Toyota Kluger 2014 News

The Toyota Highlander -- sold here as the Kluger -- has a strong family focus, and the car giant will underscore that by starring the Muppets in its Super Bowl commercial. The teaser video gives a glimpse, with a supporting role from former footballer and lately actor Terry Crews (The Newsroom and Arrested Development).He's driving a Highlander along a remote road when he comes across an abandoned -- and luridly painted -- bus. Crews is calling out to offer help when he hears something in the back seat of his SUV, and turns to find Rowlf the Muppet dog trying to open the child-proof door.The commercial ties the vehicle -- launching here within weeks -- into the roll-out for the coming Muppets Most Wanted movie, arriving soon after in March. If the ad resonates, it could set up some great pester power, of course, with indulged brats demanding the 'Muppet car' in the same practised way they tantrum-activate lollies, smartphones and whatever else is their latest need.Watch the desktop version of the Toyota taps Muppets and Terry Crews for Super Bowl video here. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Tired of telling the kids to keep it quiet in the back of the car? Finally, someone has come up with an answer to the age-old question: "are we there yet?".Japanese car maker Toyota has come up with a built-in app that amplifies the driver's voice to the audio speakers near the back seats. "It means mum or dad don't need to turn their head to project their voice, so they can keep their eyes on the road ahead," said Toyota Australia spokesman Stephen Coughlan.The best news for parents is that the system isn't science fiction: it will be standard equipment in top-of-the-range versions of the new Toyota Kluger seven-seater SUV due in Australian showrooms in March, priced about $50,000.Read the 2014 Toyota Kluger review here. It uses the built-in microphone mounted in the roof lining above the driver, and transmits the driver's voice directly the rear speakers, the same ones used for the radio. The system will likely be copied by other brands as car makers waste no time in adding the latest gadgets to keep kids happy, and parents sane. Most of the latest family-sized SUVs have DVD players mounted in the roof or in the headrests of the front seats.In-car entertainment has come a long way from "eye-spy with my little eye", a sketch pad and a box of crayons. "All this technology is not just about entertaining kids, it's about helping the driver maintain concentration and improving the safety of the family and other road users," said Coughlan. "It's the first Toyota vehicle to be offered on, and we expect it to be quite popular feature of the car," he said.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling 

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSMini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family. The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)SMALL CARSAudi A3 sedan: Audi will add a sedan version of its A3 small car to the existing Sportback hatch lineup from January, with the hot S3 version to follow in April, and the drop-top A3 Cabriolet (from about $57k) to complete the lineup in about September. (Approximately $65,000)BMW 2 Series: The discontinued 1 Series coupe will be replaced by the new 2 Series coupe in around May, and will likely mirror the petrol and diesel drivetrains of the existing 1 Series hatch. A soft-top convertible is also in the works, but its launch date is still up in the air. (Approximately $45,000-$85,000)Lexus CT 200h: Lexus will complete the spindle grill-ification of its Australian lineup when it launches the mid-cycle refresh of the CT 200h hybrid hatch before July. Along with the stylistic alignment with the rest of the range, the new CT will feature revised suspension tuning and interior trim, with the possibility of sharpened pricing in the pursuit of sales volume. (Approximately $40,000-$58,000)Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Subaru Impreza WRX: Underwhelming or otherwise, Subaru’s new WRX performance sedan is due in late March, ahead of a hotter-again STI version by mid-year. (Approximately $40,000)Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance: The upgraded Golf GTI Performance pack will complete the GTI lineup during 2014, with an extra 7kW, bigger brakes, tricky diff, plus xenon headlights, LED taillights, 19 inch wheels, and alcantara added to the tartan cloth interior trim. (Approximately $47,990)Volkswagen Golf R: The all-wheel drive Golf R performance flagship is also expected in 2014, with 206kW and 380Nm promising performance to trump all before it. (Approximately $50,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. Approximately 37,000-56,000Infiniti Q50: Infiniti models are set to become a more common sight on Australian roads before June, with the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series-rivalling Q50’s arrival, boasting fresh styling, rear-wheel drive, and a choice of diesel or hybrid drivetrains. (Approximately $51,900-$73,900)Skoda Octavia RS: The Czech brand will launch the hot Octavia RS in the second quarter, with the petrol version matching the new Volkswagen Golf GTI mechanically, and the diesel version is expected to continue with the same spec as the Golf GTD available overseas. (Approximately from $40,000)Volvo S60 and V60: Volvo will introduce the first of its new Drive-E engines to the S60 sedan and V60 wagon range in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $49,000-$78,000)PEOPLE MOVERSHonda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDBMW X1: The baby bimmer SUV is also in line for a refreshing in March, with styling and interior tweaks expected. (Approximately 46,000-63,000)Ford Territory: The Territory SUV will also score similar SYNC-inclusive revisions at around the same time, ahead of the same 2016 fate. (Approximately $40,000-$63,000)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Isuzu MU-X: Isuzu will introduce the seven-seat MU-X in January, with the company’s first SUV sharing much of its design with the D-Max ute and Holden Colorado and Colorado 7 models. The MU-X will be equipped with the same 3.0-litre diesel engine as the D-Max, and offer family 4WD toughness for a lot less than Toyota’s Prado. (Approximately $40,500-$53,500)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: The stylish Range Rover Evoque is due for an update before June, with a new nine-speed auto delivering fuel economy gains of about 10 per cent, plus styling tweaks to bring it in line with the new full-size Range Rover and Sport models. (Approximately $50,000-$91,000)Mercedes-Benz GLA: Mercedes will bring the new A-Class-based GLA SUV to our shores in May, with the all-new model taking the fight to the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 in the premium compact SUV segment. Priced from about $45,000, the GLA will be available in front or 4MATIC all-wheel drive and engines from launch will include the 115kW/250Nm 1.6-litre GLA200 and 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre GLA250 petrols, and 100kW/300Nm 2.2-litre GLA200 CDI and 125kW/350Nm 2.2-litre GLA220 CDI turbodiesel options. (Approximately from $45,000)Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: Mitsubishi will introduce its first hybrid model in April, in the form of the plug-in hybrid Outlander SUV. Priced from about $50,000, the Outlander PHEV promises Holden Volt-rivalling efficiency for about $10,000 less, and wrapped within a more practical SUV body. (Approximately from $50,000)Nissan Pathfinder hybrid: Nissan will complete its new Pathfinder SUV lineup in the second quarter, with the addition of a new petrol-electric hybrid variant to help silence the naysayers lamenting the lack of a diesel option in the new model. The 187kW/329Nm hybrid drivetrain uses a 15kW electric motor paired with a supercharged 2.5 litre four cylinder petrol engine, resulting in a claimed 25 per cent fuel efficiency gain. (Approximately $55,000-$60,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Skoda Octavia Scout: The Octavia RS will be followed by the jacked-up Scout AWD variant in about mid-year. (Approximately $40,000-$45,000)Toyota Kluger: Toyota will introduce the third-generation of its Kluger large SUV in the first quarter, with the all-new larger model promising improved seating for seven and fresh styling, but its continued reliance on a petrol V6 might threaten its sales success next to the diesel and hybrid options offered by most rivals. (Approximately $40,000-$60,000)Volvo XC60: Volvo’s new Drive-E engines will also appear in the XC60 SUV in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $57,000-79,000)COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000) 

The new hauler is aimed into the American heartland and that means both the design and production will be focussed on the USA, even for Australia. The Kluger is expected to continue with a familiar package - five or seven seats, front or all-wheel drive, V6 or four-cylinder power - but is getting a major overhaul. In Australia, that means the newcomer will land around the middle of the year on boats from America, not Japan.“That's where it's going to be produced, for the whole world,” the new chief of sales and marketing for Toyota Australia, Tony Cramb, tells Carsguide. “It's essentially just for us in Australia and the United States, with a few for Russia. It's too big for Europe, they don't sell it in Japan, and for emerging markets its too high-specification.”Cramb says the Kluger is a solid seller in Australia but admits it was almost lost for a time. “It's perfect for Australia. But we had to fight hard for it. We nearly lost it in the last generation,” he reveals. “It's definitely a good volume vehicle for us. It's not core like Corolla or HiLux, but there is definitely a market for us.”Cramb refuses to be specific about changes to the 2014 Kluger, although he is not convinced on the need for a hybrid model being developed for America. “At this point in time we're saying the timing is in the first half of next year. It's a totally-different looking car. We haven't set the engines yet.“There is a hybrid for the US, but we probably won't get it. We can't put the business case for it, it doesn't quite work for us.” But he says switching the supply line to America works on the financial front, both for customers and Toyota Australia. “It's a good move for us, because we sell our locally-made cars to the Middle East in American dollars. And we buy the HiLux in American dollars out of Thailand. It balances the portfolio for us.”This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover 

The Toyota Kluger softroader -- a favourite among mums on the run – has gone macho. The third-generation Toyota Kluger unveiled at the New York motor show has taken on a more masculine appearance in an attempt to get more dads behind the wheel.Although it is available as an eight-seater in the US, the Australian version will retain a seven-seat capacity so it can fit two teenagers in the last row.As with the current model, the middle seat in the second row can be removed to create a walk-through. But that may not be necessary as Toyota has fitted a sliding mechanism to the second-row that provides easier access to the back bench.To be able to accommodate the masses, the new Toyota Kluger is longer and wider than the current model -- but the roof is slightly lower to give it a sleeker look.Toyota claims to have improved leg-room for the back row seats even though the wheelbase -- the distance between the front and rear wheels and an industry indicator for roominess -- is unchanged from before.The new model also comes with eight airbags (up from seven) and a range of other hi-tech safety features. The current model Toyota Kluger was the first vehicle in its class to come with a rear-view camera as standard across all models.The new Kluger goes several steps further, with blind spot warning, reverse cross traffic warning and auto-dipping high beam among some of the available options. Toyota also claims it has improved the quality and feel of most interior materials.Storage is still one of the Kluger’s hidden talents. Buyers may be pleased to know the massive centre console -- which can swallow a large handbag, a laptop of several large 1.25L drink bottles -- has been retained for the new model. But elsewhere inside Toyota has also added more storage cubbies and shelves for smaller items.The new Toyota Kluger has a completely new rear suspension designed to make it more secure on bumpy roads, and to better soak up large ruts.The 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine is carried over from before but it is now matched to a six-speed automatic transmission (up from a five-speed), which should give it better fuel economy and slightly quicker acceleration.There is no mention of a diesel option, which is unlikely given the Kluger is primarily designed for North America which is predominantly a petrol market.In the US, the Kluger is also available with the option of hybrid or four-cylinder powertrains but Toyota is yet to confirm if these variants will be sold in Australia. They too are unlikely given the marginal fuel economy benefit of the four-cylinder version in real-world driving (in part because the V6 is already so efficient) and the belief that the hybrid would be too dear for local tastes.The original Kluger released in 2000 and the current model released in 2007 were both made in Japan, but Toyota will switch to building the new generation Kluger in Indiana, North America.This means the Toyota Kluger will come to Australia under the Free Trade Agreement with the US, avoiding a 5 per cent tariff on SUVs in the process. This should equate to a modest price trim on the new model, or more equipment -- or both.The current Toyota Kluger range starts at $39,990 for a front-drive model and $44,490 for the all-wheel-drive model.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling