2023 Toyota Kluger to axe V6 for turbo four-cylinder in Australia, due next year

The 2023 Toyota Kluger will introduce a new 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine in Australia – replacing the familiar 3.5-litre V6 – when it arrives in showrooms early next year.

First announced by Toyota in the US earlier this year, the 2023 Kluger in Australia will swap the familiar 3.5-litre non-turbo petrol V6 for a new 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, debuted in various Lexus models.

Prices are yet to be confirmed, however increases are likely to counter the new engine – as well as the new technology available on different variants within the range.

The new 2.4-litre engine will develop 198kW and 420Nm – down 20kW, but up 70Nm over the old 3.5-litre V6 – with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, and a traditional eight-speed automatic transmission.

MORE: 2023 Toyota Kluger swaps V6 for turbo power in the US, Australia unclear

Toyota Australia is yet to confirm fuel economy figures for our market, however in the US the new engine is no more fuel efficient than the old V6, claiming to consume 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres – despite two fewer cylinders.

However, a 50 per cent reduction in NOx (nitrous oxide) emissions is quotes as well as "an improvement in CO2 emissions".

The new 2.4-litre turbo engine will be available in the same GX, GXL and Grande variants as before, alongside the popular 2.5-litre, all-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain.

Alongside the new engine, the 2023 Kluger range will introduce a number of technology upgrades across the range – though, most likely, at the expense of price rises.

The GXL and Grande will swap the current 8.0-inch touchscreen for a new 12.3-inch unit – as available in left-hand-drive markets since the current Kluger range launched from 2019, but off-limits to Australia and the UK.

While yet to be confirmed, it's likely the new screen – as well as the carry-over 8.0-inch display on the GX – will run Toyota's new infotainment software, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates.

Meanwhile, the GX will replace its 4.2-inch driver instrument display with a 7.0-inch unit, previously exclusive to the GXL and Grande.

However, no Australian variant will be equipped with the 12.3-inch fully-digital instrument cluster added for 2023 in overseas markets – a feature available in top-end versions of the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Palisade and new Nissan Pathfinder.

All updated Toyota Kluger variants will offer Toyota Connected Services technology, which uses an in-built internet-connected module to offer an SOS emergency call function (which calls emergency services after an accident) and stolen vehicle tracking, among other features.

The 2023 Toyota Kluger range is due in Australian showrooms in the first quarter of next year (January to March). Pricing and specifications will be confirmed closer to launch.