that.Yes, light cars, spearheaded by 1193 sales of the new Mazda2, experienced a sales surge, but the truth for the big Aussies is grimmer than the rising cost of the stuff that makes them go. The fact is that given wealth of choice, fewer and fewer Australians want the types of cars made in Australia.FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar says the locals have never had it tougher.“The intensely competitive situation in the motor-vehicle market is being driven to a significant degree by the ongoing strength of the Australian dollar,” he says. McKellar says 4400 Commodores (excluding utes) were moved last month, so with about 300 more sales than the Corolla, it is the nation's number-one seller.Toyota's eggs are in more than one basket with the ever-competitive Yaris, Camry, RAV4 and Prado prominent among its 20,212 October sales. Holden managed 11,415 and Ford 8206. It was the first time that Toyota had outsold the combined total of Holden and Ford in any single month.Year-to-date Toyota leads Holden by 71,360 with the launch of the new LandCruiser this month.If Toyota's lead is unassailable, surely the success story is Mazda.At number four, the leading full-imported marque sells not a single car to fleets or rental companies. They all go to private buyers.October's best-ever 7271 sales represented Mazda's 10th record month in a row. Mazda's year-to-date total of 64,929 already surpasses its 2006 full-year sales result of 63,664.  Snapshot   Country of originJapan 31,838Australia 15,382Thailand 13,825Korea 9830Germany 3901South Africa 2434Belgium 1525US 1448Spain 1422France 1206 The biggest sellers1 Holden Commodore (Australia) 44402 Toyota Corolla (Japan) 41233 Mazda3 (Japan) 31254 Ford Falcon (Australia) 24395 Toyota Camry (Australia) 19946 Hyundai Getz (Korea) 18967 Toyota Aurion (Australia) 18318 Mitsubishi Lancer (Japan) 14469 Honda Civic (Thailand) 140910 Honda CR-V (Thailand) 129111 Toyota RAV4 (Japan) 129312 Toyota Prado (Japan) 127313 Suzuki Swift (Japan) 119714 Mazda2 (Japan) 119315 Ford Territory (Australia) 119016 Toyota Kluger and Subaru Forester (both Japan) 117317 Holden Astra (Belgium) 111818 Mitsubishi 380 (Australia) 110019 Holden Captiva (Korea) 109320 Nissan Tiida (Thailand) 1087 

No one at Toyota Australia likes to be beaten. When the Ford Territory began its domination of the all-terrain wagon class, it stung the company that has dominated in the outback for a generation and become Australia's No.1 carmaker.Toyota then argued the Territory wasn't a real four-wheel-drive because it was also sold with only rear-wheel-drive to tantalise families and boost value.Its answer to the blue oval's Falcon-based wagon was the mid-sized Kluger, which was great off-road but felt floaty on the tarmac, lacked torque and looked as plain as a paper bag.The Territory outsold the original Kluger three to one, but Toyota never gives up.This time around, the new 2007 Kluger is bigger, more powerful, has more safety gear and actually has some style.Toyota also realised more than half the Territories sold in Australia are rear-drive, so it now has the Kluger with front-drive or the regular all-wheel-drive.It will be interesting to see how many people go down the all-paw path, which adds $4500 to the price across the range.The Kluger is all-new, with a stiff new body that is 95mm longer and 85mm wider and has 22mm more ground clearance. It is also 95kg to 160kg heavier. The Grande model tips the scales at a hefty 2035kg.Ground clearance for all Klugers has been jacked up from 184mm to 206mm.The braked towing capacity has been increased by 500kg to an impressive 2000kg.The official fuel economy figures go from 11 litres for 100km in ADR81/01 testing to 11.6 litres, which is about 1 litre/100km less than equivalent Territory models.All have the smooth-revving 3.5-litre dual-overhead camshaft V6 that also serves in the Aurion. This time it is tuned to pump out 201kW and 337Nm.It is linked to a five-speed automatic gearbox in both drivetrains, with the AWD model using a system that feeds 50 per cent of drive to the front.Toyota has followed its main rivals and introduced Electronic Stability Control as standard across the Kluger range. It has gone a step further with seven airbags in all models.Also standard is a small dashboard-mounted reversing camera.There are three models, the base KX-R at $39,990, the KX-S at $49,990 and the Grande at $59,990.The KX-S and the Grande come standard with seven seats, which can also be ordered for the entry-level KX-R for an extra $2500.Apart from the impressive safety gear, standard gear for the KX-R includes 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, 3.5-inch multi-function display, cruise control and single CD sound with MP3 input jack.The KX-S adds 19-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior details, fog lights and leather trim. The electrically adjustable driver and passenger seats are also heated. The dual-zone climate control has separate controls for rear passengers. It also has six-CD sound and Bluetooth phone preparation.Stepping up to the Grande brings a sunroof, more chrome, wood-grain inserts, keyless start, automatic closing hatch, DVD rear seat entertainment, satellite navigation, larger rear-view camera display (6-inch). On the roadAlmost everyone will rate it ahead of the Holden Captiva, apart from its price. The Kluger is now roomier, has better performance, looks better and has an impressive array of standard safety features.A week in a two-wheel-drive Kluger SX-S revealed there is a lot to like about the big family hauler, but also revealed suspension flaws that could see the Kluger lose out in a comparison with the Territory.But the first thing you notice is the styling. The Kluger now has a bit of attitude.Painted black, with its tinted windows and chunky 19-inch wheels, the Kluger test car is imposing. The interior looks good, too, with a high level of surface quality you expect from a Toyota.The rear-view camera, which sits between two air vents and doubles as an info screen, is tiny, but it is better than nothing.The KX-S gets leather seats, which feel nice, and the heater function is great, but the seats aren't the most supportive around.The Kluger really has only six useable seats. The middle seat of the second row is only 20cm wide, does not sit flush with the other seats and is only good for a very small or skinny child.The Kluger's engine is quite nice, though it can be a bit peaky. A lot of the grunt comes up high in the rev range and the engine could do with some more torque down the bottom end.Even so, the fuel consumption of 12.4 litres/100km is a big plus.The engine is smooth, though it is not the quietest engine around, especially under hard acceleration.If you push, you also notice the steering wheel tugging, especially if you are turning.This (torque steer) happens because there is too much power going through just the front wheels. You can live with those sort of niggles, but it is the suspension of the two-wheel-drive Kluger that is a big let-down.Despite being incapable of off-road work, the front-drive Kluger still has a hefty 206mm of ground clearance. On bumpy roads it pitches and rolls like a serious mud-plugger. A back-to-back test with the lower-riding Territory backs up the view the Kluger is too soft.The Kluger feels like an off-roader. The Territory feels like a car.But it's not the same in the all-paw Kluger, which feels firmer and much more planted. And it will definitely go as deeply into the bush as most families want to travel. So the all-wheel-drive is the driver's choice, but people on a budget will head for the new front-driver.The bottom lineThe Kluger ticks most of the family wagon boxes. An unnecessarily high ride height and soft suspension spoil the fun. 78/100Fast factKluger KX-S and Grande have three-zone climate control for all occupants. Each of the three rows of seats has a temperature display and control dials. Inside view Toyota Kluger KX-S 2WD Price: $49,990 as testedEngine: 3.5-litre V6Power: 201kW at 6200 revsTorque: 337Nm at 4700 revsTransmission: five-speed automatic, front-wheel driveBody: Five-door wagonSeats: SevenDimensions: Length 4785mm, width 1910mm, height 1760mm, wheelbase 2790mm, tracks 1630/1645mm front/rearSteering: Power-assisted rack-and-pinionSuspension: Fully independent Macpherson strut front and multi-link rearFuel tank: 72 litresFuel type: Regular unleadedFuel consumption: Average on test 12.4 litres/100kmWeight: 1930kgSpare tyre: Full size steelBrakes: Anti-skid discsWheels: 19x7.5 alloyTyres: 245/55 R19Safety gear: Anti-skid brakes, traction control, electronic stability control, front and side driver and passenger airbags, three-row curtain airbags.Warranty: Three years/ 100,000km Features Airconditioning 4Cruise control 4Alloy wheels 4Climate control 4Leather seats 4Heated seats 4Parking sensors 8Automatic wipers 84 standard equipment8 nonstandard equipment How it comparesFord Territory Ghia: 80/100 ($52,090)Holden Captiva Maxx: 70/100 ($42,990)Mazda CX-7 Luxury: 73/100 ($45,560)Nissan Murano ST: 68/100 ($49,990) 

Last month's interest rate rise failed to put the brakes on demand for new cars as runaway sales of SUVs powered the August market to yet another record.Sales of 88,206 vehicles were 8 per cent higher than for the same month last year and took this year's total to nearly 700,000, according to figures released yesterday by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.Booming demand for SUVs cancelled out passenger car declines, as the market continues to run nearly 9 per cent ahead of last year and charges towards the first calendar year total exceeding one million.“The million-vehicle market is now a reality and notwithstanding a longer-term reaction to the recent rate rise or other factors, I am confident that the market will continue to comfortably exceed this benchmark through to the end of the year,” FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar said.He put the result down to consumer confidence, retail competition and the decline of petrol prices.Toyota's new Kluger SUV burst out of the blocks, capturing third spot in its segment and pushing medium SUV sales 42per cent higher than in August last year.Compact and luxury SUVs were also in high demand, with sales up 33 per cent and 23 per cent respectively.The arrival of new models pushed Jeep sales up 43 per cent over last August and Land Rover, with its new Freelander, enjoyed a 35 per cent lift.“The strength of the SUV market is the result of new-model activity and the diminished influence of petrol prices on consumer preferences,” Mr McKellar said.Light car sales dipped 6 per cent, medium cars fell 11 per cent and even the small car segment ran behind the overall market. 

They are like ballet dancers, Toyota and Hyundai, so perfectly in step, dancing to the same tune. One puts a bigger V6 engine in its mid-range SUV, with optional seven-seat capacity, plus two-wheel-drive in place of all-wheel-drive to reduce the cost, weight and thirst. So does the other.That's the story of this month's changes to the Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Kluger ranges. However, it is not really a case of one copying the other. Rather both are trying to find the magic formula that has made the Ford Territory such a success.They have noticed that most Territory buyers opt for the cheaper two-wheel-drive versions. And where Hyundai offers 2WD and AWD versions of the smaller Santa Fe wagon, four in five buyers take 2WD.No wonder both companies have introduced 2WD versions of their mid-sized wagons while increasing engine power. The Hyundai's largest petrol engine was 2.7 litres, so is joined by a 3.3 litre stablemate, while the Toyota's engine, previously 3.3 litres, goes up to 3.5 litres.So maybe it's leapfrog they're doing, not ballet.In the Kluger's case, an entirely new vehicle is being introduced, considerably bigger and roomier than its predecessor, so seven-seat versions become available. There is only one engine choice, but three trim levels, and 2WD or AWD. In both Kluger and Santa Fe, most drivers in most conditions are going to feel at ease with the new two-wheel-drive versions. They're stable and surefooted, refined and well-balanced.When it comes to all-wheel-drive, Hyundai and Toyota take different paths. The Santa Fe AWD continues to be available with a smaller petrol engine, or a diesel, while the Kluger AWD uses the same petrol engine as the 2WD model, but costs $4500 extra.The much more distinctive new Kluger has stability control, reversing camera, seven airbags and alloy wheels as standard.The all-wheel-drive version, with a host of super-smart aids, proves very competent off road, even when the going gets muddy and slippery and steep and rutted.First impression of the Kluger is that the steering is now excellent.At Hyundai, the Santa Fe's new engine (borrowed from the Sonata sedan) and 2WD system team well.  Key pointsToyota Kluger Details: V6 engine, 3.5litre capacity, power 201kW, torque 337Nm, five-speed automatic, economy 11litres/100km.Price: From $39,990.For: Well equipped, powerful, economical, roomier.Against: Ride can get bouncy.Summing Up: Another Toyota success.Rate: 4 starsHyundai Santa Fe 3.3 Details: V6 engine, 3.3litre capacity, power 180kW, torque 309Nm, five-speed automatic, economy 10.7litres/100km.Price: From $37,990.For: Convenient, capable, affordable.Against: Previous cut-price image.Summing up:  Impressive package.Rate: 4 stars 

Hired straight from graduating by Toyota's Calty Design Research studios near Los Angeles, Ian Cartabiano's path was laid out early. His mother was a sculptor, his father an industrial designer and the family were car nuts.He toyed with the idea of becoming a film director, but the cars won out when Toyota signed him on in 1997. So now Cartabiano drives a Toyota-engined Lotus Elise and a bunch of Toyota cars he helps design.Calty senior executive Erwin Lui says the design studio is a “conduit for American tastes and the American market”.Toyota's sales volume, and direct involvement, in the US auto industry has grown considerably since the mid-1990s. Toyota in Japan recognises the worldwide influence of the Californian culture.This is a young, diverse and faddish place with a huge appetite for the latest in style and technology. Equally, California has long been a car place, a hot-rodders' and imports paradise.Among Calty's recent design includes; the wild Toyota FJ Cruiser from 2006 creating a modern spin on the original Landcruiser, then there's the latest Tundra which is a full-sized American pickup and finally the 2007 Kluger known as Highlander in the US.For Cartabiano, the Kluger did not come easy. “It was one of the hardest projects I've been involved with,” he says.“The Highlander (Kluger) is our most mainstream SUV, it's like the Camry of SUVs.”So Cartabiano's early grille for instance the strong horizontal bars, which was abandoned and deemed a little too tough.“This car had to look strong and tough but also intelligent,” he says. “It had to have an intelligent silhouette and be proud of what it is. The previous Kluger had a kind of waddly look and the wheels looked like they had been sucked in.”The new philosophy for Toyota design, still being analysed and understood, is “vibrant clarity”. Automotive design has become more a marketing tool in recent years, manufacturers chasing individual expressions to define the “face” of each car family, he says.Cartabiano gave the Kluger a new wheel focus, a stronger face with more style muscle to the bonnet and more shoulder to the rear. There is the hint of flare over the mudguards and both 17-inch or 19-inch wheels fill out the guards.There is a more athletic look to this next Kluger, without disguising the cabin length and the fact that this is a seven-seater SUV.“There had to be a balance between form and function,” Cartabiano says.He is happy with the production version although, while understanding the need to tone it down, he does miss that original design for the Kluger grille. The end result is a more sophisticated style than the original wagon, inside and out.The new Toyota Kluger is smarter all round, with some similarities to its little brother the RAV4 and Hyundai's Santa Fe. 

As Australia's new car juggernaut rolls on towards the magic million sales mark, the number of available models continues to swell. Already recognised as one of the most diverse and competitive car markets in the world, Australian importers continue to add to the mix.With half the year nearly gone, buyers have taken almost 500,000 new vehicles into their garages with some of the traditional biggest selling months still to come.At least three new marques will arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of  the year; Hummer, Mahindra and Skoda,  testament to the vibrancy of what is, in world terms, a minor market.However, it is the expanding model range within existing brands that will drive the Aussie market over the million mark for the first time.Over the next six months more than 50 new or revised models will arrive in Australian new car showrooms. Here's a look at what's coming soon:ASTON MARTINDip your lid in style in September with the V8 Roadster, a gorgeous extension of the Vantage. AUDI Audi starts its end-of-year program in September with the R8, the biggest, baddest Audi in the garage The Supercar looks with enough performance to keep most on their toes. Also on the cards for October is the A5, Audi's first coupe since the TT. An all-new platform which comes as a front-wheel-drive and quattro. In November the V8 4.2 TDi may answer some questions for the Q7, including on fuel economy. BMW You'll have to wait until October for the new M3, but the latest offering from the M garage has something special. It's the first V8 for an M3. CHRYSLER A Sebring convertible, topless cousin of the sedan launched in early 2007, arrives in December. DODGE The Nitro SUV joins the Caliber for Dodge next month and the US marque backs that up with its Avenger sedan in August. FIAT The baby Ritmo, sold as the Bravo in Europe, will be Fiat's second passenger offering in Australia when it lands in October. Expect petrol and diesel. FORD The rush to oil-burners continues with the Focus getting the honour of being Ford's first passenger diesel next month before the Focus CC, the drop-top concept that set hearts aflutter at Frankfurt two years ago lands in October. The other big news for Ford is the return in November of the Mondeo for a third tilt at Australia. HOLDEN The key second-half model from the General is the VE Ute, bringing all the developments in the VE sedan to the working man's Holden. HONDA The Civic Type-R is razor-sharp styling built around a high-revving fun package. Next month. HUMMER The iconic offroader from the land of the large truck opens its Aussie account in October, a couple of months later than anticipated as a result of production delays for the H3. Surprisingly agile with real offroad ability. HYUNDAI An important second-half for the Korean marque. It starts with the popular Santa Fe SUV finally getting the 3.3-litre V6 from the Sonata to give it some extra punch. In October, the new Elantra hatch joins the sedan in the Aussie line-up after a wait of almost 12 months. JAGUAR An October styling refresh for the marque's luxury sedan, the XJ, is all from the Big Cat this year before a big 2008. JEEP The second of Jeep's non-Rubicon Trail-rated soft-roaders arrives in August to join the Compass for duty around town. KIA The Carens compact people mover has never really taken off here. The new generation is a little bigger and more stylish. It will be powered by a four-cylinder petrol or diesel engine with five- or seven-seat capacity. On sale in October. LAND ROVERThe baby Freelander gets a complete makeover for this generational change. New engines and a new family look all go on show in July. MAHINDRAIndia's workhorse ute, the Pik-Up, starts to roll out to Australia in July. MAZDA A new generation and a new look for the little Mazda2. Sharper styling is the key to this one's October debut. At the same time Mazda will add a diesel option to its top-selling Mazda3 range. MERCEDES-BENZThe key model for Mercedes this year is the meat-and-potatoes C-Class. Bigger, brighter and ready to meet the masses it is available from July. Also on Mercedes' new-model list is an upgraded ML500 and R-Class in September, both getting the 285kW V8 engine. October is a big month for the three-pointed star with the crackingCL65 AMG (a bi-turbo V12 with 450kW and 1000Nm) and the more sociable S320 CDi, which marries diesel with uber-luxury. MITSUBISHI You have to love a fighter. Australia's “other” family car, the 380, wins a minor refresh with some interior updates from next month. In August the automatic turbo diesel, traditionally the model's top seller, completes the Triton range while in October the point guard for the red-hot Evo X (due late in the year), the new Lancer, promises look-at-me-styling and more punch than the current model. NISSANThe baby Micra finally gets the green light for Australia with an October date with sales. In November the X-Trail, a core model for Nissan and the compact SUV that set the benchmark for those who actually can go off-road, gets a full generational change. The Dualis arrives in December. A softer option to the X-Trail, it sits on a similar platform but is more plush. PEUGEOT It's all about size for the French manufacturer. In July the 207CC, the previous generation of which set the standard for accessorising small cars, is back and promising to reclaim the crown. Its far more focused and athletic sibling, the GTi arrives in August with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The station wagon derivative of the base 207 goes on sale in October. PORSCHEThe 911 turbo cabriolet proves Porsche's belief that if you can go fast in a sedan you should be able to go just as fast in a cabriolet. In September you can prove it for yourself. RENAULT August sees the Megane diesel join the Renault fleet, while the Clio Sport returns in November in an all-new guise. SAAB The new 9-3 will highlight Saab's first all-wheel-drive system in a completely renewed model range. All models arrive in November. SKODA Launches into Australia with a two-pronged attack in October. The Octavia medium-sized hatch and the quaintly named Roomster compact MPV will carry the flag initially. SMARTIn September the next next-generation smart ForTwo arrives, a little bigger and a little smarter. SUBARU The new Impreza is one of the most polarising styling departures of the year. In basic and WRX fettle the hatch arrives in September. A cult car heads mainstream and the jury is out. SUZUKIIf it ain't broke ... A freshen-up for the car that put punch back in Suzuki's local range, the brilliant Swift is in showrooms in October with the sedan version of the SX4 “tall hatch” joining the stable in September. TOYOTA The first product from Toyota's new “hot shop”, the Aurion TRD, arrives in August with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 with sports manners and a load of plastic kit. Also in August is the generational change for Kluger with the SUV getting a substantial facelift and the 3.5-litre V6 from the Aurion. November brings the Landcruiser 200 Series and a TRD version of the HiLux. VOLVO The highlight for the Swedes in the second half of the year is the all-new generation of the XC70 due in November. About the same time the C30 will get the in-line five-cylinder diesel. VW A hot version of the Passat, the R36, is heading Down Under in November. 

With new SUVs, it's a case of four wheels good, but two wheels good enough.They cost less, weigh less, drink less and are more popular — and more such models are on their way to showrooms for buyers who want to look adventurous but have no intention of going off-road.Sales of two-wheel-drive sports utility vehicles such as Ford's Territory (which started the trend locally) and the Korean-made Hyundai Tucson exceed their 4WD equivalents.Toyota will introduce a 2WD version of its Kluger wagon when a second-generation model is released in August. Suzuki will import a 2WD version of its existing SX4 wagon. Presently both models come with an all-wheel-drive function.Because of the success of the Tucson, Hyundai also plans to add another two-wheel-drive SUV to its range, but is tight-lipped about which.Car companies have found the typical macho look of a 4WD is a strong selling point, though the majority of these wagons serve as cars and never use their off-road capability.In the Ford Territory range, 2WD versions are $4800-$5350 less than their all-wheel-drive counterparts, and account for 55 per cent of total Territory sales.In the smaller Hyundai Tucson, the difference is $4000, and the 2WD model, called the City, makes up 60 per cent of sales.Ford Territory Ghia owner Sandra Cameron bought a rear-wheel-drive version of the Ford Territory Ghia (list price $52,090) three weeks ago, and said she was never interested in the all-wheel-drive version.“I totally love it because it's like a car — I'm not about to go off-road,” she says.Sandra has three sons, and said her priority was to get a roomy wagon. “I got a seven-seater because my children will always want to bring friends along,” she said. “In the Territory you're raised a bit, so you can see out better, but getting in and out is no problem at all.”Hyundai spokesman Richard Power said: “People like SUVs for the high-riding stance and the convenience.“In the case of the City, it's popular because it's lighter, with a smaller engine, so it saves fuel. There are plenty of people who like the style of SUVs but have no intention of ever going off-road.”The four-cylinder Tucson City weighs 158kg less than its six-cylinder, all-wheel-drive equivalent, and averages 9.2 litres per 100km, compared with 11 litres per 100km for the all-wheel-drive model. Even the petrol tank has been made smaller in order to cut weight.In the Territory, the weight saving is 80kg and the official fuel economy rating is 12.2 litres per 100km for the 2WD, compared with 12.8 litres per 100km for the all-wheel-drive.

And more "fake 4WDs" are on the way as buyers, who want to look adventurous but have no intention of going off-road, embrace the idea of two-wheel drive sport-utility vehicles (SUVs).Sales are booming for the Australian-made Ford Territory, which started the trend, and the Korean-made Hyundai Tucson that followed.Toyota will introduce a 2WD version of its Kluger wagon when a second-generation model is released in August, and Suzuki will import a 2WD version of its existing SX4 wagon.Both Kluger and SX4 have all-wheel-drive at present. Because of the success of the Tucson, Hyundai also plans to add another two-wheel-drive SUV to its range, but so far is tight-lipped about which model it will be based on.Car companies have found the typical macho look of a 4WD is a strong selling point, though the majority of these wagons serve as cars and never use their off-road capability.In the Ford Territory range, 2WD versions are $4800-$5350 less than their all-wheel-drive counterparts, and account for 55 per cent of total Territory sales.In the smaller Hyundai Tucson, the difference is $4000, and the 2WD model, called the City, makes up 60 per cent of sales.Ford Territory Ghia owner Sandra Cameron, of Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, bought a rear-wheel-drive version of the Ford Territory Ghia (list price $52,090) three weeks ago, and said she was never interested in the all-wheel-drive version."I totally love it because it's like a car – I'm not about to go off-road," she said. She has three sons, and said her priority was to get a roomy wagon."I got a seven-seater because my children will always want to bring friends along," she said."In the Territory you're raised a bit, so you get good visibility, but getting in and out is no problem whatsoever."Hyundai spokesman Richard Power said: "People like SUVs for the high-riding stance and the convenience. "In the case of the City, it's popular because it is lighter, with a smaller engine, so saves fuel. There are plenty of people who like the style of SUVs, but have no intention of ever going off-road."The four-cylinder Tucson City weighs 158kg less than its six-cylinder, all-wheel-drive equivalent, and averages 9.2 litres per 100km, compared with 11 litres per 100km for the all-wheel-drive model.Even the petrol tank has been made smaller, in order to cut weight. In the Ford Territory, the weight saving is 80kg and the official fuel economy rating is 12.2 litres per 100km for the 2WD, compared with 12.8 litres per 100km for the all-wheel-drive.