Summary
The 2025 Toyota Kluger and Highlander are mid-size crossover SUVs that share a common platform and many mechanical components but are marketed under different names depending on the region—“Kluger” primarily in Australia and Japan, and “Highlander” in North America, Europe, and other markets. Both models emphasize comfort, safety, and family-oriented practicality, positioning themselves as versatile alternatives to more rugged, truck-based SUVs. Since its debut in 2000, the Highlander has evolved into a popular choice in its segment, while the Kluger name, derived from the German word klug meaning “smart,” highlights the vehicle’s intelligent design tailored to family needs.
The 2025 iterations of the Kluger and Highlander offer a range of powertrain options with a strong focus on hybrid technology. The Kluger is now exclusively available with hybrid powertrains combining fuel efficiency and reliable performance, while the Highlander presents multiple engine choices, including hybrid, turbocharged gasoline, and a high-performance Hybrid MAX variant. Both SUVs come equipped with advanced safety suites, such as Toyota Safety Sense, and feature modern infotainment systems that enhance driver convenience and connectivity.
Despite their similarities, notable differences exist in styling, trim availability, and market-specific adaptations, reflecting consumer preferences and regulatory environments in their respective regions. Pricing strategies also differ, with the Kluger generally positioned at a higher entry price point in Australia, accompanied by recent increases tied to inflation and evolving equipment levels. Consumer and expert reviews generally praise the vehicles for their spacious interiors and safety features but have occasionally raised concerns, particularly regarding the Kluger’s Electronic Stability Program following a widely reported 2007 incident during off-road testing.
Overall, the 2025 Toyota Kluger and Highlander continue to compete strongly in the mid-size SUV market by balancing efficiency, versatility, and technology. Their ongoing evolution reflects Toyota’s commitment to meeting diverse regional demands while navigating challenges related to powertrain refinement and safety system performance.
Overview
The Toyota Kluger and Highlander are essentially the same mid-size crossover SUVs, with the “Kluger” name used primarily in Australia and Japan, while “Highlander” is the designation in other markets. Both models share a common platform with the Lexus RX/Toyota Harrier (XU30 series), highlighting their road-oriented design compared to Toyota’s more rugged, truck-based 4Runner. The Highlander was introduced in 2000 as a unibody SUV featuring independent rear suspension, catering to buyers seeking comfort and versatility rather than off-road capability.
The Kluger name derives from the German word klug, meaning “smart” or “clever,” reflecting the vehicle’s positioning as a practical and intelligent choice for families. Due to trademark reasons, the Highlander name is not used in Australia, where “Kluger” is the official model name instead. Over the years, the Highlander/Kluger has evolved with significant updates, such as the 2008 XU40 redesign, which introduced a roomier third row and expanded engine options to include a four-cylinder alongside the V6.
Both SUVs are equipped with advanced active safety technologies aimed at preventing or mitigating collisions. Features such as Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), lane keeping assist, and driver attention detection systems enhance overall driving safety. These attributes, combined with their spacious interiors and reliable performance, have made the Highlander/Kluger a popular choice in their respective markets.
Design Comparison
The 2025 Toyota Highlander and Kluger both showcase thoughtful design elements that cater to different driver preferences while emphasizing comfort, practicality, and safety.
The Highlander features refreshed exterior styling for 2025, including updated grille designs, new alloy wheel options, and unique exterior colors such as Heavy Metal for select trims. Its aerodynamic lines and sculpted profile contribute to its standout presence in the midsize SUV segment. Practical enhancements like roof rails and an available panoramic roof add versatility and an open-air feel. Inside, the Highlander emphasizes comfort and technology with leather-trimmed front and second-row seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and a larger standard touchscreen display for improved usability. Power-adjustable heated front seats with 8-way controls and lumbar support further enhance driver comfort. Additionally, Toyota’s latest Safety Sense™ 3.0 suite is more widely available in the cabin, underscoring the model’s focus on connectivity and driver assistance.
In contrast, the Toyota Kluger emphasizes spaciousness and family-friendly practicality combined with luxury touches. It offers seating for seven across three comfortable rows, making it a popular choice for families. The interior design prioritizes driver comfort, with an ergonomic seating position and ample space facilitated by the vehicle’s wider body. The Kluger also supports practicality with easy installation of three child seats in the second row. Its hybrid powertrain balances power and efficiency while maintaining a premium feel. Safety remains paramount, as the Kluger incorporates intelligent safety technology designed to support safe driving and includes up to seven airbags that deploy instantly when needed.
Performance and Powertrain
The 2025 Toyota Kluger and Highlander offer a range of powertrain options tailored to different driving preferences, emphasizing hybrid efficiency and turbocharged performance.
The Toyota Kluger comes exclusively with a hybrid powertrain that pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors and an Electronic Continuous Variable Transmission (e-CVT), delivering a combined output of 243 horsepower. This setup prioritizes fuel efficiency, achieving an official combined fuel consumption of approximately 5.6 L/100 km, with a large 65-liter fuel tank allowing for a theoretical driving range of up to 1160 km. Although there is no official 0-100 km/h acceleration time, the Kluger is estimated to complete this sprint in around 9 seconds. The Kluger’s hybrid system is available in both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, with the Kluger GX featuring a 2.5L Hybrid Electric AWD system aimed at family flexibility. The range-topping Kluger Grande eFour Hybrid delivers 198 kW (approximately 265 hp) and 420 Nm of torque from a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, making it the most powerful and expensive variant in the Kluger lineup to date. The petrol-powered front- and all-wheel-drive models have been discontinued for 2025, cementing hybrid powertrains as the focus for the Kluger range.
In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Highlander offers multiple powertrain choices to suit a broader spectrum of drivers. These include a 2.5L hybrid powertrain estimated to deliver 34 combined miles per gallon (MPG), a high-performance 362-horsepower Hybrid MAX variant, and a balanced 2.4L turbocharged gasoline engine. The turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is standard in many trims such as the LE and XLE, producing a sporty yet efficient driving experience with a towing capacity rated at 5,000 pounds. The Highlander’s hybrid option pairs similar technology to the Kluger’s hybrid system but with powertrain tuning that offers a smoother acceleration feel despite a moderate horsepower output of 243 hp. Earlier generations offered a more powerful 3.5L V6 engine producing up to 295 hp with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but this was replaced in 2023 by the turbocharged four-cylinder to meet stricter emissions and fuel economy standards. Despite some owner dissatisfaction regarding the current turbocharged engine’s noise and hesitation during acceleration, Toyota continues to refine the powertrain.
Both vehicles incorporate modern transmissions, with the Kluger utilizing an e-CVT in its hybrid variants, and the Highlander offering CVT with the hybrid and six-speed or eight-speed automatics for gasoline engines. All-wheel drive is available on select models for improved traction and versatility. Additionally, the Highlander’s Hybrid MAX variant enhances performance for those seeking higher horsepower without sacrificing hybrid efficiency. Overall, the Kluger focuses on hybrid-only powertrains for efficiency and reliability, while the Highlander provides a wider array of choices balancing performance, efficiency, and towing capability.
Technology and Features
The 2025 Toyota Kluger and Highlander offer a range of advanced technology and safety features designed to enhance connectivity, convenience, and driver assistance.
Both models come equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, though the versions differ slightly. The Kluger features Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+, which includes a comprehensive suite of active driver-assistance technologies such as adaptive cruise control, lane centering, lane trace assist, and a Pre-Collision Safety System (PCS) with pedestrian and daylight cyclist detection. This system can warn the driver with audio and visual alerts and apply automatic braking if necessary to help avoid or mitigate collisions. Additionally, Lane Trace Assist can detect lane departure and apply partial steering corrections to keep the vehicle centered. The Highlander incorporates Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering similar advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, alongside Traffic Jam Assist for improved freeway driving.
In terms of infotainment, the Kluger features an available 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration capabilities including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The vehicle also supports Toyota Connected Services through the Toyota Connect app, which enables remote locking and unlocking, trip data monitoring, and enhanced safety and security functions with a complimentary one-year subscription. The Highlander, by comparison, comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, providing seamless smartphone integration and entertainment options.
Driver information is presented clearly in both models. The Kluger offers a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that displays vital information such as speed, fuel economy, and safety alerts, along with customizable settings accessible via steering wheel controls. The Highlander also features integrated safety alerts and driver information through its digital displays, aiding in situational awareness during driving.
Additional safety features standard or available in both SUVs include automatic emergency braking (AEB) that operates across various speed ranges to reduce collision severity, electronic stability control (ESC) to assist when vehicle control is lost, side curtain airbags with rollover sensors, and driver attention detection systems to warn of drowsiness. Both vehicles also offer reversing cameras for enhanced rear visibility and front and rear parking assist systems with automatic braking to aid in low-speed maneuvers.
Pricing, Trim Levels, and Packages
The 2025 Toyota Kluger and Highlander offer a range of trim levels and packages designed to cater to various customer preferences, with notable differences in pricing and features.
The 2025 Toyota Highlander is available in five trims: LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. Hybrid powertrains are offered for the XLE, Limited, and Platinum trims, while special editions such as the XLE Nightshade and Limited 25th Hybrid Highlander add exclusivity with unique badging and premium materials. The LE trim accommodates up to eight passengers with three rows of seating and comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. The XLE trim enhances comfort and convenience by adding SofTex-trimmed heated front and second-row seats and wireless device charging. Across all trims, the Highlander features a four-cylinder engine and benefits from equipment updates including a larger standard touchscreen and expanded availability of the Safety Sense™ 3.0 suite. Additionally, a powered tailgate has become standard from the 2024 model year onward for all trims except the discontinued entry-level L trim.
The 2025 Toyota Kluger has experienced price increases of up to $2,630, with the entry-level model now starting at $54,420 before on-road costs, marking a $6,770 rise since the launch of the current generation in 2021. Further price adjustments took effect from June 1, 2025, with increases up to $1,490 attributed to inflationary pressures and rising costs globally. Despite these hikes, the Kluger has gained additional equipment to enhance its value proposition. Notably, petrol-powered models were discontinued in March 2024, aligning the Kluger’s offerings more closely with hybrid variants.
Reliability, Maintenance, and Ownership Experience
The 2025 Toyota Kluger, also known as the Highlander in some markets, has received mixed feedback regarding its reliability and ownership experience. Early reports from owners during the first 90 days of ownership have highlighted some issues, though detailed specifics remain limited. Despite this, the Kluger remains a popular choice, with sales in 2025 up by 8 percent, making it one of the top-selling large SUVs in the non-4WD category.
A significant concern raised by motoring journalists pertains to the vehicle’s Electronic Stability Program (ESP). During high-speed gravel road testing conducted by Wheels magazine in 2007, the editor rolled the vehicle — the first such incident in the publication’s 45-year history. The incident led to criticism of the Kluger’s stability system, with judges remarking that the ESP performance was “sub-standard” and describing the vehicle as “almost dangerous on dirt roads”. Toyota disputed these claims, questioning the testing procedures and the circumstances of the accident.
Regarding maintenance and warranty, Toyota offers a comprehensive package for the Kluger. The vehicle is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with the possibility of extending the engine and driveline coverage to seven years if annual servicing is maintained through authorized dealers. Hybrid battery warranty coverage can extend up to 10 years under similar conditions. Service intervals are scheduled every 12 months or 15,000 km, with annual maintenance costs typically ranging between AUD 250 to 300, depending on the service provider and specific requirements.
Insurance premiums for the 2025 Kluger generally fall between AUD 1,200 and 1,500 annually, though this varies based on driver profile, location, and coverage. Certified pre-owned Toyota vehicles come with a one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty, with powertrain warranties extended to seven years or 100,000 miles from the initial sale date. Hybrid components for models from 2020 onward receive eight years or 100,000 miles of coverage.
Market-Specific Variations
The Toyota Kluger and Highlander, while fundamentally sharing the same platform and many mechanical components, exhibit distinct variations tailored to their respective markets. These differences encompass suspension tuning, powertrain calibration, and the availability of features, which are adjusted depending on the region and specific model variant to better suit local preferences and regulations.
Production locations also highlight market-specific strategies. The Highlander has been manufactured in Princeton, Indiana, since the 2010 model year for the majority of the North American market, replacing production previously dedicated to the Tundra. Meanwhile, the XU40 generation Highlander was initially produced at Toyota Motor Kyushu’s Miyata plant in Japan for all global markets starting in 2007, with local production commencing in China by GAC Toyota in 2009. Toyota had plans to produce the Highlander in Blue Springs, Mississippi, for North America in 2011, though this was later adjusted.
In contrast, the Kluger, primarily sold in Australia, incorporates styling and feature updates that reflect regional design languages and consumer tastes. For instance, there is speculation that Australia’s updated Kluger might adopt Toyota’s newer design language, similar to that of the Crown and Prius models, although these models themselves are not offered locally. Renderings adapting these newer design cues to the Kluger suggest a potential shift in styling that could distinguish the Australian model further from its North American counterpart.
Taxation, levies, and regulatory differences across states and countries also affect pricing and feature availability, contributing to the market-specific variations between the Kluger and Highlander. These factors influence consumer choice by altering both the initial purchase price and the value proposition relative to competing vehicles in each region.
Looking ahead, Toyota’s production
Resale Value and Depreciation
When considering the resale value and depreciation of the Toyota Kluger and Highlander, both models demonstrate strong performance in retaining their value over time. The Toyota 4Runner, a related model, ranks in the Top 10 for both 5-year and 7-year resale values, suggesting a general trend of durability and value retention within Toyota’s SUV lineup. This is significant for prospective buyers planning long-term ownership, as understanding depreciation can impact total cost of ownership.
Historical depreciation data for hundreds of vehicle models, including Toyota’s offerings, extends back as far as 12 years, providing a comprehensive picture of how these SUVs hold their value. Using available tools such as depreciation calculators, buyers can forecast the expected resale value of the Kluger and Highlander over the next decade, aiding in informed purchasing decisions.
While both vehicles share a common heritage—originating from the Toyota Harrier introduced in Japan in 1997—and feature similar design and engineering traits, market availability affects their resale dynamics. The Highlander is primarily sold in North America, Europe, and select Asian markets, whereas the Kluger is mainly available in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia. This regional distinction can influence factors such as demand, market depreciation rates, and ultimately resale value.
The Highlander, which underwent a significant redesign unveiled at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show as its second generation, reflects Toyota’s commitment to continuous improvement and maintaining strong market appeal. This ongoing evolution contributes to its ability to hold value well over time, paralleling the Kluger’s similar reputation in its respective markets.
Consumer and Expert Reviews
The 2025 Toyota Kluger has generally received mixed reviews from both consumers and automotive experts. It is often described as a reliable family SUV that performs well as a commuter vehicle, though it tends to fly under the radar in the competitive large SUV segment. Despite its solid build and dependability, some reviewers note that there are other SUVs available that offer better overall performance at a lower cost, positioning the Kluger as a mid-tier choice for buyers willing to invest more.
One of the strongest points highlighted in reviews is the Kluger’s interior design. Some reviewers, especially those transitioning from models like the Toyota Fortuner, have expressed genuine surprise and appreciation for the cabin quality and features, suggesting a noticeable improvement in comfort and refinement compared to previous or related models. However, the overall design of the 2025 Kluger’s cabin has remained largely unchanged since its global debut in 2020, which may be a drawback for those seeking the latest styling updates.
Pricing for the Kluger starts at around $62,410 for the base GX model, which some consumers feel is relatively high for what the vehicle offers, especially when compared to rival SUVs that may deliver better value for money. Additionally, owner satisfaction metrics collected over short-term ownership periods provide useful insights for prospective buyers, though detailed comparisons specifically against the Highlander remain limited in the public domain.
Safety has been a notable point of contention in expert evaluations. The Kluger’s Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system has come under criticism following a high-profile incident during testing by Wheels magazine in 2007, where the vehicle rolled during high-speed gravel road testing. The magazine’s editor described deficiencies in the Kluger’s Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as contributing to the crash and characterized the system’s performance as sub-standard and almost dangerous on loose surfaces. Toyota disputed both the accident circumstances and the testing methodology, calling it unscientific, but the incident has left a lingering question about the SUV’s stability control under extreme conditions.
The content is provided by Blake Sterling, Front Signals
