Like many families, we discovered we needed a larger car to accommodate our expanding tribe and busy lifestyle.
So we’ve embarked on a sometimes overwhelming and infuriating process of buying a new family car.
I say this, as many dealers ignore me in the process and talk to my husband about what I needed to drive. A common practice that frustrates me greatly, as I’m the one that will drive it and has the final say on what we purchase.
Anyway, as part of our research, this week we took the new 2014 Toyota Kluger for a test run after being attracted to an array of features and technologies that promise to make family life easier.
One of these is the remote release Power Back Door in the Grande. The door has a memory function, which you can use to set your preferred height and it can be opened and shut from a button on the driver's side of instrument panel, a switch on the wireless key fob or simply by pressing the button on the rear tailgate.
So loading or unloading when it's raining or you have your hands full with children or shopping is stress free.
There’s also a convenient glass hatch which means the whole tailgate doesn’t need to be opened for small items - you simply flip up the glass and pop the bags in without any fuss or bother.
The Kluger has a great variety of creature comforts to keep everyone happy, including state of the art, 6-speaker, touchscreen audio system with bluetooth, and it's packed with technologies and features like, cruise control, vehicle stability control and auto-on/off headlights electric power steering making it an enjoyable people mover to drive.
The interior design focuses on comfort, storage and style - offering plenty of leg and headroom.
The 2014 model is slightly larger than the previous and seven seats are now standard across the range with air conditioning vents and upholders for the kids up the back in the third row.
Safety features include 7- SRS airbags, traction control, reversing camera and advanced ABS anti-skid braking system.
The Kluger is available in two-wheel drive or all wheel drive and is an attractive made for families on the go looking for a durable car.
I found the car a great drive, which I felt safe in on the open road - offering excellent visibility and very comfortable ride for everyone. The doors also open widely making it easier to get younger kids in and out of the car.
I’d recommend it to families with 3 or more children looking for a safe, spacious and convenient vehicle.
2014 Toyota Kluger: Key features model by model
GX
3.5-litre V6 engine and new six-speed automatic transmission
Seven seats
Reverse-view camera
Rear parking sensors
Seven airbags
Cruise control
Air-conditioning
Front fog-lights
Daytime running lights
Six-speaker stereo
18-inch alloy wheels
GXL (gains over GX)
Tri-zone climate control air-conditioning
Keyless entry and push-button start
10-way electric driver’s seat adjustment
Roof-rails
Leather interior accents
Leather steering wheel and gearknob
Grande (gains over GXL)
19-inch alloy wheels
Projector LED headlights with auto high-beam control
Sunroof
Ventilated front seats
8.0-inch infotainment system with DAB+ digital radio and satellite navigation
9.0-inch rear seat Blu-ray entertainment system
4.2-inch driver information screen
Second row sunshades
Power tailgate
Woodgrain interior trim
Radar cruise control
Low speed collision avoidance
Lane departure warning system
Blind spot monitoring system
2014 Toyota Kluger pricing (plus on-road costs)
GX 3.5-litre V6 6-speed automatic – $40,990
GXL 3.5-litre V6 6-speed automatic – $49,990
Grand 3.5-litre V6 6-speed automatic – $63,990
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