"Toyota Klugar"

You will probably find it is very similar to a Toyota Kluger. :)
Do a search on that, you may find more info.

flashcher

Google is truely your friend

Kluger Review # 1 Click here

Kluger review # 2 Click here

Kluger review # 3 click here

Now its your turn..... :)

Depends what you are looking for in that size and range.

Sounds like the Toyota kluger is the only one you like, out of the Mitsubishi outlander, suzuki grand vitara, Hyundai santa fe, nissan pathfinder.

Latest model seems to be a little better than the older model, but haven't driven it yet.

Hi Michelle. Although I am a Toyota owner(120 Prado) I recomend you have a look at the latest Hyundai Santa Fe CRD. The short drive I had of one after servicing it for a customer I was very impressed both with design, build quality and driveability. The owner had just completed 15000Klms towing a 16ft Windsor van and averaged 15l/100K. It is an auto, he has just turned Eighty and had a very comfortable trip. Regards,Bob.

Sorry I just have to add the Toyota "ADD". "Where you take it is up to you" I always thought, what a disclaimer, I.E don't phone us when you get stuck or it chits itself. :) Sorry not very helpfull I know. On a serious note, good on you for knowing it is a soft roader.

Flascher,

The Kluger is an AWD family wagon, commonly known as a 'soft roader'. It is the same mold as the Mazda CX7 or CX9, Ford Territory, Holden Captiva and, if you want to spend a bit more money, a BMW X3 or X5, Audi Q5 or Q7, Mercedes ML320/350, the list goes on and all depends on budget and personal taste but not one of the above are true off roaders.

The Pathfinder, Santa Fe, Grand Vitara and Challenger (and of course all the biggies, Landcruiser, Prado, Pajero, Patrol, Discovery) are all far more capable off roaders than the Kluger and those others I mentioned.

If I were looking to do what you say, I would look at the Pajero or Prado.

I've had a 2005 awd territory & did 5000klm towing a jayco flamigo around, was ok until the transmission hose in the raditor blew & caused $4000 damage (out of warranty) . Traded it in on a 2009 AWD Kluger & never looked back.. Very nice to drive & can see quality in the build much more than the territory.. Should be no problem towing a camper trailer & more fuel efficient. But if your going to use it for serious 4x4 then go the landcruiser, patrol , pajero direction.

Michelle

I have now put 70,000km on the clock of the latest model Kluger with my latest adventure travelling the Bourke Outback Trek towing a camper trailer weighing a bit over 1 tonne. The trek went from Bourke, through Cameron Corner, down the Strezlecki Track to Lyndhurst, up the Oodnadatta track to Mt Dare, across to Uluru, Kings Canyon, the back road from KC to Alice Springs, along the Plenty Highway etc back to Bourke. I am from Broken Hill and have done numerous trips on very rough unsealed roads and good sealed roads from Adelaide to Alice Springs to Sydney to Karumba in the Gulf and am very pleased with the performance and handling of the car.

I have an un biased opinion of the car since it is a State Fleet vehicle and I don't actually own it. I believe the car is very comfortable to drive and handles exceptionally well. I have driven numerous vehicles from twin cab utes, Ford Teritories 200 series Landcruisers, Falcons, Aurions, Commodores etc etc and I would have to say the Kluger handling, ride height and performance is up there at the top of the list.

Sure it doesn't have the off road capability of a Landcruiser but unless you plan to tackle true off road bush tracks or poor unsealed outback roads after it rains (in which case they will be closed anyway), then it is a very capable vehicle.

Now the big NEGATIVE. The fuel consumption is pretty ordinary when towing, to say the best. The recent 6000km trip to Alice Springs as above it averaged 22 litres per 100km and the tank only holds 72 litres. When on the open road sitting on a bit over 110km/hr, the fuel consuption towing is around 23-24 litres per 100km. If you back the speed off to 100km/hr or less, the fuel consumption reduces significantly to about 16-17 litres per 100km. (I do carry spare tyres on the roof basket which may also be adding to the fuel consumption).

When not towing you can expect to average around 11 litres per 100km up to 100km/hr or 12-13 L/100km when sitting on about 115-120km/hr.

There has been no issues with the car other than the plastic disc that covers the spare wheel coming off when I hit a large rock.

My next vehicle I have ordered is a SR5 Hilux simply because of the amount of room in the back when a canopy is fitted. The boot room in the Kluger is small when you have kids with all the junk that goes with them, especially with the cargo barrier fitted.

regards
funnyfarm

I just drove our TV stations Highlander (which is the same as a Kluger), personally i thought it was nice but boring. Had leather seats, but they were a bit too hard for my liking, i couldn't drive that for hours, a little sluggish too I thought, and I doubt it would be good for towing anything significant - maybe just a small trailer? My honest thoughts - not bad for borrowing someone else's car, but there is no way I would buy one.