Toyota Australia is promising quality improvements, a more enjoyable drive and a higher level of standard safety for its new 2014 Kluger SUV.
Due in local showrooms from March, the new Kluger was unveiled as the US-spec Highlander at the New York Auto Show in the same month last year.
Australian buyers can again expect a 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine matched to a six-speed automatic and, while figures are still to come, Toyota says - thankfully - it has improved fuel figures in the new model.
On the safety front, the 2014 Kluger will feature seven airbags, along with a reversing camera, vehicle stability and traction control, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution and hill-start assist control.
Top-shelf models will add a pre-collision system with dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert and automatic high-beam headlights.
Toyota has fine-tuned the suspension and electronic power steering for 2014, with a new double-wishbone rear suspension setup promising more precise handling and a better driving experience.
The company's local arm has yet to confirm details of the new Kluger's local tune, although like the new Corolla, it is likely that Toyota Australia engineers have had input into the new model's development.
The new rear suspension allows for more cabin space, while the all-new model is also 69mm longer and 15mm wider than its predecessor.
The 2014 Kluger will again be available in front- or all-wheel drive, with the AWD’s Dynamic Torque Control system able to revert to FWD during normal driving conditions to save fuel.
The source of Australia's new Kluger will switch to Toyota's Indiana plant in the United States - making it the first Toyota to come to Australia from the US - moving away from the Japanese plant that builds the current model.
Stay tuned to TMR for more on the all-new 2014 Kluger when it arrives in Australia, including our first drive review.
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14 Comments
"Toyota Australia has promised greater quality, a more enjoyable drive and a higher level of standard safety for its new 2014 Kluger SUV." And lets not forget, much uglier "styling".
This will sell in the U.S. but even die-hard Toyota fans in Oz are going to reach for the airline sick bag!
Compaired to the prado it looks great.
looks great:)
So here it is: 1) The Barge is now even bigger 2) The handling is supposed to be better - does that mean it loses the nervous wander at highway speeds and doesn't feel like it'll fall over on a slight bend. 3) Fuel consumption is supposed to have been improved - now it's just poor instead of just bad. 4) It's now got ugly built-in instead of tacked-on. 5) Build quality (out of the US) is better than than from the Japanese factory. I guess we'll follow how this goes with (little or no) interest!
What do you do for a job des???
Not sure that I see the relevance of that question. My post is just an "experienced based observation". It's my point of view - sure I have qualifications and experience that make my viewpoints more informed than many others, but that's irrelevant on an web post: I'm just an individual posting on the internet!:) If you really must know I work in: Des(ign engineering).
The change to on-demand AWD is a huge step backwards. Continued lack of a decent modern diesel engine is just lazy. The new model also carries over the intrusive stability control program that makes driving the Kluger most unpleasant.
A handsome looking SUV. Better looking that the previous spy shots I saw. The front follows the lines of the American designed and built SUVs like the Sequoia and Tundra. That's not such a bad thing.
I think it's an improvement in the looks department. The current update did little to freshen up a now dated look. Thirsty as it is the Kluger is still a brisk car for what it is. Overseas markets are set to get a Hybrid so maybe that would be the go rather than a diesel alternative here.
The front end styling is growing on me very slowly
But most of us will die of old age first ...
Can't wait till a car manufacture designs a car that 100% of the population loves
I reckon the grille is terrible, but otherwise it's reasonably inoffensive. Nothing special to look at. Very American.
New Pathfinder's pretty boring to look at too, but better than this IMO. For what that's worth.
Look like a new Subaru forester