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Toyota
Kluger
XU50·
2014-2020
suv-soft
Top pick
Price (AUD)
$22k-$48k
Body styles
5-door wagon (7-seat)
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive (2WD), On-demand AWD (electronically controlled coupling)
Origin
Japan
Built in
United States (Princeton, Indiana)
Overview
The third-generation (XU50) Kluger was Toyota Australia's default big family SUV: seven seats, a soft-roader monocoque platform shared with the US Highlander, and built in Princeton, Indiana rather than Japan. Australia got only one engine family - the 3.5L petrol V6 - in two forms. Early 2014 to early 2017 cars use the port-injected 2GR-FE (201kW/337Nm) with a 6-speed auto; the February 2017 facelift switched to the dual-injection 2GR-FKS (218kW/350Nm) with an 8-speed auto and better economy. No diesel and no hybrid was offered here this generation (the hybrid only arrived with the XU70). Sold as GX, GXL and Grande, in 2WD or on-demand AWD. Mechanically it is one of the most reliable large SUVs you can buy used - the 2GR V6 is a long-lived, chain-driven engine - but it is thirsty for a 'soft' SUV, and there are real recall items (the 2020 Denso low-pressure fuel pump campaign, an early fuel-pipe weld recall and an EPS circuit-board recall) to verify before buying.
Engines & variants
3.5L 2GR-FE V6 petrol
Engine
3.5L DOHC VVT-i port-injected V6
Config
V6 NA
Displacement
3456cc
Power
201kW @ 6200rpm
Torque
337Nm @ 4700rpm
Drivetrain
FWD or on-demand AWD
Economy
10.2-10.6 L/100km combined (11-12.5 real world)
Tow (braked)
2000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Proven, long-lived chain-driven Toyota V6 (300k+ km)
- Smooth and quiet, strong mid-range for a family hauler
- No diesel emissions complexity - no DPF, no EGR soot dramas
- Huge parts and service support, simple to own
- Excellent resale and reliability reputation
Cons
- Genuinely thirsty - real-world 11-13 L/100km in suburbia
- Only a 6-speed auto (vs the later 8-speed), so it revs harder on the highway
- 2000kg braked tow is modest vs ladder-frame rivals
- Water-pump weeping and high-km oil consumption are the watch items
Known problems
medium
Water pump seepage / failure
The 2GR-FE water pump can weep coolant from the weep hole or bearing and eventually fail, risking overheating. A well-documented Toyota V6 wear item.
Fix: Replace the water pump (and thermostat/coolant) preventively; inspect for coolant weep at service.
medium
High-km oil consumption
Higher-mileage 2GR-FE V6s can start consuming oil between services. Usually a monitoring/top-up issue rather than catastrophic, but worth checking on a high-km example.
Fix: Check oil level regularly; investigate PCV/valve-stem seals; ring/valve work only if consumption is severe.
low
VVT-i oil line / front cover and cam-cover leaks
XU50 cars use the updated all-metal VVT-i oil line (Toyota switched away from the failure-prone rubber line in 2010), so the dramatic rubber-line rupture is not the XU50 risk it was on older V6s - but front timing-cover and cam-cover gasket seepage still appears at higher km.
Fix: Reseal front cover / cam covers as needed; the metal VVT-i line rarely needs attention.
low
Cam chain tensioner rattle on cold start
A brief rattle on cold start can indicate a tired cam chain tensioner.
Fix: Replace the tensioner; keep to clean oil and correct service intervals.
3.5L 2GR-FKS V6 petrol (D-4S)
Engine
3.5L DOHC dual-injection (D-4S) V6 with VVT-iW
Config
V6 NA
Displacement
3456cc
Power
218kW @ 6600rpm
Torque
350Nm @ 4700rpm
Drivetrain
FWD or on-demand AWD
Economy
9.1-9.5 L/100km combined (10-12 real world)
Tow (braked)
2000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
8AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- More power (218kW) and noticeably better economy than the 2GR-FE
- 8-speed auto is smoother and quieter at highway speeds
- D-4S dual injection reduces the intake-valve carbon risk of pure direct injection
- Same robust, chain-driven, long-lived V6 architecture
- Strong resale and Toyota reliability
Cons
- Subject to the 2020 Denso low-pressure fuel pump recall (stalling) - verify it was done
- Still a thirsty large petrol SUV by modern standards
- 2000kg braked tow unchanged - modest for the size
- 8-speed auto fluid is 'lifetime' but high-km/towing owners should service it
Known problems
high
Low-pressure fuel pump failure (Denso recall VGG17/VGG05)
Affected XU50 Klugers built roughly July 2017 to December 2019 can have a faulty Denso low-pressure fuel pump impeller that stops the pump, causing the engine to run rough, stall and possibly not restart - a safety risk. Covered by Toyota recall campaigns VGG17 (Apr 2020) and VGG05 (Nov 2020).
Fix: Confirm the fuel-pump recall has been completed against the VIN; if not, have Toyota replace the pump free under the campaign.
medium
Water pump seepage at higher km
As with the 2GR-FE, the V6 water pump can weep and eventually fail at higher km.
Fix: Replace the water pump and coolant preventively; watch the weep hole.
low
8-speed auto harshness if fluid neglected
The UA80 8-speed is reliable but towing or high-km cars benefit from a fluid service despite the 'fill-for-life' label; neglected fluid can cause harsher shifts.
Fix: Periodic transmission fluid service for towing/high-km use.
Common problems (all variants)
high
Fuel-delivery pipe weld recall (mid-2014 build)
XU50 Klugers built 2 May to 3 June 2014 had a right-hand fuel delivery pipe end cap that may have been insufficiently welded, allowing a fuel leak and fire risk.
Fix: Verify the September 2014 recall was completed on the VIN before purchase.
medium
Electric power steering (EPS) circuit-board recall (late-2014 build)
Cars built 15 August to 23 December 2014 could have an EPS circuit board damaged in production, potentially affecting steering assistance.
Fix: Confirm the March 2015 EPS recall was completed against the VIN.
low
Thirsty real-world fuel economy
Not a fault, but a heavy 7-seat petrol V6 SUV drinks fuel - frequent owner reports of 11-13 L/100km in city use (the later 2GR-FKS/8-speed is better).
Fix: Accept the fuel bill, or favour the post-2017 8-speed car for slightly better economy.
low
Air-conditioning performance / refrigerant loss
Owners report weak cooling on higher-km cars, most often from low refrigerant or a tired compressor/condenser.
Fix: Regas and leak-test; replace condenser/compressor if leaking or failed.
low
Brake wear on a heavy 7-seater
A heavy, family-loaded SUV chews pads and rotors, especially in stop-start suburban use.
Fix: Quality pads/rotors; inspect rotors for warping if pulsing reported.