Whereas Aussie families once road-tripped our vast continent in Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons, the large SUV is now the vehicle of choice for buyers wanting a practical, spacious, well-equipped family hauler.
That multi-faceted expectation on the part of the buyer means an SUV that may once have been more rudimentary and less polished, now needs to tick a multitude of boxes.
We don’t envy the position Toyota was in when it came to revising the Kluger. Already the most popular vehicle in that segment, it would have been easier to make a meal of it than improve on the popular outgoing model. And yet, in typical Toyota fashion, the new Kluger makes evolutionary steps forward and makes a good thing even better.
With 2WD petrol, AWD petrol, and AWD hybrid, the only thing missing from the Kluger range is a diesel. However, the efficiency of the hybrid drivetrain counters that and ensures there’s a Kluger to suit most buyers. Starting from just over $47,000 before on-road costs for the front-wheel-drive Kluger GX V6, the Kluger range runs up to just over $75,000 before on-road costs for the range-topping Kluger Hybrid Grande AWD.
Across the range, the Kluger is comfortable, capable and enjoyable to drive. Whether you’re rolling around town or heading off on a long-distance road trip, the Kluger is a high-quality family conveyance. Inside the cabin, there’s space and comfort for the family, with a versatile cabin offering plenty of storage and Toyota’s usual sense of quality and ruggedness.
The non-hybrid engine is a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6, which makes 218kW and 350Nm mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Toyota claims 8.7–8.9L/100km depending on the variant, but around town you’ll use more than that.
The Kluger Hybrid, which is our pick of the range, uses a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engine, as well as electric motors for a combined power output of 184kW. Small electric motors give the petrol engine a boost and deliver power to the front wheels via an e-CVT automatic, while a larger electric motor drives the rear axle on demand.
Despite its undeniable quality, and the ways it competes so strongly in the segment, there are subtle areas where the Kluger could be even better. Stepping up to the Hybrid does add a hefty premium, which is fine if you can afford it. We’d love to see the entry grades get a useful electric tailgate too.
However, the popularity of the Kluger in such a competitive segment comes as no surprise and is no accident. It’s a worthy winner of the 2022 Drive Car of the Year Best Large SUV award, even in the face of quality competition.
Read about the Best Large SUV segment
Read about all the other 2022 Drive Car of the Year categories and winners
Keyword: Toyota Kluger wins 2022 Drive Car of the Year Best Large SUV