2023 Toyota Kluger GXL AWD Review

The Toyota Kluger has always impressed us with just how well it seems to get things done. It’s always offered plenty room for families, been comfortable and spacious and most importantly has been embedded with Toyota’s iconic reputation for reliability. For 2023, the Toyota Kluger has been given turbo power for the first time. An all-new 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo has now replaced the naturally aspirated petrol V6 that debuted with the Kluger in 2021. We jumped behind the wheel of the mid-range, all-wheel-drive, full-petrol 2023 Toyota Kluger GXL to find out if it’s the Kluger to buy.

Other changes for the 2023 model year include a bigger, more modern touchscreen in place of the rather antiquated system from launch, as well as some snazzy app connectivity and light spec changes. It’s not a full-on facelift as such, but the improvement in tech and spec does a lot to make the Toyota Kluger more competitive against its rivals. So does the RAV4’s larger sibling have what it takes to solve your family’s transportation needs? Let’s find out.

Price & Equipment: 8/10

Toyota offers the 2023 Kluger in three model grades and with a total of three powertrain options. Sadly, pricing for the Kluger has continued to rise over the years, and in 2023 the Kluger has become around $2000 dearer across the lineup, with the most recent spec update. The entry-level 2023 Toyota Kluger GX now kicks off from $49,720 plus on-road costs. The mid-range GXL is priced at $56,850 plus ORCs, and the top spec Grande is priced from $71,610 plus ORCs. Buyers of all variants can either spend an additional $4000 to opt for an all-wheel drive model, or $6500 (plus ORCs) for a Hybrid all-wheel drive model. Our 2023 Kluger GXL AWD with the new 2.4-litre engine sits right in the middle of the Kluger range, coming in at a slightly lofty $63,240 before on-roads.

2023 Toyota Kluger pricing:

Kluger GX

• FWD turbo-petrol $49,720
• AWD turbo-petrol $53,720
• AWD petrol hybrid $56,220

Kluger GXL

• FWD turbo-petrol $59,240
• AWD turbo-petrol $63,240
• AWD hybrid $65,740

Kluger Grande

• FWD turbo-petrol $71,610
• AWD turbo-petrol $74,720
• AWD hybrid $78,160

Key petrol-powered rivals to the 2023 Toyota Kluger include the Mazda CX-9 Touring AWD ($59,200 plus ORCs) and the Hyundai Palisade Elite V6 FWD ($65,900 plus ORCs). Both of these large road-going SUVs offer decent engines and tonnes of space to match the Kluger.

Standard equipment for the Kluger GXL includes:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights and tail lights
• Fog lights
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto (wired)
• DAB+ digital radio
• Satelite Navigation
• 7.0inch semi-digital instrument cluster
• Synthetic leather interior
• 8-way power adjustable front seats
• Driver’s seat lumbar adjustment
• Heated front seats
• Tri-zone climate control
• Six-speaker sound system
• Keyless entry and start
• Dusk-sensing automatic headlights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
• Rear privacy glass
• Roof rails
• Electric tailgate
• Heated auto-folding side mirrors
• 5x USB charging points

At this price point, we would like to have seen Toyota throw in a 360-degree camera, a wireless smartphone charger and perhaps a head-up display too.

The addition of Toyota Connected Services for 2023 allows for automatic collision notification and a manually triggered SOS button.

The Kluger GXL features features the following safety technology:

• Front and Rear parking sensors
• 7 SRS Airbags (Dual front, driver’s knee, dual front side, and curtain bags for all three rows)
• A reversing camera
• Autonomous Emergency Breaking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Front cross traffic alert and assistance
• Lane departure alert with steering assistance
• Lane trace assistance
• Automatic high beam
• Adaptive Cruise Control (all speed) with curve speed reduction
• Speed sign recognition
• Lane Keep Assistance
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert

The Kluger range was tested by ANCAP in 2021, receiving a five-star safety rating. It received a 90 per cent score for adult occupant protection, 88 per cent for child occupant protection, 76 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 82 per cent for its safety assist technologies. 

Compared to the Mazda CX-9 Touring AWD, the Kluger features an additional 2 ways of powered adjustment for the driver’s seat, 8 ways of powered adjustment for the passenger, a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen information system, wireless Apple CarPlay, a 7.0 inch semi digital instrument cluster, an electric tailgate, a driver’s knee airbag, front cross traffic alert and assistance and LED (instead of halogen) daytime running lights. The Mazda however does counter with paddle gear shifters, a heads-up display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, rear auto braking and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

The Hyundai Palisade Elite V6 FWD does feature a fair bit of equipment missing on the Kluger, including parallel parking exit collision assistance, rear cross traffic assistance, safe exist assistance, a tyre pressure monitoring system, a front centre airbag, a burglar alarm, a 12 speaker premium speaker system, paddle gear shifters, a wireless charger, a rear fog light, 2x USB charging points for the third row, a glass sunroof, a hands free electric tailgate, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a fully digital instrument cluster and larger 20-inch alloy wheels. The Kluger though does feature a driver’s knee airbag, wireless Apple CarPlay, rain sensing wipers, an additional tow ways of powered adjustment for the drivers’ seat and front fog lights.

Performance & Economy: 8.5/10

Under the bonnet of the 2023 Toyota Kluger GXL AWD is an all new 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 198kW of power and a torque figure of 420Nm. While it might be a little down on power compared to the old 3.5L V6, its torque figure is up 70Nm. On the open road, it’s smooth, refined, and punchy. The new 2.4T engine might lack some of the old V6’s aural growl, but it more than makes up for this in the relaxed and honest way it delivers so much pulling power, so early in the rev range. It truly feels effortless, without making the Kluger feel like a sportscar. From overtaking, to nipping through traffic, this is a good engine, aided by an excellent transmission.

There’s no whining, or groaning CVT here, as Toyota’s conventional eight-speed automatic does a beautiful job in slurring through gears smoothly, with an ability to always predict what the driver’s acceleration needs are. Popping the Kluger into Sport allows the engine to hold onto revs for longer and crispens up a response a little, while Eco mode makes the whole experience a little duller.

On gravel roads, we found Toyota’s AWD system to be rather good, with predictable responses to power inputs and easy progress on light off-road terrain. This is an excellent SUV for light off-roading, or even for heading to the snow.

Toyota claims a fuel combined fuel consumption figure of 8.5L/100km, which is an improvement of 0.4L/100km compared to the old 3.5L V6 engine. During our week with the Kluger, we saw around 10L/100km with a mix of both highway and urban driving. It’s an impressive drop from the old V6, which could easily average as high as 12L – 14L/100km. Those looking for the ultimate in fuel economy in this segment, will need to steer themselves to one of the excellent Kluger Hybrid models, which can easily achieve fuel consumption around 5.6L/100km. Toyota has given the 2023 Kluger GXL AWD a fuel tank that holds 68 litres, and the Kluger will happily drink 91 RON regular unleaded.

Ride & Handling: 8/10

As we’ve come to expect with all newer Toyotas, the Kluger manages to strike a fine balance between a soft and cosseting ride and some keen handling. Around town, the 2023 Toyota Kluger GXL is quite softly sprung meaning that speed bumps, potholes, and bumpy streets are handled rather nicely. It isn’t the last word in solidity with the floaty feeling of previous generation Kluger models still evident. Still, this should be perfect for families. At speed the Kluger feels relaxed and comfortable, with very little in the way of road or wind noise.

Featuring super light steering and decent visibility, the Kluger is easy to pilot around town. The windscreen is large, as are the rear-view mirrors meaning that squeezing into small parking spaces isn’t too bad. We just wish the Kluger GXL came with a 360-camera.

Handling is secure and stable, with plenty of grip on offer. Sure, the Kluger doesn’t feel like a driver’s car, nor does it have the sparkle to make it super engaging to drive, but then again, it doesn’t need to be exceptional. Competent, is the best way to put it. Tip it into a corner and it follows your given line and feels predictable.

Toyota’s driver assist systems are all calibrated rather well. The adaptive cruise works nicely on freeways but tends to slow down through corners unnecessarily, and the lane-keeping is helpful on longer journeys, while prompting drivers to return their hands to the wheel when needed.

Interior & Practicality: 8/10

The 2023 Toyota Kluger GXL is a classic case of function over form, with a plain design, decent practicality, and some decent material quality. The GXL’s seats are finished in a synthetic leather and feel broad and soft, much like you would expect in an American car (which the Kluger actually is). The seats are heated and offer eight-way electric adjustment for both the driver and passenger, allowing for the perfect position to be reached. The driving position is otherwise rather lofty and a little too high for our liking, but perfect for those seeking a commanding view of the road.

The steering wheel and gear shifter fall nicely to hand and are leather-accented. Most of the dash materials are soft too, along with the door trims too, though we did spot some odd panel gaps. Speaking of quality, our Kluger had a variety of nasty rattles, with one particularly strong one from coming from behind the dash.

The flipside of the slightly plain interior is the impeccable practicality the Kluger has. Up front it truly is cavernous, with tons of practicality and a feeling of sheer space. There’s a large glovebox, centre console, a shelf in front of the passenger and touchscreen, some decent cupholders, as well as other small cubbies dotted around the place.

The semi digital instrument cluster which includes analogue dials, might be a little dated these days, but the new for 2023 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is a huge improvement on the system that the Kluger used to receive. It fills out the massive gloss black bezel and helps the Kliger feel much more modern. The screen itself is really good. Crisp, bright and responsive, it no longer feels ancient. The rear-view camera looks the part too and wireless Apple CarPlay is very welcome. The lack of wireless charger seems like a strange omission, however.

Jumping into the second row, the Kluger doesn’t disappoint with its decent rear seat space. Taller adults can still sit behind other adults, and there’s plenty of head and legroom for everyone to stretch out. Adults will be able to sit comfortably behind taller adults, and there’s acres of headroom as well. Even with 3 people in the second row, middle seat occupants won’t feel too tightly hemmed in thanks to a wide bench. We’re happy to report that both the second and third rows have air vents, while armrests and cupholders abound for all. Those with infants and small children will be able to use the three top-tether points for child seats in the second row, and the ISOFIX attachment points on the two outboard seats.

Thanks to a sliding and tilting second row, accessing the third row isn’t too burdensome. The two seats in the back are actually perfectly suitable for shorter journeys and reasonably comfortable for what they are.

The boot offers 241-litres of luggage space with all three rows up, 552L with the third row folded, and a cavernous 1,150L with the third and second rows folded (to the window line).

Service & Warranty: 9/10

Like other Toyotas, the 2023 Kluger is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with a further two years of engine and drivetrain warranty if your Kluger is serviced to logbook specifications. Toyota doesn’t offer roadside assistance for the Kluger, whereas Mazda offers five years with the CX-9 and Hyundai offers 12 months of roadside assistance with the Palisade, which is extended by an additional 12 months with each service, for the lifespan of the car.

Toyota consistently has some of the cheapest servicing in the market and the Kluger is no exception, with each of the first five services costing only $250. Five years of servicing is just $1,250. The Toyota Kluger needs a service every 12-months or 15,000kms. The Mazda CX-9 has shorter 12-months or 10,000kms service intervals, with the first five services totaling $1910. The Hyundai Palisade matches the 12-month/15,000 intervals of the Kluger, but is costlier to service over the first give years, coming to a total of $2295

The Toyota Kluger GXL AWD DiscoverAuto Rating: 8.2/10

The updates Toyota has made with the 2023 Toyota Kluger updates make a good car even better thanks to the switch from a naturally aspirated V6 to a smaller turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a vastly improved infotainment system. The engine is a gem, and the new screen truly lifts the interior ambiance up a notch. Having said that, we do think the non-hybrid Kluger will always be living in the shadow of the other hybrid variants in the range. The hybrid is still the better choice for those who spend more time in traffic than on the open road, given it’s able to recover energy during braking and relies on its electric motors at lower speeds to keep the petrol engine switched off. Those doing long distance country driving should consider the non-hybrid Klugers as they might actually burn less fuel out of town, in addition to the cost savings.

The 2023 Toyota Kluger GXL AWD otherwise does pretty much everything really well, with decent levels of standard equipment, impeccable safety tech, low ownership costs, a comfortable interior and a mature driving experience. Sure, the Kluger might be missing some X-factor, but for those looking for a value packed large road going SUV, the Kluger GXL is hard to pass.