2007 Toyota Kluger Road Test
September 5, 2007 by Matt Brogan
2007 Toyota Kluger KX-R (2WD) Road Test
With excellent on-road manners, quiet and effortless performance, you’d be hard pressed to find a more suitable and practical family car.
CarAdvice rating: 
Recommended Retail Price: $39,990 (plus ORC)
Options available: Metallic Paint, Park Assist, Sunroof
- by Matt Brogan
It would seem there’s a running theme to my road tests lately, the ever-popular SUV. Now if only I could borrow some kids and a golden retriever I’d be all set. But seriously, how does Toyota’s all-new Kluger shape up?
Completely re-designed and re-engineered from the ground up, this is not some half-hearted attempt at a mid life face-lift. It’s bigger, smarter and more grown up, well suited to a discerning family buyer. Toyota aims the new Kluger squarely at buyers who’d have previously considered a Camry wagon.
Outside, the Kluger’s appearance is absolute. No edgy unfinished lines or horrible try-hard ruggedness – those days are gone. The new Kluger carries itself with poise and understated style; something lacking in many of its out dated rivals.
Standard 17” alloys, discreetly pumped guards, and a high shoulder line give a no nonsense stance that suits the larger dimensions of the vehicle. A large, high set grille with softer, flowing lines and rounded edges lend Kluger a striking and bold presence, without being too vehement.
Jump in the captain’s seat you get the sense that Toyota has tried hard to impress this time. The revised steering column position is spot on and allows you to feel more involved, just like you’re driving a real car, rather than some gawky behemoth. Plastics and fabric is of reasonably good quality, and appearance is durable and sensible rather than exciting.
Seating is practical, comfortable and supportive, and best of all you can buy a grade of vehicle to best suit your needs, similar to Ford’s Territory. Don’t need a seven-seater? Then buy the five. Don’t need an AWD? Buy a 2WD. It’s that simple.
Considering I had the 2WD (front-wheel) base model KX-R five-seater, the list of standard options was quite satisfactory. Electric everything, cruise control, audio controls on the wheel and a very quiet ventilation system (with rear outlet), it leaves the others playing catch up. The single disc stereo is reasonably punchy and the iPod adaptor very welcomed.
There’s even a reverse camera standard across the range, something I believe every high riding car should have fitted. I’m not saying you shouldn’t turn your head to reverse, but being able to see any little ones below window height could potentially be a lifesaver.
Moving up the range you’ll get a six disc CD player, blue tooth compatibility, leather trim, sat nav and even a DVD player, and with eight variants to choose from, there’s a package suited to every different buyer’s budget and need.
It’s as if Toyota has listened to what people want from a wagon, instead of dictating like Mussolini from the balcony. Bravo Toyota.
Driveline is everything we’ve come to expect from Toyota, strong, smooth and surprisingly driveable, no NVH or feedback here. The 3.5-litre V6 (same as Toyota Aurion) pumps out a gutsy 201kW, and with 337Nm on tap, the bulky 1,835kg wagon gets up to speed with vigour. Toyota claims eight seconds to 100 and, for once, this claim is pretty close to the mark.
Torque steer is negligible thanks to the amplitude of electrical assistance (ESP, TC, BA, HAC, DAC (AWD only) & ABS), which also add markedly to the overall safety of the vehicle. Consider also the seven airbags standard (seventh being driver’s knee airbag) and you’re talking class-leading safety.
The five speed auto box (no manual available) isn’t what I call spectacular, but is well sorted enough not to draw any complaints. Manual mode is there, which you may occasionally find use for if towing up to the 2,000kg rating offered, but generally speaking is a waste of time for most drivers in a car like this.
There were a few times when I found the car struggled for grip on hard starts but generally the drive was very good, and the in gear acceleration is incredible. Through varied driving I found a return of 12.5l/ 100km was about the average, just over the claimed 11.
Braking is very strong with excellent pedal feel and feedback. I could repeatedly get the big beast to stop as sure and smoothly as a small hatch back.
The balance of the Kluger isn’t easily upset either, even before the little light tells you the electronic aids have come to your rescue. The chassis is well sorted and carries the front drive dynamics of the vehicle without fuss, in fact through all but the hardest of driving, you wouldn’t know it’s a front wheeler.
Cornering is fluid and even mid corner bumps won’t upset its line. There’s almost no body roll to speak of and although this comes a little at the compromise of a supple ride, once there’s a few bodies and some luggage in the car, things sort themselves out nicely.
Luggage space is huge, and with extra storage in the floor (even a compartment for the cargo blind when not in use), you won’t go wanting for a place to put things. The rear seats fold flat to increase space and can be manipulated independently as required for bulky or long items when you still have bums in seats. Ski trip anyone?
Ranging from just under $40K up to $64,490 for the fully loaded Grande, I doubt too many rivals can offer the same reliability, durability and versatility for the price. It’s not the cheapest car of it’s class but when you consider the whole of life cost a Toyota offers, the value speaks for itself.
Print it: 
0 
0 
Silky Your attitude is much the same as the mechanic at the toyota dealer – no wonder I am having problems with them.
Being a PURE BLOOD Holden Man (but I’m compareing the ford to a toyota anyway), ive got to say the interior in the territory looks so better than the melted ugly cheese dashboard in the kluger. Even though the territoy came out in 2004. The territory looks so much economical, easier and more funtional thank the toyota which is 2007 made. But the toyota kluger only wins front leg space for me (looks roomier in front) and exterior design. But Toyota what the hell have you done with the interior (pretty much the dash and centre stack really)?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yuuuuuuuukkkkkkkk!
I meant YYYUUUCCCCKKK!!!!!!!! :I =I =)
The Kluger interior sorta reminds me of last generation camry actually!
ive had a KXR 2wd kluger for 3 weeks since brand new. when it was 5 days old the display came up with a VSC fault and ABS fault and engine management system fault. not happy. had 300k on clock. took it in to dealer, which i wish i could name, and they reset it and without even a road test gave it back to me. sure enough 2k down the road the fault is back on. booked in again, told it needs a new computer. takes 10 days to get part in ” GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE” . so today the comp was replaced but sure enough, although this time it lasted 10k, but the error is back. so now ive left this car at the adelaide dealer untill they get it right. so are klugers lemons??????? or is this a 1 off thing and this particular adelaide dealer is incompentent????????????????
IVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM, BUT MY KLUGER STALLS WITH THE ERROR BUT I CAN RESTART AND ITS OK. HAPPENS INTEMITENTLY AND TOYOTA STILL INVESTIGATING. MAYBE RELATED PROBLEM, ILL LET YOU KNOW THE OUTCOME.
thanks. the service centre still has my car and no closer to fixxing problem. im getting worried about the long term reliability of the vehicle due to the fault finding, there pulling the car apart, wiring looms etc to find the electrical fault causing EMS VSC ABS faults.i wonder how long i gotta wait to get kluger back. its fast becoming a regrettable purchase. ill keep u informed.
Kluger08
What’s the update on your Kluger? Has it been fixed and are you now happy with the purchase?
I will be purchasing a Kluger hope there is no problems here! I hope im not unlucky like some here! Tony
Tony
Got one April this year and happy with it overall. The only issue is the rattling noise come from the folded down 3rd row seats (told by the dealer but I think it is BS). Anyone has the same issue?
Hi PC,
Bought mine 3 weeks ago, yep rattles……can’t find them I’ll check the thrif row seats as well. Dealer has my Kluger over night now to try and find it. The dash also had to come out due to a loose clip that was making a noise.
If the rattles go away I would be ecstatic as the car is great to drive
Hi Ric
I was told by Toyota Australia that rattling is not common on this vehicle. It seems that only you and I are both unlucky ones (at least in this forum).
Agreed with you the car is great to drive and hope your car no longer making rattles. Good Luck
I have a Toyota Kluger KX-S ‘07 not really happy with it.
It now has four split armrests, Toyota say it isn’t a known problem. Can you Kluger owners please feel the the armrests to see if the plastic under the padding is split i bet most of them are but you probly don’t notice
Hi Mick, funny you say that because i bought a new one this year and it happened to me in the first week on the drivers side. I am only a light goy and leaned on it with my elbow and felt it crack! I amazed as toyota arnt normally that cheap. Havnt checked others though. Also the boot carpet is a bit thin and seems to get scrap marks all over it. Otherwise i love the feel and ride, quiteness of the car and hear no rattles.
Hi,
Reading all these comments i also looked at a captiava Maxx and a Territory sr2, to be honest i was not impressed with the Territory for the price when i can get a C Maxx ( yes wind noise in both models i test drove) cheaper or a Kluger KX-R for the same price. The territory was not up to scratch only 2 air bags and told that was all i needed, no leather seats, no rear scensors not much of any thing but you do get a picnic table. then i looked at the Kluger i do agree the cd player is the same in my 8 year old Toyota what the? the dash is a little plain how ever its a TOYOTA. SO i have to decide which way to go can any one comment on the petrol usage for a 2wd at all please?
Hi we got 1 of first KX-R get around 11.5-12.5l/100km and we have done 40k, we have a rattle I checked on the Toyota forum they say this is common, toyota say its not, we have it booked in with a toyota expert to fix it, (Forum said it is a known problem with fix on Toyota KB) on the whole very impressed and vehicle, it is a delight to drive, only negative is to much power through from wheels, I guess 4wd would be better not sure how good the 4wd system is. Have not checked Armrests, will check, we tested Captiva not in same class, don’t think territory is either. Bare in mind people tend to comment when they have problems and keep quite when all is well.
Yes we got ours the other day unfortunetly my wife has been complaining about the fuel economy (well still new needs a bit of running in so its tight) I have only driven it twice in the last couple of weeks we have had it. My wife previously had a rav 4, mind you my wife drives hard accelerates hard of the lights and brakes hard ps the rav4 front tyres were worn out in 29,000km due to hard cornering and braking. The Kluger 2wd kxr if driven moderatly not thrashing it will give you 11L/100km when thrashing it will give you like 15 to 17L/100km while the Rav4 noisy engine will give you 12l/100km thrashing it. Maybe she pushes the Kluger harder thinking I can make a bit of noise out of the engine while the kluger pulls well and does not make much engine sound hence lets push it harder! The Kluger is heavier more powerful MUCH safer that the base model rav4 hence shouldnt be thrashed the graph will show you the history of fill ups I will be taking the car next week were I will drive it smoother than she and see how I go, will let you know. Also idling waiting for people to come in and out of the car wont help at all! Tony
I have now driven it on the freeway got as low as 7.3L/100km and around town gentle acceleration 11L/100km so respect the fuel peddle drive gently and it will be good otherwise it uses a wide range of fuel from 7.3 right up to 17l/100km remember this is not a race car either has fragile handling but reasonably quiet cabin for its size mmm maybe we put it on LPG vapour injection? Tony
Hi Runnaln
13.8L/100km driving around town and about 11L on the freeway on my KX-S 4WD. Drive well and happy with it apart from the rattle. Agree with Tony we should be light on the peddle as it will never response like a sport car.
Can you tell me the web address of the Forum you refer to so I can have a look as well?
I have a six months old 7 seater Kluger (KR-T) and the only problem is when moderate acceleration from a standing position on a slightly wet bitument surface, the rear wheels go absolutely wild!
Slip, skid and bounce all over the place. The acceleration aplied is only marginally above the normnal but is definitely a bit quicker than normal.
Werid to say the least Ian, I found this on a site.Is it similar to your problem ? Not sure if yours is Auto……
“Sadly, I have a dreadful lemon, which Toyota is seemingly incapable of fixing. The main problem is a shocker of a transmission and ECU (control computer) which have an appalling hesitation. At certain speeds, but especially at about 30kph, when I give the accelerator about 50% or more power, the transmission just sits there for 2 seconds, then revs to 5000rpm, sometimes without engaging, and then finally it bangs into gear with a huge jolt. The problem occurs to varying degrees every day, but can be somewhat unpredictable. At slower speeds, say at about 5 to 10km/hr, the hesitation when changing gears makes it impossible to drive smoothly. It also has problems with engine surging. As this car is supposed to have class-leading smoothness, I am naturally not a happy camper. I consider the transmission hesitation to be a serious safety issue, and have had to change my driving style to allow for the dreadful and unpredictable responsiveness. I have driven several other Klugers, one of which had a bad hesitation, and two others which seemed ok. It is not an issue with the adaptive transmission learning my driving style – everyone who drives it has the same problem. My wife now refuses to drive it. It has been to the dealer 5 times and they are unable to do anything. The dealer was so concerned he called in the Toyota area rep who refused to acknowledge it as a problem, calling it a “normal operating characteristic”. I have since learned that this is a well known problem in the US and Toyota (and Lexus) have been trying to find a fix since 2002. They nonetheless continually refuse to acknowledge it as a problem, but have had to replace several cars in the US under lemon laws and arbitration. The US NHTSA is currently considering a major investigation into the problem, as they have received so many complaints.
Here is the web site you can take to Toyota if you need.
http://www.productreview.com.a.....p;is_asc=1
Good Luck mate………
Ever considered the Subaru Tribeca. We looked at Territory, CX9 and Kluger and it won hands down!! I don’t know what all the fuss is about with the Tribeca being labelled as ugly – it’s far more appealling than the box rear on the Ford and Toyota.
We have had our KXR 2wd for about 6months now seems like a great car had no problem except a sticky left seat belt apart from that nothing. Lately gone for a drive to Hepburn springs via western hwy with 6 people in the car and tell ya what it really goes great smooth power good gear shifts We are very happy with the Kluger even my son loves it the kids love it even the grand parents love it.
Even took it off road were we were hanging front left hand wheel in the air and we rocked it back to the ground on a dry off road road hehe. The ground clearance just that does a lot. Tony