Toyota Kluger wants Territory
June 29, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
We previously mentioned the Next-generation Kluger, the new front-wheel drive – four-wheel-drive Kluger has just gone on sale in the United States. In the States, the Kluger is referred to as the Highlander.
Toyota Australia expects the new car in August. From the pictures its hard to say if we like the car or not, Toyota has worked hard to achieve the same level of acceptance as the its main competitor, the Ford Territory by desining a good looking SUV that doesn’t resemble a truck.
Toyota believes this concept of strength instead of ruggedness, and of intelligence over toughness will appeal to more medium SUV buyers. Of course the Ford is starting to show its age, and with a new model still some time away, the Kluger will sit at the top of its class.
The Kluger will come standard with high levels of safety, including:
- seven airbags – dual front, front side and full-length curtain plus a driver’s knee airbag -
- reverse camera,
- Vehicle Stability Control (ESP),
- Traction Control,
- ABS anti-skid brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (AB-i).
The engine under the bonnet of the Aurion also powers the new Kluger (and Tarago). The 3.5-litre quad-cam V6 with dual VVT-i has at least 200kW of power, putting it ahead of the non-turbo Ford Territory.
Power is transmitted via an electronically controlled five-speed intelligent automatic transmission with sequential shift. The engine and transmission refinement will mean the new Kluger will beat the Territory’s fuel efficiency by 10%.
More details closer to August.
Print it: 
let’s hope it looks better in the flesh, as LOOKS and looks alone, are the reason the Territory has been such a hit against the Kluger which gets my vote in everything except styling!
The styling is distinctive and differs from its rivals. IMO it looks pretty good, Toyota haven’t tried to make it look to fussy like they have done previously on their other cars.
I doubt it will undercut the Territory in terms of price. Shame too that Australia gets the dull name, Klllluger. The only thing that name is going to attract is the bogans to the Toyota nameplate.
I dont think it looks great… front looks similar to previous generation Camry and the back looks distinctively ordinary. And Im against the whole purpose of these cars, their not designed at all for offroad… purely for Mummies taxi service. Every sale counts as another 4WD that will never see the offroad, cause more congestion on our streets and more accidents as their drivers struggle to take control of their ‘rig’.
The rear looks horrid, but i love the side profile.
Not the best looking car, but then again i’ve never seen a good looking Toyota.
Territory facelift is due at the same time as Orion, so expect some fine tuning and improvments also.
Any whoos, why does vehicle get compared to the Ford Territory, just because its a lot better vehicle, nothing like that should be compared. They should compare you own vehicles, Just like Holden Capativa ad. There like, its 10% more fukin efficient than the Ford Territory. Well now they got the Territory Turbo, Beat that !
I think this vehicle looks great.
It has teh spec and the safety features to easily compete against the Territory.
The Territory is out-dated, consumes too much fuel and has spec that pre-dates the year 2000.
The rear of the Kluger looks awesome; looks like a Porsche Cayenne.
Also, with 200kW of power it will out muscle the Territory and will with out doubt offer better fuel economy (based on Aurion fuel consumption anyway).
This thing should do well, as for the name, really what’s in a name, once the car starts selling well teh name will grow in popularity.
The captiva is not a competitor to the Ford Territory or to the new Toyota Kluger when it gets launched.
The Captiva is a RAV4 competitor; the Captiva is small and is built in Korea and doesn’t have teh quality or finish to compete.
Holden only have one SUV and its sadly the Captiva. The fuel consumption of the Captiva with the Turbo Diesel is OK but consider the 7 seat option.
The 2 seats in teh back are millimetres away from the rear glass window… it aint safe and Holden shouldn’t be allowed to bring it in the country. It is nota real 7 seater.
I just bought a new Kluger (still waiting delivery) After looking at the Territory and considering the other options, the Kluger was miles ahead. Quiet, powerful, and loads of features. The boys at the blue oval will need to do a lot to keep up.
These cars are popular! We purchased the week after they were launched and already a wait. This even though Toyota have prepared for 20 000 plus units / year sales targets and reportedly had loads of stock for the launch.
Regarding styling…. Typical Toyota. Lucky they make such a strong car, because I find it hard to beleive I would purchase any model based on looks alone.
I just bought a Kluger with expected delivery in late Feb 08.
On economy & fuel efficiency, it is comparable to Falcon & Commodore & 10% better than Territory.
Safety is important when you have family & kids, and the Kluger has more safety features than most.
Seating up to 7 people, it is a squarely aimed at those van-like people mover such as Honda Oddessy, Tarago & Hunydai Kia. It’s benign road handling properties makes it a good and logical alternative to the Falcon/Commodore or the people movers.
It has poise on the road, plenty of omph, quiet and built quality is legendary Toyota.
I’m buying my 4th Toyota since 2004 and they run perfectly. Built quality & mechanically they are the best. (Don’t compare Lexus, they’re just Toyota in my opinion)
Styling is another matter but if you want to drive style, you cannot compare to Territory or Captiva. Go drive a Porshe or BMW X5.
I love the touchscreen Sat-Nav. The Audi Q7 Sat-Nav is not even touchscreen. On the Grande, I get keyless entry, powered reardoor, integrated bluetooth & DVD with wireless headsets. Beats buying more expensive German marques with anorexia expensia! :-)