Toyota Kluger prices jump

TOYOTA Australia has ramped up the prices of its Kluger by between $1360 and $2360 in exchange for more engine performance, greater fuel economy, an extra two gears, a fresh look and some extra equipment on some variants in the 2017 range now entering showrooms.

The price of the entry level GX goes up $1360 to $43,550 plus on-road costs for the two-wheel-drive version and $47,550 for the AWD, while the mid-range GXL cops the biggest rise – $2360 – to take the 2WD price to $53,550 and AWD to $57,550.

The flagship Grande’s price increases $1860 to $65,935 for the 2WD and $69,906 for AWD.

The latest version of Toyota’s American-built large seven-seat SUV has taken about 10 months to reach our shores since being unveiled at last year’s New York motor show.

Despite the price increases, Toyota Australia executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the enhancements will be welcomed by both drivers and passengers.

“The latest updates to Kluger deliver more of everything appreciated by families – increased performance for more relaxed driving, better fuel economy to stretch the family budget, modern exterior and interior treatments, welcome additional features and remarkable overall value,” he said.

Direct injection and a higher compression ratio have increased power of the 3.5-litre petrol V6 by 17kW, to 218kW, while torque is up 13Nm, to 350Nm.

Hooked up to a new eight-speed automatic transmission, this engine helps to cut fuel consumption by 10 per cent. All-wheel-drive variants now chew 9.5 litres per 100km, down from 10.6L/100km, while emitting 221 grams of CO2 per kilometre (previously 246g/km).

Two-wheel-drive GX and GXL variants improve from 10.2L/100km to 91.L/100km, while the full-house Grande flagship uses 9.3L/100km (previously 10.4L/100km).

The GX’s smaller price increase than the other variants reflects its lack of increased equipment, making do with only the revised engine, new transmission and fresh styling that includes a new-look grille, LED tail-lights, new alloy wheels and what Toyota describes as a more upmarket interior.

As well as the improvements mentioned by GX, the mid-range GXL gets an 8.0-inch screen serving up satellite navigation and DAB+ radio, as well as a power rear door with a glass hatch that opens independently to load smaller items.

The Grande gets 360-degree view cameras for safer parking, along with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping system with an anti-sway function to detect driver drowsiness or distraction.

As before, the petrol V6 is the only powertrain on offer, with no diesel or hybrid alternative. However, the big Toyota remains one of the best-selling SUVs in Australia, earning 11,829 sales in 2016 for third place in the large SUV category behind stablemate Prado (14,730) and Subaru’s resurgent Outback (12,207).

The Kluger price roll out comes just days after Nissan announced a similar 2017 upgrade to its Pathfinder which now starts at $41,990 for the 2WD ST and rises to $69,190 for the Ti Hybrid 4WD.

2017 Toyota Kluger pricing*

GX 2WD (a)	$43,550	(+$1360)
GX 4WD (a)	$47,550	(+$1360)
GXL 2WD (a)	$53,550	(+$2360)
GXL 4WD (a)	$57,550	(+$2360)
Grande 2WD (a)	$65,935	(+$1860)
Grande 4WD (a)	$69,906	(+$1860)

*Excludes on-road costs