Toyota Kluger: any good off-road?
Discussion
Not having come across these Kluger things over in the UK, what are the 4WD versions like off road? I am not going to be doing anything too extreme, but would like to head off into the dunes / dirt roads / beaches etc. Aside from having a crap name and being as dull as ditch water, they seem to be OK, esp 7 seats for visiting relatives / friends etc
If you're looking for something that size and seven seats you can also look at the Territory. Loads of them about, parts are locally sourced and plentiful, servicing is reasonable and you can even go for the Turbo Diesel version which will be nice to have.
About as capable as the AWD Kluger and, IMO, a nicer drive. Both would be fine for roughish roads and beach work if you know what you're doing - I see them on the sand fairly often and they seem to get by OK. Just remember to lower the pressure on your tyres, make sure you've got some basic recovery gear, a rated hook and a shovel in case it goes wrong. And don't go alone.
Also, as these are automatics you might want to look at getting a transmission cooler if you intend to spend much time in the soft stuff.
Alternatives, although not with seven seats, are the Subaru Outback and Forester. If you go for the manual version you also get a transfer case which will give you a low-ish range. They're surprisingly good offroad, and will probably get you further than the Kluger and Territory.
About as capable as the AWD Kluger and, IMO, a nicer drive. Both would be fine for roughish roads and beach work if you know what you're doing - I see them on the sand fairly often and they seem to get by OK. Just remember to lower the pressure on your tyres, make sure you've got some basic recovery gear, a rated hook and a shovel in case it goes wrong. And don't go alone.
Also, as these are automatics you might want to look at getting a transmission cooler if you intend to spend much time in the soft stuff.
Alternatives, although not with seven seats, are the Subaru Outback and Forester. If you go for the manual version you also get a transfer case which will give you a low-ish range. They're surprisingly good offroad, and will probably get you further than the Kluger and Territory.
ariddell said:
Think similar to a Nissan X-Trail or Honda CRV and you won't be far off, AWD rather than 4WD, more going to give a little bit of extra grip on occasional trips to the snow or across treacherous soccer fields and that's about their limit.
It's a Camry underneath.
Interesting. They look a bit heavier duty than the CRV / X trail, so I am a it disappointed to hear they are basically front drive with a bit of help from the back when slippery. It's a Camry underneath.
charlesak said:
Alternatives, although not with seven seats, are the Subaru Outback and Forester. If you go for the manual version you also get a transfer case which will give you a low-ish range. They're surprisingly good offroad, and will probably get you further than the Kluger and Territory.
I was thinking of an Outback as our 2nd car, though wifey wants an auto box (which I hate, they are always in the wrong gear at the wrong time!). So an auto will not have low range? Haven't considered the Territory, mainly because I have never bought a Ford in my life and am a bigot
SGOxon said:
I was thinking of an Outback as our 2nd car, though wifey wants an auto box (which I hate, they are always in the wrong gear at the wrong time!). So an auto will not have low range?
Haven't considered the Territory, mainly because I have never bought a Ford in my life and am a bigot
Yes, autos don't have low range, only the manuals. Manual is now only available in the diesel models. Not sure if they still have low range (the one I bought for the ex wife was the last of the ones before the current shape came in). It isn't a huge reduction anyway, but still handy on the beach. That said, the auto's gearing is a bit lower so it may not make much of a difference between the two transmissions.Haven't considered the Territory, mainly because I have never bought a Ford in my life and am a bigot
If you want something with low range, not huge but don't have a vast amount to spend you could always consider the 2005 onwards Suzuki Grand Vitaras. Look a bit like a squarer version of the previous shape Rav 4s, but are actually 'real' 4wds, complete with low range. A couple of friends have them and they appear to be unfailingly reliable and keep up very well offroad - certainly much more so than any Xtrail, CRV, Rav4 etc. Only seats five, and not a vast amount of boot space, though. And you can get them in auto if you must.
I faced a similar choice a year ago, and found it pretty hard to beat the Land Rover Discovery on all fronts, apart from cost that is.
The FJ Cruiser is like driving around in a Royal Mail Postbox, such is the visibility from inside. Comedy apart from that, styling & interior based on Tonka toys.
The FJ Cruiser is like driving around in a Royal Mail Postbox, such is the visibility from inside. Comedy apart from that, styling & interior based on Tonka toys.
Mattt said:
I faced a similar choice a year ago, and found it pretty hard to beat the Land Rover Discovery on all fronts, apart from cost that is.
The FJ Cruiser is like driving around in a Royal Mail Postbox, such is the visibility from inside. Comedy apart from that, styling & interior based on Tonka toys.
Have you sat in the back of one? They are, to be polite, a little claustrophobic. The rear passenger windows are also a bit forward from the seats, giving you that 'wrong seat on the aeroplane' feeling. I wasn't a fan from that point of view (no pun intended!). The driving position, on the other hand is pretty good. The FJ Cruiser is like driving around in a Royal Mail Postbox, such is the visibility from inside. Comedy apart from that, styling & interior based on Tonka toys.
The extra tank they put in the 2013 models makes it a bit more appealing But no diesel and its Prado like handling (because I understand it is just a hacked about Prado underneath the glitz) were offputting when I tested one.
A Disco would be nice to have, but servicing costs in Australia are brutal, or at least were when I had one a few years back.
SGOxon said:
Interesting. They look a bit heavier duty than the CRV / X trail, so I am a it disappointed to hear they are basically front drive with a bit of help from the back when slippery.
I live in the NT, I have a 2006 CRV.I nearly bought a Territory but after actually going offroad the CRV was just as accomplished and considerably cheaper.
I have done a bit outback driving, been out to Arnhem land a few times and obviously Kakadu/ Litchfield. ALso a number of 'remote' fishing areas. I reckon 90% of the roads dont actually need 4x4, just half decent clearance. The CRV has considerably more clearance than my friends outback. I ended up towing his boat to crab claw island as he kept getting stuck and was stuggling. He was amazed how well the CRV performed.
lots of room in the back for beer and fishing gear. Also has a pull out table, reclining rear seats.
Some I looked at also had a built in shower/ mud washer, cutlery under passenger seat etc etc. They are very well designed.
Obviously not a full time 4x4 or as big as some of the others - this works in its favour. if you only want light-medium off roading/ towing and something you can use everyday also - the CRV is hard to beat. Also a nice drive on the road too and fairly cheap on petrol.
Edited by james280779 on Wednesday 12th June 02:58
Hitch78 said:
We have a 2009 CRV which is faultless for the Mrs but entirely uninspiring. We had a couple of LR2 Freelanders previously which wiped the flaw with it in terms of driving, comfort and off road ability.
The LR2 is a mighty little thing off road!
I found the same thing when I drove the later model- ended up sticking with the one I had. For what I need its perfect and I couldnt care less about it getting dings etc. The LR2 is a mighty little thing off road!
200bhp said:
Has anyone looked at the new Rav4?
For me it looks to have gone from the "funky" road going 4x4 of the 90s to something which appears to be a proper 4x4. However that could be down to clever marketing!
My 22 year old daughter has just bought a new one. This one is just a front drive people mover in the shape of a 4X4. I doubt it could equal a commodore on gravel, let alone the rough stuff. It is about $15,000 more for ones that have any off road capacity, & that doesn't include low range.For me it looks to have gone from the "funky" road going 4x4 of the 90s to something which appears to be a proper 4x4. However that could be down to clever marketing!
Even the bottom end jeeps that they are pushing with that add, are front drive, with no pretense of off road capability.
My daughter is a girly girl, more into fashion & makeup, than vehicles. When asked she said the girls are buying them as they like the high driving position, & many feel safer in the larger vehicle.
Been in Vic a week with a rental car and had enough of it, so I put the Kluger vs other 7 seater options on hold and bought an old shape Outback to get me, the misses and our 3 kids around in. Picked it up this morning and I have to say, I quite like it. Had tons of cars before, but can't think of many with 171k kms which are so tight and solid. Think I'll postpose aspirations of off-roading until I have something more suitable and/or built up a network of mates with cars to pull me out...
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