2003 Toyota Kluger Reviews

SUVs like the Toyota Kluger have replaced the station wagon as the   favourite transport for many families. Their appeal lies in their flexibility, size and perceived safety. Toyota has been one of the innovators in the SUV market with a number of models to suit all sizes and budgets.The Kluger is the mid-sized model aimed fairly and squarely as the average family. The Kluger was a close relative of the Camry and that's a pretty good way to look at it. Like the Camry it was conservatively styled, but does everything pretty well without being too outstanding in anything.Typically Toyota really. It carried up to seven and still had a bit of space for those things families seem to need to take with them when they hit the road. It had a capable all-wheel drive system, which was able to cope with most rough roads the average family adventurer would encounter. On the upper models there was an array of electronic helpers to keep you out of trouble in the rough stuff. Power came from a smooth 3.3-litre double overhead camshaft V6 with plenty of punch, and all models had a five-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.While it felt safe and sound it was a little vague on the road and felt disconnected from the driver. Off road the suspension soaked up the bumps with ease, and it was capable on bush tracks that upset other similar cars.Three models made up the Kluger range. The base CV had cloth trim and carpets, the CVX had leather, a sports steering wheel, powered driver's seat, and alloy wheels, while the Grande also had wood grain highlights.IN THE SHOPThere are no serious flaws in the Kluger; any problem will be unique to the individual car. It's important to check for signs of offroad use. Few will have been taken down anything more challenging than a gravel road, but it's best to be safe and check underneath.Look for sand blasting of the underbody, bent or dented brackets and fittings, and torn rubber boots and seals. Check for a service record to confirm the oil and filter have been changed regularly. The Kluger engine has a cam-timing belt that needs changing at around 150,000 km.IN A CRASHThe CV has dual front airbags, but the CVX and Grande had an array of   front and side airbags, plus traction control and stability control. It was enough to win a 4-star stamp from ANCAP. AT THE PUMP Toyota claimed the Kluger would average 12.3 L/100 km. The   recommended fuel was 91-octane regular unleaded, and E10 blend was approved.Toyota Kluger - 2003-2007Price new: $43,990 to $58,990Engine: 3.3-litre V6; 172 kW/328 NmTransmission: 5-speed auto, AWDEconomy: 12.3 L/100 kmBody: 5-door wagonVariants: CV, CVX, GrandeSafety: 4-star ANCAPVERDICTTypically bland Toyota looks hide competent, well-built family wagon.

SUVs like the Toyota Kluger have been a major new force in the local car market in the last two decades, but the spiraling price of fuel is now putting their very survival under threat.The SUV has replaced the station wagon as the favourite transport for many families. Their appeal lies in their flexibility, size and perceived safety. They have become so popular that every car company has been forced to have at least one in their product offering. Toyota has been of the innovators in the SUV market with a number of models to suit all sizes and budgets. The Kluger is the mid-sized model aimed fairly and squarely as the average family.MODEL WATCH Australians have always had a fascination with the bush; they have always been intrepid travelers, willing to drive thousands of kilometres over rough roads to explore this vast land. Carmakers understood this need to explore distant places and came to realize there was a market for a vehicle that could double as family transport while possessing the capability of getting to these sometimes remote locations.Initially they responded with models that were essentially toned down four-wheel drives, plenty tough enough for the bush, but far too rugged for town. It was in the 1990s that purpose-built models began to emerge. They had four-wheel drive and rode high, but were closer to the regular family four-door than the rough and tough wagon that had blazed a trail through the bush.There was the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V, but then came the Kluger, and mid-sized wagon capable of transporting the average family round town or the bush.The Kluger was a close relative of the Camry and that’s a pretty good way to look at it. It’s the softroader to suit the average family. Like the Camry it’s conservatively styled, but does everything pretty well without being too outstanding in any one area. Typically Toyota really.It will carry up to seven and still have a bit of space for those things families seem to need to take with them when they hit the road. It had a capable all-wheel drive system, which was able to cope with most rough roads the average family adventurer would encounter. On the upper models there was an array of electronic helpers to keep you out of trouble in the rough stuff.Power came from a 3.3-litre double overhead camshaft V6 producing 172 kW at 5600 revs and 328 Nm at 3600 revs, which gave it plenty of punch.All Klugers came with a five-speed automatic transmission, and all had four-wheel drive.On the black top the Kluger felt a little vague, typical of most offroaders. While it felt safe and sound it felt disconnected from the driver, all controls were light and lacked feel, but the ride was very comfortable. Off road, on rough bush tracks, the Kluger felt quite at home. Its suspension soaked up the bumps with ease, and it was a delight to drive down bush tracks that unsettled other similar cars.Three models made up the Kluger range. The base CV had cloth trim and carpets, the CVX had leather, a sports steering wheel, powered driver’s seat, and alloy wheels, while the Grande also had wood grain highlights.IN THE SHOP It’s important to check for signs of offroad use. Few will have been taken down anything more challenging than a gravel road, but it’s best to be safe and check underneath.Look for sand blasting of the underbody, bent or dented brackets and fittings, and torn rubber boots and seals. If you find anything walk away, there are plenty of Klugers on the market that haven’t been taken off the black top.The Kluger engine has a cam timing belt that needs changing at around 150,000 km, but few if any will have done anywhere near that amount of kays yet. While Toyota is renowned for its reliability there have been a number of concerning reports that suggest there are problems with the Kluger engine. Reports include damaged cylinder heads requiring replacement at 150,000-200,000 km, and con rods through blocks requiring the replacement of the whole engine.IN A CRASH There’s always an argument about the safety of offroad vehicles. The high driving position affords the driver a good view of the road ahead, which has to be good for safety, but that same high ride works against you when it comes to an emergency situation.The Kluger handles satisfactorily. It’s predictable, but not as responsive as a regular sedan and takes time to change course in an emergency. That can make it a bit of a handful in the lead up to a collision. The CV has dual front airbags, but the CVX and Grande had an array of front and side airbags, plus traction control and stability control.AT THE PUMP We are getting lots of queries from owners of all SUVs, including the Kluger, about switching to LPG to save on their running costs. That suggests they are concerned about it. Expect to get 10-12 L/100 km on average, a little less on the open road.OWNERS SAY Roger Turnbull’s 2005 Kluger CVX has done 81,000 km. It has been totally reliable and drives as fresh and tight as it did when new. He uses it for family transport, tows a small trailer, but doesn’t go offroad. He says it’s very comfortable and quiet and quite economical, but he has been unhappy with the standard of the service he’s received from the three Toyota dealers he’s tried.Richard Chaplin wanted a seven-seater for family transport when he bought his 2005 Kluger CV Sport. Richard chose the Kluger over a Ford Territory because it offered better fuel economy, resale and quality and was nicer to drive. His wife preferred it because it was a bit smaller than the Territory and she didn’t like the larger size of the Ford. They have had it for nearly three years now and still love it. It’s done 78,000 km it has never had a problem, only requiring regular servicing. It’s quiet and smooth, tows without a problem, and is reasonably economical. Unlike Roger Richard reckons his Toyota dealer is great.Jack van Bakel bought his Kluger in 2006 after considering a range of other vehicles. The one he chose had to be large enough to tow a caravan, it had to have four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, had to be value-for-money, and it had to easy to get in and out of. His only regret is that the Kluger, according to Toyota, is not suitable to be converted to LPG.LOOK FOR • comfortable ride• spirited performance• family-sized wagon• good visibility from high seating position• Toyota reliability• capable offroadTHE BOTTOM LINE Typically bland Toyota looks hide competent, well-built family wagon with the capability to tour the outback.RATING 75/100

The car world is heading for the biggest change since the rise of four-wheel-drives. You only have to look at the new Toyota Kluger, with its combination of tough styling, soft-roader cabin and comforts, to see what's happening.It's called a crossover and it's the overdue development that's going to put style, safety, comfort and economy into vehicles that appeal to buyers who want a 4WD high-rider driving position and the promise of getaway grip at all four corners.The Kluger isn't the first of the breed. The Lexus RX330 and the Honda MD-X arrived early this year.But it's the start of a big shift that could eventually see the Kluger built at the Toyota factory at Altona.Ford will also rock the crossover world next year with its Falcon-based Territory. Nissan has a newcomer called the Murano and Mitsubishi has its Murano.Holden is also playing mix-and-match with its Adventra and Cross8.So the crossover cars are coming and the Kluger proves they offer plenty for families.The Kluger comes with five or seven seats in a body that won't have other mums and dads sniggering on the school pick-up run.It combines the basic chassis of the Camry and the running gear of the Lexus RX with a body that's the same size as a LandCruiser Prado and styling that looks like a puffed-up Subaru Forester.All of those vehicles are successful, which points to a good future for the Kluger.Now, about the name: it should have been called Highlander in Australia, as it is in the US.But Hyundai had already grabbed that badge, so local customers have been given the second-choice Kluger tag from Japan.Mechanically, the car comes with a V6 engine set across the nose.The five-speed automatic gearbox has permanent four-wheel-drive controlled by a viscous centre coupling and a limited-slip differential.The suspension is fully independent and it has four-wheel disc brakes.Toyota has done its usual thorough job, spreading the Kluger message through three models that run from five-seat basic to seven-seat luxury.Prices range from $43,990 for the CV to $48,990 for the mid-level CVX and $58,990 for the Grande.Toyota has also held the line well below the RX330 and the classy Honda MD-X, the toughest opponent for the mid-sized Lexus.The starting price is line-ball with the Prado, which is a serious four-wheel-drive, and well above the $38,180 chosen by Subaru for its all-new car-style soft-road car, the Outback.The rest of the Kluger's package runs from the inevitable alloy wheels, airconditioning and electric windows/mirrors to CD sound.But Toyota says it has true car-style safety and is predicting at least a four-star NCAP crash-test rating.It has a monocoque body, twin front airbags, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist on the four-wheel discs.The tyres have been chosen with far more emphasis on bitumen grip than traction on sand or stones.On the roadWE KNEW what to expect from the Kluger after our time with the Lexus RX330.We were more than impressed by the Lexus, which converted us to the strengths of crossover cars in less than a day.We had also tried and really liked the Honda MD-X.The first few kilometres with the Kluger showed that Toyota has tightened the suspension settings, and toned down the luxury stuff from the Lexus. It stands a bit straighter in turns, rides bumps with less deflection, but doesn't have the fully-loaded look or feel of the RX.We liked the ride and handling, which has a more sporty feel. That's probably not the right word for a 1700kg people mover with a centre of gravity that's still well above a Camry, but you get the idea.The first few kilometres with the Kluger shows that Toyota has tightened the suspension settings and toned down the luxury stuff from the Lexus.It stands a bit straighter in turns and rides bumps with less deflection, but it doesn't have the fully loaded look or feel of the RX.We liked the ride and the handling, which has a more sporty feel. That's probably not the right word for a 1700kg people-mover with a centre of gravity that's still well above a Camry, but you get the idea.It also brakes a bit better than the RX and, in the very mild off-road work we did, it seemed to keep its feet planted a bit better.The soft-road ability of the Kluger should never be threatened by most owners, who will probably tackle only an occasional gravel road or a bit of sand at the edge of their favourite beach.The 3.3-litre V6 pushes the Kluger along pretty well. Toyota claims a 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1 seconds.You would have to be pushing right to the redline to get it to go that well, but it is a smooth performer that also manages a respectable 11.4 litres/100km at the pumps.The gearbox is nothing special, without any super-quick Formula One change system, but it keeps the Kluger moving along well and has good kick-down response for overtaking.Inside, the Kluger has everything you need for comfortable and relaxed family travel.The dashboard design has a slightly 4WD flavour, but otherwise it is the usual Toyota job without the flair of the Lexus.But it is a lot cheaper and still has CD sound, a trip computer and steering that's light and easy to use.We also find the Kluger easy to park and our five-seat test car has plenty of luggage space.We're not convinced it would be as huge a bundle of fun as a seven-seater, but the third-row seats do fold away to boost carrying capacity and it would be no worse than a lot of other full-family four-wheel-drives.Where the Kluger should really score – and we didn't test this – is in safety.It easily came through a full-scale crash test we saw in Japan last month and the more car-like dynamics will make it easier to brake or steer away from a problem.So we like the Kluger and can see a lot of people choosing it when it comes to their next 4WD.The new Toyota proves you don't have to drive a truck to get the benefits of a tough-looking people mover, and we reckon that's excellent news.We're even happier that the Kluger is going to have a lot of rivals in coming years.That should put a much-needed soft-roader slant into the four-wheel-drive world.

It's called the Kluger, which means a clever move in German.While Holden decided to fit four-wheel-drive running gear to a modified Commodore for the new Adventra and Ford will build the new Territory here fitted with a Falcon engine, Toyota looked to Japan.Toyota Australia is likely to build the Kluger here in about five years, but will get its cars from Japan until then.The Kluger is Toyota's version of the luxurious Lexus RX330 and is the closest competitor for the Territory, which should arrive around April.It is a medium-sized four-wheel-drive that can handle some modest off-road work, but is no rock hopper.There is no low-range gearbox or chunky tyres and it doesn't have masses of ground clearance.That means the Kluger is also more likely to handle like a car than a truck.The hard off-road work is left to the Toyota Prado and LandCruiser bush-bashers.Kluger comes standard with a 3.3-litre V6 engine that generates a useful 172kW of power and 328Nm of torque.Toyota's base-model Kluger CV costs $43,990, which is actually more expensive than the Prado's entry-level model.That's because the base Prado ($38,990) misses out on anti-skid brakes, airconditioning and has to make do with an underpowered four-cylinder engine.Luckily, the Kluger CV comes with a good level of standard equipment, including aircon, CD sound, anti-skid brakes, V6 engine, cruise control and dual airbags.There are plenty of options, including two extra seats to bring capacity up to seven seats, for $1000.The CVX is next in line with standard seven-seat capacity, 16-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, electrically adjustable driver and passenger seats for $48,990.Both the CV and CVX use a regular four-wheel-drive system that includes a viscous coupled limited-slip centre differential, with a limited-slip rear differential.The top-of-the-range Grande model, which costs $58,990, has an electronically controlled torque split system instead of the viscous coupling for smoother operation.The Grande also gets leather seats, woodgrain, 17-inch alloy wheels and sunroof.Grande also comes with a safety pack including front and rear side airbags as well as an airbag curtain for front and rear (for extra protection in a rollover), stability control and traction control.This safety package is an option for the CVX model, but not available for the base CX model because Toyota says it won't have enough demand.The Kluger only just qualified for the tax reduction imported four-wheel-drives receive, and Toyota even selected higher-profile tyres to make sure it had enough ground clearance to meet relevant government criteria.With the new tyres, the Kluger has 184mm ground clearance, which is more than enough for most owners, but pretty low if you want to hit really rugged tracks.The base model weighs 1740kg, but Toyota claims it can still do the 0-100km/h sprint in a reasonable 8.2 seconds. The Kluger has a claimed fuel consumption of 12.3 litres per 100km/h on a combined city and highway cycle.On the road THE Kluger is a perfect car for the family which doesn't need a four-wheel-drive but wants one anyway.Most only need a Camry, but want something that looks a bit tougher, has a higher seating position and could handle some dirt roads if they ever get around to taking that bush-trek holiday they have been dreaming about.The Kluger offers all of this, but is not as big and bulky as full-blown four-wheel-drives, promises to be less thirsty and feels much more like a car to drive around town.Toyota hopes families will find the Kluger is a smarter move than the bulky Prado.It also benefits from having the third row of seats folding into the floor.The V6 engine is quite capable and works well enough with the competent five-speed automatic transmission (there is no manual).When driven normally, the Kluger rides quite well and sits pretty level around corners.If you push harder, though, it starts to roll, more like the larger off-roaders.Off-road grip is good and the ground clearance is satisfactory if you venture on to really rutted roads.The interior has a quality feel, as you would expect from Toyota, and all the dials/buttons are simple to use.Exterior styling is predictably bland.The only way to make the Kluger look exciting is to rush it through a water crossing or cover it with mud.The Kluger is much more sensible than the big off-roaders and offers a versatile family wagon at a reasonable price.