Smarter looks for Toyota Kluger

Cleaner styling and changes to pricing and specification mark small but significant gains for Toyota's mid-size, family-friendly SUV
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Sequels are rarely as good as the originals, let alone better. Thankfully for Toyota the facelifted Kluger SUV is a tidier looking car than its predecessor.

Subtle sheet metal changes and slimmer headlights more in the mould of the Rukus have left the Kluger looking significantly better.

As reported by the Carsales Network earlier, the facelift also rings in changes to the Kluger's specification and pricing to enhance the car's value against its opposition.

Corporate Manager for Toyota, Greg Gardner introduced the upgraded Kluger to the motoring press over the weekend, explaining that the new vehicle also represented a "significant improvement in value for money..."

"In terms of the grade line-up and model line-up, it's carried over... the KX-R with the five-seat or seven-seat option as the entry-level model, the mid-range KX-S and the top of the range model... the Grande, with all the bells and whistles. And naturally it's available in two-wheel drive of four-wheel drive."

Changes to the frontal styling include new sheet metal for the bonnet (jutting further forward for a bluff nose) and quarter panels; revised headlights (now with projector beams units), grille and bumper covers; plus chrome accents and contrasting black surrounds. The chrome and black highlights carry through to the sides and rear of the vehicle. Both the KX-S and Grande variants come with front fog lights and chrome finish for the roof rails. Door mouldings, the rear bumper cover and tail lights have been revised for all variants, which also boast a chrome garnish at the rear. At the entry level, the KX-R is upgraded with the same (larger) rear spoiler fitted to higher-grade variants.

The Kluger adopts keyless entry, which activates door puddle lights on entry or exit. Each of the three levels of trim features a unique alloy wheel design, since Toyota has specified restyled 17-inch wheels for the KX-R and new 19-inch wheels for the Grande.

Inside, the Kluger is now trimmed with black carpet, irrespective of the grade. Variants trimmed in sand beige feature a black upper instrument panel. The centre fascia gains high-gloss silver highlights for the KX-R and KX-S variants, with the Grande trimmed in woodgrain instead.

As a minor change, the four-spoke steering wheel is fitted with black switches for the remote controls, in lieu of the previous model's silver switchgear. Onboard audio systems are improved across the board, with the KX-R gaining Bluetooth and USB input. A new audio interface for the KX-S is accompanied by a USB input for the six-disc MP3-compatibel CD audio system. Topping the range, the Kluger Grande picks up a 3.5mm Aux input for the audio/visual/satnav head unit.

Previously a single-piece folding unit, the third-row seat in the updated Kluger now moves to a 50/50 split-fold system. First and second-row seats in both the Kluger KX-S and Grande are now trimmed in perforated trim with leather accents.

Mechanically, the Kluger is what it was, but Toyota has re-jigged the engine mounts for reduced NVH and introduced electric power steering to improve fuel efficiency.

Along with the changes, Toyota has also adjusted prices to win over prospective Kluger buyers. At $39,990, the basic Kluger KX-R five-seater with front-wheel drive has been reduced by $1000 and is now priced at the same level as in 2007, when the current generation of Kluger went on sale. Optioned with the third-row seat, the Kluger KX-R is $800 cheaper. According to Toyota, the mid-level Kluger KX-S has been reduced in price by $500. The price adjustment for the Kluger Grande is a $414 saving for the customer.

Prices for revised Kluger:
KX-R five-seat FWD $39,990 (-$1000)
KX-R five-seat 4WD $44,490 (-$1000)
KX-R seven-seat FWD $42,690 (-$800)
KX-R seven-seat AWD $47,190 (-$800)
KX-S seven-seat FWD $50,990 (-$500)
KX-S seven-seat AWD $55,490 ($-500)
Grande seven-seat FWD $60,990 (-$414)
Grande seven-seat AWD $65,490 (-$414)

Key to pics: Kluger KX-R (white car with fabric seat trim), Kluger KX-S (black car with leather seat trim), Kluger Grande (silver car with leather seat trim and woodgrain)

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