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Third generation 2014 Toyota Kluger-Highlander
A sleek Third generation 2014 Toyota Kluger, also known as Highlander. NET PHOTO
What you need to know:
- Kluger 3 comes standard with seven airbags all round and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution to help you brake safely.
The third generation 2014 Toyota Kluger, also called Highlander, is a midsize sports utility vehicle which follows through the achievements of first generation Kluger released in 2001. Kluger 2014’s earlier sibling, the 2001 generation, is very popular in Kampala for its robustness and reliability.
The third generation in the Kluger clan is 80mm longer, 15mm wider and more stylish inside out. This Kluger handles better on the road than its loftier but reliable predecessors.Kluger third generation is here to rock the boat full of stylish midsize SUVs like Nissan Pathfinder, Mazda CX9 and Kia Sorento.
They are the new kids on the block and it is their party season, after all, they fit the bill and have what it takes to sit at the counter with their stiff European competition, such as, Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Range Rover Evoque.
Style, design and comfort
The Kluger 2014 comes with a bolder almost corky stylish appeal, underscored by the deeper and wider gaping front grille. The front bumper cleverly accommodates the wide xenon trailing auto headlights and flows seamlessly to the chic neatly chiseled monocoque design seating on modern 19 inch alloys. It is a great improvement from the boxier older first generation and an impressive consolidation of the second generation Kluger design improvements.
Step into the 2014 Kluger and you will immediately notice that the fussy exterior carries over to the interior. Kluger 3 has a generous endowment of attractive vinyl and walnut impression finishing materials on the dash board, centre console and door trims. The array of clever comfort features, gadgets and accessories confirms that Toyota pulled all the stops. If you are looking for all the bells and whistles, go for the Grande trim and not the base GX. The well positioned 4.2 inch multi-function display unit, 9 inch rear entertainment screen, reversing camera and reverse parking sensors are standard provisions.
Cruise control and steering wheel controls for the multi-information display give a driver the confidence of a pilot in a cockpit. Passenger and driver sun visors extend downwards when swung alongside windows. The easy access three row seating bedecked in leather and fabric upholstery is spacious and comfortable for the occupants who are cooled down by the three zone climatic controls.
Safety and practicality
Kluger 3 comes standard with seven airbags all round and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution to help you brake safely. This is an improvement from the twin airbags and simpler older generation ABS brakes in Kluger 1 and 2. Grande comes with a lot more driver aids, such as, a larger rear view camera screen, wander alert (lane change assist), radar cruise control pre-collision warning to keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead, and digital display on the windscreen to remind you that you are over speeding. These features all come at a cost.
Performance and handling
2014 Kluger’s performance and handling are sharp with the cutting edge brought on board by the new 6 and 8 speed automatic transmissions. The 2GR V6 3.5 litre engines deliver an exciting 201 kilowatts of engine power and 337nm of torque. This powerful engine mates well with the 6 and 8 speed automatic transmissions to provide instant gratifying response to a tap of your right foot. The power hungry 3.5l V6 engine is equally fuel thirsty with a dismal 10km per litre on the highway and as low as 8km per litre in city traffic.
A good compromise between fuel economy and engine power is the less aggressive but fuel efficient revolutionary turbo charged twin fuel injector 2.0 litre 8ARFTS which belts out an impressive 175kw of power and 175nm of torque at lower rev curves and deliver a fuel economy result of 15km per litre of petrol. This is a better option than the 2.7litre 1ARFE engine which will give you a moderate 139km of power and 252nm of torque with 12km per litre fuel economy. On the road, Kluger 3 feels settled and nimble. The speed sensitive steering is responsive and works well with the throttle angle, yaw rate sensors and intelligent stability control to passively help you maneuver through sharp Ugandan highway bends or avoid swerving off the uneven and loose gravel roads.
On demand All wheel Drive (AWD) system automatically sends drive to rear wheels when it detects loss of traction, a vast improvement from the permanent AWD in the earlier models.
Practicality and cost
The 2014 Kluger will cost you Shs110m while a second generation Kluger costs about Shs70m and a first generation Kluger costs Shs40m. Parts and maintenance costs are high for the Kluger 2 and 3 while Kluger 1 is more pocket friendly because its fast and slow moving parts are more affordable and readily available in independent spare parts shops in Uganda.
