2025 Toyota Kluger Review: Premium Price, Compromised Value?

2025 Toyota Kluger: Can Legacy Outshine Value?

For years, the Toyota Kluger dominated Australia's family SUV segment, winning Drive's Best Large SUV three years consecutively. But Hyundai's 2025 Santa Fe dethroned it with superior equipment at $55,000. Now, Toyota's midlife update brings minor tweaks to the $85,135 Kluger Grande. After extensive testing, we reveal whether brand loyalty outweighs its dated design, questionable materials, and stiff competition. Families deserve maximum value, and this review unpacks where the Kluger shines and where rivals outclass it.

Exterior Design: Function Over Flair

The 2025 Kluger carries over unchanged structurally, lacking the bold character of Toyota's own CH-R or Land Cruiser Prado. Standard LED lighting and chrome accents provide basic sophistication, but excessive gray plastic cladding on lower bumpers and wheel arches cheapens its appearance. The 20-inch chrome wheels feel uninspired, while the Frosted White paint (a $1,090 option) amplifies its rental-car aesthetic. At this price point, competitors like the Santa Fe offer bolder, more contemporary styling without premium paint upcharges. Design isn't the Kluger's strength, prioritizing familiarity over innovation.

Interior Quality & Tech: Highs and Lows

Step inside, and the Kluger presents a Jekyll-and-Hyde experience. Cream leather seats and suede-trimmed surfaces create initial luxury impressions, with supportive seating for long drives. However, flat thigh bolstering and dated dark woodgrain trim reveal cost-cutting. The Grande's dual 12.3-inch screens function simply but lack advanced features, with menus limited during driving.

Critically, Toyota retains physical HVAC buttons and dials beneath the screen—a major ergonomic win missing in many rivals. Tri-zone climate control, abundant USB ports (five total), and 12V sockets enhance family usability. Yet piano black plastics surrounding the infotainment system clash with the premium ask. As tested, the cabin doesn't justify its $85K+ price against Hyundai's more modern, feature-rich interiors.

Family Practicality: Clever Solutions, Key Flaws

Space is a Kluger strong suit. The sliding second row (60/40 split) allows adult-friendly third-row access, though child-seat installations complicate entry. Legroom is generous, and the low transmission tunnel aids foot comfort. Storage includes door pockets, front-seat back organizers, and cup holders in all rows. Rear privacy glass and pull-up sunshades protect young passengers.

However, critical omissions hurt family appeal:

• No top-tether anchors for the third row, limiting safe child-seat options for older kids
• Boot space trails rivals significantly: 552 liters with third row folded vs. Santa Fe's 628L
• Hands-free tailgate works inconsistently, frustrating hands-full scenarios

Performance & Efficiency: Refined Ride, Noisy Drive

The Kluger now uses a 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid powertrain (184kW) paired with three electric motors and a CVT. While down on power versus previous V6 models, its WLTP-rated 5.6L/100km fuel economy impresses. Real-world testing averaged 6.5L/100km, beating the old turbo's 8.5L but falling short of claims.

Acceleration is adequate but noisy under load, with engine drone permeating the cabin. EV mode silences operation below 30km/h, ideal for traffic, but reverts quickly to petrol. Wind and tire roar at highway speeds further diminish refinement.

Ride quality excels, however, absorbing bumps smoothly. Steering is predictable, if not agile, making urban driving stress-free. While the hybrid system delivers efficiency gains, rivals offer quieter, more responsive performance at lower prices.

Safety & Value Verdict

The Kluger retains a 5-star ANCAP rating (2021), with standard safety tech across all grades. New tire pressure monitoring joins the Grande's 360-degree camera. Driver aids like lane-keep assist intervene gently, though adaptive cruise maintains overly cautious gaps.

The core problem is value: At $85,135 before on-roads, the Kluger Grande faces sharper rivals. Compare:

• Hyundai Santa Fe (Drive's 2024 COTY): $55K base, more tech, larger boot
• Kia Sorento: $54K-$75K, superior materials
• Mazda CX-80: $85K, quieter cabin, better towing

Toyota's reliability reputation matters, but the Kluger feels like a $65K SUV priced at $85K. Families paying premium deserve premium execution—something the Santa Fe delivers more convincingly.

Kluger Alternatives Checklist

Before committing, consider these steps:

1. Test-drive the Hyundai Santa Fe for its class-leading value and tech
2. Measure your cargo needs; rivals offer 15-20% more space
3. Verify child-seat requirements; Kluger's missing third-row tethers may be a dealbreaker
4. Negotiate aggressively; Kluger's slowing sales could yield discounts

For deeper comparisons, visit Drive Marketplace or read our 2024 Car of the Year analysis.

Ultimately, the Kluger remains a competent family hauler with a trusted badge, but its price clashes with its aging design and compromised features. Would you pay a $30K premium over a Santa Fe for Toyota loyalty? Share your deal-breakers below!