2018 Toyota Kluger: Which Spec is best

The Toyota Kluger is a roomy seven-seat SUV with a powerful V6 engine and responsive eight-speed automatic gearbox.

It is smooth and quiet to drive and has a spacious, comfortable cabin with thoughtful storage touches. All Toyota Kluger models offer auto braking and other advanced driver assistance features as standard.

Variants

There are three main specification levels of the Kluger, GX, GXL and Grande which each come with a choice of two- and four-wheel-drive. All Klugers share the same engine, a 218kW/350Nm 3.5-litre petrol V6, which is coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

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The entry-level Kluger GX spec starts at $44,500 and comes with plenty of standard features including adaptive cruise control, 6.1-inch touchscreen, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, high-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, a rear cross-traffic alert, auto-dipping dusk-sensing headlights, daytime running lights, 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels, full-sized spare wheel and seven-airbags including third-row protection.

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Step up to the Kluger GXL and you get all that plus three-zone air-conditioning, a bigger 8.0-inch infotainment screen, satellite navigation, digital radio, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, blind-spot monitor, rear-cross traffic alert, smart key entry, power-opening tailgate, partial leather trim, heated front seats, power adjusted driver’s seat and roof rails.

The most expensive Kluger, the Grande, comes with a sunroof, ventilated front seats (they circulate cool air), power adjustment for the passenger seat, driver’s seat setting memory and bigger 19-inch wheels.

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• Kluger GX 4X2 - $44,500
• Kluger GX 4X4 - $49,990
• Kluger GXL 4X2 - $52,990
• Kluger GXL 4X4 - $54,990
• Kluger Grande 4X2 - $65,646
• Kluger Grande 4x4 - $69.671

OUR PICK

Kluger GXL with all-wheel drive brings plenty of useful and cosseting features for the money – such as the tri-zone ventilation, smart-key entry and leather seats. While it’s not a true off-roader like similarly-sized Toyota LandCruiser Prado, the all-wheel drive system gives you extra confidence on dirt roads or at the snow, while also bringing benefits on slippery bitumen surfaces.

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Available options

Premium paint - $575