Toyota Kluger vs Volkswagen Id.5

What's the difference?

Straight off the bat, let's just acknowledge that there's nothing new about the Toyota Kluger large SUV for 2025 – but that might not be a bad thing.

In a world where there seems to be some new fangdangled piece of car tech out there that works on paper but not in reality - like keyfobs that don't unlock the car properly, or multimedia systems that are just too darn smart for their own good.

There is something quite charming about the familiar specs and on-road comfort of the mid-spec Toyota Kluger GXL seven-seater we're family testing this week. In true Toyota style, it has a healthy mix of the tradition thrown in with workable technology.

It's newer seven-seat SUV rivals might try to tell you that the old Kluger is starting to fall behind, but is it? Or will simplicity win out for tired parents who just want an SUV to do what it says it will?

At long last, Volkswagen’s electric mid-size SUV duo has landed in Australia.

The appeal of the ID.4 as an electric family SUV alternative to the likes of the Tiguan is obvious, but where does the more coupe-styled ID.5 fit?

It comes in a single GTX trim for now, taking aim at some of the more performance-oriented EV SUVs on the Australian market, of which there are now quite a few. But now it’s arriving later than many of its rivals.

Has VW done enough with the ID.5 GTX for it to justify a spot on your test-drive list? We went to its Australian launch to find out.