As I write this, I haven’t sneaked a peek at the specs for the 2021 Toyota Kluger. It give me an opportunity to see it just as you do, the first time you step into a showroom.

The outside:

It’s been an absolute age since I last sat in a Kluger, and the all-new model looks as big, and as in-your-face as the old one.

There are 3 models: GX, GXL and Grande (like the coffee) in 2 wheel drive or all wheel drive. Our GX Hybrid has a chic blue hew around the Toyota badge, denoting a frugal hybrid lurks beneath. It also means our car is an AWD model, the first time Klugers have had the part electric drivetrain.

The exterior reminds me a lot of the previous generation RAV4, on steroids. Although we have sidesteps, the look leaves you in no doubt you’re in the entry level car. I put it down to the 18” tyres and the plain-Jane alloys. The top model gets 20”, which fill the big arches to a degree that befits such a big ol’ chuck of metal.

LED headlights are an odd shape, as they cantilever back across the wheel arches, and despite the huge grille, the front looks much smaller than it actually is.

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ABOVE: Old Kluger, Old RAV4, 2021 Kluger

The Cabin:

Toyota’s fabric seats always look a little too entry level for my tastes.

Apart from that, the layout is very well done, if a little over-designed. There are lots of angles, curves, vents, trays, and compartments.  Surfacing has been thought through, with lots of soft padding, and stitching, real or genuinely faked.

I love the new steering wheel. The controls have audio along the bottom on both of the horizontal spokes, with cruise and safety on one side, and inflation/data display controls on the other. The measly 4.2” LCD screen that sits between the main dials, looks lost in a sea of plastic. Although  it does the job, the next 2 trim levels have a 7 incher, and who doesn’t think 7 inches is better than 4?

Seats have manual adjustment with an excellent driving position. There are a further 2 rows, and 2nd row space is plentiful thanks to good design. and even our base model has USB power (X2) and a 3rd climate zone. That feels dead posh.

The Drive:

In normal drive mode, the 185kw 2.5L Hybrid managed to get the front wheels to chirp at the lights. It is ridiculously nippy. The CVT does its job, and that’s all I’m going to say about it.

We haven’t tried any other drive modes, but Normal Mode is positively spritely. The e-four AWD can shunt up to 100% of power to the front or up to 80% to the rear.

The new platform gives toyota plenty of scope for size and drivetrain, and it is perhaps this that has made Kluger feel incredibly light and nimble. It all comes together for an ethereal experience in both drive and handling. You waft along in great comfort, and that’s all one can ask for, right? It isn’t exciting, if you want excitement, take up base diving.

The cabin is beautifully quiet, and ride extremely smooth.

The only thing that drove me utterly bonkers is the digital speedo that disappears when the smart cruise control acquires a car in front. Why? I can see it through the windscreen for god’s sake!

Around town, the system spends much of its time in EV mode. Regardless of speed, the EV mode cuts in and out, and you’re never really sure exactly when the change happens. Even on the highway, the system is shuffling power to and from the wheels to wither drive the wheel or charge the battery. Toyota’s Hybrid remains my favourite partial electric drive system.

NOTE:

I’ll try this again, but, when in cruise mode, the Kluger appeared to see a car about to come across into my lane, a little to close for comfort. It immediately slowed way before the wayward P plater transgressed the line marking. Was it a co-incidence? Wait for the full review to find out.

Conclusion:

I’m luke-warm on the look, but new Kluger is mighty fine on the road. It is incredibly comfortable and even our base model has a bunch of stuff in it. I’d go so far as to say the AWD Hybrid is the pick of the bunch, in any trim level.

I’ve always liked a Toyota hybrid, and Kluger is the 8th model in the current lineup to score a hybrid driveline. I’m quietly looking forward to the next week, albeit covid-limited.

Price: GX AWD hybrid $54,150

Engine: 2.5L petrol/electric hybrid

Power: 184kw combined

Trans: e-CVT

Econ: 5.6L/100 (claimed)

CO2: 137g/km

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