TOYOTA has mounted its most serious attack on the dominant force in Australia's medium SUV segment, Ford's top-selling Territory, via its second-generation Kluger. Shrugging off the nondescript looks of the original Kluger, which so far this year lies fifth in the sales race behind Territory, Prado, Captiva and Pajero, the new Kluger is built in Japan for Australia and New Zealand - the world's only two right-hand drive countries it's sold in. A front-drive Kluger is also available for the first time, priced from $40,000, while two more highly specified variants offer seven seats and all-wheel drive for $50,000 and $60,000. Should Ford be worried about the bigger, stiffer, quieter, safer and more powerful Kluger MkII? You bet it should.
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Toyota Kluger
Released: Nov 2003
Ended: Aug 2007
Family Tree: KlugerToyota's first Kluger went on sale in Australia less than four years ago, based on a modular platform that Camry and Aurion also ride on. Three all-wheel drive variants were available (CV, CVX and Grande), each powered by a 172kW/328Nm 3.3-litre V6 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. A third-row seat was optional across the range.
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