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You might have missed it, but the mid-sized Toyota Kluger SUV has actually been around for quite some time, debuting back in 2003 as a Goldilocks option between the small RAV4 and large, off-road-focused LandCruiser Prado.
Like the RAV4 – and unlike the Prado – the Kluger uses a monocoque construction, as opposed to a body-on-frame arrangement. The Kluger is based on the Camry and the RAV4 is based on the Corolla, in case you’re curious. As a more of a family car and less of a specialist off-road tool, the Kluger soon found its niche, thanks to an abundance of space, the availability of seven seats and the choice to forego all-wheel drive all together, saving weight and fuel in the process. It’s available with a strong petrol engine, but misses out on diesel options.
Current prices of the Kluger range from $60,920 for the Kluger GX Hybrid AWD to $83,535 for the Kluger Grande Hybrid AWD + OPT Colour.
This vehicle is also known as The Toyota Kluger is also known as Toyota Highlander in markets outside Australia..
The 2025 Toyota Kluger is offered with seven seats in a 2/3/2 configuration.
The middle row has a 60/40 split, can be slid forward or folded flat and have seat backs that have two recline positions.
The third row has a 60/40 split and can be folded flat.
Plain black fabric seat upholstery is offered in the base GX grade but moves up to black synthetic leather for higher grades.
The 2022 Kluger does have Android Auto (and Apple CarPlay) but there’s a catch. While the Kluger’s Apple CarPlay will pair with a phone via Bluetooth, the Android Auto system needs the phone to be tethered to the car via USB cable. Try it again with a cable and you should have success. But it’s far from being as convenient as a Bluetooth set-up.
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It’s a tough one isn’t it? But in the first instance, the filter replacement could simply have been overlooked on the job card when the mechanic was allotted to your vehicle. That said, I certainly hope you took the vehicle back and pointed out that you’d been charged for something you didn’t get. From the dealer’s reaction at the point, you might get a reasonable idea of how seriously this was taken at management level.
As for proof of oil changes, there’s a couple of things you can do. You can ask to see the old oil before it’s poured into the recycling drum, or you could even ask for a photo to be taken of the differentials and transfer-cases with their drain plugs removed to prove that the old oil was at least removed.
In the past, some car owners have even resorted to placing secret marks on various fasteners to make sure they’ve been undone by the mechanic. The trouble with that starts when the mechanic spots the mark they weren’t supposed to see. That’s when the customer-mechanic war really escalates.
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The absolute best advice here is to not drive the vehicle any farther and take it straight to the Toyota dealership from which you bought it. This could be anything from a minor to a major problem, but any brand-new car that is not shifting gears smoothly and silently is a cause for concern.
The mechanics might try to convince you that this is something all Klugers do, but don’t be afraid to question that. In fact, since it’s a dealership, get them to take you for a ride in another Kluger of the same specification to see if it makes the same noises. If you’re still not happy and not getting anywhere at dealer level, try Toyota Australia’s customer service department.
The eight-speed automatic in the Kluger is a well known quantity and doesn’t seem to have any inherent weaknesses. Which means anything odd like a vibration or noise needs to be checked out before any further damage is done.
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Standard accessories in 2025 Toyota Kluger include keyless entry/ start, daytime running lights, parabola LED headlights, fog lamps, rear privacy glass, four USB-C ports, one USB-A port, two 12-volt sockets, leather steering wheel with controls, a 7.0-inch multi-function display, rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlights, three-zone climate control, a retractable cargo cover, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, digital radio, Bluetooth and a 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia display.
The boot space of the 2025 Toyota Kluger is practical with 241L available when all seats are in use, 552L when five seats are in use, and up to 1150L when only two seats are in use.
The loading space is level and features an underfloor storage compartment for smaller items. A full-size spare tyre (housed underneath the vehicle) is standard on all models.
The interior of the 2025 Toyota Kluger is pleasant to look at and spend time in as there's a strong emphasis on soft-touchpoints and a high-quality build with joinery that sits flush.
The dashboard features interesting design points, like synthetic leather accent panels with exposed stitching, multiple storage cubbies and well-shaped air vents.
In the base grade an 8.0-inch multimedia display takes centre stage on the dashboard, but it's upgraded to a 12.3-inch display on higher grades.
All 2025 Toyota Klugers share the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, which produces up to 184kW of combined power. They feature an all-wheel drive and a smooth continuously variable transmission.
All 2025 Toyota Klugers share the same hybrid powertrain but don't have an official 0-100km/h sprint time, but it could easily achieve it in around 9.0 seconds. The top speed is approximately 200km/h.
The 2025 Toyota Kluger has an official combined fuel cycle usage of 5.6L/100km and a large 65L fuel tank, giving you a theoretical driving range of up to 1160km.
All Klugers accept a minimum of 95 RON unleaded petrol.