Kluger Crossover (Soft 4WD)

160 mm clearance and no underbody protection.........Ford Falcon has 180 mm.....

Based on the Japanese spec Camry platform, meaning it has not been "Australianised" to suit our rougher conditions.

I'd give them 2 years before they are pulled from the market due to falling apart at the seams, literally.

I dont think "falling apart at the seams" will be an issue, as I dont see camrys falling apart, even though they are sold in Aus, and the Rav4 isnt having any drama's either.

And given the camry has been voted most reliable and cheapest family wagon to run/maintain, it cant be all bad.

The Kluger is directed at a specific market, and it fills that gap well, you certainly dont need a 4wd to drive 90% + of the country,and the way tracks are going, that will be 99%+ soon..........

Saw a guy last week towing an obviously expensive and well setup off road camper behind a Kluger. Couldn't help wondering where he was going, AND, if he would get there. It might be a Toyota, but I think it's the least qualified of their 4wd's to take off road. The way I read the tests it's set up for the US market where off roading means getting off the freeway onto a suburban street.

Tessa

I hate to disappoint all you "Hard Core" 4WDer's but everything you guys are saying about the Rav4 is utter rubbish!

I have been reading these Forums for quite some time and generally there are some very intelligent comments made and useful advice given but this thread has appalling.

Firstly, the Rav4 is is alot more capable than any of you will ever know. If you were at Stockton 2 weeks ago you would have seen me and my Rav4 go anywhere and everywhere. Hilux got bogged about 10 times, Rav4 Once coz i was playing with the radio and didn't notice a 900mm drop and as a result hit the brakes hard.

I agree with the ground clearance but everything else is a load of S&*$. This whole diff thing also.....where is your experience with such a problem??? I have had the front wheel off the ground countles times and no hint of knocking, shuddering or anything else you fellas dream up!

Oh, and btw, i have 4 family members that have worked for Toyota for the last 6 yrs and have never heard of "rear Diff" issues......

Wake up and realise that these "Soft" roaders are alot more capable than you give them credit for. Maybe you do realise that but you Pride and Ego's are getting in the way.

One final point....The Kluger is a larger version of the Rav4 and identical to the RX330....and VERY capable in most applications.

Thanks for all the comments, I had no idea the question would illicit such passions.
I have a Jackaroo (2,000 model SE) with 140,000 on the clock which I am going to keep for the boss (she likes the thought of winning the local dodgem car stakes and I like the idea of the kids in that and not her Terios) and I have bought a CVX Kluger for the family (Obviously the Jack gets any tough stuff)
Kluger is in my opinion almost the perfect family car - Think about this:
Station Wagon
Leather
4x4 (no centre diff)
Traction Control
Brake Assist
Some other gadget that controls the power to each wheel and retards the motor if necessary in event of control loss (understeer I imagine).
Sold as Lexus in some countries so the quality goes without speaking.
More power thatn the Jack and weighs less so you can imagine the performance.
More torque than the Jack
Lexus 5 speed gear box
Beaaaaaaautiful Lexus 3.3L high tech motor.
More fruit inside than I can manage
8 Airbags including curtain airbags for the kids in the back
Pre-tensioned belts etc
7 seats (last two fold under floor with the spare so I have more room than in the Jack)
0-100 in 8.1 secs (so they say)
I went for a careful stroll down to Wagga and across the mountains over Easter - Fule consumption was 9.8 Litres per 100K - Some hard driving dragging off a couple of Toyota Prados who were trying to keep up in the mountains to see what this thing was I think.
110 on the freeway, fully loaded with luggage and four people
.
I dunno - short of hard core 4x4 in the bush which will always be the domain of the big guys that are built for it, I really think this may be the future.

p.s. Looked at trading the Terios on Rav4 and selling the jack - Rav4 is too expensive and almost costs as much as Jack to run (excepting petrol of course)
Also looked at the other soft stuff for the wife - My opinion only - Forget the Hondas etc, the only thing that is up there are the Subarus and perhaps the Ravs