IN A MOVE THAT MAY NOT please everyone, Toyota has replaced the petrol V6 engine in the Kluger large SUV with a turbocharged four-cylinder unit. At the same time, the Kluger has gained a multitude of improvements to safety, technology and performance for its arrival in local showrooms in January, 2023.
Priced from $49,720 plus on-road costs for the GX 2WD petrol, the updated Kluger features a new 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that replaces the existing 3.5-litre V6 on all non-hybrid grades.
Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the Kluger upgrades demonstrate Toyota’s dedication to continually improving its products.
“Since launching last year, the new-generation Kluger has been a hit with Australians wanting the perfect family SUV,” Mr Hanley said.
“Now with an upgraded multimedia system, new Connected Services functionality and the torquey turbo petrol engine providing improved driveability, the Kluger will be even more appealing,” he said.
The new turbocharged powertrain produces a maximum power of 198kW and a strong 420Nm of torque, marking a 70Nm improvement over the V6 it replaces.
Peak torque is also developed from just 1700rpm, 3000rpm lower than the V6, through to 3600rpm, offering smooth and effortless driving characteristics while improving fuel consumption by up to 0.4L/100km with the GX/GXL 2WD petrol now using 8.3L/100km on the combined cycle fuel test.
The T24A-FTS has been fine-tuned by engineers with a long stroke and optimised injection to maximise output, while an electronically controlled, fully variable displacement oil pump ensures finely controlled oil pressure and volume.
A coolant control valve has been adopted to precisely control coolant flow rate, while the turbocharger and intercooler gain a unique cooling system, independent from the engine cooling system.
The highly efficient turbocharger has been constructed to offer strong responsiveness, low noise and reduced emissions.
Mated to the new turbocharged engine is an eight-speed automatic transmission, geared for strong start-off performance and low-rpm highway cruising.
The new 2.4-litre turbo-petrol engine is available with the choice of front- or all-wheel drive, joining the existing 2.5-litre AWD hybrid powertrain offering in the Kluger line-up.
Along with the new powertrain options, the Kluger range also gains the latest Toyota multimedia system, with all variants also gaining larger multimedia or Multi Information Display (MID) screen sizes.
The GX MID screen in the instrument cluster increases in size from 4.2 to 7.0 inches, while GXL and Grande multimedia touchscreens grow from 8.0 to an expansive 12.3 inches, with Grande variants now also paired to a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster display.
The new multimedia system offers simple and natural navigation with a set of shortcut buttons along the side of the screen, and information easily projected onto two other easy-to-read tiles.
Wireless Apple CarPlay is now available alongside wired Android Auto, while natural voice recognition has been further improved.
Along with the improved multimedia system, all Kluger grades also gain 12 months of complimentary Toyota Connected Services functionality, providing extra security and convenience for owners.
Using an inbuilt data communication module, Toyota Connected Services allows owners to remotely gain information about their vehicle through the myToyota Connect smartphone app, while also providing valuable safety and security features.
Owners can view information relating to fuel level, odometer readings, recent trip information, the vehicle’s last known location, vehicle diagnostics, as well as some remote-control features.
Connected Services also facilitates the adoption of cloud-based navigation, providing real-time weather, traffic, and parking updates, as well as first- and last-mile routing.
These convenience features are in addition to safety offerings such as Automatic Collision Notification, in which the system is designed to trigger a call to a Toyota emergency call centre, if it detects an airbag or collision sensor has been activated.
An SOS button installed in the roof can be manually triggered to facilitate a call with the emergency call centre, while the Stolen Vehicle Tracking feature can be used by authorities to potentially recover the vehicle in the event it is stolen.
As part of the update, all GX variants now gain automatic dual-zone front and single-zone rear air conditioning, while the Grande adds a wireless smartphone charger. The Rear Seat Entertainment system will no longer be offered on Grande.
Toyota Kluger pricing (all plus on road costs)
| GX | |
| 2WD petrol | $49,720 |
| AWD petrol | $53,720 |
| AWD hybrid | $56,220 |
| GXL | |
| 2WD petrol | $59,240 |
| AWD petrol | $63,240 |
| AWD hybrid | $65,740 |
| Grande | |
| 2WD petrol | $71,610 |
| AWD petrol | $74,720 |
| AWD hybrid | $78,160 |