Toyota Kluger 2021 review: Grande hybrid

The exterior, on first glance, doesn’t look that different from the old Kluger, but on closer inspection, it is.

The exterior, on first glance, doesn’t look that different from the old Kluger, but on closer inspection, it is.It’s got the same raw angles as the RAV4, is still quite rectangular, but does have some fancy new styling, like the grille and the shape of the back window.

It’s got the same raw angles as the RAV4.

Inside, because this is the top-of-the-range, it looks quite luxe, particularly the cream leather upholstery. It feels much more premium than the last Kluger I was in. 

The seats are heated and ventilated, there’s a leather-trimmed steering wheel, the centre console is nicely designed and though it does lack the gloss of its rivals, it still looks good.

You get some soft touch surfaces with external stitching and a moonroof in this model, and it feels good to be in this car on the road.

Inside it looks quite luxe, particularly the cream leather upholstery.

The design around the multimedia screen is still the old Toyota, though. It’s quite messy and busy compared to the more streamlined modern designs you’ll see on some competitors.

The front seats are power operated, there’s keyless entry that actually works before you go to open the driver’s door, which is more than some luxury cars can say, and there’s a power operated tailgate.

For storage there are two cupholders in the front, a very large, deep centre storage bin, a spot for keys and a phone, though no wireless charger, two extra shelves - one in the middle and one in front of the passenger - with a textured bottom that would make it hard for your phone to slide off and bottle holders in each door. 

Second row passengers get two cupholders in the centre armrest and their own climate control, while in the third row there are four cupholders and directional air vents for good air flow in this area. 

There is loads of space in the Kluger, upfront has plenty of leg and headroom, even for taller people and even with the sunroof. 

Rear passengers will be comfortable back here, my two children, aged seven and nine, were happy to climb in and when we gave a few kids a lift this week, they fit happily in the third row.

Upfront has plenty of leg and headroom.

You'll also fit three child car seats into this second row, I did it with two boosters and a baby capsule.

Rear passengers will be comfortable in the back.

I’m 161cm (5'3") and have enough space between my knees and the seat in front that taller adults and teenagers will also have a good journey. 

Taller adults will even find enough leg and head space in the third.

Into the third row and the space shrinks, which is fairly standard for this category. I can still fit back there and the kids we drove around this week were fine to fit in. Taller adults will even find enough leg and head space.

With all seats in use, you’ll get 241L of boot space.

And the boot is large for this category. With all seats in use, you’ll get 241L which will let you transport a suitcase on its side, school bags or grocery bags. 

With that row down, the boot opens up to 552L and you’ll fit a double pram in there, it’s enough room for sporting equipment and plenty of room to go on a driving holiday with it.

The boot opens up to 552L with the third row not in use.

It’s been a few years since I’ve driven a Kluger but the one takeaway I had from that was that is was heavy to drive.

The hybrid set-up on this version has taken that heaviness away. It’s almost quick off-the-mark, which for a heavy car is saying something, and it feels much lighter.

The steering wheel turns easily and you can navigate into parks quite well using the reverse parking camera.

It also makes it feel smoother and more nimble on the road. The Kluger Grande is an AWD which gives you more traction on unstable road surfaces. It gets up hills quickly, overtakes easily on highways and generally feels great to drive. 

Even parking isn’t really an issue considering the size. The steering wheel turns easily and you can navigate into parks quite well using the reverse parking camera.

The Toyota Kluger Grande hybrid costs $74,500, before on-road costs. The official combined cycle fuel consumption figure is 5.6L/100km and I averaged 6.9L/100km this week doing mostly suburban driving, which is still really good for a car this size. 

It’s covered by Toyota’s five year/unlimited km warranty and servicing is required every 12 months/15,000km, and servicing is capped at $250 each service for the first five years.