2023 Toyota Kluger price and specs: Turbo-petrol four-cylinder more expensive than outgoing V6, but is the Mazda CX-9, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento rival still good value?

The Toyota Kluger has been updated for 2023, with the brand following overseas markets in ditching the petrol V6 engine in favour of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine to join the existing hybrid variants.

Pricing for the Toyota Kluger has also been given a bump, with the entry-level Kluger GX 2WD now costing $49,720 before on-road costs, or $2070 more than it did previously.

The GX 2WD is powered by the new 2.4-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, driving the front wheels with its 198kW and 420Nm outputs – down on power by 20kW but up by a hefty 70Nm compared with the outgoing 3.5-litre V6.

The entry GX, as well as the mid-tier GXL and top-spec Grande, is also available with all-wheel drive which costs $53,720.

The hybrid powertrain remains the same, featuring a hybrid-assisted 2.5-litre turbo engine with all-wheel drive for a total of 184kW, and is priced at $56,220.

All three drivetrain options for GX are up by $2070 on their previous prices, meaning the drivetrain changes aren’t the only factor in cost increases.

The whole range benefits from an updated multimedia system, with Toyota’s new tech and a larger screen replacing the old versions. For GX, the instrument cluster screen becomes a 7.0-inch unit instead of the old 4.2-inch version, and its multimedia system gains wireless Apple Carplay, though Android Auto is still wired-only.

The GX variants also now feature automatic dual-zone front and single-zone rear air conditioning.

Moving up to the GXL, prices now start at $59,240 for the front-drive, $63,240 for the all-wheel drive, or $65,740 for the hybrid AWD. These prices are all up by $2090 compared to previously.

For the higher price, the GXL does gain some extra kit over the GX, including a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen for multimedia (also found in the Grande) and carryover equipment like a powered tailgate, satellite navigation, heated front seats, and artificial leather upholstery.

The Grande now starting at $71,610 for the 2WD, is up $2452 compared to before, while the AWD petrol ($74,720) and hybrid ($78,160) have increased by $2459 and $2460 respectively.

The Grande does however gain a new digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster display, the same size as its multimedia screen, as well as a wireless smartphone charger. It also gets the same extra equipment as before such as a set of 20-inch wheels, an upgraded JBL sound system with 11 speakers, a panoramic sunroof, real leather upholstery with cooled front seats, and surround-view cameras.