2008 Toyota Kluger Reviews

A reputation for build quality and reliability keeps the Kluger at the soft-roader summit New As the long-reigning king of the off-roaders with its LandCruiser, it was only natural that Toyota should also be a leader when the new breed of soft-roaders hit the market. Even if portrayed as vehicles for all climes and

There can be no doubt that Ford had an enormous impact on the SUV scene when it launched the Territory, so much so that other carmakers, such as Toyota, simply had to respond. One of the features of the Territory that drove sales was the option of two-wheel drive. Once dismissed as a silly idea the success of the two-paw Ford made others sit up and take notice.As a result the new Toyota Kluger unveiled in 2007 came with the choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The reality of the market was that the SUV was being used as a replacement for the old station wagon, and all-wheel drive simply came as part of the package rather than a priority.The arrival of the front-wheel drive Kluger was hailed as the birth of a whole new car, at least by Toyota, who seemed to be claiming the idea as their own rather than a rip-off of Ford's.MODEL WATCHThe new Kluger was larger than the previous model, with a larger cabin, which matched or bettered the Territory in some dimensions. It also boasted more luggage space than the old model as well as a bigger third-row seat package.A larger, 3.5-litre V6 provided the power to the tune of 201kW and 337Nm, up 29 kW and 9 Nm. It was hooked up to a five-speed automatic transmission; with final drive through either the front wheels or all four in the case of all-wheel drive models.The range kicked off with the KX-R and moved up through the KX-S to the Grande. At the lower end of the range the KX-R came standard with air-conditioning, alloy wheels, a reversing camera, electronic stability control, ABS brakes and seven airbags.IN THE SHOPThe Kluger boasts the same quality of engineering and production as all Toyotas do, and despite some recent glitches, it stands up well in all ways. Make the usual checks to confirm routine servicing, which is the key to a long trouble free life on the road. Also check for offroad use, not that many Klugers go beyond the blacktop, but it's worth the check anyway.IN A CRASHANCAP awarded the Kluger five stars in recognition of its comprehensive array of safety gear, which included electronic stability control and ABS brakes, and front, head and side airbags.UNDER THE PUMPToyota claimed the front-wheel drive model would average 11.0L/100km, while the all-wheel drive model would return 11.6L/100km. When tested by CarsGuide the all-wheel drive Grande consumed 12.4L/100km.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $39,990 to $59,990Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol, 201 kW/337 NmTransmission: 5-speed automatic, front or all-wheel driveEconomy: 11.0 L/100 km (FWD), 11.6 L/100 km (AWD)Body: 5-door wagonVariants: KX-R base model, KX-S, Grande Safety: 5-star ANCAPVERDICTHigh ride and handsome, the Kluger is rightly a firm family favourite.

More and more manufacturers are realising they can attract extra sales by creating two-wheel-drive versions of their 'soft roaders'.2WD buyers are looking for the practicality of the wagon - a commanding driving position, perhaps a little higher ride height for a short drive down a dry dirt track, the 'look' of an SUV, strong suspension, and in some cases seven seats - without getting a people-mover.If they don’t need to go offroad, in the snow, through muddy tracks, they don’t need the four-wheel-drive ability. But they can get everything else they want with 2WD versions of the SUV.What’s the benefit of 2WD?By opting for the 2WD version, the vehicle costs thousands of dollars less because that second set of drive-shafts, differentials, wheel joints and bits are not in the vehicle. And that means the 2WD versions weigh considerably less. Less weight means less fuel, a cost saving to the owner and lower exhaust emissions for the planet. And less weight means better performance in acceleration and handling.The month of May this year was the best-ever May for new-vehicle sales in Australia. Part of the reason was a staggering 29 per cent growth in SUV sales over May of last year. Clearly Aussies still love their SUVs and many of those extra sales were because of 2WD versions.Toyota offering its large Kluger in 2WD and 4WD, in all trim levels. The choice (between 2WD and 4WD) will give buyers an alternative purchase decision based on their real needs. Toyota also offers the RAV4, which gets revised gear ratios for with 2WD.Ford launched its Territory SUV in 2004 in 4WD and 2WD right from the start. But some brands don’t offer the full choice of models of the 4WD. For example, the Kia Sorento 2WD cannot have Kia's excellent turbo-diesel engine of the 4WD, but it's recognised that 2WD buyers are looking for lower buying and running costs and so only a base model engine is provided.KIA SORENTO - $36,490 Drives well with good ride; six-speed automatic, fuel economy Engine sometimes works hard to move 1814kg weightA much better onroad wagon than previous (4WD-only) model. The 2WD Kia Sorento is available only with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine to keep down cost.Engine: 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, petrolPower: 128kW @ 6000rpmTorque: 226Nm @ 3750rpmTransmission: Six-speed automatic; front-wheel-drive.HOLDEN CAPTIVA - $27,990 Low price, plenty of Holden dealers for back-up Modest power, tows only 1500kg, no auto optionThe Holden Captiva 2WD gives wagon motoring to Holden followers not wanting a V6 or V8 Commodore Sportwagon. Captiva has been selling well lately.Engine: 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, petrolPower: 103kW @ 5200rpmTorque: 220Nm @ 2400rpmTransmission: Five-speed manual; front-wheel-drive.TOYOTA KLUGER - $40,990 Engine power, full model range, including seven-seater Large, blunt design, fuel useThe larger option from Toyota can be had in all the trim levels of the Kluger 4WDs, which means seven-seaters as well. The well-known 3.5 V6 engine is a good 'un.Engine: 3.5-litre, V6, petrolPower: 201kW @ 6200rpmTorque: 337Nm @ 4700rpmTransmission: Five-speed automatic; front-wheel-drive.FORD TERRITORY - $39,890 Torque at low revs, parts costs, seven-seat option Size to park, fuel use, dating body shape, auto only a four-speedThe only Australian-designed and built SUV, Territory uses Ford Falcon running gear and is a popular vehicle, especially now that Falcon wagon is ceasing production.Engine: Four-litre, six-cylinder, petrolPower: 190kW @ 5250rpmTorque: 383Nm @ 2500rpmTransmission: Four-speed automatic; rear-wheel-drive.BMW X1 sDrive18i - $43,500 BMW owner pride, diesel option, equipment, fuel economy, 1430kg weight Expensive parts and servicingBMW's new compact SUV in two-wheel-drive form is known as the sDrive. It is one of the low-cost ways of getting behind the famous BMW badge and suits Yuppies.Engine: Two-litre, four-cylinder, petrolPower: 110kW @ 6400rpmTorque: 200Nm @ 3600rpmTransmission: Six-speed manual (optional six-speed automatic); rear-wheel-drive.TOYOTA RAV4 - $28,990 Fuel economy, Toyota reputation, modest kerb weight (1525kg), price Tows only 1500kgRAV is the most recent 4WD SUV available in 2WD and uses the Toyota Camry 2.4 engine. RAV started the compact SUV segment and has kept updated nicely since.Engine: 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, petrolPower: 125kW @ 6000rpmTorque: 224Nm @ 4000rpmTransmission: Five-speed manual (optional four-speed automatic); front-wheel-drive.

It had appeared to be a good idea at the time.A couple of days away from the computer's big square eye so why not take a Toyota Kluger off the beaten trail and see what it can do in terms of off-road work.Nothing too strenuous. After all, it does not have a low range gearbox, no diff locks and it is impossible to turn the computer controlled stability control program off. It has only computer controlled all-wheel drive and hill descent assist.But there was time to spare so a romp through some forests near Dayboro should do the trick.All was going perfectly until the Kluger reached a section of track about which my 16-year-old navigator said; “Do you realise this part of the track is marked in red?”The "red” section consisted of a series of very steep descents with built-in steps. And on the other side of the “great divide” a similar section heading skyward again."What have I done?”There is no room to turn around and the Range Rover ahead of us has gone on and will shortly disappear from sight and the chance to render assistance."How am I going to explain to Toyota that their Kluger can be returned if it can be winched by helicopter out of the state forest.”"Does The Courier-Mail's insurance policy cover stupid actions by dopey testers?”They were just some of the thoughts running through this driver's mind.Nothing for it but to give it a go.Lock the auto into first and hit the hill descent assist button then hold the breath.The KX-S sports Kluger required just steering. Any attempts to use brake or accelerator while the hill descent button was engaged resulted in free fall. But left to its own devices the Kluger went down over the steps faultlessly. No skidding, no getting caught on the steps, no crabbing or sliding — just a slow controlled descent into the chasm."Wow. Amazing. But what about getting up the other side?”Keep it in first and give it gentle but well timed throttle. The 3.5-litre, 201kW, V6 performed faultlessly. Accelerate gently up the hill, ease off over the 'step' and repeat for the next half dozen steps.The all-wheel-drive system worked faultlessly. With no wheelspin or drama of any other sort the Kluger took the stairway to heaven in its stride. Up and over, up and over until the going was once again maintained forestry track.This SUV had already impressed with its road manners; very little body roll, impressive acceleration with the five-speed auto doing its job unobtrusively and a quiet cabin.The 3.5-litre V6, as used in a range of Toyotas including the Aurion, is a willing worker with a smooth, seamless power delivery and goodly amounts of torque spread at low to mid engine revs.The version of the Kluger on test was an all-wheel drive and a seven seater. It can be had, at a cheaper price, as two-wheel drive only and five-seater.The seven-seat arrangement was easy to use with the extra bench portion used in the second row to make it a three-person bench being stowed in the centre console between the driver and front passenger.Perhaps the biggest criticism of the Kluger is that the claimed fuel consumption of 11l/100km is hard to achieve on the open road never mind combining it with round town toottling. The test vehicle was returning around 13-14litres/100km if any of the ample performance was being used.And if you give it a flogging the amount of fuel used will make you think there is a V8 under the bonnet.But all in all this version of the Kluger is a delight to drive.It is only when you start sticking it into corners at sport sedan speeds that it cries enough and in the bush it will take some real rough country before it cries enough.But the traction and stability control cannot be turned off which, while being a boon in the boondocks, may turn out to be a setback in the sand. Snapshot Toyota Kluger KX-SPrice: $54,490Engine: 3456cc, DOHC, 24-valve, fuel injected V6 bore x stroke: 94 x 83mm, compression: 10.8:1Power: 201kW @ 6200rpmTorque: 337Nm @ 4700rpmAcceleration: 0-100km/h in 8secTransmission: AWD, 5-speed automatic, electronically controlled with sequential shift and flex lock-up torque converterDifferantial ratio: 3.478:1Fuel: ULP, 72-litre tankEconomy: 11L/100kmCO2 Emissions: 259g/km, Euro IVTurning circle: 11.8mBrakes: ventilated discs, twin-piston calipers (front), solid discs, single-piston calipers (rear); ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, traction control, stability control and hill holder systemSuspension: independent, MacPherson struts, L-arms, coil springs, gas dampers and ball joint-mounted stabiliser bar (front); independent, MacPherson struts, coil spring/damper units, dual lower transverse links, lower trailing arm, gas dampers and ball joint-mounted anti-roll bar (rear)Wheels: 17 x 7.5J alloysTyres: 245/65R17Dimensions (MM): 4785 (L), 1910 (W), 1730 (H), 2790 (Wheelbase), 206 (Clearance)Track: 1630mm (front), 1640mm (rear)Angles (DEGREES): 29 (approach), 24 (departure), 17 (breakover)Kerb weight: 1920-2020kgTowing: 2000kg (braked), 700kg (unbraked)