Toyota Kluger vs Volkswagen Touareg

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Volkswagen Touareg a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

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 Touareg gets a 15-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Volkswagen Touareg counters with wireless charging, heated front seats and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Toyota Kluger gets cloth upholstery while the Volkswagen Touareg offers leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Toyota Kluger and 2-zone in the Volkswagen Touareg.

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 Touareg responds with a Diesel making 170kW and 500Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.

The Toyota Kluger has the clear power advantage at 184kW vs 170kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Toyota Kluger is 0.1s quicker. 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, 77mm longer than the Volkswagen Touareg at 4,889mm (2,894mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Touareg generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 241L in the Toyota Kluger and 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 569L advantage. The Toyota Kluger seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Volkswagen Touareg leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 1,500kg 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 0.6 m tighter, 11.4 m against 12.0 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 Touareg 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 Touareg).

Where each one leads

The Toyota Kluger: the lower starting price ($62,410 against $86,790), more power (184kW against 170kW) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,596 a year against $2,166).

The Volkswagen Touareg: the bigger boot with the seats up (810L against 241L) and the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 2,000kg).

The Verdict

Toyota Kluger scores higher, 78 vs 68

The Toyota Kluger scores 78 to the Volkswagen Touareg's 68 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 6 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Toyota Kluger ahead by 27 points), practicality (Volkswagen Touareg ahead by 24 points), fuel economy (Toyota Kluger ahead by 18 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, 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg.

Common questions