Toyota Kluger - Can You Improve Ride and Handling?

Noblejoker on 19/02/2019 - 11:41
Last edited 19/02/2019 - 11:41

Have been shopping around a bit and test driving
The Toyota Kluger is by far the largest interior room including 2nd row seats I have found
Refer previous post I have a tall family

Tech and interior is a bit more old school than competitors but I can live with that as trade off for the room
Can always upgrade the media screen later with Android Auto unit I guess

But the 2017 with 45K km I drove was very light in the steering
And a bit soft and wallowy - bouncy, body roll into corners etc
Compared to my current 8 year old Outlander

Anyone have experience with this and is it correctable?
e.g. can I upgrade tyres, sway bar, suspension, ? a bit to get better handling

I don't expect to turn a family SUV into a racer
Just get it a bit more 'car like'
I might be dreaming - this might just be what it is
Appreciate any thoughts
Cheers

Automotive Car Toyota

Comments

  • cypher67 on 19/02/2019 - 11:52
    +1

    I'm a little confused as to why you are so set on the Kluger when you are considering modifying so much of it to meet your requirements.

    Have you considered other similar cars that may be more suitable standard and save money?

    • Noblejoker on 19/02/2019 - 11:55

      Sure have - the Kluger has by far the most 2nd row leg room
      I have 2 teenagers over 6'6" as am I so I need the space

      The only other car I have sat in with similar space is the new Holden Acadia but htye are new release = no 2nd hand around
      Outlander Sorento Rav4 and CRV are smaller but may do
      Mazda, Santa Fe and many others much smaller in driver seat or 2nd row or both

      If I can improve the driving feel of the Kluger I can have the best of both worlds I guess

      • Chandler on 20/02/2019 - 10:42

        Mazda, Santa Fe and many others much smaller in driver seat or 2nd row or both

        Have you actually had a look at the Mazda? When we were looking for a larger car we ended up with the CX-9. And the drive (in my opinion) is very car-like.

        Agree on the Santa Fe - we found it not much bigger than the Tuscon.

  • Skramit on 19/02/2019 - 12:00
    +3

    The Kluger is very much aimed at school runs. It's by no means a divers car. It's deliberately soft and wallowly and has light steering.

    If the ride and handling annoys you, look elsewhere. Not worth a penny trying to firm up (or soften) a cars handling from stock, other than looking at different tyres for slightly different ride feel. There are heaps of other cars in the segment that I'm sure one will suit you better.

    Have you looked at the new Santa Fe? Very roomy inside. Very nice ride which hits a good balance between firmness and riding bumps well. And the diesel is very quiet. I'm 6'3 and can sit in the back just fine.

    • Noblejoker on 19/02/2019 - 12:04

      Thanks for the advice on Kluger

      Yes I have tried the Santa Fe and it is not roomy at all - worst 'large' car I have tried
      I couldn't get in the 2nd row with the drivers seat all the way back
      Drivers position was cramped by the roof and the front pillar blocked vision (they all do but this was worse)
      Gets good raps for everything else but doesn't suit me

      • Skramit on 19/02/2019 - 12:04

        What year model did you try?

        • Noblejoker on 19/02/2019 - 12:05

          New in dealers yard in December so 2018 I presume?

          • Skramit on 19/02/2019 - 12:11
            +1

            @Noblejoker: Wow ok. I'm surprised because I found it one of the roomiest we tested, out of Kluger, CX9, Kodiaq etc. I agree the Kluger was probably larger inside but like you found it horrible to drive.

            You might need a minivan or landcruiser then if the Santa Fe is too small…

            I still reckon mucking with a Klugers ride is not worth the $$$

  • geek001 on 19/02/2019 - 12:09
    +1

    I was looking for a roomy SUV a few years back, only Toyota Kluger and Nissan Pathfinder made my list. I went with Nissan Pathfinder because it was cheaper at the time.

    • Noblejoker on 19/02/2019 - 12:13

      I tried a recent model Pathfinder and found the drivers seat cramped
      Don't think I tried the 2nd row

      • Skramit on 19/02/2019 - 12:21

        Are you ahem wide as well as tall? O.o

        I mean that in a nice way. Seat comfort can be vastly different between cars if one is wider than the seats designed.

        • Noblejoker on 19/02/2019 - 12:44

          Haha - fair question - no fairly slim with a bit of a gut I can't get rid of
          But long legs and arms and wider shoulders

          • Skramit on 19/02/2019 - 12:46

            @Noblejoker: Have you ever re-thought your driving position? When you say you have the seat right back as far as it can go, that seems alarming to me. Are you over 6'6 yourself or just the kids?

            Do you drive with straight or bent arms?

            • Noblejoker on 19/02/2019 - 12:55

              @Skramit: Yep 196cm
              In current 2011 outlander I am all the way back but the Mitsubishi tend to have the footwell deeper into the bonnet so still leaves 2nd row room - my 2001 Magna was the same
              Arms would be straight ish
              The knees are the issue - if I come in much the knees rise up to the steering column or hit the dash
              Look like I am sitting in a pre-school chair
              Left leg can 'manspread' left but accelerator legcan't go far right because of door

              Not comfortable to vary driving position a lot on longer drives - can cope with anything for short periods - but why would you?

              • Skramit on 19/02/2019 - 12:57
                +1

                @Noblejoker: Okay. I'm 191cm and just staggered you have so much difficulty with the extra 5cm.

                • manshrew on 19/02/2019 - 14:42
                  +4

                  @Skramit: I'm sure there's a joke there, but I've never had an extra 5cm for anyone to worry about.

  • klonky on 19/02/2019 - 12:28
    +2

    Have you tried Isuzu mux?

    • Noblejoker on 19/02/2019 - 12:45

      No I haven't recently - did 3 or 4 years ago but kids were smaller then
      Do you find it roomy?
      Wouldn't be my first preference on paper as it is more 4wd than I need - I hate camping :)

      • klonky on 19/02/2019 - 16:06

        We have the Dmax as we wanted a ute. It's more utility than leisure driving but you can get a 2x4 mux instead of the 4x4

  • HighAndDry on 19/02/2019 - 12:45
    +1

    Anyone have experience with this and is it correctable?
    e.g. can I upgrade tyres, sway bar, suspension, ? a bit to get better handling

    It's possible, but I'm going to second the others that it's basically cost-prohibitive. For the money you'd spend on these mods to any degree of noticeable difference, you could upgrade to a better/bigger car entirely.

    • Noblejoker on 19/02/2019 - 12:48

      Further questions you raise

      1. what would be the mods and cost?
        Need new tyres eventually anyway - happy to pay a little more for improvement
        Sway bar and suspension = How much $2K?
        Keep car 5 years and it's not much

      2. only considering upgrades as I can't find a bigger/better car
        Open to suggestions as per other replies

      Thx :)

      • HighAndDry on 19/02/2019 - 13:25
        +1

        I think the most effective (and efficient in terms of cost/effect) method would be just to put in a stiffer/stronger rear sway bar, like this guy did here:

        https://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/46034-kluger-re…

        The part itself is $350, and to fit it… no idea would depend on your mechanic but total cost isn't actually as bad as I thought it might be. The downside is still that you've no idea how the end-result will feel and you'd have to commit to the Kluger and extra costs before you'll be able to know if it's good enough for you or not.

        • Noblejoker on 19/02/2019 - 15:27

          Thanks for the advice and the Googling
          I did look at that forum but not that thread
          Seems the Kluger in the US is called a Highlander nad there are plenty of parts around
          If only I knew what I wanted

          Your point is very valid - have to buy and hope the upgrades help
          It's not terrible at stock - just very different

    • [Deactivated] on 19/02/2019 - 14:47

      I don't think the Kluger is conducive for modding anyway. Generally, any vehicle that doesn't sell well in the US does get much third party attention.

      I like the Everest for modding but I have been told it is a lemon by two owners already. (2 of 2 who have or had an Everest).

      LC300 is rumoured… so hang on to your hats…

  • dcep on 19/02/2019 - 13:12
    +1

    cut the springs

    put low profile 35 sidewall rubber band tyres

    • [Deactivated] on 19/02/2019 - 14:44

      Don't forget anti-sway bars.

    • Slippage on 20/02/2019 - 08:05

      Clear troll is clear

  • plmko on 19/02/2019 - 13:53

    very light in the steering

    Engine bay and sub frame bracing.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/02/2019 - 14:49

      Not sure about Toyota but in VAG vehicles, the steering stiffness is codable.

      It won't make it any more responsive or better feedback but it will make it feel simply heavier.

      • Noblejoker on 19/02/2019 - 15:20

        That would be nice but I doubt it - or the dealer would have said so

        • [Deactivated] on 19/02/2019 - 15:49

          Sales have no clue on what can be done.

          Dealer mechanics may not want to offer that info as everything they do needs to comply with company policy. A code change opens the up to a possibility of code errors and the ensuing liabilities.

    • Noblejoker on 19/02/2019 - 15:20
      +1

      No expert (by a long way) but I think it is more Toyota steering by design - not a structural integrity issue

  • JimB on 19/02/2019 - 16:21

    I sat in the back of the current model Kluger for a 30min trip through rolling hills. I felt car sick… never been car sick since I was a kid.

    I think it's a Toyota trait (but new Toyota's are getting better)

    • Noblejoker on 19/02/2019 - 17:29

      Agree - I had an Aurion about 5 years ago and it was the same
      Tyre upgrade changed the ride a little - hence the question here I guess

  • Euphemistic on 19/02/2019 - 19:50
    +1

    Short answer: Yes, you can improve the ride of a Kluger.

    Long answer will involve your research and dollars. You will need to find the right tyres, sway bars, springs and shock absorbers to suit your vehicle and the ride style you want and that will suit your budget.

  • Slippage on 20/02/2019 - 08:09
    +1

    Have you looked at the Ford Territory. No longer a current model, 2nd hand ones are fairly cheap. the middle row is on rails, so slides back/forward. If it's a 7 seater, remove the head rests off the 6/7th seat and the middle row will slide back further. Further more it drives more like a car, than an SUV.

    This was by far the best car for us, i'm 6'5" and needed to have a rear facing capsule behind me as driver.

    • Noblejoker on 20/02/2019 - 16:03

      No I haven't - will do a search!

  • KingJuf on 20/02/2019 - 08:26
    +1

    Have you tried the AWD version?

    • Noblejoker on 20/02/2019 - 16:03

      No I didn't
      Dealer told me awd is not constant and automatically cuts out at about 40km an hour anyway
      So not sure it would make a difference

  • backpaqer on 20/02/2019 - 13:33
    +1

    I'm 6'2" and my usual test is to jump in front seat, move it all the way back and then see if a can fit in the back seat behind it. I found the only car that could easily do this was the Nissan Maxima… Which is now in the Infiniti range. Toyota landcruisers are similar for size but much bigger and heavier on juice.

    • Noblejoker on 20/02/2019 - 16:02

      My exact method when I don't have my kid with me
      Maxima might be good but prefer SUV I think

  • [Deactivated] on 20/02/2019 - 23:13
    +1

    Klugers are pretty expensive right? Get a used luxury barge sedan, put aside half the money for any repairs that you might need. They have massive boots. BMW 7xxLI or iL I think is the model I'm thinking of, but I'm sure the other manufacturers-Lexus, Mercedes, Audi-have equivalents that fill the same niche. You kids are enormous dude.

    That will solve your legroom and driving feel problems in one. A big V8 is just as bad on fuel as an old-school Toyota V6 in a heavy car with a crap auto, anyway.

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/BMW-750Li-2006/SSE-…

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/BMW-750Li-2010/OAG-…

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/BMW-745Li-2002/SSE-…

    • Noblejoker on 23/02/2019 - 11:39
      +1

      Very interesting - looking into it - Thanks

      • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2019 - 12:51

        Yeah no worries mate. I just reckon if you are gonna spend so much on a car, you might as well get one that's fun too. Some of these types of cars will get your blood pumping as well as fit your enormous kids.

        Plus if you're going for a Kluger you're clearly not interested in going offroad so you don't really need an SUV.

        • Noblejoker on 24/02/2019 - 16:42
          +1

          Great thoughts - I would like a fun car too

          • dazeet on 10/03/2019 - 15:36
            +1

            @Noblejoker: You may want to add to this shortlist, any V8 Lexus LS or GS, or even the WN onwards Holden Caprice or Gen-F onwards HSV Grange. The Caprice also comes in LPG-only V6 form - and I believe even the V8 can also be converted to run on LPG.

  • M1ndFu7 on 22/02/2019 - 11:51
    +1

    Hi OP, I was in the market awhile ago for an SUV too. Always liked the Klugger for its price, size, additional 2nd row seats. What i did not like is how much fuel it consumes (i know its a big car).

    Have you thought about the Fortuner instead? it is about the same size if not mistaken but built with an entirely different chassis to the Klugger. The klugger was built based on a camry chassis which i also find to be bouncy and soft. The Hilux chassis maybe a little bit better. Note i have not driven one so i am just sharing a finding based on what i have read.

    Cheers

    • Noblejoker on 23/02/2019 - 12:02

      will try to find a Fortuner to try Thx

      • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2019 - 12:50
        +1

        My parents own a Fortuner, it's definitely better to drive than a Kluger but it does feel like a much bigger car.

  • dazeet on 10/03/2019 - 15:46

    Kia Carnival :)

    You can’t beat a large one-box design for sheer space not just in the 1st and 2nd rows, but also the 3rd row as well as the boot.

    I hired a Si diesel for 6 adults and 2 weeks’ worth of luggage. Its ride and handling balance was surprising good for a vehicle of its size and weight…to the point that if I really concentrate, I was able to keep up at a safe distance behind other vehicles even in more challenging road conditions, including non-SUVs…until they resort to speeding away in the straight bits. Probably because the Carnival rides a little lower than most full size SUVs :)

    • Noblejoker on 11/03/2019 - 20:55

      as mu comment below - Carnival is massive and uuggllyyy
      Still if I shut my eye and get in I might enjoy
      My current Outlander is no race car and that's without the load you were hauling

  • brad1-8tsi on 11/03/2019 - 12:23
    +1

    We had Klugers at work circa 2015 and they were shockers. The stability control software intervened very early in a corner.

    First - check the tyre pressures.

    For modding:
    The first mod should always be tyres. Whether or not anything better is available in Kluger size is another question.

    2nd mod - Dampers. Koni or Bilstein.

    Having had SUVs and People Movers, I'd pick the latter every time unless you have a genuine reason for proper off-roading (we did lots of dirt tracks and fire trails in the People movers.

    • Noblejoker on 11/03/2019 - 20:53

      Very interesting points and makes sense that Carnival is more car like
      But it is also uuuggllyyy :)

      • brad1-8tsi on 12/03/2019 - 07:36
        +2

        The Kluger is no oil painting either :-).

        The biggest issue with People Movers is that they scream "Look at me. I'm married and have kids and I'm sensible." An SUV says "Look at me. Occasionally I go camping."

        My pick is the V6 Tarago. I'm not sure if they still sell them but they are rocket ships (quicker than a Phase 1 GTHO) and handle well.

        Our roll call of 7 seaters (Nb: they were all underpowered and I spent 50% of the time with my boot into the firewall):
        Toyota Avensis Verso (x2).
        Captiva Diesel
        Outlander petrol
        Captiva V6
        Honda Odyssey Lux (these are cheaper than you think)

        • Noblejoker on 14/03/2019 - 12:52

          Good advice all round - Thanks mate!

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