Toyota Kluger vs Volkswagen Tayron

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Toyota Kluger at 5 stars (2021) and the Volkswagen Tayron at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2021 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 90% for the Toyota Kluger and 87% for the Volkswagen Tayron, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 8 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Volkswagen Tayron, against 5 on the Toyota Kluger.

Both include the essentials: lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Toyota Kluger and 9 in the Volkswagen Tayron.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Toyota Kluger features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Tayron gets a 12.9-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Volkswagen Tayron counters with wireless charging, power tailgate and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Drivetrain

The Toyota Kluger uses a 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid producing 184kW and 242Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.9 seconds.

The Volkswagen Tayron responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 250Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels.

The Toyota Kluger has the clear power advantage at 184kW vs 110kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Toyota Kluger measures 4,966mm long on a 2,850mm wheelbase, 174mm longer than the Volkswagen Tayron at 4,792mm (2,790mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota Kluger generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 241L in the Toyota Kluger and 345L in the Volkswagen Tayron, giving the Volkswagen Tayron a 104L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1150L vs 1905L.

For towing, the Toyota Kluger leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Toyota Kluger's turning circle is 0.7 m tighter, 11.4 m against 12.1 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Toyota Kluger costs about $1,596 a year (5.6 L/100km) and fuel for the Volkswagen Tayron about $2,166 a year (7.6 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $570 a year less for the Toyota Kluger.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Toyota Kluger) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volkswagen Tayron).

Where each one leads

The Toyota Kluger: more power (184kW against 110kW), the higher braked towing limit (2,000kg against 1,800kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,596 a year against $2,166).

The Volkswagen Tayron: the lower starting price ($48,290 against $62,410) and the bigger boot with the seats up (345L against 241L).

The Verdict

Toyota Kluger scores higher, 78 vs 73

The Toyota Kluger scores 78 to the Volkswagen Tayron's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: fuel economy (Toyota Kluger ahead by 18 points), technology (Toyota Kluger ahead by 12 points), reliability (Toyota Kluger ahead by 10 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Toyota Kluger costs about $570 less (5.6 L/100km against 7.6 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 241L in the Toyota Kluger, 345L in the Volkswagen Tayron.

Common questions